(edit title) How to unlock a US iPhone for use in Sweden Unlocking the phone from AT&T Options

[brooklynmom2]

We just moved here and are shocked at the price for an Iphone. My husband has one from New York, but it's locked to AT&T, which was the service provider. Does anyone know how to unlock it to make it useful here in Sweden?

I just coughed up a bundle on a Nokia phone. I've already had to take it back because it freezes up completely. Can't believe how much they charge for these things here.

[Johno]

Countries vary. In UK nearly all phones sold are locked. I have just had a Nokia unlocked to use with Comviq in Sweden.

If you search Google with "iphone" and "unlock" you will find places that will sell you unlock codes. But related to my experience. My phone was particularly difficult to unlock and two places contacted from Google couldnt get me codes to work - but I got my money back. (Charges of only £3 and £4). I ended up taking it to a local shop who connected it to a computer and did it for £10. Reasonable, with Google firms wanting to charge up to £30 and more. So I ended up content.

So, perhaps look through all the Google hits and see whether the iphone is reported as easy or difficult to unlock. Then judge how to proceed. You will have to pay someone, and you can lock the phone up for good if you make too many false tries at unlocking.

Of course AT&T may do it for a fee if you contact them. My ex service provider would possibly have done it for £15 I think.

[byke]

Its really kinda easy, but can seem daunting ...
are you based in stockholm?

[Alohart]

We just moved here and are shocked at the price for an Iphone.

Actually, I thought that the range of prices and plans were more attractive than AT&T's. But then my iPhone was given to me by Apple when I was an employee, so I haven't really kept up with current prices.

My husband has one from New York, but it's locked to AT&T, which was the service provider. Does anyone know how to unlock it to make it useful here in Sweden?

I unlocked my first-generation iPhone which was never sold in Sweden and was locked to AT&T. The unlocking of different iPhone versions differs somewhat. Go to http://www.quickpwn.com/redsn0w and download the appropriate version of redsn0w for your computer's operating system. Upgrade your iPhone in the normal way to iPhone OS 3.0.1, the current version. Then launch redsn0w and follow its instructions. Choose the unlock option to unlock your iPhone. If you want to be able to install iPhone software that's not available in Apple's App Store, select the Cydia installation option (Cydia is an iPhone application installer).

After unlocking, you should be able to install a SIM from any Swedish mobile phone provider. However, you'll need to resync your iPhone with iTunes to reload all photos, music, contacts, calendars, etc., so make sure that all of these data are on your computer before unlocking.

Whatever you do, don't pay anyone to unlock your iPhone or don't buy any unlocking software. The unlocking software that I have mentioned is free to anyone.

[Craptastical]

First of all, do not... I repeat... DO NOT pay anyone to unlock your iPhone. Do not pay anyone for a piggyback SIM. Anyone who says they have unlock codes for the iPhone is full of shit and it's a scam.

Anyone who claims they have software for sale that will unlock your phone are probably going to be selling you software that is actually free, and is not supposed to be sold (all developed by the iPhone Dev Team)

The one free way which works, including with the 3.0.1 software is to download redsn0w, jailbreak your phone with that, and then use ultrasn0w for the unlock. Note that this is not a permanent unlock solution because only AT&T will be able to do that for your phone (via an update on iTunes specifically for your registered phone).

Below are some very useful links to tutorials for jailbreaking and unlocking your phone. It's a lot easier than is sounds:
Page with tutorial links for how to unlock using redsn0w (choose between Windows and Mac, and which iPhone you have for the correct tutorial)
Steps for installing ultasn0w after you jailbreak

I hope this helps.

[brooklynmom2]

Thank you so much everyone! We will definitely give it a try to jail break it ourselves. If that works then I'm going to buy another one from the US and do the same again. Will report back.

PS we are in Vaxjo.

[spindi]

I jailbroke my 3G when I brought it to Jersey and it worked perfectly. Working now in Stockholm with a local SIM.

[Bender B Rodriquez]

Actually, I thought that the range of prices and plans were more attractive than AT&T's. But then my iPhone was given to me by Apple when I was an employee, so I haven ... (show full quote)

Actually, I thought that the range of prices and plans were more attractive than AT&T's. But then my iPhone was given to me by Apple when I was an employee, so I haven't really kept up with current prices. ... (hide full quote)

The plans are in general cheaper and better than in the US, but the iPhone itself is not. Apple usually convert their USD prices directly into EUR, so an iPhone 4 that costs 599USD in the US costs 599EUR in Europe. Pretty big difference...

[BrittInSweden]

Instead of jailbreaking the phone just get in touch with AT&T and ask them for the unlock code and explain you don't live in the US anymore.

[skogsbo]

I say this is in a curious way, why have a techno phone, if you are not able to do a basic google search or speak to the operator to unlock it, surely you would be better off buying a 1000kr old school phone nokia 3310/20 and a pay as you go chip. Problem solved and no techno issues ever again?

If you still have the data cables you can unlock it pretty quickly online and it will cost you about £4, $5 or 50kr.

[bronc]

I moved here from California and I also took my AT&T Iphone 4 with me here, hoping to unlock it to use it here in Sweden.

Unfortunately AT&T use 4.10.01 baseband, which Ultrasnow and/or Redsnow can NOT unlock. You can jailbreak your phone, but you can not use a software unlock.

The only way you'll get your AT&T Iphone 4 to work with any carrier (in Sweden or otherwise) is to use Gevey Sim. This is a special SIM like card you place under your new SIM card from your new carrier.

After using it for the last 4 months, it works about 80% of the time. I've had issues where I would travel and get no 3G/data, but I could still make calls and text. Overall, it's proved to be a real pain.

In the end, I ended up turning off my AT&T Iphone and getting a new one from Telenor.

If you have previously jailbroken your iphone 4, and preserved your older baseband (NOT 4.10.01), then it is possible to "downgrade" your phones baseband so Ultrasnow and/or Redsnow works to unlock it, but otherwise you would be better served just sucking it up and getting a new phone.

Probably not the answer you wanted. I've got 3 iphones now that I've had to do this with, all of them are from AT&T. Any other cell phone carrier on the entire planet will sell or give you the codes to unlock your phone, AT&T is the ONLY carrier who will not.

Let's just say when I move back to the US, I'll NEVER use AT&T again.

[ken73]

Ok, I just did this myself. I called AT&T, told them that i was moving to Sweden, which I am in the process of, and asked them for the unlocking code. Had it after i sent a fax with the info that they wanted. No problems, no paying anyone. Worked just fine and the phone works fine with a Swedish sim chip in it.

[skogsbo]

Ok, I just did this myself. I called AT&T,

wow, you're a genius for thinking of that, who would have thought to actually ring the company that sold it to you, mental.

Maybe the OP will take your lead.

[bronc]

I just called AT&T, and was told once again that AT&T will NOT provide you with an unlock code, even if you want to pay for it.

I don't know who at AT&T you called, but they wouldn't do it for me. Do you have a number or person you talked to? I have 3 AT&T Iphone 4's I'd love to unlock.

[skogsbo]

just bluff them, ring them up and say you work for AT&T office/shop in Stockholm and you have an american customer who needs to unlock his phone to work on AT&T network in Sweden. If the other person is like mnay call centre staff, you'll probably get what you need.