My Verizon iPhone 4S contract expired. Can I use it on another carrier?

[tbeast]

follow-up: Verizon 4S off contract

I'm wondering if any readers have had luck with Verizon 4S now that two-year contracts are expiring. I started the process of moving to T-Mobile, but have been stuck on getting it unlocked for about a week now. Verizon support claims to have unlocked it, but no e-mail from Apple and no change in the status on the 4S (it still claims a non-valid SIM card)

 

[alent1234]

Have you restored it as new in iTunes

 

[Applejuiced]

I'm wondering if any readers have had luck with Verizon 4S now that two-year contracts are expiring. I started the process of moving to T-Mobile, but have been stuck on getting it unlocked for about a week now. Verizon support claims to have unlocked it, but no e-mail from Apple and no change in the status on the 4S (it still claims a non-valid SIM card)

Even if they unlocked it its only for international gsm use.
It will NOT work with any other carrier inside the US.
Sell it and buy one for Tmobile.

 

[tbeast]

I am tempted to give up. Nothing yet from Apple and nothing in iTunes. I didn't yet restore, so if that is needed to see if they unlocked it, then I didn't do that. I had the impression that it should tell me to start the registration process. Also, isn't there supposed to be an e-mail from Apple?

Any value on the resale market for iPhone 4S locked to Verizon? We may just keep these for use on wifi networks. We like the apps, but aren't ready to buy the 5S right now.

 

[Applejuiced]

I am tempted to give up. Nothing yet from Apple and nothing in iTunes. I didn't yet restore, so if that is needed to see if they unlocked it, then I didn't do that. I had the impression that it should tell me to start the registration process. Also, isn't there supposed to be an e-mail from Apple?

Any value on the resale market for iPhone 4S locked to Verizon? We may just keep these for use on wifi networks. We like the apps, but aren't ready to buy the 5S right now.

Yes, you can still sell it.
You'd probably get $150-200 or so depending on condition and if you have the box and accessories.

 

[xraydoc]

I am tempted to give up. Nothing yet from Apple and nothing in iTunes. I didn't yet restore, so if that is needed to see if they unlocked it, then I didn't do that. I had the impression that it should tell me to start the registration process. Also, isn't there supposed to be an e-mail from Apple?

Any value on the resale market for iPhone 4S locked to Verizon? We may just keep these for use on wifi networks. We like the apps, but aren't ready to buy the 5S right now.

Give up. As stated several times, a Verizon 4S will NOT work on US GSM networks (AT&T, T-Mobile, plus their discount carriers like StraightTalk).

It will work on international GSM carriers. It will NOT work on domestic GSM carriers, regardless of "unlocked" status. The Verizon 4S can be unlocked (by calling Verizon customer support) for international GSM ONLY. NOT DOMESTIC.

----------

Yes, you can still sell it.
You'd probably get $150-200 or so depending on condition and if you have the box and accessories.

Apple stores will give you $155 for it if it's in good condition on a trade-in if purchasing a 5S or 5C.

 

[tbeast]

follow-up --> gave up and moved onto 5S

Just to benefit anyone that might be following this thread. We did end up giving up and moving onto the new 5S.

This just happened today, so over a week wasted trying to find a work-around. I even had an iPhone repair place in Baltimore that claimed to be able to find out the problem and enable us to use it on t-mobile. But, they also weren't able to get it to work (they had estimated $90/phone for the change-over, but didn't charge for it when they couldn't get it to work).

We got a reasonable trade-in ($120) from the 4S, but not outstanding. I never did get any notification from Apple that it was really unlocked, but the Verizon technical support did insist that it was unlocked. So, I remain uncertain whether the problem is unlocking (my candidate for the root problem) or a technical reason for not being able to use it on t-mobile. The repair place claimed that it should be possible to use the Verizon phone on t-mobile for voice and text just not for internet.

 

[Diseal3]

Just to benefit anyone that might be following this thread. We did end up giving up and moving onto the new 5S.

This just happened today, so over a week wasted trying to find a work-around. I even had an iPhone repair place in Baltimore that claimed to be able to find out the problem and enable us to use it on t-mobile. But, they also weren't able to get it to work (they had estimated $90/phone for the change-over, but didn't charge for it when they couldn't get it to work).

We got a reasonable trade-in ($120) from the 4S, but not outstanding. I never did get any notification from Apple that it was really unlocked, but the Verizon technical support did insist that it was unlocked. So, I remain uncertain whether the problem is unlocking (my candidate for the root problem) or a technical reason for not being able to use it on t-mobile. The repair place claimed that it should be possible to use the Verizon phone on t-mobile for voice and text just not for internet.

Repair place is wrong.