After being offered a job in Canada and accepting the position, an iPhone 3GS user was expecting to get their phone unlocked fairly easily from their carrier, in this case AT&T. But when a customer service representative from the telecoms giant turned the user away, insisting that only Apple could help them unlock their phone, things got a little out of hand.

What started as one department avoiding a customer’s requests turned into multiple AT&T service departments offloading the problem. The customer, understandably frustrated by this point, took a chance and got in touch with Apple CEO Tim Cook, explaining the problem and voicing frustration at the lengthy process that was effectively going nowhere.

Cook’s advice wasn’t to buy a new iPhone, as one might expect, but to hold tight. An assistant to the new Apple chief executive reportedly got in touch with the customer and unlocked their iPhone – an extremely surprising move considering Apple’s general avoidance of the unlocking topic. The user’s now free to choose any carrier they like while in Canada – something many iPhone users can’t do.

It’s a fairly bizarre situation, but it’s also an explainable one. With Apple on the warpath against the iPhone jailbreaking community, presenting manageable alternatives to jailbreaking the iPhone isn’t as unusual as it may seem. Apple desperately wants to control the operating system on their phones, and by offering to unlock old phones easily instead of forcing users to jailbreak them, it can keep its own software running instead of a hacked operating system.

That makes this whole event much less of an act of kindness, and much more of an example of how Apple seems genuinely concerned about the difficulty users face when trying to unlock old phones, and how that difficulty could affect their business. At this point, the only real way to unlock current-generation iPhones effectively is to use a guide, like the ones that we offer for iPhone 4S users.

If Apple were to make the unlocking process easier, not only would they prevent jailbreaking and all kinds of user hacks, they’d improve the experience massively for their customers. While it’s an interesting thing to see Apple do this for a customer, we don’t expect it’ll be the norm – most of the emails sent to Tim Cook go unanswered, and most customers rarely get their phones unlocked.

A much better option, and a much more convenient option, is to use one of our simple unlocking guides for your iPhone 4 or 4S. This way, you’ll save the hassle of having to call AT&T, who can only unlock older iPhone models in the first place. Then, going overseas or switching carriers is a simple, painless procedure, and not a strange journey through Apple executives’ inboxes.

There are some wacky theories out there regarding the best way to unlock your iPhone 4S and get it to function on any network. Some mobile gurus claim to be able to unlock the phone without using any external hardware or unofficial software, using a series of other SIM cards and internal glitches to switch the iPhone over to T-Mobile and other networks.

Others claim that the best way to get your iPhone unlocked it to deal with the professionals, and we have to agree. While free unlocking methods can work, and occasionally do work with no unwanted effects, they’re also a fairly risky way to go about unlocking your phone. While we haven’t heard of any ‘bricked’ iPhones recently, we have heard of users losing their data by unlocking incorrectly.

This can mean that all your photos, music, applications, and messages are cleared during the unlock process, often due to a poor file transfer or corrupted iPhone software. This type of data loss isn’t as uncommon as you think, and with many iPhone users failing to back up their phone data before the work takes place – or backing it up incorrectly – a poor unlocking job can sometimes be disastrous.

Some of the more risky amateur methods involve switching the phone on and off while sticking an external SIM card – generally from another network – into the phone itself. Through tricky timing, accurately following the method, and a little bit of luck, some users have reported success. Others, however, have reported major data loss and issues resetting their iPhone – two things that no user wants to experience.

The smart alternative, and the method that we suggest to any iPhone 4S users looking to safely use their phone on other networks and internationally, is to unlock your phone using a dedicated unlock guide from a professional source. This gives you the information required to unlock the phone in a safe, risk-free way, often without voiding the factory warranty that Apple gives to your phone.

Keeping the warranty intact is of vital importance, especially considering the somewhat troubling failure rate on recent iPhones. Both of the fourth-generation iPhones are prone to issues with the home button, including a total loss of sensitivity. While some of these have been ‘fixed’ through an on-screen button in recent software updates, it’s still not worth losing the warranty due to them.

Finally, unlocking your iPhone 4S the ‘right way’ means that it’s completely untraceable after it’s been unlocked. With privacy issues popping up left and right on modern phones, keeping yourself free of the ability to be tracked is important. As always, the unlocking action is fully reversible for iPhone users – all it takes is a simple reset to return your phone to its previous state.

Whether you’re aiming to save money on international service by using another SIM card, use an alternative carrier within the United States, or simply enjoy the extra functionality that you’ll get with an unlocked iPhone, unlocking your factory iPhone is a great idea. Just make sure you have some professional information on hand – information that’s often best found on the internet.

Earlier this year, Apple announced that the iPhone would be available on Verizon. The technology press immediately heralded it as a groundbreaking decision – one that would end the complaints of dropped calls, poor signals, and costly service. It was a revolution in choice, an option for iPhone users to pick their carrier instead of being forced into working with AT&T.

But was it really a revolution in choice? Hardly. With eight major carriers in the United States and a lengthy list of regional carriers, giving iPhone users the choice of just two carriers is barely a major increase in choice. With carriers like T-Mobile and Sprint Nextel left out in the cold, many would-be iPhone customers have held off buying the new 4GS, fearing it wouldn’t support their preferred carrier.

The good news is that despite Apple’s official partnership with AT&T and Verizon, the iPhone can be used on a range of carriers. For years, the only way to achieve total freedom with your iPhone was to purchase an unlocked model from Apple – a costly process that frequently doubled, or even tripled, the price of a carrier subsidized unit.

Today, it’s possible to purchase a subsidized iPhone direct from your preferred carrier and unlock it afterwards. Whether you’re aiming to jailbreak your iPhone 4S, which provides access to thousands of new applications, or unlock it to gain compatibility with other networks, the process is simple and fairly inexpensive.

One of the most popular reasons for unlocking a carrier-restricted iPhone is to increase its functions when out of the country. Coverage from AT&T and Verizon can be limited in many countries, not to mention the sometimes extreme cost of international roaming services. For years, iPhone customers took to purchasing their devices internationally to make sure that they received an unlocked phone.

With iPhone 4S unlocking guides, that’s no longer necessary. In fact, for almost all consumers, save those without the time to unlock their own phone, unlocking a carrier-locked iPhone 4 is much less expensive than purchasing an unlocked phone internationally.

Of course, there are downsides to unlocking a carrier-locked phone. While factory unlocked phones typically come with a full warranty, the unlocking process – which involves jailbreaking the iPhone – voids both Apple’s factory warranty and the carrier’s own warranty. For some users, this might be a deal breaker, leaving them without any support if their iPhone stops working.

Then there’s the lack of software compatibility. On a factory unlocked iPhone, software updates are available through iTunes just as they are with a carrier-locked unit. On a jailbroken phone, however, finding software updates can be a challenging process that typically involves waiting for a ‘cracked’ version of Apple’s software to appear.

There are ups and downs to each approach, and the choice to purchase an unlocked phone or unlock their own iPhone is, as it should be, up to the consumer. However, due to the high three-figure costs associated with factory unlocked phones, more and more iPhone users are jailbreaking their own phones in an effort to enjoy greater carrier flexibility, cheaper international calling, and new apps.

Unlocking your iPhone is nothing new. In fact, users have been doing so for years, ever since the original iPhone was released exclusively for AT&T in 2007. People wanted the freedom to be able to use their iPhones on the network of their choice instead of being restricted to just one carrier, and thus, various tools were introduced online. There are unlocking and jailbreaking programs for the iPhone, no matter which version you own, that are fast and effective. Some of these require a fee to use.

One thing to keep in mind is that when you unlock your iPhone, you will only have the option of using it on a GSM carrier. In the United States, this means the only other choice of network aside from AT&T is T-Mobile. Unfortunately, all the other major and smaller wireless companies run on CDMA, which is a completely different frequency, so your unlocked iPhone will not work on those networks.

Another important aspect that all iPhone users looking to unlock their device should know is that unlocking an iPhone will automatically void its warranty. In 2007, when the unlocking hacks were first introduced, Apple released the following statement: “Users who make unauthorized modifications to the software on their iPhone violate their iPhone software license agreement and void their warranty (…) The permanent inability to use an iPhone due to installing software is not covered under the iPhone’s warranty.”

The voiding of the warranty is certainly something to think about, especially if your iPhone is under one year old. Should there be some sort of manufacturing defect present, you will not be able to take advantage of your warranty when you unlock a locked device. To that end, it might be in your best interest to buy one that is factory unlocked directly from Apple. However, if you are a particular bold type, you might want to spend the $20 to use a good unlocking hack so that you can use your iPhone on the GSM carrier of your choice instead of being limited to AT&T, which has a sordid history of poor service, data connection and customer service.

1. Online Auctions

Online auctions are a suitable way to find cell phones that have been unlocked. Because many people want them, there is no shortage of auctions that feature them. It is always advised, however, to check with a seller should a person have any questions. A potential buyer should also make sure that the seller is trustworthy; if they have history of not sending items that have been paid for, or are simply difficult to deal with, they should not be used. If a seller is bad, the fun of getting an unlocked iPhone is ruined.

2. Popular Online Stores

While not all online stores will have them available, some do offer unlocked iPhones. This is the better option to go with; if a website has been frequently used by a person that wants an unlocked cell phone, they will be comfortable enough and carry experience that allows them to purchase the phone without worry. Some popular websites allow customers to leave reviews for products. Said reviews should be checked before investing in an unlocked iPhone to make sure that everything works as it should. This can save a person a lot of time and money.

3. Perform an iphone 4 unlock personally

If a person does not need an iPhone unlocked so they can use one under a different cell phone service, they may still wish to unlock in order to get extra features. Many iPhones that have been unlocked can prove to be expensive; for people that are on a budget, it may be better to attempt to unlock without somebody else doing it for them. There are a number of tutorials on the Internet that provide easy to read text. Just about anybody that wants to unlock their iPhone can find something that works with their skill level.

One of the biggest issues for any iPhone owner is battery life. This has been an area that Apple has been particularly aggressive in when they preach not to unlock iPhone 4s. Apple contends that an unlocked iPhone will consume the battery much faster. They expect the consumer to believe that the software installed to limit the iPhone to use on specific network also helps preserve battery life. This argument does not make sense. The iPhone will consume the same amount of energy when it is idle regardless of whether it has been unlocked or not. The same is true when making a call or sending a text message.

One of the chief benefits of performing an iPhone 4 unlock is being able to install applications not sold in the App Store. For some people, specific applications are critical to their work or to fully enjoy their iPhone. Apple contends that any application a person might want or need can be found in the App Store. After all, their slogan is, “There’s an app for that.” While the statement is probably true, it does not necessarily mean that the best app for a specific task is in the App Store.

These non-approved applications are where the battery life of an unlocked iPhone 4 might suffer. Every application running on the phone will use some amount of the battery. The key to maintaining longer battery life is managing the applications that run on the iPhone with energy consumption in mind. This is true even when the applications are purchased through the App Store. Unlocking an iPhone will not reduce it’s battery life, the applications installed afterward might.

More camera features include editing, enhancing, and cropping photos. With Photo Stream in
iCloud, all new photos are automatically sent to all your devices. Whether you want the photos
for bragging rights or need them for business, they are literally at your fingertips. You can keep
them on your Mac or PC, on your iPhone, and even Twitter.As in most conversions, all is not
immediately clear. After the first photographic use, it will be. When iCloud sends the photos to
all your devices immediately, you may just get another aha moment.

You can create a document and save it in iCloud. Even better, you can update it in iCloud. A
really neat feature is the Keynote application which allows you to create, edit, and present.
Imagine creating your presentation on the run in your iPhone with every application a convenient
tap away. No more stuck in traffic or late planes excuses. Send your presentation via iCloud.
That one “Hail, Mary” use would not only convert me, but it might even turn me into a saint.
The importance of this one hand held device is enormous.

That takes me back to the unlocking option. Once you are unlocked, you have freedom. Since
iPhone began with it smorgasbord of applications for business and entertainment, the last leap to
first place in the field has become the unlocked option. Versatility in the server market becomes
as important as the streamlining of your business tools including the photography apps. The new
mantra is have SIM card, will travel.

There are just a couple notes you need to heed beforeunlocking your phone. First, it is best
to unlock your phone using a reputable unlocking site. Second, it is not worth ruining your
applications trying to save twenty dollars by not heeding first note. The days of cutting your
SIM card are as gone as last year’s snow.

Once relieved of the restrictions of one carrier, you have more versatility with your phone.
Interchanging SIM cards on a long business trip to faraway places is the first reason behind the
systems evolution.

With the document access in iCloud on your device, you cannot afford to lose that access by

not being able to connect with a server when you are travelling in Europe or Asia. Server
access becomes the key to successful communication. In this contemporary fast paced, highly
competitive business atmosphere, it is a leg up. If it’s pleasure travel, you may just want to
share with those at home. Whether you are travelling for pleasure or business, unlocking your
iPhone4S is the paramount option.

In light of the unfortunate consequences that carrier-locked iPhones have had on a wide variety of consumers, Apple has begun releasing factory unlocked iPhones for sale through its own Apple Store retail outlets as well as several wireless carriers’ bricks-and-mortar stores. Those phones are typically priced far above on-contract levels and will cost consumers a pretty penny in the pursuit of convenience.

In challenging economic times, a second solution to this problem has developed: unofficial, third-party iPhone 4S unlock tools that save consumers a good amount of money in exchange for a greater investment of time and technical know-how. Cash-strapped consumers might feel the choice between these two options, but which one actually benefits iPhone consumers the most? When all other things are equal, should a consumer buy a pre-unlocked iPhone or do the work themselves?

Buying Unlocked from Apple or a Wireless Carrier

Without a doubt, the easiest way to own an unlocked iPhone is simply to buy one outright. The problem with doing this, however, is that carriers will remove their on-contract phone subsidy for consumers who purchase an iPhone that can be used with competitors’ SIM cards. They will not be required to sign a contract, but the price of their iPhone will jump from just a few hundred dollars to almost a thousand dollars simply by requesting the unlocked model.

In challenging economic times, it’s likely that most people simply cannot afford to buy an unlocked iPhone directly from Apple or their wireless carrier. And, in many cases, that’s the point: carriers make it prohibitively expensive to buy an unlocked iPhone with the hope that the majority of people simply won’t be able to do it — or won’t be willing to pay that much money for a smartphone.

Unlocking a Traditionally Locked iPhone

The fly in the wireless carriers’ ointment, of course, is that a large community of independent developers have been hard at work on ways to unlock the iPhone using simple iPhone 4S unlock solutions that consumers can download, install, and activate after purchasing a cheaper, locked iPhone. That means they can still purchase their iPhone for just a few hundred dollars, and unlock it using programs that are typically free or offered for just a few extra dollars online.

The unlocked iPhones are as good as any factory unlocked solution and, in fact, some developers and power users may prefer this method regardless of their finances. That’s because unlocking also “jailbreaks” the phone and allows it to run applications that are not offered in Apple’s official App Store. It also permits modifications to the way to the phone operates and the way the interface presents itself to users.

Conclusions

Spending close to a thousand dollars on a smartphone that will be outdated within a year or two, simply so that it can be used with competing carriers’ SIM cards, is simply not fiscally responsible or easily attainable for most people. Unlocking an iPhone on your own is easy, affordable (often free), and comes with a number of added benefits that will enhance the phone’s user experience. It’s really a no-brainer for the vast majority of purchasers.

With the introduction of the iPhone 4S, the populace’s desire for the phone has been taken to an entirely new level, and with it the proliferation of blogs, websites and forums full of tips teaching people how to “unlock” and “jailbreak” their new toys. For many, though, these blogs may be leaving them to wonder just what on Earth do “jailbreaking” and “unlocking” mean, and what is the difference between them?

“Unlocking” an iPhone refers to the process by which the phone is made capable of being used on multiple networks. Until February 2011, Apple shipped iPhones with software that restricted the use of the devices to the AT&T network. Apple’s exclusivity deal allowed AT&T customers the option of purchasing an iPhone at a reduced price in exchange for a long-term voice and data contract with the carrier.

Left out in the cold were scores of people who were locked into a contract with another carrier or who were loyal to their current wireless provider. For those customers who were on other networks, they had the option of purchasing an “unlocked” iPhone at full price, between 500 and 700 dollars.

The other option for iPhone users on networks other than AT&T, before the exclusivity agreement ended, was to perform the unlock themselves. The process to unlock iPhone 4S involves a series of steps in order to hack into the phone’s software and connect it to the network of the user’s choosing.

In short, then, “unlocking” an iPhone simply describes how an iPhone is rendered able to be used on cellular networks other than that which the phone was originally set up for.

In order to unlock the phone, though, users must first “jailbreak” it. The initial iteration of the iPhone was made almost entirely proprietary by Apple, meaning initial customization was virtually not allowed using the native software.

Newer updates to the iOS, the phone’s operating system, have allowed for more customization, such as wallpaper and folders. Apple’s iTunes store and the iOS itself, though, still remain more or less on “lockdown,” which means that an unmodified iPhone is unable to run third party programs, or “apps,” that Apple doesn’t sanction or approve. In order to make use of this software, users must first jailbreak iPhone 4S.

“Jailbreaking” describes the process by which Apple’s proprietary software restrictions are removed and the iPhone, is made able to use third party software that Apple would not otherwise allow. Jailbreaking is essentially hacking the operating system.

Both jailbreaking and unlocking involve hacking the iPhone, but for different purposes. Unlocking is undertaken to use the phone on different networks, and jailbreaking is done in order to use unauthorized software and to bypass Apple’s own app store in iTunes.

Both processes should be done with extreme care, if at all. If done improperly, the iPhone can be rendered useless. It’s also important to note that neither Apple or the various cellular networks will support a jailbroken or unlocked phone, and the warranty is voided through the process. Moreover, a jailbroken iPhone may not be ale to receive important software updates available to non-jailbroken devices.

Every model of the iPhone has been a great device. From the original version in 2007 all the way up to the latest model, the iPhone 4S, every iteration has been on the cutting edge of technology. Aside from jailbreaking, one popular thing that a lot of iPhone users choose to do is unlocking the iPhone. Here we’ll look at why millions have unlocked their iPhones, and why an iPhone 4S unlock is something you need to consider.

While the iPhone is no doubt a great device, its Achilles heel has always been its restriction to only a few carriers. The first models were restricted to use only on AT&T. That’s not the case today, but carrier restriction is still a big issue. While the iPhone 4S is available on multiple US carriers, it’s still not available on T-Mobile or a lot of regional carriers. There are plenty of reasons to unlock the iPhone for use on other carriers. One popular reason to unlock in the early days of the device was that local carriers offered service that was considerably cheaper than that of AT&T. This is true even with the iPhone being on multiple carriers. Many small cell providers offer unlimited talk, text and data service for a fraction of what the big carriers offer.

International use is another big reason to unlock your iPhone. Suppose you travel overseas. Your iPhone is locked and your carrier doesn’t offer coverage in the place you travel to, you won’t have cell service. Unlocking allows you to pop in a SIM card from a local carrier and be on your way. While getting a cheap phone and using it with a local carrier is an option, many phones can’t do what the iPhone does. Your iPhone has all of your data and apps already. Unlocking for international use lets you avoid the hassle of switching to a new phone temporarily. This is especially useful if you use your phone for business. Even a short vacation overseas can be a nightmare if you don’t have phone access.

Even if you’re not planning to use another carrier or travel overseas, there’s yet another reason to unlock your iPhone: Resale value. You will eventually sell your iPhone, even if it’s a few years down the road. The iPhone is so popular that even an iPhone 3GS still commands a couple hundred dollars on the secondary market. By having your iPhone unlocked when you sell it, you’ll have more people who are interested in buying it. People in overseas markets where the iPhone isn’t sold and people who don’t want to use a big carrier will all be interested in your iPhone if it is unlocked. Having more people who want to buy your iPhone means that you’ll get more money for it.

The bottom line is that you probably paid over $200 for your iPhone. If you bought it off contract, there’s a good chance you paid more than $500. There’s no reason that you shouldn’t be able to use a device you paid that much for in the way you see fit. There are no real drawbacks to unlocking your device. With all of the freedoms afforded by it, you absolutely should unlock iPhone 4S, or any other model of iPhone that you own.