Unlocking iPhone 1st Generation is it a good phone?
I just got a used iPhone 1st generation. Was that a good move? Could I unlock it and use it with Verizon, my carrier?
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As far as using it on a CDMA carrier like Verizon, no. Not only is it an issue with network compatibility (the iPhone 2G is GSM only) but carriers like Verizon restrict the phones they accept to an approved IMEI/ESN range due to their legacy as a CDMA carrier. You’re also really going to hate using a 2G phone every day as these are slow by the age of the network they run on. The 2G is a collectible.
The other issue is on the GSM side, the big 2 were phasing out 2G at the time and later blocked new activations— these days the network these use is dead end as it is now decommissioned. Ever since moving to GSM, Verizon is a bit more forgiving about device compatibility but they are still a bit picky in the sense a former AT&T phone may not be accepted on their network. Prepaid (Phone in a box) have worse initial restrictions — they will only work on prepaid for the initial year.
They have loosened the policy and allow factory unlocked iPhones starting with the 7, but you can’t take an AT&T 7 and unlock it for their network, as well as the only time they will unlock it.
To add an additional layer of complexity here they also refuse to fully unlock the 4s despite being possible; it can only ever be used on Verizon in the US. The GSM half can be but the primary bands are locked under the CDMA MSL lock that never gets removed. The 5 is not affected due to the FCC stepping in and telling them no, but the 4s is not something they will unlock. Avoid anything older then the 5 with Verizon.
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Official Apple support thread on this topic
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I printed out this page (HT3406), took it to ATT so they could switch my old SIM out (from 3g back to the original iPhone). Did that. Still could not get iTunes to recognize the phone without going through an ATT activation process. Went back to ATT and was told that my phone was "bricked" and need to be "un-bricked" and that they could not do that in the store. ATT lady said, "Call Apple". According to lady at ATT since my SIM card was moved to new phone it would no longer accomplish the goal as stated in support doc. HT3406. Thought about calling Apple but they want $30 for a phone call. So I still haven't given up doing it on my own.
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Hi,
You can buy 1st Generation mobile and you can also unlock your mobile,But you can use Verizon in your mobile if it is previously locked to any CDMA network Because Verizon is a CDMA Network.otherwise you can't use Verizon,you can use any GSM network.So You can Check whether it is locked to GSM or CDMA.If it's locked to CDMA network.You can buy that mobile and unlocked it by Remote unlocking in the site http://www.wickedunlock.com/ .They are cheap and reliable.I unlocked my iPhone in this site.So I recommend you to view this site.It will be very Helpful to you....
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Horor, pretty good answer, but the question is over 2 years old and hopefully resolved.
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For what it is worth.
I have a 1st gen iPhone left over after I upgraded to 3 g. I would really like to use its wifi capability for misc. internet and games (call it an iPod touch).
I was stopped by itunes when I plugged it in but was stopped because I didn't have a sim card. I bought a sim card from ifixit.
Next I was stopped by the activation screen of itunes. Itunes won't let me in to do anything with the device without activating with AT&T. I don't want to do this because I don't need phone capabilities and don't want the expense (minimum 2 year commitment).
Paid for a jailbreak program, downloaded, then got lost in a sea of other sites, other downloads, confusing steps. Needless to say not the 5 minute fix the site advertised.
Seems like a waste to not be able to get some use out of this neat little pocket device. It goes against a core value of ifixit, "waste not"
Good luck. I will drop elais a email
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Yes, you absolutely can network unlock a 1st. Gen iPhone.
Many online service will do it remotely or deliver unlock code using IMEI, via email.
Or you could just utilize Google and YouTube for 20 min. step by step walk throughs.
But to answer the actual question, yes, you can network unlock a first Gen iPhone.
Namely, the iPhone 1 && the iPhone 2 are the only 1st. Gen iPhones.
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5 opmerkingen
This is an off-topic and non-repair-related question.
door rab777hp
No, you definitely can't use it with Verizon. Sorry. As, far as if it was a good buy, that all depends on your preferences and what you like. Good luck with the phone.
door Majesty
I'm pretty sure you can take the sim card out and use it like a touch. It won't work as a phone but it's a fun portable gaming/internet device.
door Chris Cline
Can't use the GPS without a sim though
door rab777hp
Well I'm not entirely sure that you could move to version with a iphone first you want to jail break your iphone then go with tmobile or AT&T thats the best answer that you can receive
door elais