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Brand New IPhone SE - Carrier Lock : SIM Locked

I bought the newest iPhone SE last April (04/2020). It was purchased at Walmart, brand new, unlocked with no carrier designation, $399.99.

I’ve had no issues with it until recently. I’m trying to switch carriers and now my iPhone is CARRIER LOCK - SIM LOCKED.

My carrier ( T-Mobile , Metro PCS ) shows the iPhone is unlocked and they have no record of my iPhones IMEI in their system. They also show I brought this phone to their network, that it is not a Metro PCS phone.

I’ve also contacted Apple Support and attempted every restart and troubleshooting they’ve recommended. Still my iPhone is locked to my current carrier.

I’m surprised by a couple things...

1.) How could a carrier lock an unlocked iPhone brought to them?

I would think Apple would design iPhones secure enough for carriers to not interfere with one of their products to this degree.

2.) How can Apple not unlock almost any iPhone provided there is proof that the iPhone was not owned/locked by a carrier?


This has been very frustrating to say the least and I’m sure this is a rare case.

iPhone SE, iOS 14

Posted on Nov 24, 2020 8:10 AM

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Nov 24, 2020 8:13 AM in response to CharlesSE2020

Walmart does not sell unlocked phones. They sell what are referred to as open until you activate with the first carrier you activate them with. Only Apple sells unlocked phones. You will need to contact the carrier you activated with first to ask them to unlock the device. Apple does not unlock phones. Yours is not a rare case, it is what happens when these types of phones are purchased. The same happens with Best Buy.

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Brand New IPhone SE - Carrier Lock : SIM Locked

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