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Still under contract but unlocked...Will I get a unlocked replacement (AppleCare)

N

nowstime

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 2, 2008
164
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Still under contract with AT&T but luckily got unlocked through the official AT&T unlock website and got confirmation. Currently using it in Japan with a Japan SIM but the screen got shattered.

Have AppleCare so I can just pay $79 plus tax for a new replacement but will I get an unlocked one? Or will it be locked and I will have to request another unlock? (But worried that it might get unlocked if requested again).
 
nowstime said:
Still under contract with AT&T but luckily got unlocked through the official AT&T unlock website and got confirmation. Currently using it in Japan with a Japan SIM but the screen got shattered.

Have AppleCare so I can just pay $79 plus tax for a new replacement but will I get an unlocked one? Or will it be locked and I will have to request another unlock? (But worried that it might get unlocked if requested again).
Click to expand...

No. You will only get an unlocked replacement device if you originally purchased an unlocked device. Getting a carrier locked device, whether it was later unlocked or not, will only get you a replacement device locked to the original carrier.
 
Thank you..I guess I will have to find a way to replace the screen myself...
 
My original iPhone 5s was locked on my network-TELUS (canada). After I had it unlocked with TELUS I required a replacement iPhone - I had it exchanged at the Apple store. The replacement iPhone I received from them was unlocked. They said the code was applied to my account and will always be there.
 
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Superman80 said:
The lock status of a replacement phone will be exactly the same as the one you hand over, if your phone is unlocked then the new handset will also be
Click to expand...

Not true. When I got my iPhone I got it unlocked a couple months later. When I got a replacement I didn't receive an unlocked replacement. I had to get the replacement unlocked. Apple said the replacement you receive is the way you originally purchased the iPhone. They can look it up and see whether you originally purchased locked or unlocked.
 
This is from a previous email chat I had with apple (I needed a covering letter to say the handset I was getting replaced was one I had already had replaced), maybe its different in the UK?

Hi xxxxxxxx,

Please find Proof of Coverage Letter for your most recent replacement as requested for your insurance purposes, I can also confirm that the unlock status of you phone will be the same at the point of exchange as the replacement headset you will receive in-store on Monday, please note that this may take up to 24 hours to complete but is usually instantly.

Thanks

Damien xxxxxx
Tel: 00800 2775 2775




Apple Distribution International,

Cork, Ireland
 
Last edited:
Superman80 said:
This is from a previous email chat I had with apple (I needed a covering letter to say the handset I was getting replaced was one I had already had replaced), maybe its different in the UK?

Hi xxxxxxxx,

Please find Proof of Coverage Letter for your most recent replacement as requested for your insurance purposes, I can also confirm that the unlock status of you phone will be the same at the point of exchange as the replacement headset you will receive in-store on Monday, please note that this may take up to 24 hours to complete but is usually instantly.

Thanks

Damien xxxxxx
Tel: 00800 2775 2775




Apple Distribution International,

Cork, Ireland
Click to expand...
 
Well, if you are using it in Japan you won't get an AT&T locked phone since they are not a carrier in Japan. I'd expect you'd get an unlocked one. It's that or they give you a phone locked to one of the three carriers here which would be odd.
 
macher said:
Not true. When I got my iPhone I got it unlocked a couple months later. When I got a replacement I didn't receive an unlocked replacement. I had to get the replacement unlocked. Apple said the replacement you receive is the way you originally purchased the iPhone. They can look it up and see whether you originally purchased locked or unlocked.
Click to expand...

This has always been my experience, and thus, why I responded the way I did. If OP gets an unlocked phone in the scenario that you describe, I see that as an anomaly, but good for him. My point is to just not bank on it.
 
Maybe that's just u.s specific as you don't get sim free phones the way other countries do.
 
Gav2k said:
Maybe that's just u.s specific as you don't get sim free phones the way other countries do.
Click to expand...

In the U.S. Apple offers it unlocked however I got my iPhone 6/64GB on a 2 year subsidy for $300.
 
nowstime said:
Still under contract with AT&T but luckily got unlocked through the official AT&T unlock website and got confirmation. Currently using it in Japan with a Japan SIM but the screen got shattered.

Have AppleCare so I can just pay $79 plus tax for a new replacement but will I get an unlocked one? Or will it be locked and I will have to request another unlock? (But worried that it might get unlocked if requested again).
Click to expand...


Why don't you just ask Apple? :)

All the speculation in the world won't change the actual answer.
 
I was told by the Apple Store in Albany, NY, that you will receive the EXACT same status that you turn in for repair. I have had two warranty replacements and both came unlocked.

My iPhone 6+ is under contract yet unlocked by AT&T.
 
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I had unlocked, bought as locked, exchanged to unlocked one no problem. Just mention CS rep, that you have an unlocked one.
 
iConnected said:
Why don't you just ask Apple? :)

All the speculation in the world won't change the actual answer.
Click to expand...

Called but getting different answers...called AT&T and visited an Apple store...different answers.

Wanted to get information from users with experience.
 
nowstime said:
Thank you..I guess I will have to find a way to replace the screen myself...
Click to expand...

Are you even sure that your iPhone would need to be replaced? Have Apple assessed it?

Perhaps they will just repair the screen, in which case you needn't be concerned. :)

Attempting a screen repair yourself - or using anyone other than Apple - is a bad idea imo, as it can affect your remaining AppleCare+ cover.
 
if the iPhone is unlocked from att you will always receive att iPhone that will unlock during activation or after restore. There is no other way unless genius makes mistake when swapping old IMEI with new one. Unlocked IMEI is permanent record in Apple database and unlock has to transfer over to new device when the deactivate old IMEI. If that wasn't the case Apple would fix it already given how many swaps they do daily. Sometimes unlock does not happen immediately sometimes it does depending if system is overloaded. Again replacement will not be factory unlocked but att unlocked just like original iPhone in Apple system.
 
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