Yes guys. Correct all models sold full retail device only are unlocked from Apple. I just bought the 6s plus Att A1634, took out pre installed sim, inserted my att sim and plugged into iTunes and immediately got congrats iPhone is unlocked without doing restore. It's already unlocked iTunes just confirms!
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iPhone 6s LTE 30 Band and CDMA Version Megathread
- Thread starter milaround
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okay.. so, here's an update from a T-Mo customer rep...
i was supposed to call them today regarding my screwed up account, and also wanted to let it be known that i have no coverage at home. when i mentioned the nearest spot i get data service is at the MetroPCS store down the street and that it was because they probably have a booster there, they responded that they could send me a booster free of charge (they really want to keep me as a customer). i let them know that i also travel around the country for work and that i need to see how it is on the road. i didn't want to accept the booster (since i was already planning to leave them and get my phone unlocked to use on Sprint since they're the only provider that offered such a thing while continuing the financing with them) only to complicate my already screwed up account with them and continue further charging of my cc.
so, i told her i'd give it a few just to see how it goes, just something to document into the notes. she said i could cancel at anytime within the first 30 days and return the handset for my money back (including money spent on service, just everything) or, continue financing or pay it off completely and get it unlocked to use on (her examples...) Sprint or Verizon. so, i asked if that meant for international carriers or domestic. she responds that there are two types (what Coleman mentioned above): temporary for international use and permanent. she repeats saying that should i decide to cancel within the 30 days, i can cancel my service with them and they will permanently unlock it to use on Sprint - it's the same level of unlocking between buying their phone at full price or only continuing the payment plan with them.
i asked her that if i do end up cancelling the service with them within the first 30 days but continue the financing with them, if i can't get my handset to work on Sprint, if i could still return it for my money back. she said yes, if within the first 30 days. so, i'll be trying that. if i have any issues, i'll just return the dang thing.
then when i was transferred to T-Mo tech support specialist to go through my phone settings to make sure it's optimised, then went into the same details about being able to get it unlocked to use on Sprint. we'll see...
i was supposed to call them today regarding my screwed up account, and also wanted to let it be known that i have no coverage at home. when i mentioned the nearest spot i get data service is at the MetroPCS store down the street and that it was because they probably have a booster there, they responded that they could send me a booster free of charge (they really want to keep me as a customer). i let them know that i also travel around the country for work and that i need to see how it is on the road. i didn't want to accept the booster (since i was already planning to leave them and get my phone unlocked to use on Sprint since they're the only provider that offered such a thing while continuing the financing with them) only to complicate my already screwed up account with them and continue further charging of my cc.
so, i told her i'd give it a few just to see how it goes, just something to document into the notes. she said i could cancel at anytime within the first 30 days and return the handset for my money back (including money spent on service, just everything) or, continue financing or pay it off completely and get it unlocked to use on (her examples...) Sprint or Verizon. so, i asked if that meant for international carriers or domestic. she responds that there are two types (what Coleman mentioned above): temporary for international use and permanent. she repeats saying that should i decide to cancel within the 30 days, i can cancel my service with them and they will permanently unlock it to use on Sprint - it's the same level of unlocking between buying their phone at full price or only continuing the payment plan with them.
i asked her that if i do end up cancelling the service with them within the first 30 days but continue the financing with them, if i can't get my handset to work on Sprint, if i could still return it for my money back. she said yes, if within the first 30 days. so, i'll be trying that. if i have any issues, i'll just return the dang thing.
then when i was transferred to T-Mo tech support specialist to go through my phone settings to make sure it's optimised, then went into the same details about being able to get it unlocked to use on Sprint. we'll see...
I moved from Verizon to ATT to get the upcoming WiFi calling. Bought the ATT version from ATT. If I don't like ATT I sure hope I can use my phone (once its unlocked) on the other carriers. I am watching this thread to see how this might play out.
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Just wanted to let everyone know that I waited in line all night & didn't get a phone lol. I'm super salty sour about it, but I'm just going to wait until the fire dies down a bit. I'll be re-reading this thread in it's entirety for any pointers or more info regarding what we are getting with each model, unlocked, carrier-wise etc. Good luck to everyone in their purchasing adventures!
Did you buy phone at full retail price at att? If you did you can request lock online and theyll immediately unlock for you. You'll then have to do restore in iTunes. A full restore to original settings.
I see that my T-mobile 6s (paid in full) has been shipped by Apple and scheduled to be delivered in 2 days. Just checking again, but how do I know if it is locked or not when I don't have any sim card to test out? Since I won't sign up with T-mobile or any carrier until late November, even the sim card that comes with the phone will be useless for this purpose.
is this something I'd have to call T-mobile to check on the status by giving the IMEI number? And unlocking it wouldn't affect returning to Apple, right?
The folks here talked about the phones sold from the Apple retail stores being unlocked, but as for the phones being shipped from Apple.com, there is too much noise on the forum to be sure which is correct. So the next best thing is to figure out how to check on it without sim cards.
is this something I'd have to call T-mobile to check on the status by giving the IMEI number? And unlocking it wouldn't affect returning to Apple, right?
The folks here talked about the phones sold from the Apple retail stores being unlocked, but as for the phones being shipped from Apple.com, there is too much noise on the forum to be sure which is correct. So the next best thing is to figure out how to check on it without sim cards.
It makes no difference whether it online or retail. If it's from Apple and it's full price, it's unlocked. You can "restore" in iTunes for confirmation.
So, I turn on the phone, connect to my MBA, open itunes, back it up, and the hit "restore backup"? I am assuming that I'd have to back up the phone first, even if I turned it on for the first time and therefore nothing to backup, in order to "restore". Am I right?
EDIT: wait, I found this: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201328
"If you don't have another SIM card you can use, follow these steps to complete the process:
- Back up your iPhone.
- When you have a backup, erase your iPhone.
- Restore your iPhone from the backup you just made."
No need to restore your T-Mobile phone. I bought the same phone as you did from Apple.com and put in my att sim before turning on and I'm using now. IT IS UNLOCKED, stop stressing. Just use it in November and you'll be good to go!!!!
Hi Guys,
I have not read all the posts here, I just had a question since most of us purchased iPhone 6s model a1633 unlocked for GSM and CDMA. Did any of you tried using this model with Verizon or Sprint active SIM cards ? I was curious since it has CDMA radio and the 23 LTE bands how do we benefit
I have not read all the posts here, I just had a question since most of us purchased iPhone 6s model a1633 unlocked for GSM and CDMA. Did any of you tried using this model with Verizon or Sprint active SIM cards ? I was curious since it has CDMA radio and the 23 LTE bands how do we benefit
A few of us have tested it with a Verizon SIM. It works fine, except it shows up as an unknown device in Verizon's system (which isn't a big deal unless you get the month to month discount).
Sprint has to whitelist the device. Based on their website they shouldn't have an issue doing so, but the stores seem to have a hard time pushing it through.
Hello everyone
Thank you for reply guys. I kind of knew that a1633 would have the CDMA radio which they did not list on lunch day. Apple has listed CDMA carriers under that model but most of us were not sure. I am glad I purchased the att version. All of you will see that AT&T version will be sim free version of a phone later on this year. Apple needs to satisfy the carriers first then they will have a sim free version.
Hello,
If that the case then it would miss out AT&T band 30. I strongly believe it going to be like Sprint model from last year with most LTE bands. It's also possible they might release unlocked version with Apple sim that will give us an option to choose the carrier world wide. Can you image reusable sim in your iphone without a need to purchase one when we go on vacation.
That's an interesting idea. If the SIM-free free version will actually include the Apple SIM it will indeed make sense to sell A1633. Otherwise, to me it makes more sense to sell the international version A1688.
Anyway, somehow I think Apple included Bands 12 and 30 because the carriers were nagging them about it, so that the situation is more in-tune with their advertising. And pragmatic side of Apple tells them that those bands are pretty much a gimmick in the year 2015/2016, after all they're not supported in the new iPads pro and mini 4
AT&T has not begun implementing Band 30 yet, so no one has it yet. Last I checked (last week), they hadn't even announced a list of cities that were getting it yet.
I have heard (but not seen with my own eyes) that Band 30 has been rolled out in areas of NYC/NJ on ATT.
Not sure why you describe Band 30 a gimmick. Increased bandwidth is NEVER a gimmick. Especially when they have a nationwide license for it (from what I have read - I could be wrong though).
I meant, in this given timeframe before fall 2016 when the next iPhone launches. Kind of similar to how they didn't include 3G on the original iPhone.
Oh, I am glad I didn't buy the ATT model in the end then. Not getting the month to month discount for BYOD is a deal breaker for me.
So silly question here as I am not an expert. If I were to get a T-Mobile unlocked iPhone 6s Plus and plug my SIM card in the reception and cell service would be the same as if I got an ATT one?
And this BAND 30 its not a big deal for the next year? I live in Boston and travel to LA and NYC and globally so that is why I am asking. I would prefer to get a full priced ATT but if there really isn't any difference than Band 30 and that doesn't really do much at all for me then I shouldn't care right?
And this BAND 30 its not a big deal for the next year? I live in Boston and travel to LA and NYC and globally so that is why I am asking. I would prefer to get a full priced ATT but if there really isn't any difference than Band 30 and that doesn't really do much at all for me then I shouldn't care right?
As long as the T-Mobile phone is unlocked, it works the exact same. Same coverage same quality.