Unlocking/Jaibreaking an iPhone 4

[JoshJ]

Hey guys,

My sister lives in the US and has given me her old iPhone 4. Problem is it is not yet out of its ATT contract and I cannot use it with my UK o2 sim. I've just started looking into my option for unlocking the phone and am wondering; If I get it jailbroken and something goes wrong, will Apple still swap it out for a refurbished phone for £119, as they have already offered to do (I took it in as the screen is also cracked).

Is a jail break and an "unlock" the same thing?

many thanks,
j

[chscag]

No, Jail Breaking and unlocking are not the same thing. Someone who is more familiar with carriers in the UK can probably answer your question about how to unlock it for your local use.

[chas_m]

Send it back to your sister and see if she can get it unlocked from AT&T. According to their own guidelines, they will unlock it once it is off-contract (it can't be still under contract for much longer now!).

How to Unlock an AT&T iPhone in 5 Easy Steps (If You’re Lucky) | TIME.com

Unlock your AT&T wireless phone or tablet- AT&T Wireless Support*

[Lifeisabeach]

Send it back to your sister and see if she can get it unlocked from AT&T. According to their own guidelines, they will unlock it once it is off-contract (it can't be still under contract for much longer now!).

How to Unlock an AT&T iPhone in 5 Easy Steps (If You’re Lucky) | TIME.com

Unlock your AT&T wireless phone or tablet- AT&T Wireless Support*

It's not necessary to actually send it back to her. She can just fill in the form herself using her account information and the IMEI number off the iPhone. Once AT&T has confirmed that it is unlocked, restore it in iTunes.

[chas_m]

Excellent, thanks LIAB.