Is a refurbished Apple iPhone 5 unlocked?

[mwwilliams]

I turned in my daughters iPhone 5 with a bad volume button. I received a refurbished phone to replace it. Would it be factory unlocked? I read where all iPhone 5's are unlocked but wanted to confirm. It's a Verizon phone but should work with any service with a proper SIM. Am I correct?

 

[T5BRICK]

Apple transfers the lock status of the old iPhone to the replacement iPhone. I'm fairly certain that all Verizon LTE phones are carrier unlocked.

So yes, your phone is unlocked, but not because it is refurbished but because it is on Verizon.

*edit* I just wanted to add that not ALL iPhone 5/5c/5s are unlocked.

 

[avanpelt]

All Verizon iPhones since the 5 (all the LTE iPhones) are unlocked out of the box even on contract. The unlock was a requirement in exchange for Verizon acquiring some LTE spectrum a few years ago.

 

[eyoungren]

I turned in my daughters iPhone 5 with a bad volume button. I received a refurbished phone to replace it. Would it be factory unlocked? I read where all iPhone 5's are unlocked but wanted to confirm. It's a Verizon phone but should work with any service with a proper SIM. Am I correct?

All Verizon iPhone 5s (plural, not 5s) are unlocked per Verizon's use of LTE spectrum agreement with the FCC. Subsidized or not.

Otherwise, T5BRICK's statement applies.

Sprint iPhones never come unlocked, no matter what you may have heard.

 

[mwwilliams]

Apple transfers the lock status of the old iPhone to the replacement iPhone. I'm fairly certain that all Verizon LTE phones are carrier unlocked.

So yes, your phone is unlocked, but not because it is refurbished but because it is on Verizon.

*edit* I just wanted to add that not ALL iPhone 5/5c/5s are unlocked.

So, a buyer of this phone can use it on any provider with a valid Sim for that provider, even overseas?

 

[eyoungren]

So, a buyer of this phone can use it on any provider with a valid Sim for that provider, even overseas?

The Verizon iPhone 5s are unlocked domestically and internationally.

Assuming that (a) the iPhone 5 supports the frequencies of the carrier and (b) that the carrier will activate the phone on their network the answer is yes.

 

[mwwilliams]

Thanks for your answers guys!!