Wanting to buy a factory unlocked phone, which provider to use?
I've used a 3GS for the past two years in Japan and it will always be locked to Softbank. When I come back to the states this week (1/25/12) it will end up being just another iPod. (Baseband is still unlockable at this time.) To save me from this effing hassle again, I'm wanting to buy an iPhone direct from Apple so it will be fully unlocked. More than likely I won't be staying in the states so I'll need a phone that is unlocked for any country.
For those of you who have bought a phone from Apple, which USA cellular provider did you end up using? Do they all work as long as they support GSM? What about the prepaid plans? If I bought a prepaid phone would the SIM card work in the iPhone after it has been cut to size?
Thanks.
The only officially unlocked iPhone, sold by Apple, is the GSM version. That leaves only two nationwide choices, for carriers, in the US: T-Mobile or AT&T. T-Mobile permits pre-paid plans, for the iPhone, on their network, AT&T does not. At&T will require a contract or post paid plan(month-to-month). If you use T-Mobile, some iPhone features will be unavailable: MMS, FaceTime, Visual Voicemail or data on their 3G network(not compatible with the iPhone). The reason being that T-Mobile is not an official iPhone carrier in the US. That leaves only AT&T, if you want 3G data and all iPhone features.
No need to cut your sim, as both AT&T & T-Mobile provide micro sims.
Similar Messages
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Will factory unlocked phone bought from US work in India without any voltage converters?
Yes but you will not get 4G/LTE in India and the warranty is no good in India.
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I want to buy a factory unlocked iphone 4s from US ,will it work in india ?
i want to buy a factory unlocked iphone 4s from US ,will it work in india
Unlocked iPhone 4S's are not yet generally available at retail in the U.S. Currently, the only official way to get one is order from the US online Apple store. This will require a US credit card with a valid US billing/shipping address.
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If I buy a factory unlocked phone can I use any SIM card worldwide?
If I buy a factory unlocked iPhone can it be used worldwide with any sim?
Yes. Certain models of the iPhone work best in certain countries, but as long as you purchase a factory unlocked phone, you can use it with any carrier that has SIM cards.
This article has a list of supported carriers for the iPhone. If you use the iPhone with an unsupported carrier, you will probably find that it does not work well and/or that some features don't work as expected.
Also, factory unlocked phones are sold only through Apple stores. They are not available anywhere else.
Additionally, the warranty for the phone is valid only in the country of purchase. It is not international.
~Lyssa -
Hi! I'm from Russia and i want to buy the new unlocked iPhone 4S in the U.S. in November, but i need to know, am i need this doc's?
What to Bring with You
Your old mobile phone, if you’re replacing it.
Social Security number of the account holder.
Valid government-issued photo ID.
Carrier account password, if you have one.
Your Apple ID and password.http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/
According to Apple's list (link above) you will probably want to pick up a Sprint or US Cellular model. HOWEVER, as I mentioned above I know that the Verizon iPhones come unlocked from the factory (assuming it will be the same for iPhone 6 and 6+). I DO NOT KNOW if the Sprint and US Cellular models come unlocked. But I am sure some quick internet research will lead you to the answer.
I think your goal would be to get a Sprint or US Cellular version. Also I believe a law was just recently passed that allows someone to have a phone unlocked by the carrier no questions asked. So even if the Sprint and US Cellular iPhones are locked you can have them unlocked.
Update:
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/obama-signs-bill-unlocking-cellphones/ -
The unlocked IPhone 4S models will not be available until November, Why is that? Why would Apple do that? I should be able to buy a factory unlocked Apple iPhone 4S when it comes out! I travel all over the world, and so that is why I need one like that. It is unfair to the consumer, and frankly turning away customers like myself willing to pay high dollar to Apple for their product, who can I speak with to complain about this, because I know their are factory unlocked iPhone 4S' sitting in a warehouse somewhere just waiting to be shipped, and I want one. I know why, cause Apple signed contracts with each carrier so the carrier could increase their sales making customers sign 2 year contracts, I get it, I own my own business, but the delay of releasing factory unlocked ones is just not right and I should be able to buy one without having to buy it over in the UK where it is unlocked when it comes out right away, I should be able to buy it in my own country! These business practices we practice in the US need to stop, their is a demand that needs to be met with consumers like myself who don't need subsidized iPhone's with 2 year contracts with carriers and don't mine paying full price for an unlocked one, it is unethical in a sense, forcing the customer to buy it with a carrier contract and NOT giving the customer the option to buy it full price and own it themselves, OR, making the consumer wait a month for that option to be available. THEY SHOULD BE RELEASED AT THE SAME TIME!!!!!! THAT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO!!!!!!
Apple can contact me and I will proudly pay for one. But making me wait a month for an unlocked one, puts AT&T, Sprint & Verizon's interests before mine, and that is not right, for it is MY money that keeps you guys in business, so my best interests should come first!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I understand your frustration, but when any form of rationing is required you have to prioritise. The number of unlocked vs packaged phones will be quite small and the number of unlocked buyers wishing to upgrade immediately will be smaller still. Against this you have the corporations sharing $billions between them.
It would, you're correct, have been fairer to release all at the same time, but fairer doesn't come into it: it's business. -
Bought my iPhone 4 from Dubai even though it's a factory unlocked phone I don't have a FaceTime button in setting so I'm wondering is there anyway I can get the FaceTime with out jail breaking my device it's working on iOS 4.3.5 , I read so much about getting it after u jailbreak Ur phone u get FaceTime but can I get it with out jail breaking my device as I'm using it in india please reply guys
iPhones purchased in the UAE do not have FaceTime installed and FaceTime will not appear regardless of where the phone is taken.
Jailbreaking will void your warranty with Apple, may permanently render your phone unusuable, and will eliminate the possibility of getting help from Apple or its forums including this one.
If you want FaceTime on an iPhone, sell that phone and purchase one from one of the authorized iPhone dealers in India. -
I am from Trinidad and Tobago however, I want the iphone 5 but i can't pay for it online since the billing address must be Amrican. Can I buy a factory unlocked Iphone 5 at an Apple Retail Store so I can just pop in my nano sim card?
Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
You can buy an iPhone 5 at an Apple Retail Store to use it wherever you want with the carrier you have -
Where I Can buy a factory unlocked iphone 5 in the US ?
I am from Peru and I'd like to buy a factory unlocked iphone 5, as you know in the apple's web site it's not possible to buy an unlocked iphone 5, so I want to know if it's possible to buy a new one but unlocked, I WANT TO KNOW THE store AND THE CITY pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.. thanksssssssssssss to all
Apple has not released an unlocked iphone in the U.S
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I want official site to factory unlock my iphone 4....
i want official site to factory unlock my iphone 4 uk o2... plz help
Fill the required information on the given page
(https://www.o2.co.uk/apps/help/help?qid=1&q1=2&route=unlocking&case=Hand)
OR
Follow the below Steps:
Running software iOS5 or later:
Place the sim card into the iPhone and switch it on.
You will now be able to activate the device via the onscreen instructions:
Choose Language
Choose Country
Enable/Disable Location Services
Connect to a 1.Wi-Fi Network or 2. Cellular or 3. Connect to iTunes
1.Connecting to a Wi-Fi Network:
Click on the Wi-Fi network that you want to connect to and enter the password if required.
Choose either Set up as new iPhone / Restore from iCloud Back Up / Restore from iTunes
Set Up as a New iPhone:
Enter Apple ID
Accept T&C's
Activate Siri
Set up iCloud (Yes/No)
- If setting up iCloud:
Choose back up via iCloud or back up to computer
Set Up Find My iPhone
Send Diagnostics to Apple
Start Using iPhone
- If not setting iCloud:
Send Diagnostics to Apple
Start using iPhone
- Restore from iCloud Back Up:
Enter iCloud Sign In (Apple ID)
Accept T&C's
Choose Back Up you want to restore
Send Diagnostics to Apple
Start Using iPhone
- Restore from iTunes:
Switch on your computer
Open iTunes
Connect your iPhone to a USB port on your computer (but not on the keyboard) using the dock and cable in the box. iTunes will open automatically
iTunes will open up and a pop up will ask you to choose which back up you wish to restore
Click restore
Your iPhone will now start to restore
Start using your iPhone
2.Connecting to Cellular (Only available if you have an iPhone 4S or later)
On the top of the screen you will see the iPhone will start to search for a cellular network. This may take up 30-60secs to locate.
When connected the Connect to iTunes button will disappear and change to Use Mobile Connection.
Choose either Set up as new iPhone / Restore from iCloud Back Up / Restore from iTunes
- Set up as new iPhone:
Enter Apple ID
Accept T&C's
Activate Siri
Set up iCloud (Yes/No)
- If setting up iCloud:
Choose back up via iCloud or back up to computer
Set Up Find My iPhone
Send Diagnostics to Apple
Start Using iPhone
- If not setting iCloud:
Send Diagnostics to Apple
Start using iPhone
- Restore from iCloud Back Up:
You will receive a notification letting you know that this option is not available unless connected via Wi-Fi.
- Restore from iTunes:
Switch on your computer
Open iTunes
Connect your iPhone to a USB port on your computer (but not on the keyboard) using the dock and cable in the box. iTunes will open automatically
iTunes will open up and a pop up will ask you to choose which back up you wish to restore
Click restore
Your iPhone will now start to restore
Start using your iPhone
3.Connect to iTunesPlease note that the Connect to iTunes button will disappear and change to Use Mobile Connection after 30-60secs if the sim is active.
Switch on your computer
Open iTunes
Connect your iPhone to a USB port on your computer (but not on the keyboard) using the dock and cable in the box. iTunes will open automatically
iTunes will guide you through activating and syncing things like contacts, calendars, music, photos, podcasts, videos, email accounts, and web bookmarks.
Download the latest iPhone software if there's an update available
Customers running pre iOS5 software:
Put the iPhone SIM card into your iPhone.
Connect your iPhone to a USB port on your computer (but not on the keyboard) using the dock and cable in the box. iTunes will open automatically
iTunes will guide you through activating and syncing things like contacts, calendars, music, photos, podcasts, videos, email accounts, and web bookmarks.
Download the latest iPhone software if there's an update available
If you're a Pay & Go customers you'll need to top up £10 or more to activate your iPhone for the first time. -
How to identify whether your IPhone 4 is a factory Unlock phone?
I got my phone as a present and i want to find out whether its a factory unlock or not..is there any way to determine or a code or something to indicate that its a factory unlock phone????
thank you..You can try calling Apple technical support and giving them the serial number of the iPhone. They may be able to tell you, but it's not guaranteed.
Regards. -
can i buy a factory unlock for iphone 3gs on 6.0 ? i dont know the full history of the phone,, or even the original network , i bought it unlocked but it has problems, and know it istnt factory on my o2 network .
Only the original carrier will be able to unlock it. If it has been jailbroken/hacked you are out of luck.
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my iphone 3gs is an factory unlocked phone running on ios 6.1.3 which frequently goes into recovery mode. mostly atleast once in a week...how can i fi this problem???
There's a whole lot to read in your post, and frankly I have not read it all.
Having said that, this troubleshooting guide should help:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1538
In particular, pay attention to the mobile device support sections near the bottom, assuming you have already done the items above it. -
Will an iphone 4 that was originally purchased from apple directly as a factory unlocked phone remain unlocked or will it have now locked to the network it was used on. I've been told by carphone warehouse that the iphone will lock to first sim used in it (in this case Orange) and will need to be unlocked again. Just wanted the view of anybody who knows about this for sure. Thanks
If you bought it directly from Apple as unlocked it should be unlocked for all networks. There are phones sold that WILL lock to the first carrier it is used with, but this does not apply to phones where the receipt says "unlocked".
I have not had good experiences with Carphone Warehouse. -
Where can I buy a factory unlocked iphone 5 in the UK? For how much if 16GB? Do I get a one year warranty?
I am not fromUK, but it happens that I'll be visiting UK in a couple of days( to Harrow) and would like to know if I can purchase it from stores other than from the apple for about the same price.
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