T-Mobile Contract Free is not unlocked!

[jlotusflwr]

Last year, unlocking your phone was technically illegal and it wasn't until August 2014 that unlocking a cellphone became legal (again.) When you buy a T-Mobile phone, at full price- the phone belongs to you. T-Mobile cannot hold your phone hostage thanks to Bill 517, which allows you to change carriers as you see fit.

Here's a selection from section 2C of the bill permitting unlocking of the device:

[unlocking] may be initiated by the owner of any such handset or other device, by another person at the direction of the owner, or by a provider of a commercial mobile radio service or a commercial mobile data service at the direction of such owner or other person, solely in order to enable such owner or a family member of such owner to connect to a wireless telecommunications network

Also Adam Clark Estes from Gizmodo is reporting that the T-Mobile and Verizon's phones will be unlocked. He reminds folks, however, that an unlocked T-Mobile iPhone is not compatible with a Verizon sim bc of the CDMA technology that Verizon utilizes.

 

[Applejuiced]

No all it proves is the rep is clueless.

Pretty much.
Many times you will get different answers by different reps of the same company.
Not everyone is trained well and knows everything and some just take good guesses and they present them as facts.

 

[cmdawson]

LTE versions (for use in UK/France/Germany/Australia/Japan/Singapore)

Hi all,

To add one small complication to the mix I see that the "Sprint" version also happens to be the version that has UK, France, Germany, Japan and Australia full LTE support. http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/

Like everyone else living in Europe I want to save the 20% VAT tax plus the lower price in USD and buy my unlocked phone on my next visit to the USA.

So next thing to find out is if it is possible to buy an unlocked A1586/A1524 in the US for bringing back to Europe? Right now looks like the T-Mobile version is the only one orderable unlocked...

 

[illutionz]

Hi all,

To add one small complication to the mix I see that the "Sprint" version also happens to be the version that has UK, France, Germany, Japan and Australia full LTE support. http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/

Like everyone else living in Europe I want to save the 20% VAT tax plus the lower price in USD and buy my unlocked phone on my next visit to the USA.

So next thing to find out is if it is possible to buy an unlocked A1586/A1524 in the US for bringing back to Europe? Right now looks like the T-Mobile version is the only one orderable unlocked...

Sprint phone is LOCKED and you can't get it unlocked. They are *******s.

Get T-Mobile one which is unlocked and it works for around the world too. The difference between Sprint version and T-Mobile unlocked version are these 4 bands:
38 (TD 2600)
39 (TD 1900)
40 (TD 2300)
41 (TD 2500)
These bands are used in small amount of countries in Europe and Asia. I think Band 38 and 40 are being used by SOME carriers in Asia but most of the time they are the newer deployment as the older deployment has been done using Band 1 and 3. See this for list of LTE Networks with its bands: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LTE_networks

----------

ask maggie from cnet is telling people a third story. and she says that the t-mobile version is only unlocked for international use.

"The T-Mobile iPhone is contract-free and can be used with the GSM carrier of your choice internationally, but comes preconfigured for use with T-Mobile and needs to be activated with T-Mobile in the United States," an Apple retail support representative told the publication. "To use the iPhone with another carrier in the United States, you will want to contact T-Mobile for your available options or wait for the unlocked version of the iPhone to be released."

that is what apple said to the international business times.

I am getting T-Mobile contract free and I am currently using AT&T. Before I switch to T-Mobile, I will make sure to plug my AT&T simcard and post here for my findings.

 

[kmac12]

I consider this definitive proof that it is unlocked: http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo204/Kesarion/tmobile_unlocked_zps25489c43.png

Compare to, say, Sprint: http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo204/Kesarion/ScreenShot2014-09-10at60627PM_zps68464e07.png

I did a similar test analyzing the return on the store URL during purchase process and came up with same results. Its unlocked. Anyone who believes a rep over this proof is dense. Anyone who wants to try, download Charles web debugging proxy application, turn it on and then go through the buying process on store.apple.com.

 

[rodgui]

So confuse.

I bought iphone 6 t-mobile contract-free (Apple Store US) and ask to delivery at hotel.

My question is:
- I live in Brasil and on September 19 I'll going to Orlando enjoy my vacation.

Can I use my brazilian simcard so get my phone out of the box or do I have to go to a store (retail apple or t-mobile) to ask for activation?

 

[PTVMan]

So confuse.

I bought iphone 6 t-mobile contract-free (Apple Store US) and ask to delivery at hotel.

My question is:
- I live in Brasil and on September 19 I'll going to Orlando enjoy my vacation.

Can I use my brazilian simcard so get my phone out of the box or do I have to go to a store (retail apple or t-mobile) to ask for activation?

Your SIM card should work just fine, but look through this thread for instructions to help ensure it works.

 

[orthorim]

ask maggie from cnet is telling people a third story. and she says that the t-mobile version is only unlocked for international use.

"The T-Mobile iPhone is contract-free and can be used with the GSM carrier of your choice internationally, but comes preconfigured for use with T-Mobile and needs to be activated with T-Mobile in the United States," an Apple retail support representative told the publication. "To use the iPhone with another carrier in the United States, you will want to contact T-Mobile for your available options or wait for the unlocked version of the iPhone to be released."

that is what apple said to the international business times.

What does it mean "it needs to be activated with T-Mobile in the United States"?

Getting the phone shipped to a friend in the US who will then forward to me. Does that mean he has to go open the box, turn on the phone, and pass the "activation" step? Or can I do that here in Asia where I live?

 

[cfedu]

Or just buy a verizon one off contract as they're GSM unlocked

I don't think they will believe anything people say. People like this would not even believe a Nexus 5 is unlocked when sold in the united states.

 

[scaredpoet]

"The T-Mobile iPhone is contract-free and can be used with the GSM carrier of your choice internationally, but comes preconfigured for use with T-Mobile and needs to be activated with T-Mobile in the United States," an Apple retail support representative told the publication. "To use the iPhone with another carrier in the United States, you will want to contact T-Mobile for your available options or wait for the unlocked version of the iPhone to be released."

that is what apple said to the international business times.

Actually, it's what an unidentified Apple retail rep told the International Business Times. For all we know, that reporter did nothing more then open up the same chat window that some MR users did, and ask the same questions. As we've seen in this thread, responses are all over the map. Or maybe the reporter actually made an effort and walked to an Apple store, asking someone there. But I doubt they'd be any more reliable.

The web analysis is compelling, so I'm thinking that's a pretty good indicator that T-Mobile versions are in fact unlocked. Unfortunately, we probably won't know for sure until the T-Mobile iPhone 6/Pluses arrive, and someone sticks an AT&T SIM in it to see what happens. I'd do it, but I'm not getting mine till October 1-6, and I'm hoping someone else will have done it long before then.

 

[sr1329]

You're right. So what I'm going to do is buy T-Mobile one from Apple.com tonight, and then exchange it in store within 14 days to get the Verizon version. The reason I have to do this is because you need an account to buy the Verizon version on Apple's website, but you don't need one to buy it in store.

Doing the same. Might go on Verizon Allset.

 

[andrewxie]

Maybe it has to do with the sim card that you use to activate the phone. If you use Tmobile sim card, it can be locked. Try to use another carrier's sim card when you get the phone.
I've heard that buying from Apple is the best bet, it somehow different than buying from Tmobile, not sure about this one tho.

 

[appledes7]

I contacted a T-Mobile rep and here is what she said:

Here is the transcript:

Jennifer: Thank you for visiting T-Mobile today! How may I help you?
You: If I buy the iPhone 6 Plus for TMobile at an Apple store at full price, will it come unlocked?
Jennifer: All of our phones are exclusively locked for T-Mobile Services. However, you have the option to have it unlocked and to be able to unlocked it, the phone must be paid off first and must be activated with our service for at least a month.
You: So I can't just buy the phone from an Apple store for TMobile when it comes out, put in my AT&T SIM for a couple weeks, and then switch over to TMobile?
Jennifer: You purchase the phone directly from Apple Store have it unlocked and use it with our plans.
You: So absolutely no way to have it unlocked for AT&T from day one? Even if I plan on switching within a couple weeks? For example once my contract is up?
You: Even if I pay full price for it?
Jennifer: You can have it unlocked on the day of purchase if you bough the phone directly from Apple Store. However, if in the event that you will be getting the phone from T-Mobile, you can unlocked it as long as the phone is paid off and activated with our service for at least 40 days.
You: Just to clarify...
You: September 19th, I walk into an Apple store, buy a brand new iPhone 6 Plus for T-Mobile and pay for it in full right then and there. Will I then be able to put in my AT&T SIM and have it work right away?
Jennifer: yes!
You: Is the same true if I buy it online through the Apple Store website?
Jennifer: Yes!
You: OK
You: One more question
You: If I buy a T-Mobile one on the Apple Website on day one, will I be forced to purchase T-Mobile cellular service when I order it?
Jennifer: Not at all.
You: So when I order it online through the Apple site, they will give me an option to do something similar to "sign up for service later"? Or how exactly will that work?
Jennifer: I apologize, I no longer have the information with regard to Apple Site.
You: Ok. But for sure if I buy online it will be unlocked from day one if I pay in full, correct?
Jennifer: Yes that is correct!
Jennifer: Is there anything else I can help you with today?
You: If when I buy it I do have to sign up for service, I can cancel it right away and get my money back, correct?
Jennifer: Yes!
You: Awesome, that answers all my questions. Thank you for being so helpful!
Jennifer: You are welcome! Please feel free to chat with us again should you have additional questions.
Jennifer: Thank you for visiting T-Mobile.com today.

Basically, buy from Apple and it will be unlocked.

 

[lowellrenzo]

This has been discussed a million times already and yes it is unlocked if you buy it direct from Apple. The rep is wrong.

Right but before we all get to use the phone we have to activate the phone first. Now the question is how to activate the phone without Sim card? As far as I know is people been activating it with no Sim but with iOS 7 but the iPhone 6 comes with iOS 8

 

[WolfSnap]

Here's what you do. Lord knows I've done it plenty of times myself...

But phone full price at Apple Store. Open box, remove stupid sim that you don't care about. Insert your sim. Your phone is now working on whatever network you want. (With some caveats re sprint and verizon.)

 

[coolaaron88]

Good to know. With that just preordered a 128 GB Silver 6 Plus for T-Mobile. Can't wait!

 

[kalebnate]

Just a few more days and this will be put to rest. And I hope mods can sticky a post that states so to avoid threads in the future similar to this one.

 

[toxic]

last year, I bought Verizon and T-mobile 5s' on launch day from the Apple store. both worked on T-mobile.

IIRC any GSM iphone purchased at full price from Apple is unlocked. also, Verizon is required to unlock GSM bands in its phones as part of a deal with the FCC.

I think there's inconsistent info from reps and retail employees to discourage people from buying at full price to get unlocked versions. it wouldn't sit well with the carriers if that were common knowledge...

 

[CiccioAtSea]

Do not worry ;-)

Please understand that since I'm planning to ship the phone overseas, I cannot return it or ask for a refund. So the risk is huge, especially that I'm paying that amount for an iPhone 6 ! I only want to be careful, did my research and got conflicting results, hence spoke to a representative, then came here for more info. It's not like I am trying to prove something, I'm just being too careful before paying.

So yeah, as you suggested, I might just wait to be safe or look for an alternate solution.

I lived in Dubai for almost a year;
buy the phone and try it out, if it is locked just bring it to the ''Dubai Mall''.

There are TONS of kiosks all around the mall with indian people selling cases and phone accessories..

Ask them and your problem will be solved in minutes

 

[lrovina]

I'm arriving in Scottsdale on september 21th (my first time in US), in your experience is possible to still buy a Iphone or could be already sold out? I'm looking of the T-Mobile contract free one. Thanks

 

[lowellrenzo]

Here's what you do. Lord knows I've done it plenty of times myself...

But phone full price at Apple Store. Open box, remove stupid sim that you don't care about. Insert your sim. Your phone is now working on whatever network you want. (With some caveats re sprint and verizon.)

Say if you live outside of USA and you buy 6plus from from T-Mobile then you take out T-Mobile Sim and put a Chinese Sim in , will the phone be able to activate?

 

[WolfSnap]

Say if you live outside of USA and you buy 6plus from from T-Mobile then you take out T-Mobile Sim and put a Chinese Sim in , will the phone be able to activate?

Oh, in that case... Chinese requires different basebands, no? It would activate, absolutely, but I doubt it would get lte due to different bands.