In countries such as North America, Australia or the UK, it is possible to purchase an iPhone directly from the Apple store or Apple on-line, that is factory unlocked, meaning it can be used on any network in any country, without restriction. However these handsets are extremely expensive and a much cheaper alternative, and one that the majority of iPhone owners choose, is to opt for a subsidized handset offered under contract from one of the main cellular service providers. If you look at the difference between a factory unlocked iPhone compared to a locked version, the unlocked handset can be used on any network, anywhere around the globe, but cost five times the price.

Bagging a seriously cheap iPhone may sound like a good idea, but is it really? In practice, depending upon your circumstances, it may not be the best solution for you in the long run. Perhaps you have moved to somewhere remote in the country and there is no cell phone coverage offered in that area by your current provider. You can't simply swap carriers, as your handset is locked. You will find that if you do try a SIM card from another carrier in your iPhone you will see a NO SERVICE message displayed where your carrier once did. If you want your phone to work with another carrier, you are going to have to get it unlocked.

There used to be two different methods available to unlock an iPhone . It used to be possible to temporarily unlock an iPhone using software. However, if you want to permanently unlock your iPhone you need to use the official factory iPhone unlock . Compared to the software method, an IMEI unlock enables you to permanently unlock your iPhone.

Software unlocking is a very insecure and unstable method of iPhone unlock ing. In contrast, an IMEI unlock will enable you to safely upgrade your han