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iPhone 4S verizon unlocked for overseas use without roaming

I am planning to get a new iPhone 4S in the United States. I travel to India once every two years. I heard that Verizon would let it's subscribers unlock the iPhone 4S after 60 days with good standing. This would allow verizon subscribers to use a local micro-SIM number overseas to avoid Verizon roaming fees.


To confirm this, I recently spoke with one of the Verizon customer rep that handles the international dept. She confirmed that this is true. She said Verizon would unlock the iPhone 4S like I have heard and that the unlocked iPhone 4S from Verizon would work only in places like Europe where there are only GSM carriers. In country like India, where there are CDMA and GSM carriers, the unlocked iPhone 4S with it's current software capability would identify the CDMA carriers first and would ignore the GSM carriers. And thus the unlock becomes useless there and I would end up roaming with my Verizon number instead of the local SIM number there.


Any one heard of this?

iPhone 4S-OTHER, iOS 5, iPhone 4S Verizon

Posted on Oct 26, 2011 3:00 PM

Reply
189 replies

Oct 26, 2011 5:22 PM in response to Chennaivaasi

idk about the cdma in india thing but i just called verizon global support 908-559-4899 a couple of times and eventually got someone to unlock it for me i just told them that i was going to africa - also to make sure you dont accidentally use your verizon account and roam in india just check the upper left and make sure it doesn't say verizon or roaming

Nov 26, 2011 5:59 PM in response to Chennaivaasi

That's exactly what I was told by a Verizon rep as well. I checked it out on the iPhone 4S at the mall and... sure enough, there is no software setting for the "preferred" network. So, when there is both a CDMA and GSM network available (as in India), the iPhone will connect to the CDMA network and you'll incur insane roaming charges with Verizon. The Verizon rep sugggested the Droid Incredible 2, because it does have a user setting for preferred network (CDMA vs GSM). So that's exactly what I did... I picked up a Droid Incredible 2 and so far am very happy with it (I had the original Droid Incredible previously and it was also great - no GSM radio though). It remains to be seen if the SIM unlock code I got from Verizon (which was a totally painless process) will actually work in when I get to India. Of course, if you are keen on the iPhone you can shell out close to a grand and get an unlocked iPhone 4S (GSM only), but you will not be able to use that on Verizon when you get back to the States - only ATT or T-Mobile.

Dec 6, 2011 8:02 AM in response to Chennaivaasi

Hi,


Does anyone have an update to this situation? I currently own a Verizon iPhone 4s, and will be travelling to India in a few weeks. I have called Verizon, and they have "unlocked" my phone. I was told be the Verizon representative that I will need a foreign SIM card and wireless connection to "unbrick" my iPhone.


Does anyone know who I can use as a mirco sim supplier in India? I do not want to incurr any Verizon charges as they are very expensive.


Please advise.

Dec 6, 2011 8:27 AM in response to junglekingmowgli

jungleking, Please talk to Verizon International dept like dsfromanchorage and I did. Confirm with them if our story is true.

Getting a prepaid micro-sim is easy through Airtel or Aircell as they carry iPhones in India. BSNL should also have no problem providing you one. Go to one of their retail stores.


But verify if our story from Verizon is true. I believe there is no gurantee that you will not roam with Verizon CDMA in India. Your micro-sim will only be used for GSM networks if there is no CDMA around based on Verizon rep's story.


Gentleb has tested with Vodafone SIM in the US and he claims it works. I am not sure what is true anymore..


Keep us posted with your Verizon iPhone experience in India.

Dec 6, 2011 11:36 AM in response to Chennaivaasi

All,


I spoke to the Verizon Global Services Department today. The Rep stated that the iPhone will default to the carrier whose SIM is in the iPhone 4s once the supplied Verizon SIM is removed. (Yes, there is Verizon SIM in the iPhone 4S, but when replaced, it will default to the carrier's network).


The unlocked Verizon iPhone should work as a normal "world phone."


I will update this thread after I return from India with final results.


@Gentleb, thank you for your results.

Jan 18, 2012 5:36 AM in response to Chennaivaasi

Hey Guys,


I just returned from my trip to India on Jan 12, 2012. I am going to detail out my experience here so everyone has a clear understanding.


I bought the Verizon iPhone 4s 16GB Black on Oct. 14, 2011. When I bought this phone, it was considered "locked." I was able to use my phone in India with a prepaid SIM card from Airtel and Vodafone. Here are the following steps I perfromed.


1. Call Verizon's global group to "unlock" the phone for you. It should be noted that this does not fully "unlock" the phone; the phone still needs to be "unbricked." The "unbricking" process only takes place once you insert a foreign SIM.


2. Purchase a foreign SIM. In India, I purchased one SIM from Airtel at the airport and another from Vodafone at a later time. To purchase SIMs in India, one must present the following: (a) copy of passport, (b) passport sized color photo, (c) verifiable local address -- hotel addresses are acceptable.


3. Assure the SIM you are purchasing is microSIM or purchase a SIM card cutter. http://www.amazon.com/Cutter-Micro-Adapters-Apple-iPhone/dp/B0045XR5IS/ref=sr_1_ 1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326893468&sr=8-1


4. Insert foreign SIM into iPhone 4s. To "unbrick" the phone, you will need access to wireless or your laptop with iTunes. I used the wifi on my phone to "unbrick" and activate my phone. I had no issues with this process. I did not lose any data.


5. On the top left you will see the carrier. The phone will default to the carrier of SIM card.


My prepaid SIM worked perfectly throughout India (voice and data). I travelled the following cities: Delhi, Patna, Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Jaipur, Agra, and Goa. On my return to USA, I used my Indian SIM in Zurich (defaulted to local carrier -- Orange?) to make a call to my family members. Finally when I arrived to USA, my Indian SIM defaulted to T-Mobile as the carrier.


At the end, when I inserted my Verizon SIM, the carrier defaulted to Verizon. This whole process was pretty painless and saved me a bunch of money. If you guys have any questions let me know.

Feb 17, 2012 11:32 AM in response to junglekingmowgli

Hi, there. I just had my Verizon iPhone 4S unlocked. The representative mentioned the "unbricking" part when I insert a foreign SIM. Can you tell me exactly how that process works? I mean, will it be very obvious what I need to do once I'm overseas and want to unbrick it? You mentioned that you used Wifi to "unbrick" and activate your phone. How did that work? Did you have to go to some part of the Verizon wireless website to do that? Thanks!

Feb 17, 2012 12:21 PM in response to Stephen White

Stephen,


The process will be pretty obvious. As soon as you enter the foreign SIM card, your phone will need to "unbrick"/"Activate." You can do this 2 ways: 1) Connecting your phone to iTunes while your computer has access to internet/ WiFi or 2) Just connecting to a WiFi source using your iPhone.


The rest of the process is automated. You do not have to go on any third party websites.


I hope this helps. Let me know if you any other specific questions.


Safe Travels!

Feb 17, 2012 12:38 PM in response to junglekingmowgli

Thanks for the info! I wasn't planning to bring my laptop with me on vacation, so I'm glad the process can be done via WiFi. I've only ever activated my iPhones at home using iTunes, and I was worried I'd get over to Europe and be told "oh, you should have brought your computer, because that's the only way to activate it." 😢

The people at Verizon told me it was a simple process, so it sounds like they're correct. 😀

As long as the process is simple and can be done using WiFi, I should be fine. Now I'm hoping they'll sell micro-SIMs at some of the wireless stores in Vienna, where I'm traveling. Thanks again for the helpful information!

iPhone 4S verizon unlocked for overseas use without roaming

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