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bought an unlocked 5s; should the box say it's unlocked?

G

ghanwani

macrumors 601
Original poster
Dec 8, 2008
4,573
5,697
I just picked up a white/silver 5s today but nothing on the box says it's unlocked. I was under the impression the box would say it's unlocked. If not, how would I know it's unlocked?
 
T5BRICK

T5BRICK

macrumors G3
Aug 3, 2006
8,313
2,387
Oregon
The box doesn't say. Put a couple of different branded sim cards in it and see if they all work.

Alternatively, you could just check your unlock status with one of the many sites available.
 
G

ghanwani

macrumors 601
Original poster
Dec 8, 2008
4,573
5,697
T5BRICK said:
The box doesn't say. Put a couple of different branded sim cards in it and see if they all work.

Alternatively, you could just check your unlock status with one of the many sites available.
Click to expand...

Thanks.
 
C

C DM

macrumors Sandy Bridge
Oct 17, 2011
51,390
19,458
T5BRICK said:
The box doesn't say. Put a couple of different branded sim cards in it and see if they all work.

Alternatively, you could just check your unlock status with one of the many sites available.
Click to expand...
Apple should make it much easier to know that. Either on the phone itself or at least when you plug it into iTunes or perhaps someone on Apple's site.
 
Nermal

Nermal

Moderator
Staff member
Dec 7, 2002
20,627
3,987
New Zealand
JayLenochiniMac said:
Keep in mind this isn't always reliable. A number of members have their unlocked iPhones showing as locked.
Click to expand...

It doesn't even seem to be consistent; two weeks ago it listed my unlocked 4S as locked, but now it's listing the same phone as unlocked.

Question: Do locked phones have something on the box to indicate their operator? I think I once saw a picture of one with an AT&T logo on the barcode label (mine has no logo there).
 
6

617aircav

Suspended
Jul 2, 2012
3,975
818
C DM said:
Apple should make it much easier to know that. Either on the phone itself or at least when you plug it into iTunes or perhaps someone on Apple's site.
Click to expand...

If you buy an unlocked phone it will be unlocked. What else do you need to know?
 
lordofthereef

lordofthereef

macrumors G5
Nov 29, 2011
13,161
3,720
Boston, MA
617aircav said:
If you buy an unlocked phone it will be unlocked. What else do you need to know?
Click to expand...

I can only assume he is referring to second hand sales. There isn't a good "oh yes, I see through the software here that this phone is unlocked" setting. Not the end of the world. But it would be nice.
 
H

harpyeagle

macrumors regular
Mar 18, 2011
151
30
Your receipt should say unlocked

From previous experience, If you bought/picked up at an Apple store, it should say unlocked in the receipt, but nothing to indicate so in the box/phone itself.
 
G

ghanwani

macrumors 601
Original poster
Dec 8, 2008
4,573
5,697
harpyeagle said:
From previous experience, If you bought/picked up at an Apple store, it should say unlocked in the receipt, but nothing to indicate so in the box/phone itself.
Click to expand...

Thanks. It does say unlocked on the receipt.
 
V

vistadude

macrumors 65816
Jan 3, 2010
1,423
1
I looked at my iphone 4 and 5s box, both purchased as at&t models. Both have a grey at&t logo on the back of the box. Perhaps not all carriers put a logo on the box, but at&t sure does.
 
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