subject: Are You Ready To Unlock Iphone 3gs? [print this page] To unlock iPhone 3Gs phones, you have a few different choices. You can pay to do it, which gives you a bit more security and lowers the risk that you'll mess something up. Or you can do it for free, using open source and free software and step-by-step instructions.
Your third choice is to skip the process altogether, and just buy an already unlocked iPhone 3G. This is a step many people opt for, because they don't want to possibly damage their expensive iPhone, nor do they want to purchase an iPhone that they can't use with any SIM-card carrier.
Why Unlock iPhones?
What are the real benefits of unlocking those iPhone 3Gs? First of all, unlocking your iPhone gives you a choice.
When you sign up with a cell phone carrier, you generally get the phone through them. It's usually at quite a discount when you start a new contract, with very expensive phones costing only $100 to $200, or even less, with your signed 2-year contract to use their service. Purchasing the phone outright is much more expensive, so most people don't do that. They wait to upgrade their phones until they're ready to start a new cell phone carrier contract, because of that steep discount.
But what about when you want to change carriers? What about that great deal that AT&T is offering that you want to get in on? Why should you have to get a new phone through them, when you're happy with the one you have? And why should you have to wait until your current contract runs out?
Once you learn how to unlock iPhone 3Gs, you don't have to worry about any of that. You can end your contract at any time, though you'll have to pay an early termination fee on each line. Of course, it might be worth it if you're going to save enough money with a different carrier. And you don't have to get a new phone, because your unlocked iPhone will work with the SIM card from a different carrier using GSM technology.
How to Unlock iPhones
If you don't want to buy an already unlocked phone, then you can use one of the two methods mentioned earlier--pay for the software, or use free software. Free software is best if you're really comfortable with apps and tinkering with your phone, and you know that the creator is reputable. Also, make sure the software has been updated recently.
But paid software isn't very expensive, usually less than $50, and because it's paid it comes with support and great features like frequent updates to keep everything working smoothly. If your iTunes update or another firmware update relocks your phone, you can unlock iPhone 3Gs again without paying any extra. And you'll get the latest info on the great 3rd party apps and features you can enjoy with your unlocked iPhone.
You're really paying for the updates and the service with paid software, but the guarantees and the support can make it well worth the cost.
