The term has been widely used in the market and has been used to describe many things. Compared to an unlocked iPhone, the term can refer to a device where the home screen is locked. Other meaning of a locked iPhone is when the user cannot use any other carrier other than the network the device is locked with. An example of these devices is an iPhone bought in the UK. Most of the iPhones bought from another country are locked to its network. A locked device has its iOS designed and approved only by Apple. Knowledge on all these terms will help an iPhone user make a decision and take the next step.
Network Carrier Locked
Jailed
Most of the time, the two terms, “Jailed iPhone” and “locked iPhone” interchange. For some reason, both mean almost the same. Jailed device cannot use other applications except for those approved only by Apple. Applications and even the operating system are restricted. Whenever the device is unlocked or most commonly known as jailbroken, third party applications can already be used. This is about unlocking when an iPhone is connected to the computer and disable the codes used in the device.
Unlocking an iPhone has been legal since March of 2011. The same time as the iPhone locked with two network carriers in the country. However, users who wish to unlock their device should take the risk of voiding their warranty, possibility or relocking the device, or perhaps damage the iPhone or iPad.
Unlocked iPhone
The definition of an unlocked iphone is easy to understand. Since the term “locked iPhone” has been defined, an unlocked iPhone only means providing freedom to users to take advantage of the features. Although the chances of damaging the device after the unlocking process is high, users take the risk so long as they are able to enjoy the benefits of using another carrier for their iPhone or iPad. Other than that, users are able to save on a few dollars on the phone bill when an unlocked device is used. All it takes is to take extra care on how to unlock an iPhone.