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If I walk into the Apple Store today, can I buy the unlocked iPhone 4s?

petrucci666

petrucci666

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 30, 2009
714
14
Los Angeles, CA
I have an eBay offer on my iPhone 4 pending and I need a straight up answer.

I'm talking about the Apple Store in San Francisco, looking for an unlocked iPhone 4s 16GB in white.
It'll be used on AT&T so I only need the GSM portion unlocked.
 
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Wait, you need it unlocked, but you're going to use AT&T as the provider? Sorry, that doesn't make sense.
 
petrucci666 said:
I have an eBay offer on my iPhone 4 pending and I need a straight up answer.

I'm talking the Apple Store in San Francisco, looking for an unlocked iPhone 4s 16GB in white.
It'll be used in AT&T so I only need the GSM portion unlocked.
Click to expand...

If you buy an off-contract phone, then yes it will be unlocked.
 
vincenz said:
Wait, you need it unlocked, but you're going to use AT&T as the provider? Sorry, that doesn't make sense.
Click to expand...

Perhaps he does some major international traveling? If that's the case the only way to *possibly* get an unlocked iPhone 4S is to buy a full retail priced AT&T phone without making any contract updates.

I say *possibly* because this has been people's experience, but is entirely unadvertised. Like all the news stories have said, the official unlocked phone comes out in November.
 
If anyone knows of any California shops selling them unlocked please post locations.
 
vincenz said:
Wait, you need it unlocked, but you're going to use AT&T as the provider? Sorry, that doesn't make sense.
Click to expand...

Yes, I'm between the US and Europe 50-50 throughout the year so when I go to Europe (or anywhere else), I need it to work with local carriers. I also don't like being tied down to a contract.

Oh and plus - I am on a month to month plan right now with unlimited data, so signing a 2 year contract will most likely force me into a capped plan, which sucks!
 
Well you wouldn't have to sign a contract. You'd just be paying full retail. But that's just a sidenote.

Also: https://www.macrumors.com/2011/10/15/off-contract-att-iphone-4ss-already-come-unlocked/
 
Paying full retail for the 4S will not get you an unlocked iPhone 4S from AT&T. You just will not have to sign a contract.

The truly unlocked iPhones from AT&T will not come for a month or two from what I understand.
 
Stealthipad said:
Paying full retail for the 4S will not get you an unlocked iPhone 4S from AT&T. You just will not have to sign a contract.

The truly unlocked iPhones from AT&T will not come for a month or two from what I understand.
Click to expand...

This doesn't make sense. Why would people be getting the 'Congratulations, your iPhone is now unlocked' screen when connecting their iPhone to iTunes, if the phone is still locked?
 
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I just called Apple Support and they said the unlocked version won't be offered until November.

Then why are people getting unlocked phones?
 
Since people are indeed reporting that they are getting unlocked phones even though Apple is saying that is not available until November, the best thing to do would be to go buy an AT&T full retail phone, take it home, and see if it is unlocked. If it isn't, return and wait until November.
 
People, people.

Buying an iPhone off-contract from the Apple store right now gives you a factory unlocked iPhone. Of course, Apple isn't going to tell you that but it's true. Many users in the other thread reported the same.

Try not to give Apple any of your ATT info though, a lot of them don't ask anyway if you're buying off contract
 
petrucci666 said:
This doesn't make sense. Why would people be getting the 'Congratulations, your iPhone is now unlocked' screen when connecting their iPhone to iTunes, if the phone is still locked?
Click to expand...

It just could be that iTunes is wrong.:rolleyes:

We will not know if they are REALLY unlocked until someone confirms it.:eek:
 
WOW, the info is out there, do some homework, yes there are unlocked iphone 4S available
 
Though if AT&T loads the IMEI numbers for these phones into their database, they will be locked the next time the SIM authenticates with the GSM system...

Be careful buying a phone that is not sold as factory unlocked.
 
thewitt said:
Though if AT&T loads the IMEI numbers for these phones into their database, they will be locked the next time the SIM authenticates with the GSM system...

Be careful buying a phone that is not sold as factory unlocked.
Click to expand...
So I buy a phone from Apple without providing any carrier information. ATT can lock my phone to their network just because I use their network? Is that even legal? I understand IF the phone is sold locked to begin with. But if it's unlocked, can they legally lock my phone?
 
EddyP said:
So I buy a phone from Apple without providing any carrier information. ATT can lock my phone to their network just because I use their network? Is that even legal? I understand IF the phone is sold locked to begin with. But if it's unlocked, can they legally lock my phone?
Click to expand...

You're not buying a phone without carrier information. Apple isn't selling official unlocked phones at the moment. These are AT&T phones sans contract. The unlocking is entirely AT&Ts decision.

The official no-carrier unlocked phones will be available in November.
 
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