Unlocking Sprint iPhone 5?

If the phone is carrier-locked, only the carrier who holds the lock can release it – if they choose to do so. There is no point in asking Apple to unlock the phone.

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

"Apple can't unlock your iPhone for use with a different carrier. Only your current carrier can unlock your iPhone."

Note that many carriers have permanently shut down 2G and 3G networks, and that the iPhone 5 only supports a very small number of 4G (LTE) bands. Thus there is no guarantee that the iPhone 5 will be useful as a cell phone even if you can convince T-Mobile/Sprint to unlock it.

Even if it is unlocked, you're not going to be able to activate it on ANY carrier in the US.

All US carriers require devices capable of Voice Over LTE.

That means an iPhone 6 at minimum. the iPhone 5 is no longer usable as a basic phone at all in most of the developed world.

Apple has absolutely nothing to do with carrier locks or unlocks. If the phone was locked to Sprint, you'll need to seek help from T-Mobile who acquired Sprint.

Chattanoogan wrote:

However, the idea that “Carrier B” could release a lock applied by “Carrier A” would seem to defeat the primary purpose of a Carrier Lock.

In this case, Carrier B (T-Mobile) and Carrier A (Sprint) may now be one and the same, due to a 2020 corporate merger.

T-Mobile Newsroom (April 1, 2020) – T‑Mobile Completes Merger with Sprint to Create the New T‑Mobile

Apple cannot unlock the phone. When you have had enough fun, drop the phone off at the recycling center.

Right now I’m talking with Nathan from t mobile so I hope this works out haha

In an earlier post, we advised you to drop the phone off at the recycle center. The reason.....the phone is obsolete. It won't work on any U.S. carrier.

Cryptto wrote:

hmm, at the setup screen it still gets some bars with my specctrum sim haha.... stil cant set it up though :(

You told us that it is locked to Sprint (T-Mobile now), and that you couldn't ask for it to be unlocked by T-Mobile (implying that you didn't even try). What made you think you could activate service with Spectrum while it was still carrier-locked to Sprint/T-Mobile?

......the seller said it didnt work

Because the iPhone 5s is obsolete. It won't work with any SIM.

Is it still "fun" knowing that no matter what you do, the phone will not be useable with any carrier?

Let us all know how it works out.

However, the idea that “Carrier B” could release a lock applied by “Carrier A” would seem to defeat the raison d'être of a Carrier Lock.

Doh!

I knew that … once.

Thanks for the reminder.