How do I unlock an iPhone 5 to any network?

So my friend gave me his iPhone 5 which is locked to an American network (I live in Australia)


How can I unlock it for free? or a really really cheap price?

 

jailbreak is pretty much the only free option.
google a guide for your software version and use that.

Good luck.

 

Is there any negative effects from Jailbreaking then unlocking the phone?

 

Short answer: yes.
You cannot update your phone, nor mess with your jailbreak or you'll loose the unlock.

I'm pretty sure JB is not to be discussed on sythe, so I encourage you to google for a iphone/ipad fansite which also coveres JB.

Good luck

 

you need a factory unlock

 

costs about 15 dollars

 

Depends on which model and carrier, is it model A1428 or A1429?

 

Its locked to AT&T and the model number is A1429

 

I'm sure AT&T model is A1428 which won't work in Australia, A1429 model is for Verizon or Sprint. Verizon iPhone 5 comes unlocked out of the box, if it is Sprint or another carrier owner will need to call the carrier to get it unlocked.

 

So there is nothing I can do?

 

I think you can go to one of these stores that sell unlocked phones and ask for some help.

 

Tell your friend to call the carrier saying he is going to travel international and needs the phone unlocked for international carriers.

 

My friend already tried that and they said he had to buy an imei code or something like that to unlock it

 

You can get the imei from your phone, http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4061

 

Then what? They won't unlock it at the shops though

 

US carriers will unlock phones for international use, you just need to call them. If model number is A1429, then the carrier is not AT&T though, most likely Verizon or Sprint.

 

Oh wait shit! Its Sprint xD

 

Just have your friend call and say he going on vacation to another country, they will unlock for international carriers

 

Is there anything else I can do?

 

Jailbreak the phone but not sure if you can get it unlocked.