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PTVMan

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Sep 20, 2012
1,089
598
While traveling I woke up to a slightly glowing iPhone 5S with the grey screen of death. After several attempts to revive the phone it actually came back to life on its own about 90 minutes later. Nevertheless I've made a Genius Bar appointment for tomorrow to have the phone replaced. My iPhone 5S was unlocked by AT&T - will the Apple Store replace it with an unlocked phone?
 
While traveling I woke up to a slightly glowing iPhone 5S with the grey screen of death. After several attempts to revive the phone it actually came back to life on its own about 90 minutes later. Nevertheless I've made a Genius Bar appointment for tomorrow to have the phone replaced. My iPhone 5S was unlocked by AT&T - will the Apple Store replace it with an unlocked phone?
Yes.
 
I certainly wish you the best, but the automatic unlock transfer did not happen to me. I had an unlocked AT&T iPhone 4 that I got replaced out of warranty with Apple. The replacement phone is still locked to AT&T, and my repeated pleas with them to unlock it are ignored.
 
I certainly wish you the best, but the automatic unlock transfer did not happen to me. I had an unlocked AT&T iPhone 4 that I got replaced out of warranty with Apple. The replacement phone is still locked to AT&T, and my repeated pleas with them to unlock it are ignored.

Was the unlock initially done by AT&T or third-party?
 
Was the unlock initially done by AT&T or third-party?

The initial unlock was through AT&T. The replacement phone was never activated for cellular use on AT&T; so even though it's locked to their network, they claim not to even see this phone. So I am caught in a limbo.
 
The initial unlock was through AT&T. The replacement phone was never activated for cellular use on AT&T; so even though it's locked to their network, they claim not to even see this phone. So I am caught in a limbo.

That is strange. Have you tried another SIM in it?
 
At Apple Store now and been told that I have to contact ATT to get the replacement phone unlocked. I'll bet ATT screws me.
 
We just had our T-Mobile unlocked 5s replaced through Apple and we were given an unlocked 5s.
 
We just had our T-Mobile unlocked 5s replaced through Apple and we were given an unlocked 5s.

Techgirl, I assume you purchased your phones already unlocked and that is the reason Apple replaced with unlocked phones?
 
Techgirl, I assume you purchased your phones already unlocked and that is the reason Apple replaced with unlocked phones?

It was not purchased unlocked. The phone was locked to T-Mobile and unlocked by T-Mobile (after their 40 day, 2 month payment requirement).

After getting the replacement from Apple, we called Apple customer service and confirmed that the phone was unlocked.
 
It was not purchased unlocked. The phone was locked to T-Mobile and unlocked by T-Mobile (after their 40 day, 2 month payment requirement).

After getting the replacement from Apple, we called Apple customer service and confirmed that the phone was unlocked.

Thanks, Techgirl. Chatting with ATT now and they are totally clueless and unhelpful.
 
Well, my replacement phone is indeed unlocked. Color me surprised (and happy). Thanks everyone!
 
Yeah I had my iPhone 5 unlocked (third party, back when it was possible) and it was replaced twice for different issues. Each time, the replacement was automatically unlocked without me having to ask anyone.

Good to know the situation is the same for the OP.
 
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