I want to know what the first thing I should do after I buy the iPhone from Apple? Turn it on or take the SIM card off
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Carrier (T-Mobile iPhone 5s is LOCKED- Unlocked iPhone 5s Discussion)
- Thread starter MicroMacTosh
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First you do the Irish jig. Drink 400 beers. 17 jumping jacks. Then fly to Tahiti. Boom! Unlocked. IT DOESNT MATTER WHAT YOU DO ITS UNLOCKED!!!!!!
I just came from Verizon AND AT&T and I got the following information:
AT&T - They did not have the 5S in stock, but they told me they didn't sell device only, just on-contract iPhones. (At first I thought the sales girl was misinformed, so I just came back later and asked someone else, got the same answer.)
Verizon - They had the 32gb version, but they told me that Verizon iPhones were NOT unlocked. I asked for a confirmation multiple times, since I read people here who actually have the Verizon version and it was unlocked, but he assured me it was LOCKED.
So I am completely lost right now. I think I'm just gonna order the T-Mobile version at apple.com and wait 46 years for it to get here. Patience.
AT&T - They did not have the 5S in stock, but they told me they didn't sell device only, just on-contract iPhones. (At first I thought the sales girl was misinformed, so I just came back later and asked someone else, got the same answer.)
Verizon - They had the 32gb version, but they told me that Verizon iPhones were NOT unlocked. I asked for a confirmation multiple times, since I read people here who actually have the Verizon version and it was unlocked, but he assured me it was LOCKED.
So I am completely lost right now. I think I'm just gonna order the T-Mobile version at apple.com and wait 46 years for it to get here. Patience.
If you read through this completely, you need to buy the AT&T version at the apple store. Going to AT&T will not get you what you want. And the Verizon version, if you can get Verizon to sell to you as device only, it will be gsm unlocked. Bottom line is you need to either buy any of the three at an apple store. Going to the phone stores is a waste of your time. All they want is to get you on a contract.
I know that is the most intelligent thing to do, just go to an Apple Store, but there lies my problem. I live in WV, where there are NO Apple Stores, for some reason. I guess then in this case there's nothing else I can do other than ordering online.
And the reason I went to AT&T, was to see if they could sell me the device only, and unlock it right away, since everybody says their unlock is pretty easy.
Sorry to hear that. I'm lucky to have several Apple Stores close to me. I believe if you can get a Verizon Store to sell you a device only, you will be fine using it with any gsm sim. You can't walk in and explain your intentions because they won't want to help you. They make their money based on contracts. Your best bet is to just order online and be patient.
This is very important question for many outside US users!
Maybe someone here did or rather tried to do such an activation and can share info how it went?
Or maybe the T-Mobile iPhones 5S (bought from the Apple Store) must be activated in US with the nano-sim card from T-M. with which is sold?
I'm not an expert but reading through this full thread, the AT&T, T-Mobile and the Verizon phones are the same model. And because of some technicality, Verizon has to keep the sim slot unlocked.
Please read....this should be a sticky imho...same questions over and over...
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1637205/
I don't think so! But if I get a 5s till thursday noon (unlikely) then I'll just switch it on with the t-mobile sim and in germany I'll insert the real one...
Yeah, activation in US is rather obvious and it won't be a problem!
but what if You want to activate it out side the US...
or
after sometime (being for example like You in Germany) You will restore the factory settings and the phone will need next activation - will You be able to do it with You local gsm carrier sim card, or You will have to go to US to do it?
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Another thing:
When I was talking with the Apple Online Store via phone - guy told me that the first activation must be done in US and the next ones (if I will be staying at that moment in Europe) can be done with the local gsm carrier nano-card...
and that is rather strange info for me
I don't want to read through 10+ pages in this thread, so I am just going to ask a question that was probably asked and answered.
Can I purchase an iPhone for unsubsidized full price (AT&T or verizon) and bring it back to China to use on China mobile?
Can I purchase an iPhone for unsubsidized full price (AT&T or verizon) and bring it back to China to use on China mobile?
It is, but it also has the radio to support GSM for roaming purposes. And as a result of one of the LTE auctions that Verizon won, they have to unlock their phones.
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No, at least not on TD-LTE, since only Chinese networks use that. You should be able to use it for 3G, though.
So should I order it from Verizon.com ? Is it better than ordering from Apple.com?? (I can only buy it online)
Right now the only way to buy a Verizon phone (or any other phone) device only is in an Apple Store. Apple.com and carrier stores will sell phones only with contracts or upgrades.