Ok, so from what I gathered from these forums they say that the verizon iPhone 5s is factory unlocked and will work with any sim. However, when I called apple they told me that it is locked and that it will only work with verizon. So, which one is it? Does anybody have any experience with this?
iPhone 5s
I would suggest if you've been in contact with Apple support and they are saying their mobile device is locked to a wireless carrier that you can take that to the bank.
Yes, but verizon says that their iPhone 5s is factory unlocked and that it work overseas. So I don't get it. does anybody have experience with this?
The GSM portion of the the Verizon iPhone 5, 5s and 5c is unlocked. This is a legal requirement placed upon them in exchange for winning an FCC spectrum auction.
Ok, so in the scenario where I have a verizon contract and use my phone in the US with verizon and only verizon, would I be able to put in a pre-paid sim card from, lets say, T Mobile in Germany and use the t-mobile service?
The GSM side of an iPhone 5S activated with Verizon is unlocked for use with a GSM carrier's SIM card when traveling outside of the U.S. This does not apply to U.S. carriers such as with AT&T or T-Mobile.
Yes, but DO NOT LOSE the Verizon SIM. You will need to put it back in the phone when you get back to the US.
And is this for sure? Because as of right now, according to apple, it's not unlocked at all. According to Verizon it's unlocked and can be used with GSM but it won't work with GSM because it's locked to CDMA and I have no idea what these people are talking about. I'm kinda getting the idea that they don't know themselves. I really need to get a phone for travel and since I have verizon I don't know what to do now...
Yes. It's for sure. The GSM portion of the Verizon iPhone 5, 5c and 5s is completely unlocked. It can be used with any compatible GSM carrier, including both US and foreign carriers. This is a legal requirement placed on Verizon.
Thanks a ton for the input. That's what I've been reading everywhere but the "iPhone expert" from Apple customer service said that it's 100% locked to Verizon and cannot be used with any other provider-even overseas. I spend a lot of time overseas and if this was true it would save me a ton of money.
According to Verizon it's unlocked and can be used with GSM but it won't work with GSM because it's locked to CDMA and I have no idea what these people are talking about.
Someone at Verizon told you the GSM side of your iPhone 5S is unlocked but it won't work with a GSM carrier's SIM card outside of the U.S, because you activated the CDMA side of the iPhone with Verizon? If so, the Verizon person that told you this is an idiot. The iPhone 5S is a "world" phone meaing it is a combination GSM/CDMA phone and your iPhone 5S activated with Verizon includes a SIM card.
Call back and ask to speak with a supervisor, or visit Verizon's discussion/help area to confirm this with someone at Verizon who knows what they are talking about.
If verizon tells you the device is unlocked for
MikeyyPL wrote:
Yes, but verizon says that their iPhone 5s is factory unlocked and that it work overseas. So I don't get it. does anybody have experience with this?
When you speak of 'their iphone' you must understand that a phone is not unlocked unless the wireless carrier chooses this option. Prior to a customer signing up for an agreement with a wireless carrier the device is then unlocked. Once the customer then puts together an agreement with the carrier depending on that agreement will be dependant on if the device is locked. What I stated earlier about checking with Apple will be your solution. IF apple is telling you that your profile for your device shows it's locked - I would take that to the bank.
What they told me exactly was that the phone is unlocked but it won't work with GSM because it's locked to CDMA and it won't work with any other CDMA because it's locked to Verizon. I know, it doesn't make any sense which is why I turned to these boards to get an answer from users. I just contacted the global tech department from Verizon and they told me that it's 100% comaptible with SIM cards overseas, however it will not work with GSM sims in the US which is fine since ATT is the devil of the mobile industry.
There is no profile for me, PhilipRoy. I didn't even give them any info. They just said that it's 100% locked.
I am currently a student in the UK and my parents just sent me a Verizon iPhone 5s, I use GiffGaff over here. I thought that I'd have to go get this unlocked somewhere but if they issue out unlocked phones then I shouldn't have too. Ill let you know if it works out or if I have to get this unlocked.
Is the Verizon iPhone 5s factory unlocked?
