Carrier How to Unlock T-Mobile iPhone X

[Cpsadowski]

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.

It’s paid 100% which is what sucks abou

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.

It sucks as it’s paid 100%. How long did it take you to get it done. I’ve already submitted the request. Been waiting 24 hours so far. What is it that they send you? Do they unlock over the air or do you have to do something? Thanks

 

[BrettApple]

So it has something to do with purchasing from T-mo then? This thread intrigued me as I bought both my iPhone SE and iPhone 7 last year as T-mobile variants (no SIM free ones on pre-order day, and no AT&T/VZW accounts) and they were paid in full and unlocked. Got them in and put my AT&T SIM in and off I went. Gave the SE to the wife and she put in her Straight Talk SIM and also works just fine.

Didn't know they'd ever be locked.

 

[its Dale]

When you buy TMobile from Apple, it specifically says its unlocked for GSM variants such as ATT and TMobile

 

[Cpsadowski]

So it has something to do with purchasing from T-mo then? This thread intrigued me as I bought both my iPhone SE and iPhone 7 last year as T-mobile variants (no SIM free ones on pre-order day, and no AT&T/VZW accounts) and they were paid in full and unlocked. Got them in and put my AT&T SIM in and off I went. Gave the SE to the wife and she put in her Straight Talk SIM and also works just fine.

Didn't know they'd ever be locked.

Yes. If you purchase a T-Mobile phone from T-Mobile, and not from Apple, and even though you pay full retail price, it’s still locked to their network. It’s a crock.

 

[teddy bear jr.]

i think it's the same deal locked to att. i bought from the att website, tried to unlock by activating with a verizon sim and nogo.

 

[its Dale]

i think it's the same deal locked to att. i bought from the att website, tried to unlock by activating with a verizon sim and nogo.

Verizon versions will work with CDMA and GSM (GSM = att + Tmobile). GSM versions wont work with Verizon

 

[p4p4t]

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

He said if he bought his iPhone from Apple and why when he wants to activate the first time must use T-Mobile sim card and can not with his own European sim card?

 

[its Dale]

He said if he bought his iPhone from Apple and why when he wants to activate the first time must use T-Mobile sim card and can not with his own European sim card?

The european SIM is probably not a GSM variant. Im sure it would work with a Verizon paid in full version. thats the only thing I can think of.

 

[noobinator]

The european SIM is probably not a GSM variant. Im sure it would work with a Verizon paid in full version. thats the only thing I can think of.

I thought most of the Europe was gsm?

 

[its Dale]

I thought most of the Europe was gsm?

I have no idea. I said probably cuz I don’t see how else it wouldn’t work with a PIF phone from Apple

 

[Ayooosh]

So i have purchased a T-mobile unlocked phone at full price from apple online. Will be receiving it in the 17-34 november slot.
I just wanted to confirm if i’ll have to first unlock it using a t mobile sim or i can put in any gsm Sim and iam good to go?
I’ll be using the phone in India.

 

[its Dale]

So i have purchased a T-mobile unlocked phone at full price from apple online. Will be receiving it in the 17-34 november slot.
I just wanted to confirm if i’ll have to first unlock it using a t mobile sim or i can put in any gsm Sim and iam good to go?
I’ll be using the phone in India.

If you bought it the way you said you did, the site says its unlocked for GSM carriers. You dont need to do anything more than inserting a GSM sim to get it to work

"Compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile
This iPhone model will work on both AT&T and T-Mobile wireless networks. It will use either 3G or 4G LTE cellular technology for voice and data services. It can also roam internationally on many GSM carriers around the world.

This iPhone model does not support CDMA cellular technology for voice and data service, such as those used by Sprint and Verizon.

For more details on LTE network support, please visit www.apple.com/iphone/LTE."

 

[Ayooosh]

If you bought it the way you said you did, the site says its unlocked for GSM carriers. You dont need to do anything more than inserting a GSM sim to get it to work

"Compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile
This iPhone model will work on both AT&T and T-Mobile wireless networks. It will use either 3G or 4G LTE cellular technology for voice and data services. It can also roam internationally on many GSM carriers around the world.

This iPhone model does not support CDMA cellular technology for voice and data service, such as those used by Sprint and Verizon.

For more details on LTE network support, please visit www.apple.com/iphone/LTE."

Yes, but my only doubt is will i have to first activate it using a t mobile sim ?

 

[its Dale]

insert any GSM sim

 

[spacemen13579]

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.

I have question, so do you need to activate the phone with Tmobile first in the US then give the phone to the family member abroad or can they just unbox the phone, plop in their own sim card card and then use the phone as normal?

Also, in the past, did you buy the Tmobile version of the iPhone?

 

[kirk.vino]

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

It’s allowed and is called buying as a “device only”. Many people have done it before.

 

[fs454]

It’s allowed and is called buying as a “device only”. Many people have done it before.

Right at launch? It's typically never permitted until Apple starts selling sim-free versions of the X.

 

[kirk.vino]

Right at launch? It's typically never permitted until Apple starts selling sim-free versions of the X.

I’m typing this on my T-Mobile iPhone X bought at full price right at launch.
Verizon phones are the same story and it has been the case for many years now. If they have them in stock, you can get them at the store as device only. Many friends have been doing this since maybe 2014 if not earlier.

 

[its Dale]

Right at launch? It's typically never permitted until Apple starts selling sim-free versions of the X.

Its always an option from Apple to Pay in Full. Thats how I got my 7 and X, both at launch/pre order

 

[Bomb617]

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.

What if the phone is from T-Mobile on payment, can they unlock it? Do I need to wait 40 to 90 days before I can call them to unlock it?

 

[noobinator]

What if the phone is from T-Mobile on payment, can they unlock it? Do I need to wait 40 to 90 days before I can call them to unlock it?

They can but they most likely won’t until it’s paid off.

 

[Bomb617]

They can but they most likely won’t until it’s paid off.

Really? I thought they might after some days with them?

 

[dave006]

Right at launch? It's typically never permitted until Apple starts selling sim-free versions of the X.

Nope it has always worked at launch and any other times at Apple. The only issues is some retail stores want the credit for the Carrier activations so they don't want to sell as "Device Only". The problem is that there is not Apple Corporate policy concerning this practice.

Yes, Apple gets paid by the carriers for each activation, so even more cash to stash overseas!

Dave

 

[noobinator]

Really? I thought they might after some days with them?

They won’t unlock if you are financing unless you get a rep in a good mood. It’s their policy that it must be paid off to unlock it.

 

[solodogg]

I’ve had both T-Mobile and Sprint versions, both have been used and activated with T-Mobile and Verizon SIM’s. If you pay in full at the Apple store, they all come unlocked, just make sure you purchase as “device only” and don’t request activation.