Do bought from Apple Store iPhones get locked to first sim carrier?

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Do bought from Apple Store iPhones get locked to first sim carrier?

I have bought many iPhones for myself and my family over the years and always on contract, UNTIL the iPhone 5. When it came out, I decided to avoid all the unlocking mess and contract handset subsidy thing and buy an unlocked (or so I thought) iPhone 5 from Apple. Now, someone told me the other day, that the 'unlocked' handset becomes locked to the carrier of the first sim that is inserted.

Surely this can't be true, is it?

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Posted on Dec 18, 2012 1:40 AM

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Answer 1

wjosten

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Dec 18, 2012 1:46 AM in response to igmackenzie

igmackenzie wrote:

Surely this can't be true, is it?

No. In the UK, Apple is, in fact, the ONLY source for officially unlocked iPhones. What you describe only happens to iPhones purchased from places like Carphone Warehouse.

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Answer 2

igmackenzie Author

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Dec 18, 2012 2:00 AM in response to wjosten

Thanks for that. Part of the reason I ask is because I bought a iP4 for my son second hand which was advertised as being unlocked as it was bought from an Apple Store, but on receipt, it is locked to O2.

The seller was surprised about this and rang Apple. They confirmed that the handset woould be locked to the carrier of the first sim, and that we would have to go to them to get it unlocked.

I'm confused!

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Answer 3

wjosten

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Dec 18, 2012 2:07 AM in response to igmackenzie

Again, in the UK, Apple is the only source for officially unlocked iPhones. Apple stores do, however, sell both: officially unlocked and locked without contract. If you purchase an officially unlocked iPhone, directly from Apple, it is, in fact, officially unlocked.

Sounds like you need to question the veracity of the seller's statements.

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Answer 4

igmackenzie Author

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Dec 18, 2012 2:13 AM in response to wjosten

Why would a store sell a locked one without contract?

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Answer 5

wjosten

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Dec 18, 2012 2:23 AM in response to igmackenzie

Because some folks prefer the same carrier, have no intention of using any other carrier, but don't want to be locked into a long-term contract.

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Answer 6

igmackenzie Author

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Dec 18, 2012 2:33 AM in response to wjosten

But if they bought it unlocked, they could still use the carrier of their choice. I just can't see the benefit or reason for Apple to sell a locked handset.

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Answer 7

wjosten

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Dec 18, 2012 2:39 AM in response to igmackenzie

igmackenzie wrote:

I just can't see the benefit or reason for Apple to sell a locked handset.

You can't, but Apple's partner carriers can. Apple does this to protect their relationships with their partner carriers. Typically, when an iPhone model is first introduced, Apple will only sell locked without contract phones for the first month or so. Once launched, then Apple will start selling officially unlocked models. Again, this is done to protect the relationships Apple has with the various carriers. Remember, Apple doesn't own any networks, they just make the hardware & are dependent on carriers to make the phone available on various networks.

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Answer 8

Dec 18, 2012 2:47 AM in response to wjosten

Hi all,

I am the seller of this particular iPhone 4. The phone was bought from Exeter Apple store for £599. As I paid for the phone I expected it to be usuable on any Netwrok, no mention was made at the point of sale that it was only valid on one carrier.

Apple support told me today that it locked to the first SIM inserted.

02 support told me today they had seen iPhones become locked to thier network even though they were bought SIM free.

Either way it's a complete Nightmare sorting out what's going on here!

Seb

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Answer 9

igmackenzie Author

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Dec 18, 2012 3:01 AM in response to wjosten

I think what I mean is, why would a customer walk into a store and buy a locked handset?

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Answer 10

wjosten

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Dec 18, 2012 3:03 AM in response to igmackenzie

As already provided:

"Because some folks prefer the same carrier, have no intention of using any other carrier, but don't want to be locked into a long-term contract."

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Answer 11

igmackenzie Author

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Dec 18, 2012 3:09 AM in response to wjosten

Sorry, wjosten, maybe I'm not making my self clear. Why would they buy a locked handset when they could use the carrier of their choice in a unlocked handset? I can see no benefit or logical reason for them to do that.

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Answer 12

igmackenzie Author

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Dec 18, 2012 3:14 AM in response to Ihavenoideas

Ihavenoideas wrote:

Apple support told me today that it locked to the first SIM inserted.

02 support told me today they had seen iPhones become locked to thier network even though they were bought SIM free.

Either way it's a complete Nightmare sorting out what's going on here!

Seb

Apple support have told me today that their unlocked handsets are locked to the carrier of the first sim card inserted. BUT, they also said that doing a forced restore in iTunes with a different carrier's sim will then lock it to that carrier.

However, I was also told that certain sim cards can totally lock handsets. This I find disturbing. Take the scenario that you want to check to see if a handset is unlocked. Standard procedure is to try a sim from another carrier. You'd get a bit of a suprise when you put your original sim back into your phone to find that it no longer works as it's been locked to another carrier!

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Answer 13

wjosten

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Dec 18, 2012 3:15 AM in response to igmackenzie

I don't know what else to say. Whether you see or don't see any benefit is immaterial, as the fact is, Apple stores, in many countries, sell both: iPhones officially unlocked, and locked without contract, both at full price. And guess what? Folks purchase both.

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Answer 14

igmackenzie Author

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Dec 18, 2012 3:17 AM in response to wjosten

wjosten, I'm not doubting what you say for a moment, I just can't see a circumstance why anyone would choose to buy a locked handset given the alternative at the same price point. Now, if there was a finanical incentive...

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Answer 15

Dec 18, 2012 3:18 AM in response to igmackenzie

igmackenzie wrote:

wjosten, I'm not doubting what you say for a moment, I just can't see a circumstance why anyone would choose to buy a locked handset given the alternative at the same price point. Now, if there was a finanical incentive...

Or in fact never being told that the option is there.

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