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kas23

macrumors 603
Original poster
Oct 28, 2007
5,629
288
So I've requested an unlock from AT&T for my 5S and they gave it to me. And I've ordered a new iPhone 6+. My question is: can I do the unlock after I activate my new phone or do I have to do the restore beforehand?
 
You can probably do it after the other is activated, but I really don't know for sure.

Personally, I wouldn't take the chance. I'm unlocking mine to sell it that way, and I'm doing it early in case something goes wrong and I need to work it out with ATT. if I wait until the last minute, I'd be screwed.

I know it's a little more work because you might need to wipe it a second time, but I would just go ahead and do it to be safe.
 
I tried to unlock mine last night. They told me since I have an upgrade on order (the 6) then I have to wait 14 days to unlock the iPhone 5. ARG, I should have done it before I pre-ordered!
 
So I've requested an unlock from AT&T for my 5S and they gave it to me. And I've ordered a new iPhone 6+. My question is: can I do the unlock after I activate my new phone or do I have to do the restore beforehand?

We're you under contract ? If so, how did you manage to get AT&T to unlock it for you ?
 
We're you under contract ? If so, how did you manage to get AT&T to unlock it for you ?

It's kind of convoluted. I'm on a family plan with my in-laws. Last year I used their upgrade to go from an iPhone 5 to a 5S. This year, I was able to upgrade September 1st using my line. I asked for an unlock and they promptly gave it to me.

It would be great if I could unlock it after I get my new phone, but doesn't my current SIM become inactivated once I activate my new phone? Do I even need an activated SIM to unlock my phone?
 
I've read that starting with the 4S, iPhones don't need to be restored to factory settings to be unlocked. If it's a carrier-approved unlock, you simply insert an off-carrier SIM card and it should be unlocked.

I've unlocked a few 3G, 3GS, 4, and 4S models, but with the recent 4S I didn't know and I did a factory reset in iTunes.

I would get ahold of a foreign or T-Mobile SIM card and give it a try. Once completed, turn your phone off and back on for good measure, and then use one of those free websites to verify the phone's unlocked status via the IMEI.
 
I've read that starting with the 4S, iPhones don't need to be restored to factory settings to be unlocked. If it's a carrier-approved unlock, you simply insert an off-carrier SIM card and it should be unlocked.

The email I received from AT&T though specifically tells me I need to do a restore to unlock my phone. And I don't have a T-mobile SIM.

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You can probably do it after the other is activated, but I really don't know for sure.

Personally, I wouldn't take the chance. I'm unlocking mine to sell it that way, and I'm doing it early in case something goes wrong and I need to work it out with ATT. if I wait until the last minute, I'd be screwed.

I know it's a little more work because you might need to wipe it a second time, but I would just go ahead and do it to be safe.

It's makes the most sense that you'd be able to do it afterwards, but this is AT&T and they may put up unnecessary barriers for people trying to unlock their phones.

I think I'm going to do it before, but I'll do it when my new iPhone 6+ package is sitting in front of me. I don't want to go through the hassle of restoring and setting up 2 phones in the span of 1 week. Unless I decide to suffer and stock with just factory settings and apps till Friday (a true 1st world problem ;)).
 
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The email I received from AT&T though specifically tells me I need to do a restore to unlock my phone. And I don't have a T-mobile SIM.
They've probably never updated the text of that email.
 
I tried to unlock mine last night. They told me since I have an upgrade on order (the 6) then I have to wait 14 days to unlock the iPhone 5. ARG, I should have done it before I pre-ordered!

It wouldn't have mattered. You have to wait out the 14 day return period once the iPhone 6 is activated before they'll honor the unlock request. This policy is to prevent people from unlocking the offed device then changing their mind and returning the new device within the return period.
 
The email I received from AT&T though specifically tells me I need to do a restore to unlock my phone. And I don't have a T-mobile SIM.

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It's makes the most sense that you'd be able to do it afterwards, but this is AT&T and they may put up unnecessary barriers for people trying to unlock their phones.

I think I'm going to do it before, but I'll do it when my new iPhone 6+ package is sitting in front of me. I don't want to go through the hassle of restoring and setting up 2 phones in the span of 1 week. Unless I decide to suffer and stock with just factory settings and apps till Friday (a true 1st world problem ;)).
Any one please do me a favor, unlock my AT&T phone? I'm on Airvoice using ATT tower so i can't ask ATT to unlock mine. I would send $10 through paypal
 
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This policy is to prevent people from unlocking the offed device then changing their mind and returning the new device within the return period.

But this doesn't change the fact that the old contract has completely be honored and should be unlocked. That is, I should have every right to return my new phone and continue using my old unlocked phone.
 
But this doesn't change the fact that the old contract has completely be honored and should be unlocked. That is, I should have every right to return my new phone and continue using my old unlocked phone.

The 14-day waiting period kicks in only if you're haven't fulfilled your contract. For example, you're in the middle of a contract with a 5s on your line and you use a family member's upgrade to get the iPhone 6 and device swap it to your line. Your contract hasn't been honored so you'll need to wait the required 14 days before you can unlock the offed 5s.

It doesn't apply if you've completely honored your contract, in which case you can unlock the old device anytime.
 
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