Can an Iphone be unlocked and used in this country if it has been registered as stolen or missing? Is there anything can be done?

Nothing at all. When phones are registered as stolen they're not locked on the phone, the network providers all collaborate with an anti theft system. Every phone has a unique code known as an IMEI code (I think) that identifies them. The networks disallow phones from using their network if the IMEI is registered stolen.

Now, I could be wrong but I don't believe there's any way to change a phone's IMEI as they're centrally registered unique codes. If there's a way to do it you'd have to look into that.

I won’t ask what you’re doing with a stolen iphone, I’m no expert but as far as I know Jay man is right, it’s IMEI locked and you’re fucked even if you change the SIM. You could sell it on ebay to Singapore who don’t subscribe to IMEI. I did read somewhere if you have the right software and equipment it can be done but I have no idea if it’s true.

I've been the unlucky receiver of a stolen phone from buying on ebay once, years ago now. It does happen legitimately.

I gathered that it is practically useless in this country. It can be used overseas though. But Im sure there is a software to do it. Someone recommends Ziphone software. Will check that out.

Dont ask. But for the record, it wasn't mine. My friend reported it missing and she got a new iphone via insurance. She found it underneath her car seat two months later. The insurance company didnt want it back as they said it was useless now.

It is.

Jailbreaking it won't solve your problem and you can't sell it overseas as 99% of the planet subscribe to IMEI.

Still it will make a nice coaster

Hmm. After a little research legend is right Knave. Only the UK has the CEIR system that networks subscribe to and block IMEIs. A lot of handsets find themselves in Italy apparently if they're blocked here.

There's a 5 year sentence for changing IMEIs though, useful to know.

I'm pretty sure it can be unlocked under the circumstances you've given, not sure who you'd have to get in touch with to follow that process though. Call up some whatever mobile network customer services, they'll probably know. If something can be added to a list it can be removed.

I went to a few shops yesterday, and that what I was told including the 5-year sentence. A guy in the shop even willing to take it off my hand for £60 and ship it overseas (obviously for a profit) but my friend wasnt keen. Thanks for the info though!

Yeh I've learned something and that's if I'm ever on Who wants to be a millionaire I want Jay as my phone a friend

well, i manage lots of phones for the company i work for, quite a lot of Iphones these are all with O2
anyway when i wanted to have one of these released from O2 they had to apply to Apple to get it untagged and it took 30 days
sooooo im thnking an iphone thats tagged to a network elsewhere once registered as stolen, not only cannot be used on its origional network but wont work anywhere due to somthing that may go as far reaching as all the way to Apple