”Unlocked” iPhone from Walmart will not tranfer carriers

Question

Level 1

10 points

”Unlocked” iPhone from Walmart will not tranfer carriers

I could not reply to somebody else’s old post dated 2 years ago, so I have to post my own. I tried to transfer my phone number from Net10 Wireless to Spectrum Mobile. I bought an iPhone 7 ”unlocked” for $300 last summer. I previously had an iPhone 6, which I leased through SmartPay and Net10. I was able to use the same SIM card. Unfortunately, the SIM or phone is locked to TFW (Tracfone Wireless), who owns Net10. I’ve tried almost everything. Reading the very long discussion thread by somebody else was very helpful. It seems that I have 3 options. 1. Spend hours talking with unlocking departments. 2. Stay with Net10. 3. Buy a new phone with Spectrum Mobile and pray that I can keep my phone number.

iPhone 7

Posted on Oct 12, 2020 10:52 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Kurt Lang

Level 9

62,058 points

Oct 17, 2020 2:57 PM in response to Drocker

Only Apple sells truly unlocked iPhones. And only directly from their web site.

"Unlocked" phones from Walmart, Best Buy, or anywhere else are not truly unlocked. They lock to the first carrier you use it with. You will have to request an unlock from Net10 Wireless.

Reply

Answer 2

SnickZ.

Community Specialist

Oct 17, 2020 2:49 PM in response to Drocker

Hi Drocker,

Welcome to Apple Support Communities. We understand that you're having some issues unlocking your iPhone for use with another carrier.

You're on the right track as this will need to be done by the carrier whose network the iPhone is locked to. Check out How to unlock your iPhone for use with a different carrier

If your iPhone was previously unlocked or purchased as unlocked, try to Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings

We hope that helps!

Reply