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Will it ever be possible to unlock a CDMA phone for GSM use?
- Thread starter estockme
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Well you can't use the VZW iPhone 4 (CDMA) with GSM since it has no SIM card entry. With the 4S, it is said that Verizon (and maybe Sprint) is only unlocking phones to international carriers, so I'm not sure if it will work on AT&T. That's just the rumor. Sprint apparently is not selling unlocked iPhones anymore too (maybe they will unlock it if you call?)
You'll have to wait for a jailbreak unlock if you want your iPhone fully unlocked.
As of right now, Verizon only unlocks it to international carriers.
As of right now, Verizon only unlocks it to international carriers.
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I Almost started this exact same thread. Since, essentially all 4s' are the same phone, it's not a hardware issue. So it must be software. I wish someone who knew the dev team had a way of asking them this question to see if it's even doable(which it 100%shud b) or if it's something they are even thinking about. This would potentially make the Verizon/sprint iPhones very very valuable here in the states since they would be able to work on all carriers at that point. Would LOVE LOVE LOVE to see this hack at some point.
I Almost started this exact same thread. Since, essentially all 4s' are the same phone, it's not a hardware issue. So it must be software. I wish someone who knew the dev team had a way of asking them this question to see if it's even doable(which it 100%shud b) or if it's something they are even thinking about. This would potentially make the Verizon/sprint iPhones very very valuable here in the states since they would be able to work on all carriers at that point. Would LOVE LOVE LOVE to see this hack at some point.
Well, aside from the mom and pop carriers, AT&T is, unfortunately, the only nationwide GSM carrier in the US that the iPhone 4 will fully work on. Even if unlocked, T-Mobile's 3G band is on 1700MHz, a band the iPhone isn't equipped for. So you'd be stuck on edge in their 1900MHz spectrum.
Otherwise, yes, it's a software issue, and entirely a carrier decision.
Otherwise, yes, it's a software issue, and entirely a carrier decision.
Getting an unlocked phone to work on AT&T is easy as all you do is put in a sim. It's a bit harder on Verizon and sprint. Verizon and sprint only allow phones they approve to be active on their network. Hardware wise, an iPhone 4s can work on all the networks (no tmobile 3G) but Verizon and Sprint have to allow it first.
Right... I've unlocked GSM phones w/ tmo before by simply calling and asking nicely. Any chance this will happen with sprint some day?
On the other hand i guess I could say what is the point... I'm off contract, so I could drop out any time, switch to another carrier and sell the sprint phone to cover the switch +the first few months.
I know what you mean, i have a verizon iphone 4s, it has the capabilities to be unlocked internationally. IT should also a have a way to be unlocked domestically inside the United States. It is essentially the same technology inside the 4S, I posted the same post a couple weeks ago, hoping that one day there will be a software unlock to make the iphone 4s fully unlockable in the us. Wouldn't it be great that we could carrier hop in the United States 
..I believe in DEV team, we just got to be patient. im sure they have the same idea as us!
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i wish the unlocked version of the 4S was CDMA + GSM compatible, but it isnt =/
..I believe in DEV team, we just got to be patient. im sure they have the same idea as us!----------
i wish the unlocked version of the 4S was CDMA + GSM compatible, but it isnt =/
No there is no chance. This is a common practice with cell phone carriers in the united states. Sprint & Verizon will definently not unlock the SIM card tray for domestic use.
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If you want an unlocked phone, buy it full price from Apple. It's that simple.