Carrier Question about unlocking ATT iPad prior to selling.

[ssledoux]

iPad Pro purchased through ATT NEXT, but paid off. If it is unlocked, will it work with any carrier, or only certain ones like the phones?

When I put in the IMEI it says it's not at ATT device. I think this has happened before and it's because once it was paid off it automatically unlocked.

I just want to be sure in case someone asks.

 

[rui no onna]

The iPads are technically unlocked right from the start so any SIM that's already activated and has a working plan will work on the iPad via SIM swap.

Caveat, there are carrier visibility/reveal rules on the ATT iPad so trying to sign up for a new plan via Settings -> Cellular only shows AT&T regardless of whether you're using an Apple Embedded SIM, Apple SIM or a SIM card from, say, T-Mobile or Verizon.

I don't know if the same rules apply to eSIM.

Getting customer service knowledgable enough to remove the carrier visibility rules is a crapshoot. Most would direct you to the website and entering the IMEI into that page just tells you the device is already unlocked. Which it *technically* is, but with very annoying limitations.

 

[ssledoux]

The iPads are technically unlocked right from the start so any SIM that's already activated and has a working plan will work on the iPad via SIM swap.

Caveat, there are carrier visibility/reveal rules on the ATT iPad so trying to sign up for a new plan via Settings -> Cellular only shows AT&T regardless of whether you're using an Apple Embedded SIM, Apple SIM or a SIM card from, say, T-Mobile or Verizon.

I don't know if the same rules apply to eSIM.

Getting customer service knowledgable enough to remove the carrier visibility rules is a crapshoot. Most would direct you to the website and entering the IMEI into that page just tells you the device is already unlocked. Which it *technically* is, but with very annoying limitations.

oh gosh I’m so confused. 😝

I actually have an Apple SIM card in mine although I ordered through ATT, and yes when I try to unlock it acts like it’s not on ATT network.

So how can I be sure someone can use it on another network? Or can I?

 

[jbachandouris]

Go to AT&T's website and request an unlock. More than likely, you will get the same response I did from them: 'Your device is already unlocked.'

 

[rui no onna]

oh gosh I’m so confused. 😝

I actually have an Apple SIM card in mine although I ordered through ATT, and yes when I try to unlock it acts like it’s not on ATT network.

So how can I be sure someone can use it on another network? Or can I?

Just sell it as an AT&T iPad.

As previously mentioned, while it is technically unlocked, it won't allow signing up for a non-AT&T plan directly on the iPad. The buyer might cry foul if you try to sell it to them as an unlocked model.

This is the message I get when I try to sign up for a new T-Mobile plan (wanted the $10/5GB/5 mo) on an AT&T iPad. On the AT&T Device Unlock page, entering the IMEI tells me that this iPad is already unlocked.



Swapping a working Verizon or T-Mobile SIM with an active plan works fine, though.

 

[AutomaticApple]

The buyer might cry foul if you try to sell it to them as an unlocked model.

Selling an unlocked model is the worst mistake you could possibly make.

 

[ssledoux]

Okay - thank you!