Got an iPhone and want to be able to use it overseas or on a network other than AT&T’s? Using free, open-source software, you can unlock your iPhone in about an hour. Doing so will enable you to use it on many networks around the world—though not all of them.
There are plenty of online resources to guide you through the process step-by-step. For most procedures, you’ll need your iPhone, the data cable, and a Wi-Fi connection. Of course, if you plan to use your iPhone on a network other than AT&T’s, you’ll need a new SIM card as well.
Once you’ve got all that, check out one of these online tutorials, all of which explain the process in plain English:
Be aware that many people who have tried to unlock their iPhones have reported damaging them. For the less technically inclined, or those fearful of doing the procedure incorrectly, a number of services are available online. Expect to pay $30 or more to have one of these services unlock your phone for you. But remember, anytime you are hacking a piece of technology, you do so at your own risk!
