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iPhone 5s T-Mobile contract free version from Apple Store: LOCKED or UNLOCKED?

If i buy an iPhone 5s T-Mobile contract free version from Apple Store will it be LOCKED or UNLOCKED? Can i use it Europe with a local carrier? Cannot find a clear answer to this question anywhere! Thank You!

iPhone 5s, iOS 7

Posted on Sep 26, 2013 2:52 PM

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Posted on Sep 26, 2013 2:53 PM

Unlocked, if you mean the iPhone sold in the US. You can confirm this by calling the Apple Store. You can use an unlocked iPhone with any GSM carrier that offers compatible service (frequencies, bands, etc).

Regards.

79 replies

Sep 26, 2013 3:09 PM in response to EgorB

From everything I've read from Apple, no, it is not true. The T-Mobile iPhone is unlocked and you just need to insert another carrier's SIM. The page for the iPhone on the Apple Store says this about the T--Mobile iPhone 5S:


When you travel internationally, you can use a nano-SIM card for iPhone 5s from a local GSM carrier.


But again, you can call the Apple Store and confirm.


Regards,

Oct 5, 2013 10:07 AM in response to varjak paw

I am not sure this is a definite answer. An iPhone can be unlocked only for international use. For example, after I called Sprint, I can use my Sprint iPhone 5 abroad with SIM card from a local GSM carrier (verified in Thailand, Indonesia, Israel, Mexico). But I cannot use an AT&T nor a T-Mobile SIM card. I know, I've tried.


So the wording at Apple's website is still ambiguous. I'd like confirmation from a user that you can use an AT&T or AIO Wireless SIM card on a T-Mobile phone purchased from Apple.

Oct 5, 2013 10:24 AM in response to EgorB

According to a chat with an Apple support representative, the iPhone 5s is not yet sold fully unlocked. But it is unlocked for international use. This means that it won't work on any GSM carrier in the US other than T-Mobile. But it will work with any GSM carrier outside of the US using a SIM card. You should make sure the frequency bands are compatible with your local carrier.


See chat:

Now Chatting with Destiny

  • Hi Destiny

  • Thank for contacting the Apple Online Store. I hope you are well. How may I assist you?

  • I placed an order for 2 iPhone 5s

  • this is the T-Mobile version, so I'm paying full upfront price... almost $2000 altogether

  • My uderstanding is that these phones are factory unlocked, but the wording at the website is a little misleading. I want to verify that they are indeed fully factory unlocked because I plan on uisng them with AIO Wireless

  • This may not be the option for your then. These iPhones come preinstalled with a T-mobile for use domestically and can be used internationally with a local GSM carrier.

  • You would need to contact AIO wireless directly to see if it would be compatible.

  • so they aren't truly unlocked?

  • They are unlocked in the sense that they can be used internationally. I can see how that would be confusing. The option you are looking for would be the contract free and SIM free iPhone 5s.

  • We have not released the unlocked iPhone at this time.

  • We do have the iPhone 5c unlocked available. Have you considered that option?

  • I have an iPhone 5, so the 5c isn't attractive for me

  • Do you have any idea when the iPhone 5s would be released contract free and SIM free?

  • At this time we do not have a release time frame. I'm sorry I don't have more information available for you.

  • I recommend checking apple.com/hotnews for updates on it's release.

  • ok, thank you.

  • You're welcome. I apologize for the confusion.

  • Is there anything else I can assist you with?

  • This is all, thank you. I will cancel my order.

  • Do you know how to cancel your order?

  • yes

  • Excellent! It has been a pleasure.

  • Thank you for choosing the Apple Store. If you have any additional questions, please chat with us again.

Oct 5, 2013 10:58 AM in response to EgorB

"Somebody said that it is locked and needs to be unlocked at T-Mobile, is this true?"


And i can recall that, i got mine and I'm managing to sent it back to the US because so it can be activated first on T-Mobile and the use it in my country with a different carrier... this was not definitely well explained from apple.

Oct 5, 2013 2:08 PM in response to Marcos Kirsch

Marcos Kirsch wrote:


According to a chat with an Apple support representative, the iPhone 5s is not yet sold fully unlocked. But it is unlocked for international use. This means that it won't work on any GSM carrier in the US other than T-Mobile. But it will work with any GSM carrier outside of the US using a SIM card. You should make sure the frequency bands are compatible with your local carrier.


Which is really interesting, because I know someone who purchased a T-Mobile phone and is using it on AT&T. Or at least he thinks he is using it on AT&T; it says "AT&T" in the top bar, and he can make and receive calls and access cellular data.

Oct 8, 2013 6:46 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Well here is another interesting piece of information. My father-in-law bought an iPhone 5s on Sunday at T-Mobile. He paid the full price upfront. He said it was all a smooth, quick, and painless ordeal including the number transfer.


He then went to an AIO Mobile store and tested one of their SIM cards. It did not work.


What to make of this? I have two theories:

  • Initial batches of T-Mobile iPhone 5s were indeed unlocked, but not later batches. This explains why it worked for some people, and it matches what the Apple representative told me (above in my Oct 5 post). A similar thing happened with the initial batch of iPhone 4S that Sprint sold - they were fully SIM unlocked. I know because I had one.
  • Phones sold on T-Mobile are locked, phones sold at Apple are unlocked? Again, just a theory.


For those of you who opt for T-Mobile, the phone will be SIM-unlocked for international use from the get-go, and T-Mobile will unlock it fully in 40 days (at least that's my understanding). So this option is not terrible. It ***** to pay full price and not have an unlocked phone from day 1, though.

Oct 8, 2013 7:10 PM in response to Marcos Kirsch

I've been on top of this due to the fact I'm one of those customer who got it from T-Mobile expecting to have it INTERNATIONALLY sim unlocked since day one. Unfortunately after getting in contact with T-Mobile last weekend (i was out of the US) and getting to know the terms&conditions (40 days of active service, more than $50 on refills, etc etc) of course my next question was the same as you...


"So... If i get it from Apple (website/physical store) would it work?"


Unfortunately not. I called like 5 times, I was chatting with reps everysingle time i had time from work (I'm sorry apple guys!) bur the answer it's always... They are both the same iPhone 5s, same model, same carrier, same conditions (either from Apple or T-Mobile store)


In case you want to get an iPhone 5s internationally unlocked since day 1... You'll need to wait for the GSM unlocked version as iPhone 4s and iPhone 5c (already available at apple online store).

Oct 10, 2013 12:22 PM in response to EgorB

I bought the iphone 5s thinking that it was Unlocked. The invoice i received even said that the device is listed as unlocked. It used to say unlocked on the Aapple webstore, but apprently has now changed the verbiage to contract free. The device isnt actually unloced and is still tied to Tmobile. You'll need to contact them to try and unlock it, but from what i read, they wont unlock it unless you've had the phone for 40 days. basically running out the 30 day return time you have for the phone.

iPhone 5s T-Mobile contract free version from Apple Store: LOCKED or UNLOCKED?

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