What happens if you never activate your new phone? (AT&T)

[jlmitnick]

So I'm receiving an iphone 4 in the mail on Tuesday that I pre-ordered from apple.com. But what if I never open the box and plug it into iTunes? What state is the phone in? Is it tied to my account already in the box?

I checked my account on att.com and they've already reupped my contract, which is fine considering I got the subsidized pricing. But what if I never switch over and I just continue to use my 3gs? Could I sell the unopened iPhone 4 to someone else or does Apple somehow preload my account information onto the phone they're shipping me?

Thanks!

 

[ScKcBc]

I had one that came in and I sold it. Wit the sim in it and everything. Nothing happens. The sim is no good because its pre-burnt for my account but besides that, it doesnt matter

 

[jlmitnick]

I had one that came in and I sold it. Wit the sim in it and everything. Nothing happens. The sim is no good because its pre-burnt for my account but besides that, it doesnt matter

But if it's pre-burnt for your account, couldn't the recipient just activate on your account and start using your plan (and simultaneously stop your 3GS sim card from being active)?

 

[EstrlM3]

But if it's pre-burnt for your account, couldn't the recipient just activate on your account and start using your plan (and simultaneously stop your 3GS sim card from being active)?

yes if they had social security number and billing zip i believe

 

[jlmitnick]

yes if they had social security number and billing zip i believe

Yeah, hm. I guess maybe it's worth it to open the box and take out the sim - I can't imagine that would take the value down too much if you simply say that the box was only opened to remove the sim.

 

[KameronBriggs]

If you're going to sell it, you should make a video that shows you opening it, taking the SIM out, and putting it back in the box. Haha, stupid idea... OR, If you sell it on craigslist or something, do it when you meet the person you're going to sell it to?

 

[insidmal]

this isn't true, the sim can be used for any account, all they needed to do was call at&t and give them the sim #, same thing you do if your doing an upgrade swap, you just call and give them the new phones IMEI and sim #, that's all your account needs to attach it to the phone

 

[iPhonedHome]

You'll have yourself one expensive ass iTouch!

 

[shox2k2]

Its been posted on here b/4 with people who have bought phones off of ebay that they can't use it under the new persons account its still linked to the original one. Its possible they can rack up phone charges on your account. I would open and take the sim out. Keep it boxed up and don't open until it is sold then you can take the sim out w/the new owner there, if thats what you want to do.