Easiest way to get iPhone 4 unlocked after number transfer + early termination

**n8o** · 01-31-2012, 12:01 AM

I just switched to Telus, got an iPhone 4S, and paid the nearly $500 to end my Rogers contract early. I would like to get my iPhone 4 unlocked, but Rogers is being fairly confusing about how to do it. First I was told it had to be done in store, then the store told me it had to be done over the phone.

Last call I was told that everything is good except that I don't have a Rogers account anymore. They suggested getting a prepaid plan, waiting 30 days, and then calling back. Is this just a ploy to get some more money out of me, or is there some truth too it?

TL;DR - can anyone give clear instructions on how to get my Rogers iPhone 4 unlocked after number transfer to Telus?

**bubble.tea** · 01-31-2012, 06:18 AM

I'm going to assume you've already actually spoken to the unlocking dept? I forget if Rogers is the one that needs you to complete the original term the device was acquired on, or if they'll unlock it for you upon cancelling your contract?

I'm also going to assume your modem fw isn't eligible for an U1trasn0w unlock?

aside:

ouch. $500. This was out of necessity I presume?

I don't think anybody could have foreseen a time when companies could on a regular basis be collecting anywhere NEAR this much from customers just for "walkin' out of their store".

**ceredon** · 01-31-2012, 07:33 AM

In your case, the easiest thing to do would have to been to pay the ECF immediate when you canceled (instead of waiting for the invoice) then on the same call, while you account is still active, have them transfer you to the unlock dept and have it unlocked for $50. At this point, their suggestion of opening a prepaid line is the only way they may do it, but you should go in expecting obstacles. I can almost guarantee that when you call in they will give you a hard time and will try to refuse the unlock because you are trying to unlock it under a different account. Keep trying though, as you will eventually find a reasonable, sane, rep. If Rogers charges fees for opening a prepaid accuont, you may want to try opening a Fido prepaid account first, since I think that is free. Then try having it unlocked through your Fido account. This may not work, but it can since the staff doing the unlock are the same Rogers employees.

**ceredon** · 01-31-2012, 07:37 AM

Originally Posted by bubble.tea

I'm going to assume you've already actually spoken to the unlocking dept? I forget if Rogers is the one that needs you to complete the original term the device was acquired on, or if they'll unlock it for you upon cancelling your contract?

They are the only carrier in North America that will unlock iPhones. The requirement is that the original obligations be completed. Initially this could be done on any eligible account, whether purchased on that account or not. This changed after a couple months and it could only be unlocked via the account that purchased AND only once the contract on that account expired, i.e paying the ECF did not make you eligible. Apparently some sanity has returned and the realized paying the ECF completes the obligation and allow unlocks in that case, but the catch 22 is that people don't get it unlocked at the same time and subsequently their accounts are closed and the unlock is refused.

**bubble.tea** · 01-31-2012, 09:41 AM

^ ahhh, this info is up to date as of recent accounts/verified?

**WorldIRC** · 01-31-2012, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by bubble.tea

^ ahhh, this info is up to date as of recent accounts/verified?

Yes, friend had her ECF WAIVED due to bad reception, and unlock team unlocked her phone as the cancellation fee had been "paid".

**bubble.tea** · 01-31-2012, 10:21 AM

That's an exception., It would be good to hear of someone who just left because they hated Rogers/cheaper plan elsewhere, and where afforded that. Is it simply YMMV as Ceredon suggested? Or is it policy to UL so long as ECF/Acct is paid off?

**WorldIRC** · 01-31-2012, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by bubble.tea

That's an exception., It would be good to hear of someone who just left because they hated Rogers/cheaper plan elsewhere, and where afforded that. Is it simply YMMV as Ceredon suggested? Or is it policy to UL so long as ECF/Acct is paid off?

It is policy that when ECF is paid, a device can be unlocked.

**bubble.tea** · 01-31-2012, 12:55 PM

Awesome! Thanks for confirming!

**some-gei** · 01-31-2012, 02:34 PM

Hmm... good to know for next time I HUP.

My Gevey gets the job done for now.. but it would be nice to have it unlocked properly.

**DataDude** · 01-31-2012, 05:42 PM

When people speak of "accounts" I assume you mean "lines," right? I.e. they refused an unlock for me after TORing one of my lines and closing a temporary, month to month line. So it has to be the same line under which you bought the phone?

**ceredon** · 01-31-2012, 06:28 PM

Originally Posted by DataDude

When people speak of "accounts" I assume you mean "lines," right? I.e. they refused an unlock for me after TORing one of my lines and closing a temporary, month to month line. So it has to be the same line under which you bought the phone?

I meant line. In some cases it doesn't matter. For instance, the OP was told to open a prepaid line, which would be a totally different account. That is what I meant that some will say no and some will say yes. It's a complete cluster F in terms of the policy being worded such that it is interpreted differently by different staff.

**DataDude** · 01-31-2012, 08:04 PM

So out of curiosity, if *I* were to open a prepaid line, would I have a chance of getting my phone unlocked? Do you think it's such a finite chance that I shouldn't even try, or do you recommend giving it a shot?

**ceredon** · 01-31-2012, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by DataDude

So out of curiosity, if *I* were to open a prepaid line, would I have a chance of getting my phone unlocked? Do you think it's such a finite chance that I shouldn't even try, or do you recommend giving it a shot?

No way to know unless you try. If and when you do, you will received different answers from staff. Of the various iPhones that I have had unlocked I did have one unlocked by using a prepaid account I already had (Fido phone, fido prepaid, but same unlock office). Expect roadblocks. And if Rogers charges admin fees for opening a prepaid line, then that could be lost money if you aren't successful. If there is no cost associated with opening a prepaid line, you've got nothing to lose by trying. And, like I said, if that fails, opening a prepaid on fido might be cheaper/free, so that is an avenue to look into too.

**theplayground** · 02-01-2012, 06:58 AM

Hey, if u are already over 30-45 days since u have cancelled, a good option is to have a friend on either Fido or Rogers register ur phone into their system, and have them unlick it for u. Of course u'll have to give him $50.....
Rite now they'll just tell u that u don't have an account with them anymore.