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Carrier Can an iPhone 5s really be locked domestically, but unlocked internationally?

C

cheso

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 13, 2009
28
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I own an iPhone 5s with U.S. Cellular (A1453), bought it full retail, still it's locked domestically, which is fine with me. I contacted U.S. Cellular to ask whether the phone can be used with a nanoSIM abroad on GSM and this is what they responded:

Thank you so much for taking the time to email me; I’m happy to address your request. The iPhone is a world phone so you do have the capability to use it overseas. Here’s how to do so:

1) Disable International CDMA (under Settings/Cellular/Roaming) – disabling this setting enables GSM roaming.

2) Purchase a GSM SIM abroad (SIM cards purchased for use on US GSM networks [AT&T, T-Mobile] will not work in a USCC iPhone).

3) Power-off the device and install the GSM SIM card (when the customer arrives at their international destination).

4) Power-on the device and look for the international carrier’s name in the upper left-hand corner of the display.


If you want the device to be unlocked to be used through a different carrier we do not support unlocking. I hope this information helps. Let me know if you have any further questions.
Click to expand...

Can this really work this way? Any real-life experiences? Thanks ;)
 
AFAIK the only CDMA iPhone that has an unlocked domestic GSM slot is Verizon, because they were required by law (during a merger.)

So the VZ iPhone is unlocked for both int'l and domestic GSM SIMS.
 
Applejuiced said:
Yes, It can really be locked domestically, but unlocked internationally.
Click to expand...

Thanks... do you know if the phone basically somehow checks whether it's in the U.S. or not, or do the SIM cards have something specific in them that informs the phone which country's carrier they belong to? Just being curious
 
It's setup to identify US domestic carrier networks sims and it rejects them.
It's put there by Apple and that action/agreement is put there by the particular wireless network. Sprint in this instance.
 
Idefix said:
they were required by law (during a merger.)
Click to expand...


A Merger had nothing to do with it. They bought a nationwide 700Mhz license during an FCC spectrum auction. Part of the stipulation of buying this license was to have all phones intended for use on this band be unlocked. Google pushed for it and put on a poker face to act as if they were going to buy the spectrum.
 
Sprint iPhones (at least the 5C and 5S) are locked domesticaly and also internationally. I can't activate it with my french sim as i am in France.
If you have a tip for unlocking this 5C for the international, please help me. :)
 
wxcvbn said:
Sprint iPhones (at least the 5C and 5S) are locked domesticaly and also internationally. I can't activate it with my french sim as i am in France.
If you have a tip for unlocking this 5C for the international, please help me. :)
Click to expand...
Here's a tip. But you won't like it.

Activate your iPhone on Sprint for 90 days. Pay your bill on time. Call Sprint at the end of 90 days and ask them to unlock for international use.

But you can't do that because you're in France huh?

Your only option is a SIM interposer then. Good luck.
 
cheso said:
I own an iPhone 5s with U.S. Cellular (A1453), bought it full retail, still it's locked domestically, which is fine with me. I contacted U.S. Cellular to ask whether the phone can be used with a nanoSIM abroad on GSM and this is what they responded:



Can this really work this way? Any real-life experiences? Thanks ;)
Click to expand...

Hey have your tested this yet?

Is your iPhone 5S unlocked internationally? Did you have to do anything or is it already unlocked?

I'm seeing lots of hype about US Cellular iPhones on Craigslist n all. Please share thanks
 
Samunlocks.net said:
Hey have your tested this yet?

Is your iPhone 5S unlocked internationally? Did you have to do anything or is it already unlocked?

I'm seeing lots of hype about US Cellular iPhones on Craigslist n all. Please share thanks
Click to expand...

Responded in the dedicated thread
 
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