How to identify factory unlocked iPhone 5?

I'm going abroad for a while and wanted to get a factory unlocked iPhone 5S before leaving, but it appears that the factory unlocked iPhones won't be available for a 1-2 months. So I've decided to purchase a used iPhone 5 instead. However, when looking at listings for used iPhones, I noticed that there are numerous descriptions when it comes to "unlocked" iPhones. It seems that there are carrier unlocked phones, meaning the iPhone was once locked to a particular cell phone carrier in the US and was later unlocked by the owner with the assistance of the carrier, or there are iPhones that came unlocked from Apple. I want to buy the later, not the former. However, some people do not disclose whether the phone is "carrier unlocked" or "factory unlocked" in their advertisement, while it seems that others are being purposely deceptive. Is there a way to definitively identify whether an iPhone 5 is factory unlocked, meaning it came unlocked from Apple? Are there particular model numbers that specify a factory unlocked iPhone 5? I called Apple and the reps could not give me this information. It seems that there should be model numbers that specify whether an iPhone 5 came factory unlocked when purchased. Thanks for your help.

Here's the numbers for 4s, when I get a second I'll do the same for the 5;
Phone 4S Part Numbers
Locked
US
AT&T
MC918LL/A - 16GB Black
MC919LL/A - 32GB Black
MD269LL/A - 64GB Black
MC920LL/A - 16GB White
MC921LL/A - 32GB White
MD271LL/A - 64GB White
Sprint
MD377LL/A - 16GB Black
MD379LL/A - 32GB Black
MD381LL/A - 64GB Black
MD378LL/A - 16GB White
MD380LL/A - 32GB White
MD382LL/A - 64GB White
Verizon
MD276LL/A - 16GB Black
MD278LL/A - 32GB Black
MD280LL/A - 64GB Black
MD277LL/A - 16GB White
MD279LL/A - 32GB White
MD281LL/A - 64GB white
Factory Unlocked
UK
MD235B/A - 16GB Black
MD242B/A - 32GB Black
MD258B/A - 64GB Black
MD239B/A - 16GB White
MD245B/A - 32GB White
MD261B/A - 64GB white
AU
MD234X/A - 16GB Black
MD241X/A - 32GB Black
MD257X/A - 64GB Black
MD237X/A - 16GB White
MD244X/A - 32GB White
MD260X/A - 64GB white
France
MD235F/A - 16GB Black
MD242F/A - 32GB Black
MD258F/A - 64GB Black
MD239F/A - 16GB White
MD245F/A - 32GB White
MD261F/A - 64GB white
Canada
MD234C/A - 16GB Black
MD241C/A - 32GB Black
MD257C/A - 64GB Black
MD237C/A - 16GB White
MD244C/A - 32GB White
MD260C/A - 64GB white
Since factory unlocked is now officially sold in the US, Mods, kindly update your matrix
USA Factory Unlocked:
MD234LL/A 16GB Black
MD237LL/A 16GB White
MD241LL/A 32GB Black
MD244LL/A 32GB White
MD257LL/A 64GB Black
MD260LL/A 64GB White
USA AT&T Locked (Carrier authorized unlocked if purchased "device only" or "contract free" from Apple store; paid full price)
MC918LL/A 16GB Black
MC920LL/A 16GB White
MC919LL/A 32GB Black
MC921LL/A 32GB White
MD269LL/A 64GB Black
MD271LL/A 64GB White

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How to identify Factory Unlocked iPhone 4 ?

Hello I would like to know how I can identify a factory Unlocked iPhone 4 without taking it out of the box, is there some special serial number to differentiate a Factory Unlocked iPhone 4 from others that are not ?

Take a look at the model number that you can find on the box:
Locked
Germany - T-Mobile
MC603DN/A – 16GB Black
MC605DN/A – 32GB Black
Japan - Softbank
MC603J/A - 16GB Black
MC605J/A - 32GB Black
Spain - Movistar, Orange, Vodafone
MC603Y/A – 16GB Black
MC605Y/A – 32GB Black
United States - AT&T
MC608LL/A - 16GB Black
MC610LL/A - 32GB Black
Apple
MC318LL/A - 16GB Black
MC319LL/A - 32GB Black
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Australia
MC603X/A - 16GB Black
MC605X/A - 32GB Black
Canada
MC603C/A - 16GB Black
MC605C/A - 32GB Black
France
MC603FB/A - 16GB Black
MC605FB/A - 32GB Black
Hong Kong
MC605ZP/A - 32GB Black
MC603ZP/A - 16GB Black
Italy
MC603IP/A - 16GB Black
MC605IP/A - 32GB Black
New Zealand
MC603X/A - 16GB Black
MC605X/A - 32GB Black
Singapore
MC603ZA/A - 16GB Black
MC605ZA/A - 32GB Black
Sweden
MC603KS/A – 16GB Black
MC605KS/A – 32GB Black
United Kingdom
MC603B/A - 16GB Black
MC605B/A - 32GB Black

How can i factory unlock iphone 4

how can i factory unlock iphone 4

ONLY the carrier to which it is locked can unlock it. No one else.
Contact that carrier and see if they offer this service and if you qualify.

How to activate factory unlocked iphone 3gs with os 4.0

i have bought a factory unlocked iphone 3gs loaded with latest os 4.0 in usa for $850 , but i am unable to activate it over itunes.
I want to activate it without at&t sim as its factory unloacked.
Can anybody give me the process or any reference links on how to activate it.
Thanks in advance,
Pavan Raj.

pavanraj wrote:
iphone 3gs loaded with latest os 4.0
If the iPhone had the 4.0 Beta loaded on it, the iPhone needs to be registered with a developer for the iPhone to even function. If it's not registered and the beta is installed then it is a brick. Regardless of if it is registered or not, as Tamara said the iPhone 4.0 Beta has no support. The Beta is a beta and is for developers who are developing apps. That way they can release apps as soon as the OS 4.0 is released sometime this summer. You should get an error message saying something along the lines of this phone is not registered with a developer, if the iPhone is not registered.
pavanraj wrote:
I want to activate it without at&t sim as its factory unloacked.
If it is unlocked by the carrier then you just need to plug it into iTunes with a SIM card from a compatible carrier. If you get a message saying that the SIM is not from an authorized carrier, well then the iPhone is not unlocked, sorry.
If the iPhone is not unlocked you are really out of luck. While there are ways to hack an iPhone to unlock it, there are no methods for the 4.0 Beta to unlock the iPhone, and even if there is a way to hack it to unlock the iPhone 3GS on the 4.0 OS, it won't come for a long time.

How can I factory unlock iPhones, How can I factory unlock iPhones

hey can anyone tell me how can i start factory unlocking iphones ?

iGibbz wrote:
ok thanks ... i guess i'll have to contact the providers
We'ren't you already told that twice???

How to activate Factory Unlocked iPhone 3GS

Hello Folks,
My friend got me an iPhone 3GS from Hong Kong (Model MC131ZP/A); and I am in India. This is the chain of events and the final problem.
1. When I first opened the iPhone I could see the home screen and use my SIM in India. Though there was no app for Camera or Compass etc on the home screen.
2. First time iPhone connected to iTunes and it told me that the OS must be updated. I went ahead.
3. I updated the OS to 3.1.2 (05.11.07).
4. After that it is not able to recognize the same SIM telling me that Invalid SIM.
5. I check the Serial Number of my phone on Apple Support site and it says that iPhone is not even activated.
6. I have tried contacting Apple support via mails etc. but no response at all.
I am not able to understand how it worked in the first place. Did the seller in HK unlock it using some kind of software? He should not if it is an Factory Unlocked phone. Are all the MC131ZP factory unlocked?
Can someone please help me on how to activate the phone or what is going wrong here?
Thanks in advance.

pavanraj wrote:
iphone 3gs loaded with latest os 4.0
If the iPhone had the 4.0 Beta loaded on it, the iPhone needs to be registered with a developer for the iPhone to even function. If it's not registered and the beta is installed then it is a brick. Regardless of if it is registered or not, as Tamara said the iPhone 4.0 Beta has no support. The Beta is a beta and is for developers who are developing apps. That way they can release apps as soon as the OS 4.0 is released sometime this summer. You should get an error message saying something along the lines of this phone is not registered with a developer, if the iPhone is not registered.
pavanraj wrote:
I want to activate it without at&t sim as its factory unloacked.
If it is unlocked by the carrier then you just need to plug it into iTunes with a SIM card from a compatible carrier. If you get a message saying that the SIM is not from an authorized carrier, well then the iPhone is not unlocked, sorry.
If the iPhone is not unlocked you are really out of luck. While there are ways to hack an iPhone to unlock it, there are no methods for the 4.0 Beta to unlock the iPhone, and even if there is a way to hack it to unlock the iPhone 3GS on the 4.0 OS, it won't come for a long time.

How to identify a factory unlocked iphone 4s without taking it of the box, how to identify a factory unlocked iphone 4s without taking it of the box

how to identify a factory unlocked iphone 4s without taking it of the box

The model number is NOT a reliable indicator of whether or not the phone is locked. The only exception might be models originating in countries where ALL iPhones are unlocked, or where the carriers do not offer unlocking and Apple does not sell unlocked phones (e.g. India and Japan respectively).

How do I get a factory unlocked iPhone 3GS out of (connect to iTunes) mode?

How do I get a factory unlocked iPhone 3GS out of recovery (connect to itunes) mode?
Once the iPhone 3GS is in DFU mode and plugged into iTunes, the restore and update process begins. The restores process are as followed:
Extracting software > Preparing iPhone for restore (blank screen) > Preparing iPhone software for restore > Restoring iPhone software > Verifying iPhone restore > Restoring iPhone firmware > The iPhone cannot be restored. An unknown error occurred (1).
I clicked on the more information tab and was taken to a website with some troubleshooting. I did what they suggested (based on the error #) and still no luck. I’ve tried to restore and update about 10 times now but the same message keeps coming up at the end. What should I do now?
P.S: I have the latest version of iTunes (11), my windows is up to date etc ...

CDiiva wrote:
The iPhone cannot be restored. An unknown error occurred (1).
This Error message is indicative of a Hardware issue. The device may need Service.

Where can I buy a factory unlocked iphone 5 in the UK? For how much if 16GB? Do I get a one year warranty?

Where can I buy a factory unlocked iphone 5 in the UK? For how much if 16GB? Do I get a one year warranty?

I am not fromUK, but it happens that I'll be visiting UK in a couple of days( to Harrow) and would like to know if I can purchase it from stores other than from the apple for about the same price.

Im selling my factory unlocked iPhone, but how do i delete everything on it

Hi there,
Im getting the new 3Gs tomorrow, and im selling my factory unlocked iphone, but i was wondering how do i go about deleting everything on it, without deleting my itunes stuff, so when i sell it, its like a brand new phone, free memory etc..... Please dont tell me i have to unsync everthing individually, cos ive got loooads of stuff on there, is there any other option,
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On the phone go to Setting > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

HT4993 how to factory unlock Iphone 5 Sprint

How to factory unlock iphone 5 Sprint carrier

Alternatively, there are many companies that run the factory Unlock, all you need to do is give them your IMEI.
Write on google "Factory Unlock Service * yourCarrier *"

How can i fix "the sim card inserted in this iphone does not appear to be supported " after restoring a factory unlocked iphone 4

how can i fix "the sim card inserted in this iphone does not appear to be supported " after restoring a factory unlocked iphone 4

The term "factory unlocked" has no meaning. Your phone was not legitimately unlocked. Contact the carrier it is locked to and find out if you can get it unlocked.

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Contact the carrier to which the iPhone is locked. Only the carrier can authorize unlocking.

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"Factory unlock" would mean that the iPhone would have come from Apple unlocked. You mean "officially unlocked", meaning the unlocking has been approved by the carrier. Here are AT&T's official requirements for unlocking an iPhone:
http://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?sid=KB414532&cv=820#fbid=7eivX4S6I8c
and the procedure:
https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/client/en_US/
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HT201328 I am looking for a factory unlocked iPhone 5; how do I get one?

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