Geek Posted April 6, 2012 Posted April 6, 2012 <div class="KonaBody"><p><img src="http://osxdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/att-unlock-iphone.jpg" alt="AT&T will unlock iPhones that are out of contract" title="att-unlock-iphone" width="466" height="339" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-29204" /></p> <p>iPhone owners who are out of contract with AT&T will be able to unlock their devices starting April 8. An unlock means the SIM card slot becomes usable outside of the AT&T network, allowing for an individual to swap SIM cards and gain service on another compatible carrier, like T-Mobile. </p> <p>This exciting news comes from America OnLine <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/06/atandt-to-begin-unlocking-iphone-sunday-april-8/">Engadget</a>, who provides the following official statement from AT&T:</p> <blockquote><p>Beginning Sunday, April 8, we will offer qualifying customers the ability to unlock their AT&T iPhones. The only requirements are that a customer’s account must be in good standing, their device cannot be associated with a current and active term commitment on an AT&T customer account, and they need to have fulfilled their contract term, upgraded under one of our upgrade policies or paid an early termination fee.</p></blockquote> <p>There are no instructions provided on how to unlock the iPhone, presumably a user will have to contact AT&T directly to walk through the unlock process with a representative. Typically this requires the <a href="http://osxdaily.com/2011/04/13/iphone-imei/">IMEI number of the iPhone</a> in question, which can be easily found on the iPhone itself or through iTunes. The phone number for AT&T wireless is 1-800-331-0500, and repeatedly pressing 0 is the easiest way to speak with a human being. </p> <p>Given the pent up demand for unlocked iPhones there will likely be a surge of interest in unlocking contract-free devices. Unlocking is extremely beneficial to users who travel abroad. Purchasing a local pay-go SIM card is significantly cheaper than roaming through AT&T’s overpriced international rates, and also makes an iPhone more useful in areas where AT&T coverage is limited or does not exist. </p> <p>Even those with no intention on using an iPhone abroad or with a competing cellular network should unlock their iPhone if given the chance. Individuals who bought an iPhone out of contract can also request the unlock, though their devices <a href="http://osxdaily.com/2011/10/25/buy-iphone-4s-without-contract-unlocked/">should already be unlocked by default</a>.</p> </div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/TyvIq_5LCuR0nA3880Q_dzfLFp8/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/TyvIq_5LCuR0nA3880Q_dzfLFp8/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/TyvIq_5LCuR0nA3880Q_dzfLFp8/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/TyvIq_5LCuR0nA3880Q_dzfLFp8/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/osxdaily?a=d1wmT_aAKWI:ZGUHXuJZVJw:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/osxdaily?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/osxdaily?a=d1wmT_aAKWI:ZGUHXuJZVJw:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/osxdaily?i=d1wmT_aAKWI:ZGUHXuJZVJw:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/osxdaily?a=d1wmT_aAKWI:ZGUHXuJZVJw:D7DqB2pKExk"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/osxdaily?i=d1wmT_aAKWI:ZGUHXuJZVJw:D7DqB2pKExk" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/osxdaily?a=d1wmT_aAKWI:ZGUHXuJZVJw:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/osxdaily?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/osxdaily?a=d1wmT_aAKWI:ZGUHXuJZVJw:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/osxdaily?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/osxdaily/~4/d1wmT_aAKWI" height="1" width="1"/> View the full article
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