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Kenn-Bone Author

Level 1

4 points

iPhone purchased in Europe, now locked in United States

I purchased a new iPhone 13 mini from an Apple Store in Spain after mine was pick-pocketed on vacation. I used a Vodafone temporary SIM card for the duration of my trip before returning home to the United States. Now that I am home, my carrier is saying that my iPhone is locked and their eSIM is not compatible with it until I get my iPhone unlocked. Is this true? And if so, how do I unlock it? Should I just go to my nearest Apple Store?

iPhone 13 mini, iOS 16

Posted on Mar 21, 2023 10:24 AM

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Best reply

Level 7

24,540 points

Posted on Mar 21, 2023 10:46 AM

Unfortunately, your newly-purchased phone was apparently locked by the Spanish carrier’s network.

ONLY that carrier can unlock it to operate on other networks; although there’s not necessarily anything compelling them to do so.

This is NOT just a “European thing” … U.S. carriers follow the same practice.

Apple can’t override this feature.

See more detail here:

How to unlock your iPhone for use with a different carrier - Apple Support

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5 replies

Best reply

Level 7

24,540 points

Mar 21, 2023 10:46 AM in response to Kenn-Bone

Unfortunately, your newly-purchased phone was apparently locked by the Spanish carrier’s network.

ONLY that carrier can unlock it to operate on other networks; although there’s not necessarily anything compelling them to do so.

This is NOT just a “European thing” … U.S. carriers follow the same practice.

Apple can’t override this feature.

See more detail here:

How to unlock your iPhone for use with a different carrier - Apple Support

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Mar 21, 2023 10:53 AM in response to Kenn-Bone

Well it’s certainly odd.

If you purchase from a U.S. Apple Store … it’s unlocked … unless an AT&T installment plan is included.

Perhaps Apple in Spain has the same sort of arrangement w/ Vodaphone … ???

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Kenn-Bone Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 21, 2023 10:45 AM in response to Chattanoogan

Thank you for the reply.

When I took out my temporary sim, the carrier lock in my settings reads ‘No SIM restrictions’ so I figured the carrier lock wasn’t the problem?

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Kenn-Bone Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 21, 2023 10:53 AM in response to Chattanoogan

Thank you, that’s helpful. Will update if I find the solution.

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Mar 21, 2023 10:59 AM in response to Kenn-Bone

You’re welcome.

The general industry-wide lack of transparency on this matter is IMO quite distasteful.

Of course … “everybody” wants their inexpensive phone too.

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iPhone purchased in Europe, now locked in United States

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