A couple companies have suddenly started offering ‘permanent’ IMEI unlocks for iPhones. Typically, this IMEI unlocks are only available through Apple’s database, and unlock services available through various carriers. In Canada, Roger and Fido offer such unlocking services.
According to MuscleNerd, well-established unlock companies have started selling IMEI unlocks today out of the blue, which would indicate a potential leak on Apple’s side, or a hack into their database
He goes on to mention that the ‘grey market’ access into Apple’s database has been around for a while, but normally only at brick and mortar stores.
Two companies, Negri Electronics and CutYourSIM are offering these remote IMEI iPhone unlocking solutions. Prices right now are $169-175 to permanently unlock your iPhone. Is this legit? We’ll soon find out.
For those wanting to ignore the whole jailbreak to unlock game, permanent IMEI unlocks are highly coveted by many. I purchased my iPhone 4 unlocked from Apple, and it’s been a joy while traveling overseas.
It would be easy for Apple to trace back which IMEIs were unlocked ‘unofficially’, so I wouldn’t want to be the first person to try this out. @chronic says this is a legitimate unlock, as the process ‘whitelists IMEIs’.
Let us know if you choose to do this!
