Verizon iPhone 5s: Is it SIM-unlocked for use with GSM carriers (outside the U.S.)?

To Randall J:

Do you have a Verizon iPhone from Apple? If so, I'd like to ask a couple of questions, but don't want to bother typing them again if you don't have one (I've asked the questions before, but only gotten conjectural replies from folks who don't own one). Thanks!

RichmondDan,

Yes I do have the Verizon iPhone. Please ask away...

Okay, thanks.

I bought my wife an unlocked T-Mobile 32GB 5s in December, in the belief it was the most flexible iPhone available in the US. My thinking was that it could be used on either T-Mobile or AT&T, as well as many other US GSM carriers, without any hassles or contract commitments (and in fact I have tried it with both AT&T and T-Mobile with no problems), just by swapping SIMs. I also believed that it could be used overseas with any GSM carrier which has similar frequencies, without having to request an unlock from anyone. I knew, however, that it wouldn't work with the two US CDMA carriers, Sprint and Verizon. So far so good, right?

I didn't get the Verizon from Apple because I was under the belief that:

a) in order to activate it in the US, I would need to start with Verizon (perhaps with a contract commitment);

b) in order to use it with a non-Verizon US GSM carrier, I would have to request an unlock from Verizon;

c) in order to use it on GSM overseas, I'd also have to request an unlock from Verizon;

d) even if I was able to use it on GSM in the US (with or without Verizon unlocking), I wasn't sure if it would work with AT&T and T-Mobile, the two largest US GSM carriers.

So now I'm looking to buy the next generation of iPhone for myself when it comes out and am wondering if I should go with Verizon. I don't want to have to "request" anything from them in order to use another carrier (just as I don't now, with my wife's GSM phone). It would be nice to have the flexibility of using Verizon CDMA or AT&T/T-Mobile GSM however, the three largest carriers in the US.

Can you clarify a-d above for me? Thanks!

RichmondDan,

My responses are below.

Your initial assumptions about the T-Mobile iPhone are partially true. While the version from T-Mobile does grant you the ability to do as you mentioned the Verizon model adds not only Verizon capabilities here in the US but also adds additional LTE bands international use. See attached image.

Now to your additional questions:

a. Only new or existing Verizon customers upgrading from non-LTE phones require activation. All other customers can simply insert the sim card card from the previous carrier or phone. So in your case simply insert the T-Mobile sim and you're good to go. You should however get prompted by going to settings... general... about... to add the carrier bundle from the network assigned to the sim card.

b. Verizon iPhones or LTE capable devices are unlocked from the factory. The story behind this is a few years back VZW wanted to purchase spectrum from the FCC to build/ enhance their LTE network, as part of the deal the FCC required all devices capable of accessing this spectrum to be unlocked. VZW does not advertise this but I have successfully used their branded devices with non-VZW sim cards.

c. If an iPhone is unlocked, it's unlocked. There are no regional locks like some other manufactuers... cough cough Samsung.

d. I can personally confirm that the Verizon iPhone will work on AT&T and T-Mobile.

In closing, I've used the last 2 Verizon models (5 & 5S) on T-Mobile and internationally with now problems. I hope I've have clarified all your questions. If not let me know. Thanks

Randall J. wrote:

RichmondDan,

d. I can personally confirm that the Verizon iPhone will work on AT&T and T-Mobile.

Hi Randall J.,

Please confirm if you purchased iPhone 5 and 5S from Verizon or from Apple Store as Verizon - Unlocked. The difference.

- If you bought as Verizon locked - Is it true that SIM port is locked to Verizon for LTE reception but open for all other GSM carriers for GSM services ?

- If you bought as Verizon unlocked - Is it true that SIM port is open for all LTE and GSM services for non-US carriers but locked for LTE reception by US Carriers ?

Also confirm against d. that Verizon iPhone works on AT&T and T-Mobile including respective LTE reception

Best

Randall J,

Thanks for the detailed response. I follow you on all points but one: your screen shot shows the bands used on the two models sold in the US (A1533, either GSM or CDMA). The Verizon and Sprint use the CDMA version, and the AT&T and T-Mobile use the GSM version.

You stated that the Verizon model includes more LTE bands overseas than does the T-Mobile model. The LTE bands shown on your screen shot, however, are the same on both versions. (The A1453, A1457, and A1530 are apparently not sold in the US).

What am I missing? Thanks...

RajaRani,

The iPhone 5 from Verizon was fully unlocked no matter where you purchased it, Apple or Verizon. The GSM frequency worked both internationally and in the US with NO intervention needed from VZW. The iPhone 5S is exactly the same.

Initially the LTE iPhone 5 only worked with both AT&T and in certain areas for T-Mobile where T-Mobile refarmed their network. When T-Mobile decided to carrier the iPhone a few months later, Apple released a new version that was fully compatible with both AT&T and T-Mobile. The fully compatible T-Mobile version A1428 will connect to T-Mobile’s AWS bands (1700/2100), here’s how to check if yours does or what to look for if your purchasing a pre-owned model and you want T-Mobile LTE no questions asked:

Go to Settings –> General –> About. Check the last 4 digits of your serial number to see if they match these combinations:

FH19

FH1C

FH1D

FH1F

FH1G

FH1H

You can also locate your iPhone 5 box and verify that the label includes “1700/2100″ under the UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA bands.

Apologies, you are correct the LTE bands are the same. The difference is the VZW model work with global carriers who utilize CDMA EV-DO. Examples would Bell Mobility in Canada, Reliance in India, NTT DO CO MO in Japan, Iusacell in Mexico.

Thanks for the information and sharing tip

Well, based on everything I've read and the clarifications you've made, it appears that the unlocked Verizon CDMA 5s (purchased directly from Apple for full price) is the most flexible iPhone available! Unless someone needs Sprint's LTE coverage, the Verizon model can cover CDMA LTE and GSM LTEwith no commitments, both US and internationally. A very helpful thread...😀

I never knew this I'll try my verizon 5s and 5 when I go to India. Thanks.

Ok wanted to confirm all I have read.

I have an exchange student that just came 4 weeks ago and will be staying for the entire school year my wife and I as well as herself would like her to have a cell phone as she travels for cross country and what not. She wants the 5S as the price should drop soon after the 6 has come out now. I have been checking ebay and requested any facebook friends that are going to upgrade to contact me about getting her the 5S. As it will need to be able to be used in Spain later the Verizon looks to be the least hassle as it is unlocked or a factory unlocked version. The plan is to us straight talk BYOP plan by getting a sim and then service cards.

If I am correct only the factory unlocked and Verizon will work with no hassle (contacting a company or making sure seller does) and just dropping a straightalk sim (att version) and adding 30 prepay to it them and will be useable in Spain then after she returns. Since it is a 10 month program the whole contract option is out the window. The wife and I use ST already and have been satisfied with coverage and speeds as we are not heavy users of cell phones.

Thanks as it is a bit frightening getting this right and wanting her to be able to use it in Spain 9 months from now and such a large investment for her while staying with us.

:-)

Thanks for all the good info and your time. I didn't completely understand your response to (a):

a. Only new or existing Verizon customers upgrading from non-LTE phones require activation. All other customers can simply insert the sim card card from the previous carrier or phone. So in your case simply insert the T-Mobile sim and you're good to go. You should however get prompted by going to settings... general... about... to add the carrier bundle from the network assigned to the sim card.

If I'm an existing Verizon customer upgrading from an iPhone 5 to an iPhone 6 (LTE to LTE), it sounds like you're saying activation isn't required. Does that mean I can buy an iPhone 6 at an Apple Store and walk out without it being activated?

Thanks in advance.

Randall J. wrote:

The iPhone 5 from Verizon was fully unlocked no matter where you purchased it, Apple or Verizon. The GSM frequency worked both internationally and in the US with NO intervention needed from VZW. The iPhone 5S is exactly the same.

Randall (or anyone else),

I bought an iPhone 5 from Verizon, completed my 2-yr contract term with them for a while now, and am currently on the month-to-month with them.

When I put in a friend's nano SIM from AT&T, my phone would "recognize" it; however, I was NOT able to make any outbound or receive any inbound calls.

When making an outbound call, I hear to something in effect of "...thank you for calling VZW, please wait to be contacted with a representative outside the carrier where you can use a CC to purchase minutes....".

Prior to this, I called VZW global support and was assured twice, from two diff reps that the iPhone 5 (not 5S) comes UN-LOCKED!

So I am at a lost at this point.

Thoughts?

graffixx,

Interesting... the phone is unlocked. Perhaps you can help me understand what you end result is. Are you trying to move to AT&T and keep you iPhone 5 or were you just testing? There are several things you could do here:

1. Place the non-VZW sim (sim needs to have service) back in the phone and go to settings... general... about... and wait to be prompted to update your carrier settings. If not prompted see 2.

2.Plug the phone into a computer running iTunes with the non-VZW sim and iTunes should prompt you to update the carrier settings. If all else fails try 3.

3. Restore the phone to factory settings (backing it up 1st via iTunes). Place the non-VZW sim in the phone and verify if it activates or is able to make calls. If it is simply restore the backup to the iPhone while leaving in the non-VWZ sim.

4. Still no luck, try check your ESN / IMEI / MEID at swappa.com/esn to verify its not blacklisted. VZW has been know to do this before.

Let me know you're results. Thanks