Anywhere to unlock my iPhone 4 (4.3.5) in Singapore???

Eibow · Post by **Eibow** » Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:15 pm

Hey all,

Been in Singapore for almost two weeks now and really need to get my iPhone (AT&T, firmware 4.3.5) unlocked so I can use it on the Singtel network. While I have been told online tutorials are fool proof, I must be a fool, because I cannot get my phone unlocked for usage. At this point, I would rather take it to someone and pay them to perform the unlock successfully for me. I was initially staying in Little India before moving to Novena, and the "Sim" electronics market looked like it had a number of booths than might be able to help me out. Has anyone has much experience doing this?

Please let me know if you have has success and how with a similar situation. I suppose if oyu know an unlock site/product that works, I can give that a try but most sites are scams (that when people realize are scams, they just change the domain and layout a bit). Thanks in advance

teck21 · Post by **teck21** » Tue, 11 Oct 2011 2:11 pm

Try the Hardwarezone forums iPhone chat room:

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/forum ... .php?f=240

The forum to go for all things tech.

There are often freelancers offering jailbreaking services etc, motly reliable from what I read.

At any rate, it is quite unimaginable that you don't get an asnwer either way there.

Eibow · Post by **Eibow** » Tue, 11 Oct 2011 2:47 pm

Looks like the best method for 4.3.5 is to buy a "Gevey" sim to use. Sim Lam Square seems like the best place to get something like this, I will try my luck tonight after work. Any one had luck finding one of these in Singapore??

zzm9980 · Post by **zzm9980** » Tue, 11 Oct 2011 4:47 pm

iPhone 4 on 4.3.5? You're probably out of luck. I think it was 4.3.3 that specifically "fixed" the recent SIM hacks.

You definitely cannot unlock it via jailbreak.

There isn't a big unlocking scene in Singapore because every iphone sold here (and most neighboring countries) come factory unlocked. The best advice is to try and sell it in the US (a little late now though thanks to 4s) and buy an unlocked one locally or in the US. That's what I did before I moved here; sold my iphone4 in July for about $450 on Craiglist, and just bought an unlocked one for $649 direct from Apple.

zzm9980 · Post by **zzm9980** » Tue, 11 Oct 2011 4:49 pm

Correction on the versions; looks like 4.3.x still works with the sim hack, but iOS5 doesn't. So don't install the new software.

also, check the modem version (that's the baseband) of your iPhone to make sure it is compatible:

01.59.00, 02.10.04 03.10.01, 04.10.01

Should be in Settings, General, About

Eibow · Post by **Eibow** » Tue, 11 Oct 2011 5:00 pm

Thanks zzm9980

Yes from what I saw, Gevey should still work with 4.3.5 (my BB is 4.10.01), and I will be SURE not to install the new ios5, that would be a horrible mistake given that this actually works.

The issue now seems to be, how am I supposed to know if the vendor in SLS is legitimate? I went there and had success in finding a cheap keyboard, mouse, and laptop stand, however, unlocking foreign phones for a foreign person is an easy rip-off target, I am sure. Perhaps I can get like a $10 pre-paid sim and force them to try it on the spot. I also plan on going in with only $50 cash visible.

I am still pretty unformiliar with how it will work though. If I cut a Singtel (or Starhub) SIM card and put it in the Gevey sim, it should perform as if I have any regular unlocked phone from the region, correct? It is important that I will also have data for email and internet access.

It's been two weeks, I NEED a working phone!!!

Post by **nakatago** » Tue, 11 Oct 2011 5:07 pm

Eibow wrote:Thanks zzm9980

Yes from what I saw, Gevey should still work with 4.3.5 (my BB is 4.10.01), and I will be SURE not to install the new ios5, that would be a horrible mistake given that this actually works.

The issue now seems to be, how am I supposed to know if the vendor in SLS is legitimate? I went there and had success in finding a cheap keyboard, mouse, and laptop stand, however, unlocking foreign phones for a foreign person is an easy rip-off target, I am sure. Perhaps I can get like a $10 pre-paid sim and force them to try it on the spot. I also plan on going in with only $50 cash visible.

I am still pretty unformiliar with how it will work though. If I cut a Singtel (or Starhub) SIM card and put it in the Gevey sim, it should perform as if I have any regular unlocked phone from the region, correct? It is important that I will also have data for email and internet access.

It's been two weeks, I NEED a working phone!!!

I don't know if the information is still valid but look for Strong Eagle's posts about jailbreaking the iphone. The chap that he refers to seems reasonable enough.

Eibow · Post by **Eibow** » Tue, 11 Oct 2011 5:16 pm

I don't know if the information is still valid but look for Strong Eagle's posts about jailbreaking the iphone. The chap that he refers to seems reasonable enough.[/quote]

Thanks for the link,

Doesn't "really" help- it's from 2 years ago. Unlocking seems to change every time a new update comes out and doing the unlock via jailbreak apps for my verison (4.3.5) seems difficult and I haven't found success. The Gevey really seems like the best call and I pray I can find a real one that works in Sim Lim.

I will keep everyone posted b/c I feel this is a reoccuring issue for people coming from the U.S. with iPhones.

Post by **nakatago** » Tue, 11 Oct 2011 5:20 pm

Eibow wrote: Doesn't "really" help- it's from 2 years ago. Unlocking seems to change every time a new update comes out and doing the unlock via jailbreak apps for my verison (4.3.5) seems difficult and I haven't found success. The Gevey really seems like the best call and I pray I can find a real one that works in Sim Lim.

I will keep everyone posted b/c I feel this is a reoccuring issue for people coming from the U.S. with iPhones.

Maybe the same guy has updated methods. Some hackers are like that.

Eibow · Post by **Eibow** » Tue, 11 Oct 2011 8:41 pm

Well, everyone was right. I don't know why I wasted my time. Sim Lim Square held nothing I was looking for in regards to unlocking my phone. Every time i asked, the employees would refuse to answer me with a straight forward answer regarding the Gevey unlock sim. Each time they informed me they "Have a friend" and "hold on, hold on, hold on" as they went out of site with their backs turned having a discussion. Further, I encountered "counterfeit" Gevey cards with packaging slightly different than the picture I brought in with me of the actual product. When they returned (I say they b/c I kid you not, I went to 10 stores all with similar experiences and mannerisms) I would get quoted anywhere from $150 to $200 to unlock my phone.

Well, looks like I am going to need to order one online or from the states unless someone can supply me with someone legitimate they trust. I must say, it does feel good calling out BS and not falling victim to scams by people that would castrate their only son for a buck.

zzm9980 · Post by **zzm9980** » Tue, 11 Oct 2011 9:27 pm

Sounds about right. Sorry couldn't help more. I used to work at Apple, and even I couldn't get the iPhone 4 unlocked easily

I will be in the Bay Area next week until the 28th. If you find someone local I'd be more than willing to pick it up for you. If I recall, they were going for $15-20 on Craigslists before I moved out here.

As for cutting, you basically have it right. Just cut it with a knife or scissors. Just be very careful to line it up right.

Eibow · Post by **Eibow** » Wed, 12 Oct 2011 5:08 pm

zzm9980,

Wow, thanks much for the offer. Im already jealous I don't get to go back home for a visit! Well, turns out I am just going to bite the bullet and buy a used BB Bold I can use on the network and take over someones plan. I feel like a traitor not using an iPhone, but I think I am going to gell it back home for a few hundred bucks and by the time I get back to the States, I'll be due for an upgrade and hopefully it will be something more impressive than a 4 "s"!

Thanks again.

People should keep posting here in case. I know this is a big issue for a lot of people. Hopefully the next gen won't be locked in the US either!

zzm9980 · Post by **zzm9980** » Wed, 12 Oct 2011 8:54 pm

Eibow wrote:zzm9980,

People should keep posting here in case. I know this is a big issue for a lot of people. Hopefully the next gen won't be locked in the US either!

You *can* buy them unlocked in the US directly from Apple, they just cost $649/749/849. Not a lot of people are aware of this though since the concept of unlocked phones is very foreign to American consumers.

And what's wrong with the 4S? I can't wait to ride MRT and watch/listen to hordes of people trying to talk to Siri in bad Singlish

Post by **sundaymorningstaple** » Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:56 pm

zzm9980 wrote:
Eibow wrote:zzm9980,

People should keep posting here in case. I know this is a big issue for a lot of people. Hopefully the next gen won't be locked in the US either!
You *can* buy them unlocked in the US directly from Apple, they just cost $649/749/849. Not a lot of people are aware of this though since the concept of unlocked phones is very foreign to American consumers.

And what's wrong with the 4S? I can't wait to ride MRT and watch/listen to hordes of people trying to talk to Siri in bad Singlish

Post by **nakatago** » Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:00 pm

zzm9980 wrote:
Eibow wrote:zzm9980,

People should keep posting here in case. I know this is a big issue for a lot of people. Hopefully the next gen won't be locked in the US either!
You *can* buy them unlocked in the US directly from Apple, they just cost $649/749/849. Not a lot of people are aware of this though since the concept of unlocked phones is very foreign to American consumers.

And what's wrong with the 4S? I can't wait to ride MRT and watch/listen to hordes of people trying to talk to Siri in bad Singlish

There will be shouting.

Lots of it.

In the meantime, I want this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTg00wIijNY

SINGAPORE EXPATS FORUM
Singapore Expat Forum and Message Board for Expats in Singapore & Expatriates Relocating to Singapore

Anywhere to unlock my iPhone 4 (4.3.5) in Singapore???

Anywhere to unlock my iPhone 4 (4.3.5) in Singapore???

Who is online