Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Carrier Sprint Users! READ! New Automatic Domestic Unlock Policy Change!
- Thread starter eyoungren
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
- Status
Sorry to double post, but I went ahead and started the process for international unlock on the iphone 5. It is an inactive phone. Luckily my cousin gave me all the pertinent account data so I had answers to their questions.
Hopefully in 3-7 days I can restore it in itunes and have a domestically unlocked iphone 5.
Hopefully in 3-7 days I can restore it in itunes and have a domestically unlocked iphone 5.
Please let us know if it works on ATT.
Regarding LTE, I guess it depends what model phone you have. I believe ATT mostly uses LTE Bands 4 and 17. So if your phone supports those bands, LTE should work. When it comes to GSM LTE vs CDMA LTE technology I'm pretty clueless.
Here's what gsmarena specs states:
LTE band 4(1700/2100), 17(700) - GSM A1428
LTE 700 / 850 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - CDMA A1429
LTE 850 / 1800 / 2100 - GSM A1429
Sorry for so many questions.
I'm going to attempt unlocking my wife's 4s this month. When restoring from itunes, should I take out whatever current sim is in the slot first? There's currently a sim card installed by Sprint. Not sure what it's for or what it does.
Has anyone domestically unlocked their active iPhone while on Sprint? Does it just stop working if you're staying put?
I've internationally unlocked an iPhone 6 before the CITA agreement, and want to have the domestic unlock but still use it on Sprint. Is that even possible? Not changing carriers, the $5 unlimited everything Japan SoftBank roaming is too good to give up. Is everyone that's unlocked domestically already left Sprint? Whatever happen to the notion that the international unlock just becomes a domestic one as well when it updates?
Same question with a iPhone 5c, want to unlock both domestic and international, but want to continue using on Sprint.
Data point: have unlocked tons of inactive iPhone 4s, the international unlock is also the domestic unlock. Also requested unlock successfully for non-Sprint subscriber friend with inactive iPhone 5 once as Sprint customer.
Sprint removes MEID/IMEIs of iPhones from their whitelist once they have been unlocked, I would recommend getting it domestically unlocked while its still on your account as they have no way of kicking the phone off the network.
So the unlock must be done while you're on Sprint to stay on the whitelist...
The 5c I have is locked for both domestic and international, 6 is locked for domestic and unlocked for international. Who should I talk to to get them both set to 2303 - Multi-Mode Unlock? International again, or just regular tech support?
Tech support told me the 6 is not in their database anymore and needs to be added back... It's weird because it's in service right now. I was also told the 5c cannot be unlocked while it's still in service at Sprint, must be inactive or after account's closed.
The most mind-boggling part is why would Sprint kick phones off their whitelist? Do they not want people to subscribe to their service? And all this time I thought true BYOD (ATT, T-Mobile, VZW, even SoftBank iPhone support) was coming to Sprint soon...
Last edited:
Alright, talked with Sprint and they stated they sent the unlock request through. THey stated that there is no process I have to do, just keep the phone on and connected to WiFi and it'll be unlocked in 5-8 hours.
My question is, is there a way to verify, like will I get a notification?
Also, I unlocked it so I can go to Verizon, I've read Verizon wont activate phones that arent sold by them. Is that true?
My question is, is there a way to verify, like will I get a notification?
Also, I unlocked it so I can go to Verizon, I've read Verizon wont activate phones that arent sold by them. Is that true?
That is true.
The workaround is to use a Verizon SIM that has already been activated in a different (Verizon only) phone.
I am having trouble getting an unlocked Sprint iPhone 4S to work on Verizon network. When I pop in a Verizon SIM, the phone status keeps showing Searching and never finds the network. I got the SIM from another working Verizon phone.
My Sprint iPhone 4S works on T-Mobile no problem, so I know it's definitely unlocked.
Does anyone have any luck using Verizon on 4S?
My Sprint iPhone 4S works on T-Mobile no problem, so I know it's definitely unlocked.
Does anyone have any luck using Verizon on 4S?
It took 3 calls, but eventually got a tech support rep that unlocked my 5c. What was frustrating was reps that aren't up to date on the unlock policy still trying to push a useless MSL code on your or send you to International support.
Had to take the 5c off my account for the unlock to go through. Attempts with it on the account ran into financial eligibility check that failed even though I'm not on a contract or lease, and have a credit on my account.
Had to take the 5c off my account for the unlock to go through. Attempts with it on the account ran into financial eligibility check that failed even though I'm not on a contract or lease, and have a credit on my account.
I was sceptical
I chatted with Sprint and got them to submit the unlock request for my iphone 5. I got the notification that indicated that the "international" unlock had been processed. Went home, restored the phone and got the "Congratulations: Your phone has been unlocked" message". Restored my backup and then took the phone to TMobile to have them test their Sim Card. IT WORKED! Phone is now on the tmobile network. I'm pretty sure the tmobile employee was pretty surprised too. Thanks for posting all of the information, it really helped!
I chatted with Sprint and got them to submit the unlock request for my iphone 5. I got the notification that indicated that the "international" unlock had been processed. Went home, restored the phone and got the "Congratulations: Your phone has been unlocked" message". Restored my backup and then took the phone to TMobile to have them test their Sim Card. IT WORKED! Phone is now on the tmobile network. I'm pretty sure the tmobile employee was pretty surprised too. Thanks for posting all of the information, it really helped!
Glad it worked for you.I chatted with Sprint and got them to submit the unlock request for my iphone 5. I got the notification that indicated that the "international" unlock had been processed. Went home, restored the phone and got the "Congratulations: Your phone has been unlocked" message". Restored my backup and then took the phone to TMobile to have them test their Sim Card. IT WORKED! Phone is now on the tmobile network. I'm pretty sure the tmobile employee was pretty surprised too. Thanks for posting all of the information, it really helped!
I did not for me (although I speculate that's because my wife was still under contract) and I lost my jailbreak in the restore.
We got new phones which means my wife is now out of contract on that old phone so I have been meaning to try and see if this now works. Which would be a kick in the pants if it did because we now have new phones on Sprint.
Oh well.
I chatted with Sprint and got them to submit the unlock request for my iphone 5. I got the notification that indicated that the "international" unlock had been processed. Went home, restored the phone and got the "Congratulations: Your phone has been unlocked" message". Restored my backup and then took the phone to TMobile to have them test their Sim Card. IT WORKED! Phone is now on the tmobile network. I'm pretty sure the tmobile employee was pretty surprised too. Thanks for posting all of the information, it really helped!
That is great news. I going to try to unlock a 4s for my girlfriend who just ported out from Sprint. No longer has an active Sprint phone number.
Questions:
1. Are you still an active Sprint customer?
2. Did you ask for "international unlock" or just "unlock"?
3. What info did they ask you? PIN, last 4 digits of SS#?
4. How did they notify you it was processed? email?
Sorry for all the questions. I just want to make sure I have all my ducks in a row before calling or chatting. Thanks.
I can answer 2, 3 and 4 for you.
2. You have to ask for an international unlock. If you ask for anything else Sprint will give you an MSL code, which is worthless because Apple does not use those. The hope is that the international unlock will transfer to a full unlock. So, you will want to find the number for Sprint's international division and call them NOT the main Sprint customer service number.
Sprint is only giving MSL codes for the iPhone 4s and 5 if you ask for a full domestic unlock. Again, those are worthless to Apple devices. Ask only for an international unlock.
3. They will want the IMEI of the phone. You can't submit an iPhone to the unlock database without an IMEI.
4. They send you an initial email. When the unlock completes you either get another email or iTunes tells you.
Thanks for the reply. I have another question regarding the sim card. Currently in the 4s there is a sim card installed by Sprint (SIMGWW216R). Not sure why it's there or its function.
Should I remove the Sprint sim card or keep it in the phone when requesting the unlock and during the restore process in itunes?
Hi just a quick question. If i buy a sprint phone then can i get it unlocked?? I am not a sprint user. thanks
It's there to allow the phone to connect to and function on the Sprint network.
Remove it and your phone will have no service. It is only compatible with other Sprint iPhone 4ses.
Because there is a SIM slot on the Sprint 4s it means you can go abroard and use a foreign SIM in the phone. You can't do that with the Sprint iPhone 4.
You want to leave it in the phone.
----------
That depends.
If you buy a Sprint iPhone 4 the answer would be no.
If you buy a Sprint iPhone 4s or iPhone 5, the answer is maybe. Right now international unlock requests for those phones are generally tending to turn into full unlocks. You may get lucky, you may not.
If you buy a Sprint iPhone 5c, 5s, 6 or 6+ you can ask for a DSU unlock.
If you buy a SIM unlocked 6 or 6+ model from Apple, which is the Sprint model, the phone will come fully unlocked.
All of the above assume that no money is owed to Sprint.
Thanks for the reply. I am talking about iPhone 6+. And I am going to buy it used from someone. Will I be able to get it unlocked? If yes then can you guide me how can I get it done? Thanks
If the seller does not owe Sprint any money on the phone, yes, you can get it unlocked.
As far as getting it unlocked, there's only one step.
Call Sprint and ask for a DSU unlock.
Okay so I have to ask the seller whether he has paid off the phone or not. And if he has then will sprint charge me anything for the unlock?
Okay thanks. Can I call sprint and provide them the imei number to inquire whether the owner has paid off the phone or not?
Sprint will not give you any personal information about any current or former customer and that includes whether a customer owes them money or not.
All they will help you with is processing the unlock.
- Status