New AWS iPhone 5 Model -Unlocked by Default?

Hi all,

I just want to confirm what I think I am understanding from reading on the forum. Are the new T-Mobile/AT&T model phones unlocked?

Reason for asking: I'm on AT&T. I had my iPhone 5 unlocked successfully by UnlockFusion last Sept. I had a hardware issue recently with my phone and the Genius Bar swapped it out yesterday. I now have the newer T-Mobile/AT&T GSM iPhone (FH1D). After getting home and restoring it, I no longer get the 'Congrats...your phone is unlocked message' like I used to in iTunes. I have heard conflicting things that if you get your phone replaced that the unlock will transfer to the new phone. I have seen some say yes, some say no. I called Apple support and they said based on the serial number I gave them that the phone is a unlocked GSM model. I don't have a T-Mobile nano SIM to test it out.

So, can anyone clear this up for me?

viperGTS said:

My original 4S I unlocked with eBay (the IMEI unlock), got it swapped, and it was still unlocked. The status transfers from phone to phone, even if you replace the phone multiple times (like I did, currently on my 5th 4S ).

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Do you still get the congrats message in iTunes after a restore?

viperGTS said:

Not that I remember, but I don't think so. I wouldn't worry too much, you could try looking up your IMEI on a website to determine the status of whether or not your phone is unlocked.

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Thanks for the info Viper! I don't trust those IMEI sites. On my old phone those sites would still report mine as locked. Unless you know of a reputable one.

Prime85 said:

i bought an AT&T iPhone 5 in November (paid full price) to use on T-Mobile, when ever i would restore that one it would show me the your iphone is unlocked screen. Recently i had it replaced and received an AWS iPhone. It no longer says that it is unlocked when i restore but i am currently using it on the T-Mobile network so it is unlocked. It looks like the unlock status transfers with your phone when the switch out the serials just like the applecare/applecare+ switches over to the replacement phone. Since it said your phone phone was unlocked in their system they probably gave you a factory unlocked phone as a replacement.

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Great! This is good to hear! I'm traveling to the Czech Republic this summer and wanted to use a in-country pre-paid SIM while I'm there. Thanks for the info!