Carrier Apple Upgrade Program and switching to TMobile from ATT

[ApplePhy]

after years of being on the grandfathered unlimited plan from att, decided this year to finally leave att.

I reserved my iPhone 7+ black 128gb through apple last nite, but when I was trying to checkout with the AUP, I couldn't select T-Mobile. I had to select att. Something about having to go in to a T-Mobile store to activate an AUP phone.

Anyone in a similar situation? Just curious to see why this is the case?

When I receive my now att activated phone, can I still take this phone to T-Mobile to make the switch?

I'm certainly not locked in to att again, since the AUP phone I'm receiving is unlocked, and theoretically should be easily switched to the GSM T-Mobile network?

 

[TBONE72]

after years of being on the grandfathered unlimited plan from att, decided this year to finally leave att.

I reserved my iPhone 7+ black 128gb through apple last nite, but when I was trying to checkout with the AUP, I couldn't select T-Mobile. I had to select att. Something about having to go in to a T-Mobile store to activate an AUP phone.

Anyone in a similar situation? Just curious to see why this is the case?

When I receive my now att activated phone, can I still take this phone to T-Mobile to make the switch?

I'm certainly not locked in to att again, since the AUP phone I'm receiving is unlocked, and theoretically should be easily switched to the GSM T-Mobile network?

I did the same thing except I am already on T-Mobile. My wife is still on AT&T and the account is still under my name so I just used those creds to order. My plan was to receive the phone and just pop-in my T-Mobile SIM.

I'm glad you asked because I am curious as well.

 

[ApplePhy]

I did the same thing except I am already on T-Mobile. My wife is still on AT&T and the account is still under my name so I just used those creds to order. My plan was to receive the phone and just pop-in my T-Mobile SIM.

I'm glad you asked because I am curious as well.

I can understand why apple forces you to choose a carrier when buying the phone, so they may facilitate the process and activate a phone for you upon checkout?

Problem is, I read somewhere that once the phone is activated, you may switch to another carrier for whatever reason AFTER 12 months. Anyone know if this is true?

How hard is it to switch carriers when you have an iPhone through the AUP? And can this be done anytime?

 

[TBONE72]

I can understand why apple forces you to choose a carrier when buying the phone, so they may facilitate the process and activate a phone for you upon checkout?

Problem is, I read somewhere that once the phone is activated, you may switch to another carrier for whatever reason AFTER 12 months. Anyone know if this is true?

How hard is it to switch carriers when you have an iPhone through the AUP? And can this be done anytime?

I would like to know this as well. I hope that is NOT the case.

 

[justinf77]

The phone is 100% unlocked. You can put in whatever SIM you want when you get it and it should work fine.

 

[12vElectronics]

For us changing from ATT to T Mobile and taking advantage of the trade in your phone for a Free iPhone 7 promo what do we do? It wasn't mentioned at all during the entire pre order process..

 

[TBONE72]

The phone is 100% unlocked. You can put in whatever SIM you want when you get it and it should work fine.

This is good to know! So, if I take my newly delivered iPhone 7 and swap out the SIM with my T-Mobile one and then power it on...there is not activation to the AT&T network?

 

[Coolpher]

I can understand why apple forces you to choose a carrier when buying the phone, so they may facilitate the process and activate a phone for you upon checkout?

Problem is, I read somewhere that once the phone is activated, you may switch to another carrier for whatever reason AFTER 12 months. Anyone know if this is true?

How hard is it to switch carriers when you have an iPhone through the AUP? And can this be done anytime?

I had my iPhone 6s Plus from AUP for half the year and I switched to T-Mobile and all I had to do was throw a T-Mobile Sim into my Verizon iPhone and it worked in a snap unfortunately it didn't work out for me to stay with T-Mobile so I had to go back to Verizon which was also a snap all you have to do is put in the carrier Sam and it switches over within a few seconds

 

[geoff5093]

The phone is 100% unlocked. You can put in whatever SIM you want when you get it and it should work fine.

Which makes it even more strange that you can't order an iPhone direct from Apple without tying it to a carrier.

 

[TBONE72]

Wish makes it even more strange that you can't order an iPhone direct from Apple without tying it to a carrier.

True......I don't get it.

 

[ApplePhy]

View attachment 649846

Wish makes it even more strange that you can't order an iPhone direct from Apple without tying it to a carrier.

exactly.
[doublepost=1473477884][/doublepost]

The phone is 100% unlocked. You can put in whatever SIM you want when you get it and it should work fine.

is is true, then why does Apple say that if you choose ATT or TMobile as a wireless carrier, you will not be able to use it on Verizon or Sprint's network. They say GSM phones will not work on CDMA networks.

 

[justinf77]

is is true, then why does Apple say that if you choose ATT or TMobile as a wireless carrier, you will not be able to use it on Verizon or Sprint's network. They say GSM phones will not work on CDMA networks.

That's just because the ATT and T-Mobile versions of the iPhone don't have the CDMA radio needed for use on the Verizon or Sprint network, but it's not because the phone is locked. You can buy the ATT one and use it on T-Mobile or any other GSM carrier.

 

[ApplePhy]

That's just because the ATT and T-Mobile versions of the iPhone don't have the CDMA radio needed for use on the Verizon or Sprint network, but it's not because the phone is locked. You can buy the ATT one and use it on T-Mobile or any other GSM carrier.

But not on CDMA phones (Verizon, Sprint).

Good for me because I plan on switching to another GSM carrier (T-Mobile from ATT), but it's a bit misleading because the AUP literature touts the ability to switch carriers at will.

I'm sure some considering the upgrade program will be swayed by the 'unlocked' feature of their phones.

What if I wanted to switch to Verizon? I'd be out of luck. This is a huge caveat.