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"Off Contract" AT&T iPhone 4Ss Already Come Unlocked

Hi guys, I can confirm this is working.

1. Went to Portland, OR store and bought a new 4S. Told them I wanted off-contract and will activate myself. In hindsight I think it would be easiest to just tell them you want Siri for your iPod Touch and this is the closest you can get.

2. Brought it home, REMOVED ATT SIM CARD, and plugged it in. Got the "No sim card, cannot activate screen"

3. Put my 2degrees New Zealand sim card in.

4. Your phone is successfully unlocked. Picked up a network (310-410) as 2degrees isn't an official iPhone / Apple network in NZ (Vodafone is).

5. Topped up my 2degrees balance online. Received a text on my 4S confirming the top up. Pretty sure that's only gonna work if it's unlocked. :p
 
I was going to wait for an unlocked one but decided to give this a try and picked up a white 64GB iPhone in Philly today. Popped my old iPhone 4 sim and got the same "your iPhone is unlocked" message. Before the 30 days are up I'll probably grab a prepaid tmobile some just to make sure. Based on what I see here it should be ok though. Glad I don't have to wait.
 
Hi all,

Bit of a complicated question. Right now i use an unlocked Nokia phone I bought from Amazon with AT&T. I have a monthly plan with them but did not have to sign a contract because I brought the phone myself. They gave me unlimited web and text [for non-smartphones] for $30 a month. This was in 2009.

I want to buy an iPhone 4s. Since I'm used to the model of unlocked and unsubsidized phones in general, buying the phone at full price next month is no problem. But, I really, really want to keep my $30 a month data and text plan. In other words, I don't ever want at&t to know I'm using an iPhone.

If I buy a factory unlocked iPhone 4s and put my SIM in it, will AT&T know? I'm thinking the answer is no, because I've happily moved from Nokia to Nokia during the past two years and they've never noticed or cared. I'm assuming because the factory unlocked iPhone's IMEI number would not be in their system and because it is unlocked, I could still keep my plan under-the-table. I'm guessing I would need to cut down my SIM card to fit the iPhone instead of walking into their store and asking them to give me a micro SIM, something I'm obviously quite scared to do.

Any thoughts, or has anyone done something similar? Some might say it's trying to cheat the system ... but if I buy a phone at full price and want a break on my monthly rate each month, I really don't see this as a problem.
 
jovian said:
How would people appraise the risk that AT&T will do something similar to Sprint and push an update that re-locks the phone? (However they plan to accomplish that.)

https://www.macrumors.com/2011/10/1...-iphone-4s-international-micro-sim-unlocking/

No good reason for AT&T to do that, but it seems like the sort of thing one might expect from them.
Click to expand...

I was about to purchase one at the Apple Store. However they ask me to agree to some screens that are related to AT&T's terms and conditions. So even though the unit it is not on contract, it is still somewhat related to AT&T. This is not a company I trust or like. While it is likely they will push a block and anger hundreds of consumers that will return the pones (assuming this happens in the first 30 days), I rather purchase an unlocked iphone that's is 100% unrelated to AT&T. I don't want AT&T to have any say now or later on my unlocked phone.

Also, at least in CA, when I attempted to purchase the phone, 64GB, as "device only", not tied to any phone number or AT&T account, the price was $949 plus tax not $849 (on the screen of the retail iPod). So hopefully will be in the early part of November rather than later part for a real unlocked one.
 
cvaldes said:
Well, it's off to the Apple Store, see if I can get one of these unlocked handsets.
Click to expand...
The Palo Alto retail store is not selling unlocked iPhone 4S handsets today. I walked into the store and was promptly addressed by one of a dozen "greeters" at the door.

She asked me how she could help and I directly mentioned my interest in buying an unlocked phone. "Not available until November" was her immediate response. I thanked her and walked out.

Not a big deal since I expected nothing.
 
Wow, $649 is a great price for an unlocked iPhone 4S, even if you have to wait a month. They're charging €629 ($863) in Germany now.

Hmmm...think I'll wait and see how much the Nexus Prime goes for.
 
till said:
Wow, $649 is a great price for an unlocked iPhone 4S, even if you have to wait a month. They're charging €629 ($863) in Germany now.

Hmmm...think I'll wait and see how much the Nexus Prime goes for.
Click to expand...

$649 is not a great price. It should never be as expensive as an iPad 2.
 
I don't think anyone has posted this here, it's from the iPhone 4S page on apple.com:

Can I use an iPhone when traveling internationally?

iPhone 4S is a world phone, so you can use it almost anywhere. Whether you are a GSM or CDMA network customer, you can roam on GSM networks in 200 countries around the world. iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS for AT&T also can roam on other GSM networks around the world. iPhone 4 for Sprint will work in approximately 35 countries and iPhone 4 for Verizon Wireless will work in approximately 40 countries that use CDMA technology. Contact your wireless carrier for more information regarding international roaming policies and rates.
Click to expand...

This says that all iPhone 4S are the same. So we can just go into the store, tell them "off-contract," choose Sprint or Verizon or AT&T:(, but if we pay the full price of the phone none of those companies have any control over the phone. I asked an Apple Store employee today outside the Apple Store Soho if I could buy an unlocked phone and he just said "not until November." But this is apparently just a line they're supposed to repeat in order to conceal the fact that all iPhone 4S's are unlocked, in an attempt to corral customers into signing up for blood-sucking contracts with the three big monopoly carriers.

People are writing that T-Mobile only has Edge network, but I've been using a cut-down sim in my UK iPhone 4 in New York for the past 9 months and have been perfectly happy with the reception. And I'm on a completely unlimited talk, text, and data T-Mobile plan for only $50/month.

That's obviously the reason AT&T was desperately trying to buy T-Mobile was to monopolize the iPhone.
 
jovian said:
How would people appraise the risk that AT&T will do something similar to Sprint and push an update that re-locks the phone? (However they plan to accomplish that.)

https://www.macrumors.com/2011/10/1...-iphone-4s-international-micro-sim-unlocking/

No good reason for AT&T to do that, but it seems like the sort of thing one might expect from them.
Click to expand...

That's just asking for trouble; because by law they are required to unlock phones if a customer is good standing requests it. They cannot legally go around locking people's phones because they feel like it.

That said, AT&T cannot "push" a lock. They need to submit a request to Apple saying "lock these phones", but you think Apple is AT&T's bitch? I don't think so. At best Apple may sell future devices are locked, but then again Apple is planning on selling unlocked phones in the future anyways. Consider the news in the past about Apple Stores selling AT&T iPhone 4's as unlocked in place of out-of-stock officially locked iPhones. This concept isn't new. It's possible this just a loophole Apple forgot to close when they set up the system for the iPhone 4.

Sprint can do this because they are selling CDMA phones; it's probably in their contract with Apple that this will get done as the GSM portion is not required for service to work. I doubt Apple would sign such an agreement with AT&T about this at this point.

(I'm not an attorney, so don't take my legal advice)

rckstwrz said:
Do you think you can put an iPad 3G sim into an iPhone 4S?
Click to expand...

You can, but AT&T will block your account after a few days. And then tell you to get a proper iPhone SIM. ;)
 
Also in fine print:

For those who are not qualified customers, are not eligible for an early upgrade, are purchasing an unlocked iPhone (for supported GSM wireless service provider networks only), or wish to buy iPhone 4S as a gift, see your carrier, an Apple Retail Store Specialist, the Apple Online Store, or an Apple Authorized Reseller for pricing.
Click to expand...


----------

This information is shown when you choose an unlocked iPhone on apple.com:

The unlocked iPhone works only on supported GSM networks, such as AT&T in the U.S. When you travel internationally, you can also use a micro-SIM card from a local GSM carrier. The unlocked iPhone will not work with CDMA carriers such as Verizon Wireless or Sprint.

The unlocked iPhone includes all the features of iPhone but without a contract commitment. You can activate and use it on the supported GSM wireless network of your choice, such as AT&T in the United States.* The unlocked iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S will not work with CDMA-based carriers such as Verizon Wireless or Sprint.
If you don’t want a multiyear service contract or if you prefer to use a local carrier when traveling abroad, the unlocked iPhone is the best choice. It arrives without a micro-SIM card, so you’ll need an active micro-SIM card from any supported GSM carrier worldwide. To start using it, simply insert the micro-SIM card into the slot on your iPhone and turn it on by pressing and holding the On/Off button for a few seconds. Then follow the onscreen instructions to set up your iPhone.

* Credit check may be required; must be 18 or older. An unlocked iPhone may be activated on supported GSM carrier networks. See www.apple.com/iphone for more information. Service may not be available in all areas or at the signal strength, rates, speeds, or bandwidth as demonstrated. Wi-Fi Internet access required for some features; broadband recommended; fees may apply. Some applications, features, and services are not available in all areas. Check with your service provider about network coverage in your area and international roaming options. Warranty information available at www.apple.com/legal/warranty/iphone. When available, transferring your mobile number to a different service provider will terminate your service with your existing provider; termination fees and other charges may apply. Some features may require added fees. Contact your service provider for more details. Use constitutes acceptance of Apple’s software license agreement and third-party terms located in the iPhone box. Unauthorized modification of your iPhone software violates the software license agreement. Inability to use an iPhone due to unauthorized modifications is not covered under your warranty.
Click to expand...
 
contract free does not mean unlocked

Hi,

I will be in the states for only a few days more and today I've risked getting a "contract free" iphone 4S.

The Apple store sale person explained me the situation like this:
- "contract free" iPhone or "device only" does not mean the phone is "unlocked".
- as soon as the Apple sale person scans the phone code and makes the sale the phone code is registered in the at&t table. (I've noticed now that this appears on the receipt: "iPhone 4S Black 32GB AT&T).

Purchasing the phone is done by agreeing to the "terms and conditions" available at http:/att.com/iphoneterms
There it states that: "iPhone and certain other devices are not eligible to be unlocked.".

Therefore, in my opinion, AT&T can technically push a "lock order" to my iPhone anytime they want, especially after they see that I have not activated the iPhone in the AT&T network in the days following the purchase.
In such a case, hopefully I may be able to argue with them to freely receive an "unlocking code" based on the fact that I have actually paid the full price "contract free" phone and because I don't live in US (have no means of actually using AT&T).

Perhaps someone can ask an AT&T representative about this particular situation. (i.e. What happens with "contract free" AT&T iPhones? Do they remain unlocked or should we expect them to be locked at a later date?.

Hope this helps others in my situation.
 
Last edited:
For those who got it to work, did you ask for an "AT&T" off-contract phone? Is it going to work if your receipt clearing says iPhone 4S white 64gb AT&T on it with supplemental statement saying that "this iPhone model is configured to work only with the wireless services of AT&T wireless"?

if you put an AT&T microsim card in the phone or have the microsim card inside the phone registered under your old AT&T number, is it going to lock to phone back up?
 
If it re-locks, just return it to the Apple store you bought it from. You have a 30-day return period I think.
 
i think i'll stick with a contract iphone...i dont travel much and i'd rather pay 200 bucks vs 650.
can't i just jailbreak it when traveling overseas?
 
The iPhones aren't software locked. The "lock" is simply a database which confirms the identity of your iPhones carriers and subsequently confirms whether the phones are "unlocked". What has happened with AT&T unsubsidized phones I cannot explain. If you want an unlocked iPhone 4S I would wait until November.

I am certain that Apple has contractual obligations with AT&T not to compete with their initial offering. Hence the wait until November. The phones purchased out of contract still required a signature of affirmation that all but insures these phones were birthed to be locked to AT&T for all time. I would not risk purchasing a retail priced iPhone 4S until November as stipulated in Apples website.
 
Update

Just got home and got caught up with the thread, time to answer a few questions people have asked of me and in general.

1. NETWORK SPEEDS: As has already been stated, on T-Mobile USA You will only see GPRS and EDGE speeds. Nothing crazy, but good enough to stream Pandora. This is a little upsetting, but expected.
cakfcaadi.jpg


2. Personal HotSpots: I am using it right now and will certainly get you by in a pinch.
1538918760.png



3. I should mention that I use Google Voice for my voicemail, not sure how it will come through using T-Mobile. The Google Voice app crashes and has been pulled from the app store for the time being.

5. I used epc.tmobile.com for all APNs

4. MMS appears to be working (see below for network settings). I have sent and received picture messages, so...
cakffaadi.jpg

APN: epc.tmobile.com
Username:
Password:
MMSC: http://mms.msg.eng-t-mobile.com/mms/wapenc
MMS Proxy: 216.155.165.50:8080
MMS Max Message Size:
MMS UA Prof URL:

5. Facetime tells me to connect to WiFi

6. iCloud works no issues

7. Instead of giving me a Micro SIM, T-Mobile used a cutter to punch my SIM out, this allows me to switch it back to a full sized SIM if needed.
 
Guys, I really don't think they're going to relock the phones. That's asking for a lot of trouble and a lot of returns. Stop selling them ... maybe? But, come on. It didn't even have me go through the activation procedure. No activation in store, none at home, and it even confirmed that I had an unlocked handset through iTunes.

They didn't ask for my AT&T contract information when purchasing, either.

Even if AT&T pushes a re-lock (somehow), what grounds do they have? It doesn't make sense. I paid full price for the handset, and they go on sale next month. It already confirmed it was unlocked, and this is unadvertised. Why would they go as far as just to piss everyone off?

Plus, AT&T told me to go buy a device from the Apple if I wanted one unlocked anyway. ;)
Between that and the recorded phone call, I'm pretty sure I'm eligible to keep my phone the way it is or receive a replacement.
 
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A334 Safari/7534.48.3)

For off contract phones you have 14 days to return.
 
I'd really much appreciate a statement from both Apple and AT&T regarding this subject. I don't live in the States and I'm having the chance to get one off contract next week, since apparenty they come unlocked. But I wouldn't want to regret this when in the future they lock them all. And in no way i'd have to chance to return it.

I called Apple and they told me they come locked, even if they are off contract. We can see it's not true, but who knows if they either close this in a month( like Sprint will) or leave it as is.
They also told me the release of the unlocked version could be earlier :)


Anyway, since it's priced the same as an officially unlocked, it would make sense.There's not subsidy apparently. Previously, an off contract iPhone 4 from AT&T was like 50 bucks cheaper than the officially unlocked.

Could anyone of you guys call AT&T to try to find out more about this? And mention what is currently happening...

Maybe now that T-mobile is being merged, they don't care much. Or this is just a loop-hole, since carriers wanted a head start to get as many new customers as they could to sign a comittment, before Apple releases the unlocked...
 
shotwithanslr said:
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A334 Safari/7534.48.3)

For off contract phones you have 14 days to return.
Click to expand...

I bought one today and the return date says November 15.
 
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