I ordered a new phone directly from Apple to use with Charter/ Spectrum. Spectrum says the phone is locked. Apple says that it is unlocked but if it is showing as locked for spectrum that they should be able to unlock it. Spectrum says they can only unlock phones bought through them. How can get the phone unlocked?
iPhone 11
Specturm is an MVNO, not an actual cellular provider. MVNO stands for "Mobile Virtual Network Operator," and as such, an MVNO does not own or have it's own infrastructure (wireless cell phone towers), but rather buys wholesale minutes, data and text from major carriers such Verizon, T-mobile, AT&T, etc to resell to you under its own brand name. Still, since the phone is not locked, Spectrum should be able to provide service to it. Apple doesn't unlock phones. Only carriers unlock phones. I'd push this issue up the Spectrum ladder as an unlocked phone should not present a problem for them.
Thank you. I just got off the phone with Apple support and they said just to put the new sim in and it will probably work fine as the phone isn't locked. They think that it could be an issue with the way that spectrum is pulling the IMEI data.
The carrier had to send me a new sim since they lock the sim to the IMEI. I will have to wait and see what happens when I put the new sim in.
Did you pay up front for the new phone, meaning not on any payment plan? Yes, you can buy an unlocked phone from Apple, but you have to pay the full price at the time of purchase.
What happens when you put a SIM in the phone?
If you're getting an error message, what does it say?
Yes. I paid in full. on the Apple website.
I'm glad you're making progress here. Hopefully, the new sim will work just fine.
Carrier says phone is locked
