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

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nowstime

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 2, 2008
164
0
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).
 
AZhappyjack

AZhappyjack

macrumors G4
Jul 3, 2011
10,083
23,478
Happy Jack, AZ
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.
 
N

nowstime

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 2, 2008
164
0
Thank you..I guess I will have to find a way to replace the screen myself...
 
P

PolarAttack01

macrumors newbie
Jun 17, 2015
1
2
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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macher

macher

macrumors 68040
Oct 13, 2012
3,338
1,722
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.
 
S

Superman80

macrumors regular
Apr 20, 2011
170
6
London
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:
EDH667

EDH667

macrumors 65816
Nov 25, 2009
1,035
279
Northern California
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...
 
A

Acronyc

macrumors 6502a
Jan 24, 2011
908
393
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.
 
AZhappyjack

AZhappyjack

macrumors G4
Jul 3, 2011
10,083
23,478
Happy Jack, AZ
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.
 
Gav2k

Gav2k

macrumors G3
Jul 24, 2009
9,216
1,608
Maybe that's just u.s specific as you don't get sim free phones the way other countries do.
 
macher

macher

macrumors 68040
Oct 13, 2012
3,338
1,722
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.
 
iConnected

iConnected

macrumors 6502a
Feb 17, 2011
685
436
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.
 
jbachandouris

jbachandouris

macrumors 603
Aug 18, 2009
5,846
2,994
Upstate NY
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

imlynxy

macrumors 65816
Mar 8, 2012
1,420
616
I had unlocked, bought as locked, exchanged to unlocked one no problem. Just mention CS rep, that you have an unlocked one.
 
N

nowstime

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 2, 2008
164
0
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.
 
iConnected

iConnected

macrumors 6502a
Feb 17, 2011
685
436
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.
 
N

nox5

macrumors 6502
Oct 16, 2013
415
49
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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