how do i unlock an iphone 4s locked to sprint

I have a free and clear Ip4s from Sprint and have called them they instead gave me what they call a unlock code but there is no instructions on how to ulock this device they stated that it will have to be unlocked by the provider I will go to but I have not find any provider that will do this, is it true that the phone need to be connected to the sprint network to be abble to be unlocked? or to have them send a request to apple to have it unlocked?

I was given an iPhone 4s, by my friend who upgraded through Sprint. My android of 3 years had died and she thought it would be nice. It has been hellish for both of us.

First the iPhone 4s IS compatible with GSM, there is nothing in the hardware that "blocks" the signal. Apple and Sprint have a software block on the phone. Sprint needs to release your IMEI number to Apple, then when you connect to Itunes, it updates and removes the blocking software. It is that simple. NOW to get Apple or Sprint to do this is another thing.

They gave my friend an unlock code which is useless, there is no way to get to those settings in an iPhone.

Your new provider can NOT remove the software that Sprint and Apple put on your phone ONLY Sprint and Apple can do this. Use the FCC site and information to know your rights when talking to Sprint.

I don't know if links are allowed so if you want details go to the FCC site and unlocking FAQ's

Quoting from the FCC

"In many instances, devices are sold with subsidies (or discounts) in exchange for a required service plan agreement, often months or years in length, or subject to a device installment plan. Most service plan agreements have an early termination clause that includes a penalty to be paid to end the agreement ahead of schedule. Locking software is meant to ensure that devices will be active for a certain period of time or amount of usage on the network of the provider that sold that device with a subsidy (or discount) or with a device installment plan."

READ THIS:

"Under the new standards, participating providers have agreed to unlock eligible devices, provide you with unlocking instructions, or initiate an unlocking request to the device manufacturer – or provide an easily understood explanation of denial – within two business days of receiving an unlock request."

I will be contacting the FCC, please do the same.

I was quite impressed with Apple products when they first came out, I had the first Apple computer. But as technology progressed Apple did not, you have no customization options and the software and hardware is nothing but a brick if not used through Apple exclusively.

Even with that I would have given them a chance thinking they want high quality. After seeing the rude, flippant answers from Apple all over this forum, I would want nothing to do with Apple products. If you are not going to let the consumer modify the software and hardware they paid a fortune for, at least go out of your way to help them. But they say contact Apple, which costs an exorbitant amount of money.

The electronic waste produced by these policies is staggering. I will get this iPhone to work and then give it some homeless person. God forbid an Apple product be used by someone who can't afford a 700 phone and Apple support fee contracts.

Do not give up on this, Sprint is REQUIRED to do this. Your new provider can NOT remove the software that Sprint and Apple put on your phone ONLY Sprint and Apple can do this. Use the FCC site and information to know your rights when talking to Sprint.

Apple just lost a potential customer in me with this mess. They will say it is Sprint, but it is both of them. It is a contract between the two of them that was in effect before the CTIA (CTIA's Consumer Code for Wireless Service) code activated Feb. 11, 2015 became law.

Obviously it is not hurting Apple or Sprints bottom line or they would NOT be doing this to consumers. Stop using Sprint and Apple products if you want this behavior to stop.

Steve Jobs would be sad.

SteveJobswouldbesad wrote:

Do not give up on this,

Well, the person to whom you're replying last posted almost two years ago. If they haven't gotten it unlocked by now and they're still trying, they are demonstrating remarkable persistence.

I posted the response here because when you google the issue this forum and post is the first to pop up. I have posted this information on every forum that pops up in the search so people can understand the problem.

They are mislead into believing it isn't possible to unlock the iPhone 4s to GSM carriers by Sprint. This is an absolute lie and many people don't understand CDMA and GSM. They don't know what an MSL code is, and how useless it is with an iPhone. I am glad to revive this thread.

SteveJobswouldbesad wrote:

They are mislead into believing it isn't possible to unlock the iPhone 4s to GSM carriers by Sprint. This is an absolute lie and many people don't understand CDMA and GSM. They don't know what an MSL code is, and how useless it is with an iPhone. I am glad to revive this thread.

I'm not sure who you think is posting that information. No one in this thread said that. What has been said, repeatedly, is that only the carrier, in this case, Sprint, can unlock the phone. You may be confused by the fact that, until fairly recently, Sprint would not unlock the phone for use on GSM carriers in the U.S. but only for international roaming. I believe they have changed that policy since it was mentioned in this thread about three years ago. That's the problem with dredging up old threads.

I am sorry you are wrong about Sprint unlocking for US GSM, they will ONLY give you the MSL code which is useless. This is a current issue, google the problem and as of yesterday people are asking these questions and being given the run around by Sprint.

I understand the issue with old threads that are irrelevant being revived but this issue is currently still going on with Sprint and Apple.

Correct. Sprint will unlock phones that are not currently under contract. They've been doing it since April, 2015. However, many of their CSRs are clueless as to how to go about it. So sometimes it's necessary to escalate to a supervisor.

I will continue to attempt to get Sprint to do this, but as of 4 days and about 6 hours on the phone , Sprint claims it can not unlock the iPhone 4s for GSM domestically. This is a phone that is no longer on contract that was not needed due to my friend upgrading her service. She continues (not for long now) to be a customer of Sprint.

She plans to not renew her contract due to this problem.

Neither of us are incompetent or unskilled with cell phones. If we are having this kind of problem I can't imagine the average consumer who doesn't understand all the terms used and is being given the run around.

If you doubt what I say, just google "unlock a Sprint iPhone 4s for GSM carrier". You will find 100's of current results.

I don't doubt you. I DO know people who have gotten their Sprint phones unlocked. However, either by design or incompetence many of Sprint's customer support staff haven't gotten the memo.

SteveJobswouldbesad wrote:

I am sorry you are wrong about Sprint unlocking for US GSM, they will ONLY give you the MSL code which is useless. This is a current issue, google the problem and as of yesterday people are asking these questions and being given the run around by Sprint.

I understand the issue with old threads that are irrelevant being revived but this issue is currently still going on with Sprint and Apple.

I'm really sorry you're having a tough time with Sprint. As Larry notes, they don't seem to make it easy. But, it's still not an Apple issue. You're going to have to continue to work with Sprint on this.