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iPhone Sprint iPhone 5 IMEI unlock

W

wjlafrance

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 23, 2009
359
1
Madison, WI
Hey,

I've searched far and wide and can't find a definitive answer. Forgive me if its been discusses. I did search!

I have a Sprint iPhone 5 (99xxxx IMEI) and would like to unlock for use on AT&T (on an MNVO on their network), so a USA-based GSM carrier. For an international unlock I can just call up Sprint cause I'm in good standing but I'm looking for a in-country unlock.

I've heard that phones activated to CDMA networks can't be unlocked for USA GSM, and I've heard the other way also. Is there a site offering this kind of unlock?

Thanks guys!
 
PsstGreek

PsstGreek

macrumors 68040
Oct 21, 2010
3,776
59
Tampa Bay
wjlafrance said:
Hey,

I've searched far and wide and can't find a definitive answer. Forgive me if its been discusses. I did search!

I have a Sprint iPhone 5 (99xxxx IMEI) and would like to unlock for use on AT&T (on an MNVO on their network), so a USA-based GSM carrier. For an international unlock I can just call up Sprint cause I'm in good standing but I'm looking for a in-country unlock.

I've heard that phones activated to CDMA networks can't be unlocked for USA GSM, and I've heard the other way also. Is there a site offering this kind of unlock?

Thanks guys!
Click to expand...

A Sprint iPhone can not be used on AT&T once factory unlocked. It could only be used internationally. Only the Verizon iPhone 5 can work on any GSM service, granted you won't be able to get 4G/LTE due to hardware and carrier incapabilities.
 
L

locoboi187

macrumors 6502a
Oct 3, 2012
711
375
PsstGreek said:
A Sprint iPhone can not be used on AT&T once factory unlocked. It could only be used internationally. Only the Verizon iPhone 5 can work on any GSM service, granted you won't be able to get 4G/LTE due to hardware and carrier incapabilities.
Click to expand...

God damnit Sprint. I wanted my Sprint iPhone 5 to be unlocked for better selling purposes when the next iPhone comes out. Great. Looks like Big Red customers are gonna be happy. :p
 
dhlizard

dhlizard

macrumors G4
Mar 16, 2009
10,214
119
The Jailbreak Community
Congratulations !

You have just mastered the important concept if you desire to use your phone on a GSM carrier you start with a GSM phone.

Avoiding all the restrictions associated with CDMA phones will liberate you.
 
Last edited:
W

wjlafrance

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 23, 2009
359
1
Madison, WI
dhlizard said:
Congratulations !

You have just mastered the important concept if you desire to use your phone on a GSM carrier you start with a GSM phone.

Avoiding all the restrictions associated with CDMA phones will liberate you.
Click to expand...

Well, you know as well as I do that the Sprint iPhone 5 is as much as GSM iPhone as any other. I can use it on any GSM network I like as long as it's not in my home country! :)

But yeah, I think just buying the unlocked phone and using it on a dirt cheap network is a great way to do it if you can afford it.
 
dhlizard

dhlizard

macrumors G4
Mar 16, 2009
10,214
119
The Jailbreak Community
wjlafrance said:
Well, you know as well as I do that the Sprint iPhone 5 is as much as GSM iPhone as any other. I can use it on any GSM network I like as long as it's not in my home country! :)

But yeah, I think just buying the unlocked phone and using it on a dirt cheap network is a great way to do it if you can afford it.
Click to expand...

My point went right over your head......
 
PsstGreek

PsstGreek

macrumors 68040
Oct 21, 2010
3,776
59
Tampa Bay
wjlafrance said:
Well, you know as well as I do that the Sprint iPhone 5 is as much as GSM iPhone as any other. I can use it on any GSM network I like as long as it's not in my home country! :)

But yeah, I think just buying the unlocked phone and using it on a dirt cheap network is a great way to do it if you can afford it.
Click to expand...

No it's not. The Sprint iPhone is purely CDMA, which is a total different technology from GSM. Yes, you can use a foreign GSM provider once unlocked but that doesn't mean you could use T-Mobile or AT&T. Like I said before, the phone isn't made hardware/carrier wise to accomplish that.
 
W

wjlafrance

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 23, 2009
359
1
Madison, WI
Cure me of my ignorance. How does the A1429 for Verizon differ from the A1429 for Sprint? Software restrictions, no?

As I understand it the only difference between the three hardware models of the iPhone 5 are which bands the antenna supports. The A1429 supports UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz) and GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz).

With the software restrictions removed, as Verizon has done, you could use it on AT&T's network. I know this because I've used a GiffGaff SIM in a Verizon iPhone 4S which roamed on AT&T in the US.
 
PsstGreek

PsstGreek

macrumors 68040
Oct 21, 2010
3,776
59
Tampa Bay
wjlafrance said:
Cure me of my ignorance. How does the A1429 for Verizon differ from the A1429 for Sprint? Software restrictions, no?

As I understand it the only difference between the three hardware models of the iPhone 5 are which bands the antenna supports. The A1429 supports UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz) and GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz).

With the software restrictions removed, as Verizon has done, you could use it on AT&T's network. I know this because I've used a GiffGaff SIM in a Verizon iPhone 4S which roamed on AT&T in the US.
Click to expand...

It just does. It's not software restrictions. As I keep mentioning, it's hardware and carrier restrictions. <<<< Read and re-read<<<<<
 
D

dextr3k

macrumors 6502
Nov 26, 2012
357
1
I believe its carrier restriction. Hardware they are the same.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/marcwebertobias/2012/11/06/the-iphone-5-does-nothing-to-end-apples-conspiracy-with-the-carriers/

Next stop, Sprint ...... I was told by three different managers at two corporate stores that Sprint would not register any phone from another carrier and they would not unlock their phones for use on another carrier. End of story.
Click to expand...

So the reason it would work out side of US is because no one outside of US would adhere to Sprint's list. Thats my understanding at least.
 
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