Identifying factory unlocked iphones from carrier locked iphones.

[bushako]

It seems like a lot of new users are frustrated with identifying a factory unlocked iPhone from a carrier specific locked iPhones. Many of whom have been miss lead and more likely cheated by retail outlets not just in the Grey market but also in most well known outlets.

In most cases when your at the shop you probably have less time to check the iPhone thoroughly or let alone allowed by the salesman to connect the iPhone to your laptop. So based on some of my findings there are a few signs that you can look out for, without using your PC, to ensure your investment is worthwhile as well as for those who have already made the mistake to avoid doing the same mistake again.

Here are some of the signs and information:

1.) iPhones shipped from the US have a tiny AT&T logo at the back of the iphone package located near the bar code. Obviously if it mentions At&t or any other carrier logo anywhere then its definitely not factory unlocked no matter what the salesman says.

2.) If indeed it is factory unlocked then there is no reason why it shouldn't be a sealed package. An open package or one that seems tampered is definitely a sign that the iPhone is most probably jaibroken and unlocked by the retailer. Remember a factory unlocked iPhone can be officially updated and activated anywhere on any mac or pc with internet. It can be done right at the retail store in front of you or at home through itunes only

3.) At the back of every iPhone packaging there is a model/part number mentioned which identifies your iPhone and where it is most likely sold.

Eg: MB489AB/B is the model of a factory unlocked iPhone 3G 8GB Black that I purchased from Etisalat. At the bottom of this post is a list of all the known official unlocked iPhones you can take with you before visiting the shops

Don't be in a rush, spare yourself a few moment and take the liberty of noting down the model number at the retail shop, then go home or at Starbucks and Google it first before making the purchase. Or better yet print a list of unlocked model numbers before you run the down the retail shop...see its simple .

4.)And last but not the least always try and switch on the iPhone before exchanging money. If by any chance you find an unofficial program installed such as Cydia on the homescreen then open it and go to "packages" then search for an application called "Ultrasnow, redsnow or anything that ends with snow" its an obvious and definite sign that its not factory unlocked.

************************************************** **************************************
Here is the list of official unlock units from other countries,in other words, these are the safe models to buy.

MB489NF/A MB496NF/A MB500NF/A MB489CZ/A MB496CZ/A MB500CZ/A MB490CZ/A MB497CZ/A MB501CZ/A MB489CZ/A MB496CZ/A MB500CZ/A MB489GR/A MB496GR/A MB500GR/A MB489GR/A MB496GR/A MB500GR/A MB489T/A MB496T/A MB500T/A MB489T/A MB496T/A MB500T/A MB489NF/A MB496NF/A MB500NF/A MB489FB/A MB496FB/A MB500FB/A MB489ZP/A MB496ZP/A MB500ZP/A MB489ZA/A MB496ZA/A MB500ZA/A MB489X/A MB496X/A MB500X/A MB489RS/A MB496RS/A MB500RS/A MB489AB/B MB496AB/B MB500AB/B MB489ZA/A MB496ZA/A MB500ZA/A MB489SL/A MB496SL/A MB500SL/A MB489SO/A MB496SO/A MB500SO/A MB489TA/A MB496TA/A MB500TA/A MB489TH/A MB489TU/A MB496TH/A MB496TU/A MB500TH/A MB500TU/A MB489AB/B MB496AB/B MB500AB/B

Source

Anyways, hope this helps out. Feel free to add some more tips for others in the community.

Added (courtesy of macenthu):

There's a slight problem with the above numbers. These numbers are all for the 3G model and not for 3GS!

These are the 3GS model numbers from Australia MC131X/A (16GB Black) MC132X/A (16GB White) MC133X/A (32GB Black) MC134X/A (32GB White).

While from HK the numbers are MC131ZP/A (16GB Black) MC132ZP/A (16GB White) MC133ZP/A (32GB Black) MC134ZP/A (32GB White).

And from Italy the numbers are MC131T/A (16GB Black) MC132T/A (16GB White) MC133T/A (32GB Black) MC134T/A (32GB White).

I've listed down only these 3 markets because in Dubai you will get 3GS from these 3 markets.

So if your newly bought iPhone 3GS model number is not matching with the above numbers then "Huston you have a problem".

[fangpyre]

The difference between Locked and Unlocked iPhones:
- Unlocked iPhone (or Officially Unlocked) is a phone that came from Apple with no locks whatsoever.
This phone can be used with all carriers that support GSM, and can be updated with no risk.

- Locked iPhone (or Software Unlocked) is a phone that comes locked to a specific carrier. This phone requires a hack of some kind (software or hardware) to trick the phone into working on other carriers.
These phones CANNOT be updated normally, and run the risk of being locked again if updated (in some rare cases permanently).
These phones usually come at a cheaper price.

This applies to all phones, not just iPhones. But locked iPhones are very common, hence the confusion.

For more information please read iPhone FAQ - PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

Thank you bushako for this great post.

[gierran]

Very good post. That list of serials is very useful. We must remember to update it every few months.

All I can add is: If you're in doubt, ask the merchant to do an iTunes Restore and Activation in front of you before you buy it. Anyone who is knowingly selling carrier-locked iPhones is sure to find an excuse not to do this!

[ultrablue662]

This will be very very helpful for alot of people. Thanks Prime!

[juanito]

..but I'm not sure this will help identify phones like mine that were bought carrier locked and, for a fee, were officially carrier unlocked by the same carrier (Orange France)?

In any case, the model number - black 32GB 3GS - A1303

[fangpyre]

..but I'm not sure this will help identify phones like mine that were bought carrier locked and, for a fee, were officially carrier unlocked by the same carrier (Orange France)?

In any case, the model number - black 32GB 3GS - A1303

You are right, but those are very rare on the market.
This is something you can't do very often.
So its done by individual buyers, not bulk resellers.

[ultrablue662]

Realistically there is no way to list every single officially unlocked iPhone in the world. But this post is an excellent resource for those that you will probably find in shops.

[bushako]

..but I'm not sure this will help identify phones like mine that were bought carrier locked and, for a fee, were officially carrier unlocked by the same carrier (Orange France)?

In any case, the model number - black 32GB 3GS - A1303

Its true that with a specified fee there are some carriers who would unlock your iphone but...we are talking about the retailers here. It is highly unlikely a retailer would go through the trouble of paying that full amount to a carrier and then resell them at the stores.

However, iphones provided by certain carriers or region have their own models that distinguish them from the rest(i believe the uae and saudi share the same model).

So if a person decides to buy a used iphone or new from places like ebay, they should first inquire the model number, then find out which carrier provides them and then find out if the carrier authorizes official unlocking of the devices through a specified fee.Not all carrier provide that unlocking service such as At&T. That is as far as you can go in making sure your purchase is safe, other than that theres no other way unless you meet the seller in person.

[bushako]

This will be very very helpful for alot of people. Thanks Prime!

Do i have a choice, it seems like i was programmed to serve you humans!

[ultrablue662]

Isnt that one of the main tasks of an Autobot? To preserve human life? YOU DO IT CAUSE ALPHA TRION COMMANDS IT!

Muahahahaha! iPhone part numbers and Transformer mythology! If I were 17 I would so never ever meet a girl!