It is speculated that the new SIM free Apple models are whitelisted, which if true would be the reason for this situation.
I have a good friend with Sprint. I ought to try his sim in my phone to see if it actually works.
It is speculated that the new SIM free Apple models are whitelisted, which if true would be the reason for this situation.
If you do try, make sure it's a SIM from a 5c or newer. An iPhone 5 SIM won't work.I have a good friend with Sprint. I ought to try his sim in my phone to see if it actually works.
If you do try, make sure it's a SIM from a 5c or newer. An iPhone 5 SIM won't work.
No, it doesn't - AFAIK. I just mentioned the iPhone 5 because that particular SIM is paired with the phone. It won't work in any other phone.It would be from a Samsung GS4. Not sure if that makes a difference.
Okay I have sailed this sea of acronyms and tech talk and know now that our beloved Sprint 4s iPhones circa April of 2012 can't be "unlocked" for use with another provider. Disappointing to us because we like our phones just fine but bought a 2nd home in an area where Sprint coverage is "extended" and unreliable at best. Apparently AT&T has the strong local signals...
Anyway am I correct in understanding that the Gevey gizmo is the only "solution" to this dilemma, which isn't a solution at all because it involves an old iOS and jail-breaking?
Assuming "yes" to this, then is it possible that when Sprint changes its policy, what, next month (maybe) that if we traded-in our 4s phones for new ones, e.g. 5s or 6, then when our committment to Sprint is complete we can take those with us to AT&T? That Sprint will not have strangled these new iPhones as they've done in the past?
Well, Gevey is mentioned because that used to be the more popular interposer. I've heard however, that they are out of business. R-SIM, which is another interposer company seems to be ascendant at this time. You might check with them.Anyway am I correct in understanding that the Gevey gizmo is the only "solution" to this dilemma, which isn't a solution at all because it involves an old iOS and jail-breaking?
The unlock language on Sprint's site indicates that a device must be DESIGNED and then manufactured after February 13, 2015 to qualify for an unlock. That would mean the 6 and 6+ are not eligible.Assuming "yes" to this, then is it possible that when Sprint changes its policy, what, next month (maybe) that if we traded-in our 4s phones for new ones, e.g. 5s or 6, then when our committment to Sprint is complete we can take those to AT&T?
It would be from a Samsung GS4. Not sure if that makes a difference.
The SIMs are not the same size. Apple uses nano SIMs while the GS4 uses a micro SIM.
Thanks I am interested in how I might transition from Sprint to AT&T without losing our current 10-digit numbers. If I buy "full price SIM-free Apple models" can I then get Sprint to accept those i.e. put our numbers on them, and then later call AT&T and move off of Sprint?...if you really want an unlocked phone that will work on all four carriers, the new SIM free Apple models are probably your best bet. You have to pay full price, but Sprint has apparently whitelisted them so while they can be used on Sprint, they aren't locked to Sprint.
Here's how I would do thisThanks I am interested in how I might transition from Sprint to AT&T without losing our current 10-digit numbers. If I buy "full price SIM-free Apple models" can I then get Sprint to accept those i.e. put our numbers on them, and then later call AT&T and move off of Sprint?
If you want to recoup any money you can sell them of course. Just indicate to the buyer that they are locked to Sprint and cannot be unlocked. Make that clear in your sale.Then I guess I have to eBay our 4s instruments, or just throw them away...?
It would be from a Samsung GS4. Not sure if that makes a difference.
No, it doesn't - AFAIK. I just mentioned the iPhone 5 because that particular SIM is paired with the phone. It won't work in any other phone.
You're right. I keep forgetting that you have new information.It isn't paired, it is just completely devoid of any subscriber information and only contains LTE network access.
Thanks a lot for your help & advice eyoungren--I really appreciate it!Here's how I would do this…
No problem! Good luck to you!Thanks a lot for your help & advice eyoungren--I really appreciate it!![]()
Yeah, all the carriers do that. The devices go to refurb companies or third party resellers who fix the phones up for resale either in different countries (where an international unlock is the only thing needed) or logicboards get swapped out.At the risk of taking this thread somewhat off-topic, I wonder if you eyoungren or anyone else here has ever heard of cellular carriers offering trade-in programs, where they accepted Sprint phones in trade, despite (obviously) that Sprint iPhones are locked-up so tightly.
Maybe [another] dumb question but all the experts are in here it seems and a full-page Verizon ad about this in the newspaper this weekend inspires me to ask...
It seems you may have misunderstood my question: I was asking if non-Sprint carriers ever accepted Sprint phones in their "trade-in your old phone" promos.Yeah, all the carriers do that.
I'm sorry. I probably wasn't clear.It seems you may have misunderstood my question: I was asking if non-Sprint carriers ever accepted Sprint phones in their "trade-in your old phone" promos.
I read for example that AT&T will accept AT&T phones in trade (duh) but the implication was that other phones maybe NOT.
Yeah, all the carriers do that. The devices go to refurb companies or third party resellers who fix the phones up for resale either in different countries (where an international unlock is the only thing needed) or logicboards get swapped out.
In Sprint's case, all those phones being turned in get handled by Brightstar, Marcelo Claure's startup multi-million dollar company that repurposes phones and mainly serves South America. Those phones will be turned around and resold down there.
Just a heads up for those who may run across this…
This guy over at S4GRU.com claims to have used a service to unlock his Sprint iPhone domestically. Note he has only seven posts on S4GRU.com and most of them refer to unlocking. He's either a troll or a shill for an unlock company that cannot unlock Sprint phones.
When I read his first post my initial reaction was BS! And, it still is.
The OP there goes on to give a link to the "unlock" service he used.
Guess what happens? Yep. Someone later in the thread takes him up on this. And gets burned for $97!
Apparently, the "unlock" service only provides INTERNATIONAL unlocks for Sprint phones (which is possible if you have read this thread) BUT did NOT indicate that in the ad and since the OP in the post at S4GRU.com made every indication that a domestic unlock was what he got this user got burned. Even worse, the user's phone was ALREADY UNLOCKED FOR INTERNATIONAL USE when he paid his $97.
People. I will say it again. THERE IS NO DOMESTIC UNLOCK FOR SPRINT IPHONES!!!
I cannot be any CLEARER than that!!!
At the risk of taking this thread somewhat off-topic, I wonder if you eyoungren or anyone else here has ever heard of cellular carriers offering trade-in programs, where they accepted Sprint phones in trade, despite (obviously) that Sprint iPhones are locked-up so tightly.
Maybe [another] dumb question but all the experts are in here it seems and a full-page Verizon ad about this in the newspaper this weekend inspires me to ask...
Okay gentlemen, I am ready to purchase a new 6 plus. If i go to bestbuy and buy a full price phone I can use it on sprint without it being locked to sprint correct?
^^^This!Full price Sprint phones are still locked to Sprint.
You want the sim-free model that Apple sells.
http://store.apple.com/us/buy-iphone/iphone6
Guess I will just keep my eyes open, and ask at the Apple store next time I'm in the neighborhood.Devices traded in to programs authorized by Apple can be reassigned a different activation policy depending on network it's intended for. The same goes for Sprint units traded into Apple. Apple will wipe the activation policy and give the phone a new IMEI.