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Carrier (T-Mobile iPhone 5s is LOCKED- Unlocked iPhone 5s Discussion)

Coleman2010 said:
Yes you can get one directly at the Apple store. Get to the store and get in line 2-3 hours before they open. When they address the line tell them you want a 32GB silver AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile. When you are in store to pay, tell them you want to buy the iPhone device only.

All "device only" iPhone purchases from the apple store are unlocked. So you can get any of the 3 carriers I listed above and it will be GSM unlocked.

If you order the T-Mobile unlocked version from the Apple website it will take 2-3 weeks to arrive at your home.
Click to expand...

The apple store rep I spoke with says to not stand in line, but to order from the apple store for "in store pickup".

I want to get a Verizon 5s to maximize carrier flexibility. If I order in store pickup and select some random Verizon plan inorder to complete the online checkout, will I still be able to ask for device only when I pickup from the apple store?

Thanks!
 
=jws said:
The apple store rep I spoke with says to not stand in line, but to order from the apple store for "in store pickup".

I want to get a Verizon 5s to maximize carrier flexibility. If I order in store pickup and select some random Verizon plan inorder to complete the online checkout, will I still be able to ask for device only when I pickup from the apple store?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Yes. It's possible. You will have to tell them you ordered a contract but now have changed your mind. You want to buy it device only. They will have to cancel and return your order, check the phone back into stock then sell you the iPhone.

I don't know why the person told you not to wait in line before the store opens. I was not able to find stock for in store pickup at the apple store I went to but I got a Verizon 64GB in gold by waiting in line before the store opened.
 
Hello, please advise:

Planning on purchasing an iphone 5s and want to use the att go phone month to month plan. Also, I need to port my number over from Sprint. I will also be traveling internationally in the near future.

If I purchase from Apple " device only" ( att, verizon, t-mo) it will be unlocked and I can use any carrier. Would I then take it to att to get set up on the go phone plan and to port my number? Is one of the 3 devices better to use internationally ? I will be using local SIM cards when I travel.

Also, if I purchase from local att store at full retail and get on the go phone plan would I have a problem if I wanted to change carriers? Would it work the same internationally as the one purchased from Apple?

Thanks so much!
 
38special said:
Hello, please advise:

Planning on purchasing an iphone 5s and want to use the att go phone month to month plan. Also, I need to port my number over from Sprint. I will also be traveling internationally in the near future.

If I purchase from Apple " device only" ( att, verizon, t-mo) it will be unlocked and I can use any carrier. Would I then take it to att to get set up on the go phone plan and to port my number? Is one of the 3 devices better to use internationally ? I will be using local SIM cards when I travel.

Also, if I purchase from local att store at full retail and get on the go phone plan would I have a problem if I wanted to change carriers? Would it work the same internationally as the one purchased from Apple?

Thanks so much!
Click to expand...

If you purchase directly from AT&T even paying full price, it will be locked to AT&T.

Buy device only from the apple store. T-Mobile, Verizon or AT&T and it will be unlocked. Using GSM internationally they are all the same.

Then take it to AT&T and request an account and SIM card.
 
Coleman2010 said:
If you purchase directly from AT&T even paying full price, it will be locked to AT&T.

Buy device only from the apple store. T-Mobile, Verizon or AT&T and it will be unlocked. Using GSM internationally they are all the same.

Then take it to AT&T and request an account and SIM card.
Click to expand...

Thanks for making it simple...I've learned everything from your posts! Keep up the good work!
 
Hello guys, this topic has been very usefulf for me and in fact I just ordered an Iphone 5S on Apple.com to have it fully unlocked.

The only difference I seen when I made the order is that only "IPhone 5s 16GB Silver (GSM) T Mobile" appear, without the word Unlocked as for many of you.

Now, I get in trouble...

Is there someone who has made ​​the same order (without the word unlocked) and has already received the I5S checking if it is unlocked ?
 
totu82 said:
Hello guys, this topic has been very usefulf for me and in fact I just ordered an Iphone 5S on Apple.com to have it fully unlocked.

The only difference I seen when I made the order is that only "IPhone 5s 16GB Silver (GSM) T Mobile" appear, without the word Unlocked as for many of you.

Now, I get in trouble...

Is there someone who has made ​​the same order (without the word unlocked) and has already received the I5S checking if it is unlocked ?
Click to expand...
Nothing to worry about. The T-Mobile version from Apple's website IS unlocked.
 
Hello guys, well tomorrow I will be in Ohio (I'm from Mexico), I want to buy an iPhone 5s.

If I get an At&t full price / device-only at an Apple Store Retail it will be unlocked?

Thank you in advance.
 
Hempo said:
Hello guys, well tomorrow I will be in Ohio (I'm from Mexico), I want to buy an iPhone 5s.

If I get an At&t full price / device-only at an Apple Store Retail it will be unlocked?

Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
Yes. All device only iPhones from the Apple retail store are unlocked except for Sprint. Do not buy Sprint.
 
Hey guys I just ordered a space gray version of the 32GB 5s and I'm currently on a T-Mobile family plan on my GS4. When the 5s arrives with the nano-sim, how do I port my current number over from the old micro-sim to the new nano-sim? Do I have to go to a physical T-Mobile store?

First time purchasing an unlocked iPhone :confused:
 
KingArthurVI said:
Hey guys I just ordered a space gray version of the 32GB 5s and I'm currently on a T-Mobile family plan on my GS4. When the 5s arrives with the nano-sim, how do I port my current number over from the old micro-sim to the new nano-sim? Do I have to go to a physical T-Mobile store?

First time purchasing an unlocked iPhone :confused:
Click to expand...

Just bring the unactivated nano sim that comes with the 5S to a TMobile store and they will port your number to the nano sim. Then, pop in the activated nano sim and enjoy!!
 
KingArthurVI said:
Hey guys I just ordered a space gray version of the 32GB 5s and I'm currently on a T-Mobile family plan on my GS4. When the 5s arrives with the nano-sim, how do I port my current number over from the old micro-sim to the new nano-sim? Do I have to go to a physical T-Mobile store?

First time purchasing an unlocked iPhone :confused:
Click to expand...
You can also do it over the phone by calling customer service.
 
Akack said:
Just bring the unactivated nano sim that comes with the 5S to a TMobile store and they will port your number to the nano sim. Then, pop in the activated nano sim and enjoy!!
Click to expand...
Thanks! I was just worried there might be some extra steps that I'm not aware of :)

Coleman2010 said:
You can also do it over the phone by calling customer service.
Click to expand...
I will try that too but won't they need the SIM code or something..?
 
Hi people. Nice to be part of this forum.

I am from Peru and i am really excited to get an iphone 5s.
Let see if I understood :D

In conclusion. The only difference between the T.mob contract free and the "unlocked" is that on the first one it cames with a nano sim card from T-mobile that needs to be activated and on the second one it cames with no sim card.

So, I can buy a T-mob contract free and use it on Peru! :D
No problems with it, is unlocked. Am I right?

How are the apple stores there in USA these days?
Any queues? shortage? Anything?

Thank you very much! :D
 
Haunter1988 said:
Hi people. Nice to be part of this forum.

I am from Peru and i am really excited to get an iphone 5s.
Let see if I understood :D

In conclusion. The only difference between the T.mob contract free and the "unlocked" is that on the first one it cames with a nano sim card from T-mobile that needs to be activated and on the second one it cames with no sim card.

So, I can buy a T-mob contract free and use it on Peru! :D
No problems with it, is unlocked. Am I right?

How are the apple stores there in USA these days?
Any queues? shortage? Anything?

Thank you very much! :D
Click to expand...

Go to the apple store and buy an AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon iPhone 5s "device only." Full price device only iPhones are all unlocked.
 
Dear everyone,

I am getting my gold 5s t-mobile unlocked one tomorrow, great to hear it is indeed unlocked, heard about 3/4 different stories from apple employees (even from the same store).

One more question, if I decide to use my t-mobile card and activate a number on that card, it is still unlocked, right? it does not mean that after activating my tmobile card, the device is locked to tmobile? I am leaving the states in December for the Netherlands, so I want to use my local carrier there :)

THANKS!
 
JurreStassen said:
Dear everyone,

I am getting my gold 5s t-mobile unlocked one tomorrow, great to hear it is indeed unlocked, heard about 3/4 different stories from apple employees (even from the same store).

One more question, if I decide to use my t-mobile card and activate a number on that card, it is still unlocked, right? it does not mean that after activating my tmobile card, the device is locked to tmobile? I am leaving the states in December for the Netherlands, so I want to use my local carrier there :)

THANKS!
Click to expand...

No worries, it is factory unlocked, there is no way to locked it to any carrier after purchase.
 
totu82 said:
Hello guys, this topic has been very usefulf for me and in fact I just ordered an Iphone 5S on Apple.com to have it fully unlocked.

The only difference I seen when I made the order is that only "IPhone 5s 16GB Silver (GSM) T Mobile" appear, without the word Unlocked as for many of you.

Now, I get in trouble...

Is there someone who has made ​​the same order (without the word unlocked) and has already received the I5S checking if it is unlocked ?
Click to expand...

hello, did you receive your 5s yet?

I am planning to buy a 5s from apple.com and have it shipped to my friend in the USA.
He will bring it to overseas, to where I live. And will I able to use it with my local carrier here?
When I put my sim in the phone, in my country -not in the USA-, it will the first time that a simcard will be installed to my 5s. Will that be a problem?
 
fgork said:
hello, did you receive your 5s yet?

I am planning to buy a 5s from apple.com and have it shipped to my friend in the USA.
He will bring it to overseas, to where I live. And will I able to use it with my local carrier here?
When I put my sim in the phone, in my country -not in the USA-, it will the first time that a simcard will be installed to my 5s. Will that be a problem?
Click to expand...

As long as your friend buys it unlocked it will not be a problem. Tell him to buy it full priced "device only."
 
Coleman2010 said:
As long as your friend buys it unlocked it will not be a problem. Tell him to buy it full priced "device only."
Click to expand...

hi,

thanks for your reply.
Since I have the credit card with me and they will ID in the store, I am planning to buy it online at apple website.

The item will be the one shown below, and it does not say unlocked as said always:
2en9sg2.jpg
 
fgork said:
hi,

thanks for your reply.
Since I have the credit card with me and they will ID in the store, I am planning to buy it online at apple website.

The item will be the one shown below, and it does not say unlocked as said always:
Image
Click to expand...

That is the correct item and it is 100% verified unlocked.
 
Coleman2010 said:
Go to the apple store and buy an AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon iPhone 5s "device only." Full price device only iPhones are all unlocked.
Click to expand...

Thank you Coleman2010! :D

Do anybody knows about shortage of products, queues? Any problem to buy a 5S at apple stores in the USA? Going by oneself of course. :)
 
Haunter1988 said:
Thank you Coleman2010! :D

Do anybody knows about shortage of products, queues? Any problem to buy a 5S at apple stores in the USA? Going by oneself of course. :)
Click to expand...
If you are looking for Gold it is very hard to find in the retail store. Arrive a few hours before the store opens and wait in line and you may get one.
 
iPhone 5s Gold 32GB T-Mobile is UNLOCKED

Just got my iPhone 5s today which I purchased Sept 30th on Apple Store. I checked the IMEI and it says there that sim is UNLOCKED.

I want to share this to those who are asking if it really is unlocked even if it doesn't have the word "Unlocked" on Apple Store check out.

Its the real deal guys!
 
Coleman2010 said:
If you are looking for Gold it is very hard to find in the retail store. Arrive a few hours before the store opens and wait in line and you may get one.
Click to expand...

No no! I want the space gray with 32 GB. In Miami.
I gues no problem :D

----------
ninja2012pirate said:
Just got my iPhone 5s today which I purchased Sept 30th on Apple Store. I checked the IMEI and it says there that sim is UNLOCKED.

I want to share this to those who are asking if it really is unlocked even if it doesn't have the word "Unlocked" on Apple Store check out.

Its the real deal guys!
Click to expand...

The IMEI? Explain us please step by step to confirm the iphone you bought is "unlocked" :D

You bought the T mob free contract, A t-t or Verizon?

I heard that there are problems with the battery of the new iphones :S.
 
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