iPhone replacement unlock

Question

Level 1

10 points

iPhone replacement unlock

So today I went to the Apple Store to get a replacement iPhone 5 because my original one was shutting down unexpectedly. However, once I got the new one I restored to try to get the "Congratulations, your device has been unlocked" screen but I never did. I bought the original device from an Apple Store at full price and it was unlocked from day 1. I don't understand why this device would be locked to AT&T if it's just a replacement of my previous phone, if I already had the unlock why would AT&T lock a replacement?

I have contacted Apple and they said they can't do anything, I contacted AT&T and they said that they're not sure whether I will be granted an unlock given that I used the phone on goPhone for a few weeks. I filled in the AT&T unlock request form anyways and I hope that that works but if not I need to know what I should do? Should I go back to the Apple Store and tell the genius to give me my original phone back? Is it a problem on their end?

iPhone 5, iOS 7.0.3

Posted on Nov 6, 2013 11:15 AM

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Answer 1

KiltedTim

Level 10

195,207 points

Nov 6, 2013 11:18 AM in response to boseis

WHy do you believe it's locked to AT&T? If your original phone was legitimately unlocked, the replacement should be as well. What makes you think you should immediately get a "congratulations, your iPhone is unlocked" message? Have you actually tried to use a non-AT&T SIM in it or are you just assuming it's locke?

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Answer 2

boseis Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 6, 2013 12:17 PM in response to KiltedTim

I should have been more specific, when I got the original device it came with the AT&T sim card pre-installed but I paid full price. Therfore, when I connected it and restored it the first time I recived the "congratulations, your iphone has been unlocked" message. If I received that message for the first one I assumed that I would too for the second one since it wasn't factory unlocked but AT&T unlocked. I have tried putting several sim cards, international and US ones and it says that the sim card is not supported. When I put the AT&T sim card it allows me to use the phone normally without any service.

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Answer 3

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

230,317 points

Nov 6, 2013 12:21 PM in response to boseis

I would make another Genius appointment. If your first device was officially unlocked by AT&T, then it should have been reflected in the Apple database. It could have been a mistake on the part of Apple when they replaced the phone. Of course, none of this would apply if you did not request and have AT&T officially unlock the first device.

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Answer 4

boseis Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 6, 2013 12:31 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

In fact I called Apple and I gave them both my original iPhone's and the new one's serial numbers and they noticed that the first one was unlocked on their servers and the replacement wasn't. I don't know if the phone representative was lazy but she just said that I had to talk to AT&T. I have done that but they only told me to wait and see if the device would be elegible. I'm looking for the best solution (this is the only smartphone I have and I need to use it) given that AT&T might not unlock this new device because of their new policy. I will go talk to a Genius to see if something went wrong there.

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Answer 5

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

230,317 points

Nov 6, 2013 12:36 PM in response to boseis

I would still support what I said that it could have been an error on the part of Apple. I've seen it done before, and usually not intentional. Since aT&T does not see this new IMEI in their system as linked to your account, they may be reluctant to unlock as you have already found out. A Catch 22 situation. Good luck.

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