What Does It Mean To Unlock An iPhone

Is Unlocking an iPhone Illegal and What Are The Pros and Cons

Aug 23, 2008

Many people are interested in finding a way to unlock their new iPhone. Unlocking is not something to take on lightly and it is definitely not for the casual user.

iPhone unlocking has been a controversial action ever since the first generation of the product debuted in June of 2007 but people still try to do it anyway. Despite the many pros and cons associated with unlocking an iPhone why do some people try to do it, and should a happy iPhone user even consider trying it?

Unlocking An iPhone- Definition and Motives

Unlocking any device basically means altering the system software in some way so that the device can be allowed to do something that it normally could not. Unlocking the iPhone is primarily done to allow the user to use the phone with a carrier other than AT&T wireless (or another country's contracted carrier). Many users are not happy with AT&T's wireless service, lack of promised 3G data coverage, and other issues too numerous to mention and want a way to use the sleek, wonderfully made iPhone without the contractual obligations.

By unlocking the iPhone a user could theoretically use the iPhone with any carrier that they choose. This might save the user money over the long run but leaves AT&T and Apple out in the cold. As a result, both companies have gone to extreme measures to try to eliminate iPhone unlocking by changing the way the phones are activated initially.

The new methods have cut down the amount of phones being unlocked simply because in order to buy one the contract must be activated before the buyer even receives the phone.

Is Unlocking Illegal?

Until November of 2009 when an exemption to the Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA) expires unlocking any cellular telephone to work on another network may be considered legal as long as the modification is done for personal use and not commercial gain.

What Are The Negatives Associated With Unlocking an iPhone?

First and foremost be aware that unlocking an iPhone voids the warranty of the device. Apple will probably not give the user any technical support, nor will they fix it if the unlocking goes horribly wrong.

While a unlocked iPhone will work pretty much like any other iPhone in terms of being able to access the Internet, updating the iPhone's software will most likely cause major problems. The same goes for the iPhone Apps store.

Unlocking an iPhone is not a task for a novice or for the faint of heart. Users should consider the risks balanced against any percieved benefits before attempting to unlock their iPhone.

The copyright of the article What Does It Mean To Unlock An iPhone in Cell Phones is owned by Chad Criswell. Permission to republish What Does It Mean To Unlock An iPhone in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Oct 15, 2008 1:19 PM

Guest :

people wouldn't even think on unlock their iphones if the company, now at&T, would have cheaper plans to get an iphone 3G. my example is that i have the money to get the iphone but i dont have every month 70 dollars to pay my plan. if they would have a cheaper plan i could get it. and there are million of teenagers like me between 15 and 18 that want an iphone 3G but they can't pay the plan.
brian.

Mar 7, 2009 12:28 PM

Guest :

I agree with Brian. Im 16 and i really dont want to be paying a arm a leg and three teeth a month just to have a iPhone so i see the attraction to 'unlocking' a iPhone.

Apr 26, 2009 10:22 PM

Guest :

well you can pay the amount they are asking ... i dont think it is alot either though ..

Jun 10, 2009 10:35 PM

Guest :

i am new to all this stuff. i just recently jailbroke my ipod touch and i was going to try and jailbreak my friend's iphone. But i keep hearing people talk about how it could get messed up. Whatare these problems that could occur...like i hear how it could get messed up when updated but no one, even this site is specific. Can anyone help me?

Oct 14, 2009 11:36 AM

Guest :

You could brick your iPhone. Thats when the phone will not turn on or off and is stuck in a non useable state. I have Jailbroken my iPhone 3GS while on 3.0 and 3.1.2 firmwares without any issues. If your iPhone freezes up just hoild the sleep and home button to do a soft restore to your iPhone. As for the people complaining about the iPhones cell service packages through AT&T still need to remember that a $100 a month plan is still cheaper than what you would pay at VZW for example with something comparable such as a Blackberry Storm. Believe me I've been there. Now my girlfriend uses my old unlocked Blackberry Storm, for Tmobile, and I switched to a much better network in my opinion. VZW is the absolute worst.