How to recognize an "unlocked" iPhone?

[desertman]

I bought an iPhone 4S for the Verizon Wireless network on eBay that is supposed to be unlocked which means it should be possible to use it with a SIM card from a different (i. e. German) cell phone provider when being i. e. in Germany.

Is there a way to confirm that this iPhone is indeed unlocked, or do I have to wait until I travel to Germany and then try it?

 

[CEmajr]

You have to wait until you travel to Germany since an unlocked Verizon 4S won't work on any US GSM carriers.

 

[Winona Northdakota]

If you have a foreign (German) SIM you can try it in the phone. If your phone is unlocked, the a SIM will get service - as long as that German provider has service or a roaming agreement where you are -even in the US.

 

[McGiord]

If you have a foreign (German) SIM you can try it in the phone. If your phone is unlocked, the a SIM will get service - as long as that German provider has service or a roaming agreement where you are -even in the US.

This is right. The Verizon phones are supposed to be "World Phones" as they have CDMA network and to support roaming in other countries they also manage GSM networks. Germany is a common destination for certain US travelers so it 'should' work...

 

[Applejuiced]

This is right. The Verizon phones are supposed to be "World Phones" as they have CDMA network and to support roaming in other countries they also manage GSM networks. Germany is a common destination for certain US travelers so it 'should' work...

Actually the verizon 4S GSM side is not unlocked unless you request it from the carrier and then they agree and unlock the gsm side of it.
So without that being done it will not work on any gsm carriers outside the US at all.
And you will not know for sure unless you test it in person.

 

[elvismsmarta]

I bought an iPhone 4S for the Verizon Wireless network on eBay that is supposed to be unlocked which means it should be possible to use it with a SIM card from a different (i. e. German) cell phone provider when being i. e. in Germany.

Is there a way to confirm that this iPhone is indeed unlocked, or do I have to wait until I travel to Germany and then try it?

iphoneimei.info works for me most of the time or just order the Network check from ebay

 

[s.clapp327]

The way you check is you use a different sim card for AT&T and see if it searches for service. Put the phone in airplane mode first, then pop in the sim, then turn airplane mode back on. If it says no sim or invalid sim, that mean's it's not unlocked.

Another way is to fully reset the device and go through the activation steps, leave the AT&T sim in there and if it lets you proceed to get to the home screen, then it's unlocked. If it's not, it will say invalid sim.

 

[Applejuiced]

The way you check is you use a different sim card for AT&T and see if it searches for service. Put the phone in airplane mode first, then pop in the sim, then turn airplane mode back on. If it says no sim or invalid sim, that mean's it's not unlocked.

Another way is to fully reset the device and go through the activation steps, leave the AT&T sim in there and if it lets you proceed to get to the home screen, then it's unlocked. If it's not, it will say invalid sim.

A verizon 4S even if its unlocked by verizon will NOT work with any domestic US carrier. Only with international GSM carriers.
So even if it was unlocked you will not be able to check with an AT&T sim or any US carriers GSM sims at all.

 

[thetechfixer]

I would get an International Sim and test out the phone.

 

[willmtaylor]

I bought an iPhone 4S for the Verizon Wireless network on eBay that is supposed to be unlocked which means it should be possible to use it with a SIM card from a different (i. e. German) cell phone provider when being i. e. in Germany.

Is there a way to confirm that this iPhone is indeed unlocked, or do I have to wait until I travel to Germany and then try it?

Ok. Look at the bottom right hand corner where the glass meets the edge. Usually, there's some sort of a knob or rectangle sticking up. If it seems to be more down and can't go down any further, then it's locked. If it seems to be up more (and there's possibly some red or orange showing, then it's unlocked.)

 

[karmatourer]

Lol! :d

ok. Look at the bottom right hand corner where the glass meets the edge. Usually, there's some sort of a knob or rectangle sticking up. If it seems to be more down and can't go down any further, then it's locked. If it seems to be up more (and there's possibly some red or orange showing, then it's unlocked.)

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