Most iPhones will only work when used with a SIM card that is from the network which it first came on, for example EE, O2, Vodafone, or Three. Although iPhones which are purchased directly from Apple tend to come SIM free, they will usually lock to the network of the first SIM card that you insert, meaning that in order to use the handset on a different network, you’ll need to have it unlocked. Unlocking your iPhone to use it on any mobile network is not a complicated process, however, there are a few things to consider before you decide to go ahead.
Who Unlocks the Handset
When you’re thinking about unlocking your iPhone to work on any mobile network, it’s vital to make sure that you have the job done by a professional who knows exactly what they are doing and uses an up to date unlocking code or process. You may be able to get your iPhone unlocked to any network by contacting the mobile network which the handset is currently unlocked to. Mobile networks will usually allow you to unlock your handset for a fee, provided that you have had it for a certain amount of time, usually around six months. If you want to have your handset unlocked sooner than that, choose a reputable unlocking service, such as Unlocking Smart.
Your Handset Warranty
Another thing to consider when unlocking your handset is whether or not it will invalidate your warranty from Apple. This is especially important if you are using a third-party service to make changes to your iPhone handset and are still within the time frame covered by the warranty. Since using other services than Apple’s own to make repairs or changes to your handset can deem the warranty invalid, it’s important to make sure that you’ve got all the facts from Apple before you get your iPhone unlocked. If any damage occurs to your handset due to the unlocking process, Apple may not provide you with a repair or replacement as a result. Because of this, it might also be a good idea to have third-party insurance on your handset which does cover this type of damage if you decide to go ahead and get it unlocked.
Handset Security
Some people may worry that having their iPhone handset unlocked to work on any network will affect their security. Although unlocking your handset will not usually put you at any higher risk of malicious malware or viruses making it through to your phone, it’s important to be careful when you’re giving somebody access to your handset in order to unlock it. The best thing to do is find a professional unlocking service, or go to your mobile phone network provider to get an unlocking code which you can enter yourself to unlock the handset without having to hand it over to anybody.
Unlocking an iPhone is a simple process, but there are some important things to consider before you do so, such as if it will affect your warranty, and how to keep your handset secure.
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