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"Off Contract" AT&T iPhone 4Ss Already Come Unlocked
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[/COLOR]Go to a Genius Bar, and if they come to a conclusion that you need a replacement once they examine it, remind them that you purchased yours as "Device Only" and the replacement should be the exact same way. Technically, they should look it up themselves, but it doesn't hurt to remind them. If you purchased yours less than 30 days ago and they won't set up the replacement the same way as original, return it instead and get your money back, then talk to a sales person about purchasing another "Device Only".[/QUOTE]
Okay, went to Apple store to exchange iPhone and was told I can't get 'Device Only' even though I originally got it (from another Apple Store). Instead, I returned it and buy it again somewhere else. For those who plan on getting 'Device Only', don't get them at both Apple stores in Glendale, CA! I seriously think their managers are pricks!
Okay, went to Apple store to exchange iPhone and was told I can't get 'Device Only' even though I originally got it (from another Apple Store). Instead, I returned it and buy it again somewhere else. For those who plan on getting 'Device Only', don't get them at both Apple stores in Glendale, CA! I seriously think their managers are pricks!
Well, the officially unlocked ones are available now. The thing is that at this time the only way to get one is to order online and wait 1-2 weeks before you get it. However, if one of them breaks or needs service down the road, the guys at Genius Bar cannot deny you activating the replacement as unlocked as you purchased the original one as such.
I wonder if officially unlocked ones will ever be sold in Apple retail stores. I get a feeling it will be an online only thing, and those who need one ASAP will need to go to retail store and employ the "Device Only" trick.
Yes, I can order and wait two weeks for an official unlock iPhone. However, what's the point if I can get one now as 'device only'. Anyhow, I went to Brea Mall Apple Store and got an 'off-contract' iPhone. These guys were very accommodating and didn't hesitate selling one to me, unlock those PRICKS at both Glendale stores!
The 'replacement' phones that apple has ARE locked.
So if you buy a brand new ATT phone off contract that phone is unlocked. But if you exchange that phone for whatever reason, ALL the replacement phones are locked. Only the brand new phones are unlocked.
So if you buy a brand new ATT phone off contract that phone is unlocked. But if you exchange that phone for whatever reason, ALL the replacement phones are locked. Only the brand new phones are unlocked.
I think you're wrong here. There have been a few people in this thread that have already received replacement iPhones and they were unlocked...
From my understanding, all the GSM phones are unlocked from the factory. They only get locked when they get sold at the POS if purchased under a contract subsidy.
I think you're wrong here. There have been a few people in this thread that have already received replacement iPhones and they were unlocked...
From my understanding, all the GSM phones are unlocked from the factory. They only get locked when they get sold at the POS if purchased under a contract subsidy.
I was at the apple store yesterday. All the replacement iphones that come in the little black boxes are locked. The Genius that was helping me said its been a problem.
This is definitely something new...I have high doubts why they'd go through the trouble (although I suppose things could be automated) of re-locking the phone. It's not only the re-locking process that would be troublesome, Apple CS will be swamped with calls with people complaining that their phones have been locked.
I ended up buying the off-contract iPhone 4S a few days ago and it's unlocked...but these posts of re-locking is stressing me out - I may just return this phone when the unlocked ones come out just to stop looking over my shoulders. All signs point to no way that these unlocked phones will become locked again, but I'm within the window so I suppose why not...
I ended up buying the off-contract iPhone 4S a few days ago and it's unlocked...but these posts of re-locking is stressing me out - I may just return this phone when the unlocked ones come out just to stop looking over my shoulders.
All signs point to no way that these unlocked phones will become locked again, but I'm within the window so I suppose why not...I returned my 'device only' 4S for a refund after 28 days and have had the website unlocked one on order since it became available last week. I also had the problem where I couldn't hear the phone ringing when I made a call unless I toggled the speakerphone button so I figured I'd start fresh with a new phone.
The first thing the Genius did was try to restore the new replacement phone. It still was still locked.
Honestly i'm not sure how the thread you cited is contrary to what i said..... Seems like it just talks about how a guy restored his new att phone and it tol dhim it was unlocked again......
That being said. The Genius involved his manager and together they made sure i got an unlocked replacement phone. They knew the exact circumstances that i had bought an 'off contract' att phone at that very same store and it came unlocked.
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Visual Voicemail does not work with GoPhones, but FaceTime works for me just fine. I have to pay $25/month extra for 500MB of data, because it is a smartphone, which I can deal with also.
I even went as so far as going to get a MicroSIM from the AT&T store to work with my locked AT&T iPhone 4. They said "Sure, no problem, what's the phone number, and can I see your ID?", pulled a sim card/holder out of the drawer, scanned it, and said "Here you go, it's all ready to use. Have a nice day."
Other day, called to see if they could do anything about the speed of the 3G data, and they said "We don't support iPhones on GoPhone service anymore, sorry I can't help you." No hint of a lecture on needing a contract service or anything like that.
It's $75. You'll need to get the generic addon "smartphone data" for 500MB a month, or less, $5/10MB, $15/100MB, which is what I can do. You'll also need to use unlockit.co.nz to grab the APN to allow the data to function. I haven't gotten anything over 1Mbps on 3G, but that's because of my location and a signal that never climbs beyond 4 bars, if that. It is actually $50, because you already paid for the service...if you pay like me (one $75 deposit into the account monthly)...there won't any "hidden fees" to take out of the account. MMS does not count against your data balance. Once you run out of data for the month, you simply add another data package as needed.
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So I called my nearby Apple store yesterday and they still said they didn't have any unlocked iPhone 4S's in stock..
Has anyone else been lucky enough to find one in stock at their local Apple store? If I was to order one today it says it won't arrive till sometime in December.. I'm really they show up in stores before the estimated shipping time to my house...
So I called my nearby Apple store yesterday and they still said they didn't have any unlocked iPhone 4S's in stock..
Has anyone else been lucky enough to find one in stock at their local Apple store? If I was to order one today it says it won't arrive till sometime in December..
I'm really they show up in stores before the estimated shipping time to my house...Yeah no ETA for when they will be available in store, unfortunately. I asked around too but everyone gave me an "I don't know". I ended up putting the order in online and hoping to see reports of people getting them from retail store before mine ships
I somehow think that it will be a while if unlocked ones will be sold in retail stores, if ever. If you need one real bad right this second, you can always go to Apple retail store and buy off-contract AT&T one as Device Only, which will be unlocked. If you are really paranoid about it being re-locked in the future and have a high enough credit line, you can also order the unlocked one online. When it gets delivered (it should be within 30 days), return the off-contract one for a refund.Yeah no ETA for when they will be available in store, unfortunately. I asked around too but everyone gave me an "I don't know". I ended up putting the order in online and hoping to see reports of people getting them from retail store before mine ships
For everyone who took iphone by reserving it on Apple store app and then taking one off contract, did anyone check if AT&T has hard-pulled their credit report?
I have a inquiry from AT&T on my Experian credit file. Should I dispute it considering I never applied for a contract and all I did was reserve an iphone? As I understand, Reservation is not a sale and so AT&T should not have pulled the credit report then..
I have a inquiry from AT&T on my Experian credit file. Should I dispute it considering I never applied for a contract and all I did was reserve an iphone? As I understand, Reservation is not a sale and so AT&T should not have pulled the credit report then..
5.1 update
Hello,
Has anyone tried to update the off contract 4s to ios5.1? Will it stay unlocked? Thanks
Hello,
Has anyone tried to update the off contract 4s to ios5.1? Will it stay unlocked? Thanks
I got my iPhone replaced last week and was given an md234ll model which everything points to being unlocked. I tried a tmobile sim I had but it couldn't activate, though I've read some sims don't work, especially if you cut them down to fit microsim
Have to run to a tmobile store and get a new microsim
Have to run to a tmobile store and get a new microsim
Wirelessly posted
I don't think you can do the initial activation using a SIM from an unsupported carrier. You need an AT&T SIM card even if it's a fresh card that has never been used or an old card that's no longer in use.
Once the iPhone is activated, then you can swap in the T-Mobile SIM.
nitropowered said:
I don't think you can do the initial activation using a SIM from an unsupported carrier. You need an AT&T SIM card even if it's a fresh card that has never been used or an old card that's no longer in use.
Once the iPhone is activated, then you can swap in the T-Mobile SIM.
If it's a factory unlocked iPhone, you can pretty much use any microsim. I was able to keep my tmobile microsim in while I was activating it.
I'm one of the guys who bought the "off contract" iPhone 4S and it's working perfectly since October/2011. I also bought another device to a friend of mine but he wasn't as lucky as me.
I don't know what he did, but I know he didn't follow the instructions:
1) Open the box
2) Turn the phone on
3) Switch the SIM
4) Plug in on iTunes
5) Be happy
He didn't do that and now we can't "unlock" it.
I tried to restore the device with the ATT SIM, another time with my carrier SIM but we can't get to the "Congratulations. Your iPhone 4S has been unlocked".
Am I missing something?
All the devices I bought "off-contract" are working fine, besides this one.
I get this msg:
"The SIM card inserted in this iPhone does not appear to be supported."
Do you guys think it's locked? And there is nothing I can do?
Any help will be very appreciated.
I don't know what he did, but I know he didn't follow the instructions:
1) Open the box
2) Turn the phone on
3) Switch the SIM
4) Plug in on iTunes
5) Be happy
He didn't do that and now we can't "unlock" it.
I tried to restore the device with the ATT SIM, another time with my carrier SIM but we can't get to the "Congratulations. Your iPhone 4S has been unlocked".
Am I missing something?
All the devices I bought "off-contract" are working fine, besides this one.
I get this msg:
"The SIM card inserted in this iPhone does not appear to be supported."
Do you guys think it's locked? And there is nothing I can do?
Any help will be very appreciated.
Did you buy the phone as a "off-contract device" and if so, I'm sure you can bring it back to apple and request them to unlock it or exchange for another one and do it properly.