Unlock Sprint iphone 5

finnuki, I'm so sorry that we are all getting different answers from Sprint. Every rep has a different answer. I've called so many times and I have many notes in my Sprint file and every rep has told me something different. However, the last tech person I spoke to said "yes" my iphone 4s can be unlocked for domestic use and gave me instructions. T-Mobil has given me a SIM Card, but I have not had time to try all this out. Even an apple support tech said that my phone can be used with another carrier....forgot what carrier they suggested. have to look back at all my notes. very frustrating!

You can't. Sprint does not unlock iphones for use in the states.

I am sorry to inform you (me being a Sprint customer myself) that Sprint will not unlock your iPhone for domestic use. Sprint will only unlock iPhones for use outside the United States however, even upon completion of your two year contract, Sprint will not unlock your iPhone for use on AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile. I know this is an inconvinience but supposedly, carriers will be forced to unlock all their phones for domestic and international use in the coming year so you can always chat with a Sprint representative and see what they can do for you. Feel free to ask if you have any questions. 😀

I am trying to unlock my sprint iphone 5 to use on the T-mobile network. Under a new agreement, all service providers are suppose to unlock customer's phones for use on any carrier. Sprint has given me my MLS code, they're suppose to send a request to Apple to unlock my phone but the representatives at Sprint don't know how to do this. I am attempting to go to the Apple store to see if anyone can help me.

finnuki wrote:

Under a new agreement, all service providers are suppose to unlock customer's phones for use on any carrier.

I'm not aware of any such agreement. I believe you're misinformed. Sprint can authorize unlocking a Sprint phone for use on Non US carriers. You can not use it on any US carrier other than Sprint.

I believe you're referring to this:

http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/top-5-us-wireless-carriers-agree-let-unlock- cell-phone/

This is a voluntary agreement, not law, and sets no particular date or even time frame where cell carriers will comply. So Sprint is not required to unlock your iPhone. When they will implement this agreement and unlock your iPhone only Sprint could tell you.

Note that if you purchased your iPhone with a subsidy rather than paying full price, Sprint even when they're ready to offer unlocking will not unlock your iPhone unless you have completed your contract or paid whatever requisite early termination fee they impose.

Regards.

Hi :-)
Im thinking about purchasing iPhone 5C from eBay (US). But it's got "bad ESN" and its locked on Sprint. However, Im from Europe, so could I use this phone? I've read, that its ok to use it overseas...

Bit confused, sorry :-)

Smokingcz, the short answer is probably not. There are two different ways phones are locked in the U.S. The first way is domestically. Sprint locks phones so that all phones on their network can only be used with Sprint service. They will not unlock phones domestically--I learned that the hard way by spending a whole day calling Sprint, Apple, and Tmobile customer service. (Sprint is the guilty party that has the power to unlock but sent me on a wild goose chase to Tmobile and Apple.

The other way it's locked is overseas. Sprint will unlock it internationally but I have only been able to unlock it internationally when the phone had active service. I don't know if they'd unlock it if the service is not active.

No. it will be useless.

Actually the CTIA agreed to make it binding in February. There are 6 rules that they will follow, 3 have to be implemented by May and the other 3 by February 2015. It's been said that Sprint will drag their feet till closer to the 2015 date. Here is the link from the FCC: http://www.fcc.gov/device-unlocking-faq

Tony

That's completely irrelevant when it comes to CDMA devices. CDMA phones are not "locked" in the same way GSM devices are. Carriers are under no obligation to allow you to bring your own device to their network. The original question regards using a Sprint phone on Verizon. The OP was misinformed by Verizon that this was possible. Verizon does not, as a matter of policy, permit you to bring your own device to their network.

My original question was not on switching to Verizon. It was on swithing to Tmobile. The rep I spoke to at T mobile said they can do it and sent me a SIM card. However, first I have to get my phone unlocked from Sprint. I called Verizon and they seem to be just as non cooperative in this matter as Sprint. They told me they won't accept my Sprint Phone. Carriers make lots money out of selling you another phone and perhaps even offering you a free or discounted phone, but the catch is always a contract. If we own our phones and have no contract obligation with a carrier, we should be able to use the same phone with another carrier without having to have a contract or to buy another phone. It's totally ridiculous and the technology is there! I have 4 new iphones that are paid for and if I want to switch carriers I have to buy 4 new phones again! Why should I even have to go to Best Buy or a carrier and have to trade in my iphone when my phone is practically brand new! It's a big business and after speaking to several technical support people, I've heard "yes" switching the SIM Card will work for the iphone 4s and I've heard "no" from others. Seems like the carriers really won't benefit from customers bringing in phones from other carriers, so therefore, they close the doors and offer you new phones and make it sound so wonderful, but at the same time, they are sticking you with a contract in return for a free phone. It's all about money!

Cubericana wrote:

My original question was not on switching to Verizon. It was on swithing to Tmobile.

YOU did not post a question AT ALL in this thread.

"However, first I have to get my phone unlocked from Sprint"

Sprint does not unlock for use with domestic carriers.

" If we own our phones and have no contract obligation with a carrier, we should be able to use the same phone with another carrier without having to have a contract or to buy another phone"

You may think that you "Should" be able to do this, but you cannot. This is not the current law.

"It's all about money!"

Really? Businesses are all about money? I'm shocked.

To KiltedTim, verizon won't let you bring in a verizon phone that you purchased off of ebay?