Using a UK bought Iphone 13 pro max in China (with Chinese Carrier)

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Level 1

4 points

Using a UK bought Iphone 13 pro max in China (with Chinese Carrier)

Dear Community,

I live in UK and want to buy an Iphone 13 Pro max, model A2643(1) Refurbished. See link alongside: (https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/FLLA3B/A/refurbished-iphone-13-pro-max-256gb-graphite-sim-free?fnode=f9e4bd1c0adb97edf429f1397f5391e258010bea0618993dcdf0cae812d13f45e0f681d0202c8752dc1f9df588364c53acba83bb70aa5359be1376bca470e70487073fe4159b247528b24615edad24a60986a2dba1d230fcdab9d7bf9a62117d)

However, I will soon be going to China and living there for a while. With that being said, I found this ---> iPhone models supported by China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom’s 5G, LTE/4G, 3G and 2G networks – Apple Support (UK)

Does this mean that I won't be able to connect my Iphone with any Chinese carriers and it will only be available for global roaming with the UK carrier I have?

I definitely want to use the local Chinese Carriers/simcard once I'm in China. Can someone shed some light on this?

Best regards,

RB

Posted on Jul 29, 2023 3:08 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

SravanKrA

Community+ 2025

Level 10

431,064 points

Jul 30, 2023 12:54 AM in response to RB000

As far as my knowledge goes there should not be any issue of using an iPhone purchased in the UK and using it in China Mainland. The exception is you cannot get eSIMs in China Mainland. --> Wireless network provider support and features for iPhone in Asia-Pacific – Apple Support (UK)

China Mainland

China Broadnet

5G8
FaceTime over Mobile1
LTE
Personal Hotspot2
VoLTE3

China Mobile

5G8
Advanced Mobile Location (AML)6
FaceTime over Mobile1
LTE
Personal Hotspot2
Visual Voicemail
VoLTE3

China Telecom

5G8
Advanced Mobile Location (AML)6
FaceTime over Mobile1
LTE
Personal Hotspot2
VoLTE3

China Unicom

5G8
Advanced Mobile Location (AML)6
FaceTime over Mobile1
LTE
Personal Hotspot2
Visual Voicemail
VoLTE3

eSIM isn't supported in China mainland.
Group FaceTime, FaceTime Audio and FaceTime links aren't supported in China mainland.
Creating a link to a FaceTime call isn't supported on iPhone models purchased in China mainland, regardless of the country or region you're in.

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Answer 2

Jul 30, 2023 12:55 AM in response to RB000

What you should be more worried is...

IMPORTANT RESTRICTION FOR iPHONE, iPAD, APPLE TV AND HOMEPOD SERVICE.

Apple may restrict warranty service for iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and HomePod to the country where Apple or its Authorized Distributors originally sold the device.

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Answer 3

RB000 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 30, 2023 3:46 AM in response to SravanKrA

Thank you for your reply and information provided. However, I don't feel comfortable ignoring an official statement from Apple in the link I provided before about the phone not working with Chinese carriers.

Without a proper understanding of what that means I don't feel confident buying a phone if it could possibly be rendered useless once I'm in China. Can you confirm that it is not the case or help me to understand what Apple means by that article. I know for sure that the iPhone purchased in UK will not have the same model code and therefore there is a risk it will not work in China mainland?

I'd really like to know for sure what iPhone models supported by China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom’s 5G, LTE/4G, 3G and 2G networks – Apple Support (UK) article means for me in this situation.

Again, thank you for your input here! Appreciate it.

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Answer 4

RB000 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 31, 2023 2:00 PM in response to RB000

This is still very much relevant. Please help.

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Using a UK bought Iphone 13 pro max in China (with Chinese Carrier)

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