Carrier How to Unlock T-Mobile iPhone X

[olivione]

Hi guys,

So, I bought a T-Mobile iPhone X from Apple (paid in full). I’m currently on a prepaid t mobile plan here in the US. I’m from Europe and will only be temporarily in the US, also, I’ll be going back to Europe frequently. There Im on a plan with a local provider. Yesterday I tried to put my European sim into my new iPhone, and I got a message saying that I need to activate the phone with t mbobile.

The guy told me that I will be able to eventually use my phone in Europe but only after waiting for 50 days and having usd100 on my account. That should say odd, since I thought the t-mobile devices are unlocked.

I have not yet activated the device and did not start the device with the original or my t mobile sim in it.


Does anyone here know what I can do to not wait for so long to use it in Europe? I will be travelling back for a couple of weeks in two weeks time and would muc( rather use my new iPhone....


Many thanks for your help

 

[Jjayf]

Call T-Mobile customer service. If you paid in full, they should give you the unlock code and procedure. Tell them your story. If they won't, return it and visit an Apple Store. T-Mobile is pretty good at unlocking devices.

 

[rikmac111]

I called tmobile and apple and they will not give unlock code out for 90 days after initial release. They told me this gives them time to start sales all over the world. I believe this is a cover story because I find no validity in their reasoning to do it this way. Wish you the best.

 

[Starfyre]

When you pay in full at Apple store and pick the unlocked version, isn’t it already unlocked? Are all preordered T-Mobile devices not the unlocked version?

 

[iosuser]

Hi guys,

So, I bought a T-Mobile iPhone X from Apple (paid in full). I’m currently on a prepaid t mobile plan here in the US. I’m from Europe and will only be temporarily in the US, also, I’ll be going back to Europe frequently. There Im on a plan with a local provider. Yesterday I tried to put my European sim into my new iPhone, and I got a message saying that I need to activate the phone with t mbobile.

The guy told me that I will be able to eventually use my phone in Europe but only after waiting for 50 days and having usd100 on my account. That should say odd, since I thought the t-mobile devices are unlocked.

I have not yet activated the device and did not start the device with the original or my t mobile sim in it.


Does anyone here know what I can do to not wait for so long to use it in Europe? I will be travelling back for a couple of weeks in two weeks time and would muc( rather use my new iPhone....


Many thanks for your help

Is it possible for you to exchange it for the Verizon version? If so I highly suggest it.

I'm on T-Mobile myself, but chose to buy the Verizon version (full price). Verizon phones are all unlocked from the get go. I came home, popped my TMo SIM in the X, and it worked right away.

 

[rikmac111]

No, it is still set to the carrier you ask for

 

[rikmac111]

At least the first 90 days

 

[Starfyre]

I heard Verizon sim works on TMobile devices too (for the GSM potions of Verizon’s network). Shouldn’t that mean TMobile is also carrier unlocked or did that person get an unlock code? Nothing about his post seemed to suggest that.

 

[noobinator]

I've never heard of the Tmobile version from Apple being locked. I was under the impression it only locked to Tmobile if you bought it from Tmobile. I buy the tmobile version every year from apple and ive never had it locked to tmobile.

 

[rikmac111]

Not sure Starfyre, I am only going off what Apple and Tmobile reps told me. Both had same story. I was trying to buy on for relative in Europe and now glad I didn’t. I use Tmobile in USA and have never had issue in the last five years but I always purchased phone after 6 months that they were released.

 

[noobinator]

Maybe just do what the rep said and try activating it on T-Mobile and then it will be unlocked?

 

[Starfyre]

I heard otherwise from Apple rep in store, they said if you pay upfront and pick unlocked TMobile it is true unlocked.

 

[olivione]

So after putting the tm SIM card in I don’t get this error anymore. I’ve tried my European sim in and I get a connection. I can even connect to att and t mobile. Both representatives from Apple and T-Mobile said that the phone is unlocked.

Thanks for your help

 

[rikmac111]

Good too know. Thanks for the update. I guess the two people I talked to didn’t know what they were talking about.

 

[meetsam23]

N

Hi guys,

So, I bought a T-Mobile iPhone X from Apple (paid in full). I’m currently on a prepaid t mobile plan here in the US. I’m from Europe and will only be temporarily in the US, also, I’ll be going back to Europe frequently. There Im on a plan with a local provider. Yesterday I tried to put my European sim into my new iPhone, and I got a message saying that I need to activate the phone with t mbobile.

The guy told me that I will be able to eventually use my phone in Europe but only after waiting for 50 days and having usd100 on my account. That should say odd, since I thought the t-mobile devices are unlocked.

I have not yet activated the device and did not start the device with the original or my t mobile sim in it.


Does anyone here know what I can do to not wait for so long to use it in Europe? I will be travelling back for a couple of weeks in two weeks time and would muc( rather use my new iPhone....


Many thanks for your help

Not true. I ordered my 7 plus last year from Apple store on tmobile and it came unlocked!

 

[toohectic]

Is it possible for you to exchange it for the Verizon version? If so I highly suggest it.

I'm on T-Mobile myself, but chose to buy the Verizon version (full price). Verizon phones are all unlocked from the get go. I came home, popped my TMo SIM in the X, and it worked right away.

How did you buy the Verizon version without a Verizon account?

 

[eyoungren]

If you paid in full, they should give you the unlock code and procedure.

I called tmobile and apple and they will not give unlock code out for 90 days after initial release.

Just want to point one thing out.

iPhones do not and never have ever…used unlock codes.

With an iPhone there is no such thing. There is no way to enter any code, much less have any code work. Apple uses a different process entirely and if anyone ever gives you a code to unlock your iPhone you will know it's bogus.

The way this works is that you ask the carrier for an unlock. The carrier submits your unlock request and your IMEI to Apple. Apple maintains the unlock database and your IMEI is inserted into that database upon request of your carrier.

At that point, Apple's iTunes servers issue a new unlock policy ticket (electronically) and the next time your phone checks in with Apple's servers that policy is applied to your phone and the phone is automatically unlocked.

All of this happens over the air. It does not involve any action on your part and it does not use any codes.

The carriers for their part will send you an email explaining that you need to restore your device. That too is also bogus. You haven't needed to restore since 2011 and why the carriers continue to include this instruction I do not know.

Simply insert a different SIM and if the phone is truly unlocked you will be asked for your Apple ID and password.

That's it.

 

[Jjayf]

Just want to point one thing out.

iPhones do not and never have ever…used unlock codes.

With an iPhone there is no such thing. There is no way to enter any code, much less have any code work. Apple uses a different process entirely and if anyone ever gives you a code to unlock your iPhone you will know it's bogus.

The way this works is that you ask the carrier for an unlock. The carrier submits your unlock request and your IMEI to Apple. Apple maintains the unlock database and your IMEI is inserted into that database upon request of your carrier.

At that point, Apple's iTunes servers issue a new unlock policy ticket (electronically) and the next time your phone checks in with Apple's servers that policy is applied to your phone and the phone is automatically unlocked.

All of this happens over the air. It does not involve any action on your part and it does not use any codes.

The carriers for their part will send you an email explaining that you need to restore your device. That too is also bogus. You haven't needed to restore since 2011 and why the carriers continue to include this instruction I do not know.

Simply insert a different SIM and if the phone is truly unlocked you will be asked for your Apple ID and password.

That's it.

Actually I just found this out today. I had no idea. My carrier told me today, that a normal iPhone will automatically lock to whichever carrier you use first. Prior to that it is open to be used on any carrier. Only certain phones sold as unlocked, will not do this. If you have a phone locked to a carrier and want it unlocked the procedure is as you discribe.

 

[fs454]

Is it possible for you to exchange it for the Verizon version? If so I highly suggest it.

I'm on T-Mobile myself, but chose to buy the Verizon version (full price). Verizon phones are all unlocked from the get go. I came home, popped my TMo SIM in the X, and it worked right away.

Did you not need to have an active Verizon line to add the phone to? I haven't heard of being able to just get another carrier's phone without that.

 

[eyoungren]

Actually I just found this out today. I had no idea. My carrier told me today, that a normal iPhone will automatically lock to whichever carrier you use first. Prior to that it is open to be used on any carrier. Only certain phones sold as unlocked, will not do this. If you have a phone locked to a carrier and want it unlocked the procedure is as you discribe.

Yep, this is true. Except with Verizon phones.

In May I had two Sprint iPhone 5's (5 not 5s) replaced. In both cases the Apple genius allowed me to choose my carrier and I chose Verizon. Both phones fully unlocked immediately - thus proving Sprint dead wrong in saying they could never be unlocked.

 

[lordhamster]

Hi guys,

So, I bought a T-Mobile iPhone X from Apple (paid in full). I’m currently on a prepaid t mobile plan here in the US. I’m from Europe and will only be temporarily in the US, also, I’ll be going back to Europe frequently. There Im on a plan with a local provider. Yesterday I tried to put my European sim into my new iPhone, and I got a message saying that I need to activate the phone with t mbobile.

The guy told me that I will be able to eventually use my phone in Europe but only after waiting for 50 days and having usd100 on my account. That should say odd, since I thought the t-mobile devices are unlocked.

I have not yet activated the device and did not start the device with the original or my t mobile sim in it.


Does anyone here know what I can do to not wait for so long to use it in Europe? I will be travelling back for a couple of weeks in two weeks time and would muc( rather use my new iPhone....


Many thanks for your help

If you paid in full at an Apple store for a T-Mobile version, it is already unlocked. T-Mobile reps are morons.

The critical part is you bought straight from Apple full price. I’ve done this dozens of times in the past when my family in Germany wanted iPhones.

In fact you version is the same model sold in most of Europe, so you are good to go.

 

[iosuser]

How did you buy the Verizon version without a Verizon account?

Paid in full at Apple store. I even told the Apple rep my carrier is TMo and that I want the Verizon version.
[doublepost=1509847080][/doublepost]

Did you not need to have an active Verizon line to add the phone to? I haven't heard of being able to just get another carrier's phone without that.

As above.

 

[fs454]

Paid in full at Apple store. I even told the Apple rep my carrier is TMo and that I want the Verizon version.
[doublepost=1509847080][/doublepost]
As above.

Pretty sure this isn't allowed, "I'll pay in full" hasn't worked in the past. You got lucky.

 

[Cpsadowski]

So after putting the tm SIM card in I don’t get this error anymore. I’ve tried my European sim in and I get a connection. I can even connect to att and t mobile. Both representatives from Apple and T-Mobile said that the phone is unlocked.

Thanks for your help

I’m in the same situation as you. Purchased my iPhone X from T Mobile instead of Apple. It’s locked to the T-Mobile Sim. How did you get your phone to unlock? Any steps you took would be greatly appreciated.
[doublepost=1510149346][/doublepost]

I’m in the same situation as you. Purchased my iPhone X from T Mobile instead of Apple. It’s locked to the T-Mobile Sim. How did you get your phone to unlock? Any steps you took would be greatly appreciated.

 

[noobinator]

I’m in the same situation as you. Purchased my iPhone X from T Mobile instead of Apple. It’s locked to the T-Mobile Sim. How did you get your phone to unlock? Any steps you took would be greatly appreciated.
[doublepost=1510149346][/doublepost]

Is it paid off or are you on payments? If it's paid off then call T-Mobile. They usually tell you that you have to have the phone for 40 days but if you are persistent they should unlock it for you. I've had it done in the past.