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Does the iPhone 5 require a factory reset to switch from GSM to CDMA

Before I ordered my iPhone 5 from StraightTalk I explained that I wanted to use it as a CDMA (Verizon) in the US and as a GSM (Vodafone) in Europe.

I specifically asked if the phone would become a CDMA phone again when I removed the Vodafone GSM Sim after returning to the US. The answer was Yes.

The CDMA function worked well in the US and the GSM function worked equally well in Europe.

However, when I did remove the GSM card, the iPhone 5 stopped working.

According to StraightTalk, the only way to return to the CDMA function is to have them do a factory reset, which means loosing all data and downloaded apps.

Of course, nobody told me that when I asked the question.

Does anybody know if this is a requirement for every iPhone 5 or just for StraightTalk phones?

iPhone 5, iOS 6.1.4, StraightTalk iPhone 5

Posted on Jun 16, 2013 9:03 AM

108 replies

Jul 28, 2013 10:58 AM in response to deggie

I THING TAKE TO APPLE AND I SAID THAT MY IPHONE 5 WAS WELL THE PROBLEM WAS THE DATA SERVICE COMPANY

Jul 28, 2013 10:59 AM in response to toronbolo1972

Could you please, pretty please, with sugar on top, and a cute little puppy dog... stop posting in ALLCAPS?

deggie

Level 10

167,225 points

Jul 28, 2013 11:01 AM in response to toronbolo1972

All capital letters are considered shouting. I have not done anything to you other than try to help you so stop shouting at me.

Did you check to see if your iPhone was unlocked while you were there? If not, either go back or call.

Assuming your GSM side is unlocked here are your options:

1. Talk to Straight Talk technical support and try to resolve the issues you are having.

2. Talk to Straight Talk and get your money back and buy a new iPhone.

3. Move your iPhone to T-Mobile and settle for 4G speeds.

4. Move your iPhone to AT&T and settle for 4G speeds.

Jul 28, 2013 11:02 AM in response to TJBUSMC1973

IM NO SHOUTING IS ONLY I SEE WHAT ME PUT ON HERE SORRY

Jul 28, 2013 11:05 AM in response to TJBUSMC1973

ino hava idea all caps mean scream sorry

Jul 28, 2013 11:10 AM in response to deggie

you think im put sim on my iphone work 4G and LTE

deggie

Level 10

167,225 points

Jul 28, 2013 11:12 AM in response to toronbolo1972

No, you will NOT get LTE on that phone using T-Mobile or AT&T.

You will be able to get HSPA+ with T-Mobile and AT&T call 4G, but it is really just a supercharged 3G or 3G+ if you prefer.

Jul 28, 2013 11:13 AM in response to deggie

im try to straight talk get my money back and say to me no goind to get my money back

deggie

Level 10

167,225 points

Jul 28, 2013 11:14 AM in response to toronbolo1972

Good luck to you.

Jul 28, 2013 11:21 AM in response to deggie

im check on walmart family mobile on T-Mobile... my friend have on hem iphone on walmart family mobile and say to hem put your nano sim on my iphone 5 and yes is work 2G 3G 4G maybe "LTE"..... sorry by the letters big 😉

deggie

Level 10

167,225 points

Jul 28, 2013 11:26 AM in response to toronbolo1972

Even under Walmart Family Mobile which is an MVNO under T-Mobile the iPhone you have now will NOT access LTE, you have the wrong LTE bands on your device and it is NOT an AWS compatible device.

Jul 28, 2013 11:26 AM in response to deggie

but my question is straight talk may be blocking my iphone 5 if i want to chenge to another company but with SIM GSM

deggie

Level 10

167,225 points

Jul 28, 2013 11:29 AM in response to toronbolo1972

1. Call AppleCare, give them the model number and serial number of your iPhone and ask them if it is locked to anyone cell provider.

2. If you do NOT have any sort of contract with Straight Talk then they cannot blacklist or block your iPhone.

Jul 28, 2013 11:31 AM in response to deggie

By the actual rules for wireless carriers, if it was sold through them, even without a contract, they can still technically refuse to unlock. I've never heard of it happening, but it is possible. If that does happen, his best bet is to make a lot of noise at the local store, contact their customer support, contact local media (who would LOVE an anti-WalMart story).

Hopefully that doesn't happen, because it would be a stupid business decision on their part. But could it happen? Yes.

deggie

Level 10

167,225 points

Jul 28, 2013 11:39 AM in response to TJBUSMC1973

It may be related to the Verizon deal with the FCC but the two people I've come in contact with who paid full price like the OP did ($649) did not have locked iPhones as that is the identical cost for such a phone at the Apple Store. That is why I suggested that he call AppleCare to confirm that the GSM side of his iPhone 5 is indeed unlocked. If it is Straight Talk cannot lock it at this point.

He can make as much noise as he wants at this Apple Store and it will not change anything if the iPhone is locked (I don't think it is) and they will do nothing. I've already suggested that he contact Straight Talk support about his slow speeds, etc. and discussing the return of the phone for a refund. He will have to do all that directly with Straight Talk. The media could care less about an unlock story involving Straight Talk or Wal-Mart.

What would be a good starting point here would be to know if it is actually locked in the first place.

As to his other point, if the iPhone is unlocked Straight Talk cannot lock it at this point. But if he has a contract with Straight Talk (I didn't think they had such a thing) they can put a block on his IMEI so he cannot use the iPhone with anyone.

Does the iPhone 5 require a factory reset to switch from GSM to CDMA