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Carrier iPhone 5S in USA: Which Models are Unlocked?
- Thread starter Apple Trees
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Another note
Many of the AT&T remote IMEI unlock services are either down or have raised their prices quite a bit. So the best bet for an unlocked iPhone now is either the Verizon model or the T-Mobile unlocked ones from Apple.
Many of the AT&T remote IMEI unlock services are either down or have raised their prices quite a bit. So the best bet for an unlocked iPhone now is either the Verizon model or the T-Mobile unlocked ones from Apple.
My coworker just bought his AT&T 32 GB iphone 5S from Fry's electronics today, device only no contract.
I immediately took the phone and called AT&T, the first customer service representative did not want to help me. Called back and spoke to another CSR and told her I bought phone outright and wanted it unlocked. She submitted the request and an hour later I restored the phone as it needed 7.0.2 and bam..."Congrats your phone has been unlocked". He's going to be using it on T-Mobile.
I immediately took the phone and called AT&T, the first customer service representative did not want to help me. Called back and spoke to another CSR and told her I bought phone outright and wanted it unlocked. She submitted the request and an hour later I restored the phone as it needed 7.0.2 and bam..."Congrats your phone has been unlocked". He's going to be using it on T-Mobile.
Did they ask for any type of receipt or verification that he purchased it outright?
They did not, but I did tell them I would fax it over if they needed proof. I still didn't get any emails from AT&T telling me the device is unlocked.
Good to know then. Also for those purchasing locked AT&T models, I've noticed a lot of the IMEI unlocking services have started to come back up but they are more expensive and slower now. Sounds like that will be the new normal from now on.
Update on the AT&T Unlocking situation.
A lot of sources I've spoken to are now saying that the AT&T remotes are now being tightly controlled by AT&T and have all but disappeared for third parties. Looks like the only way to get them unlocked now is by being an AT&T customer and having them do it for you.
A lot of sources I've spoken to are now saying that the AT&T remotes are now being tightly controlled by AT&T and have all but disappeared for third parties. Looks like the only way to get them unlocked now is by being an AT&T customer and having them do it for you.
Wrong the Tmobile iphone 5s IS NOT UNLOCKED even when bought from apple i just paid full price for a Tmobile 5s 32 gig gold and it will only read a tmobile sim card ... really makes me mad
No your wrong bc I paid full price for a tmobile one a week ago before getting the Verizon one. Paid 812$ at apple store. Phone read AT&T perfectly
You're wrong. I bought my 32GB Gold 5S from Apple.com and it's factory unlocked. Already used it with a TMO and an AT&T sim card. The only place to get a locked TMO iPhone is from a Tmobile store.
I bought the 5s from Verizon with 2 yr plan. I would like to try TMobile to see how their service is around my area. If I purchase a Tmobile nano sim card, will it work in the Verizon Iphone 5s even though I still have 2 yrs left on the upgrade?
Will I have to buy the Iphone out right first?
Anyone try this?
Will I have to buy the Iphone out right first?
Anyone try this?
Reread the Verizon part......but the answer is yes. Any Verizon 5s/5c are GSM unlocked so you can still have a contract with Verizon AND have the luxury to use it on TMobile/ATT.
Yes, it will work. Verizon iPhone 5s is SIM unlocked even if purchased with a contract.
Pretty sure it's unlocked. You would have to get it from a T-Mobile store to get a locked one.
hi.. i am from india and my question is that if i asked my uncle to bring a 32gb iphone 5s from verizon(as it would cost around $300) with 2 yr contract. can i use it here in india's local sim. do i still have to pay for the contract for 2 yrs or just insert an local sim and just use it.. And should i have to insert the verzion sim to activate the iphone or just pull my iphone out of the box and activate it with a local sim..
thanks
I think the prevailing wisdom is buy a Verizon 5 from the apple store. That is unlocked and you can definitely can use it internationally.
Your uncle can buy the Verizon on contract for $299 and send it to you but he will be stuck making the contract payments for the next 2 years.
You do not have to activate the iPhone with Verizon first. You can open it, remove the Verizon SIM and insert your SIM then activate.
Or as others have said, just buy the fully unlocked version from Apple full price and not bother with a Verizon contract.
The sim free is just compatible with GSM networks. The Verizon one is compatible with GSM networks as well as Verizon (no other CDMA networks).
I'm not sure whether you can order a Verizon one full price on the site but you can go into a store and buy one.
I'm guessing the same will be said for the iPhone 6, but I don't know if I would wait in line at a Verizon store to get it.
Maybe Apple will allow more people to get phones at full retail now that AT&T is trying to get rid of the subsidized phones.