unlocked att 4s doesn't work with Verizon SIM

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Level 1

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unlocked att 4s doesn't work with Verizon SIM

I have an unlocked iPhone 4s that originally came from ATT but it doesn't work with my active Verizon SIM card.

Any suggestions?

it just seems like ATT 'can't deliver' in this case....

i Did follow all the required steps by ATT EVEN GOT THE POINT where in iTunes I received the message "congratulations your iPhone has been unlocked".

But I am getting no service with my active Verizon card.

The signal portion keeps changing between "Searching" and "No service".

AAnyone able to help me? Does Apple unlock an iPhone if the provider that was on it initially is unable to?

iPhone 4S, iOS 9.0.2, Win 7 64x

Posted on Oct 4, 2015 1:29 AM

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Answer 1

wjosten

Level 10

95,321 points

Oct 4, 2015 1:52 AM in response to Daaani

You can't use an AT&T iPhone on Verizon's network, unlocked or not. The only iPhone's that will work on Verizon's network are Verizon iPhones.

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Answer 2

Daaani Author

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Oct 4, 2015 2:27 AM in response to wjosten

Is that any different then using Verizon iPhones into AT&T network? Because I was able to do that - so I'm guessing the frequency the 2 providers work on has nothing to do with it. ..?

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Answer 3

wjosten

Level 10

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Oct 4, 2015 2:35 AM in response to Daaani

Daaani wrote:

Is that any different then using Verizon iPhones into AT&T network?

Yep. Verizon, like most CDMA carriers, will only permit phones on their network that are in their database.

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Answer 4

Daaani Author

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Oct 4, 2015 10:45 AM in response to wjosten

So how come I can use my AT& SIM card in my Verizon phone... !?!

Phones from AT&T work with Verizon and phones from Verizon work with AT&T as long as they are unlocked.

There's something I'm missing...

Apple, would you like to comment? Can your stores unlock my 4s?

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Answer 5

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Oct 4, 2015 10:46 AM in response to Daaani

Daaani wrote:

So how come I can use my AT& SIM card in my Verizon phone... !?!

Because AT&T are not a CDMA carrier,

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Answer 6

Daaani Author

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Oct 4, 2015 10:50 AM in response to Daaani

So can anyone help me make my AT&T iPhone 4s work with my Verizon SIM Card?

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Answer 7

Csound1

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Oct 4, 2015 10:51 AM in response to Daaani

Nope

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Answer 8

KiltedTim

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Oct 4, 2015 10:52 AM in response to Daaani

Daaani wrote:

So can anyone help me make my AT&T iPhone 4s work with my Verizon SIM Card?

No. It's not physically possible.

The only way to make an AT&T 4S work on Verizon is to sell it and use the money to buy a phone that will work on Verizon.

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Answer 9

Daaani Author

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14 points

Oct 4, 2015 10:57 AM in response to Csound1

My rhetorical question was just meant to convey that phones are not supposed to only work with just one carrier! IF they are unlocked they should work with ANY carrier as long as the carriers are working on the same bandwidth frequency...

AT&T not being a CDMA carrier has nothing to do with why I CAN (AM ABLE TO) use their SIM card with a different carrier like Verizon. If anything, what you said should prevent me from using AT&T SIM with Verizon phone. >> it did years ago when Verizon only had CDMA phones (no SIM card involved).

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Answer 10

KiltedTim

Level 10

195,513 points

Oct 4, 2015 11:02 AM in response to Daaani

And in a world where there were no CDMA carriers, that would be true.

The iPhone 4S is not an LTE capable phone. Verizon does NOT have a GSM network. A Verizon SIM will NOT work an an AT&T iPhone 4S. The Verizon SIM is ONLY relevant on the Verizon LTE network.

An iPhone 4S can ONLY be activated on Verizon on their CDMA network and they WILL NOT activate an iPhone 4S that was not explicitly sold for use on Verizon on their network.

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Answer 11

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Oct 4, 2015 11:03 AM in response to Daaani

Daaani wrote:

My rhetorical question was just meant to convey that phones are not supposed to only work with just one carrier! IF they are unlocked they should work with ANY carrier as long as the carriers are working on the same bandwidth frequency...

AT&T not being a CDMA carrier has nothing to do with why I CAN (AM ABLE TO) use their SIM card with a different carrier like Verizon. If anything, what you said should prevent me from using AT&T SIM with Verizon phone. >> it did years ago when Verizon only had CDMA phones (no SIM card involved).

So, how is your method working out for you?

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