HT201328: How to unlock your iPhone for use with another carrier

Learn about How to unlock your iPhone for use with another carrier
BackInAction
Level 1 (5 points)
iPhone

Q: "unlock code" how/when do I enter it?

When I asked to have my phone unlocked (Boost), I was given an unlocked.  When/how do I enter the code they gave me?

iPhone 5s, iOS 9.3.3

Posted on Jul 27, 2016 7:23 PM

by elcpu,Solvedanswer
elcpu elcpu
Level 6 (15,569 points)
Photos for Mac
A:

Follow the steps in this Apple article.

How to unlock your iPhone for use with another carrier - Apple Support

Posted on Jul 27, 2016 7:27 PM

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BackInAction

Q: "unlock code" how/when do I enter it?

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  • by elcpu,Solvedanswer

    elcpu elcpu Jul 27, 2016 7:27 PM in response to BackInAction
    Level 6 (15,569 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jul 27, 2016 7:27 PM in response to BackInAction

    Follow the steps in this Apple article.

    How to unlock your iPhone for use with another carrier - Apple Support

  • by BackInAction,

    BackInAction BackInAction Jul 28, 2016 11:30 AM in response to BackInAction
    Level 1 (5 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 28, 2016 11:30 AM in response to BackInAction

    To All....

     

    Issue:

     

    Phone has new SIM (or SIM is new to that phone) in it but mobile portion of the phone won't work.  And you are sure the phone was unlocked by the original carrier.  This is where I was when I posted the question yesterday.

     

    The linked article is correct; however, the process just wasn't what I expected which is why I asked.  You have to...

    1. Back-up your phone (if you don't already have a recent iCloud back-up).  I had one so I skipped this step.
    2. Factory reset the phone (10-20 mins)
    3. Restore your back-up (ugh!  depends on how much you have to restore)

     

    There is no need to enter a code.  Be aware that the above three steps can take several hours depending how much you have on your phone.  Though the "phone" and message parts of the phone appear to be re-activated quite early in the restore process.  But even hours later on a big-piped corporate WiFi network, my 16GB iphone 5s is still restoring several applications.

  • by Boxerlove,

    Boxerlove Boxerlove Jul 28, 2016 11:55 AM in response to BackInAction
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 28, 2016 11:55 AM in response to BackInAction

    Did you get your phone to unlock? I have the same question.

  • by elcpu,

    elcpu elcpu Jul 28, 2016 12:03 PM in response to Boxerlove
    Level 6 (15,569 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jul 28, 2016 12:03 PM in response to Boxerlove

    There is no unlock code. You carrier unlocks it from their end and then you need to restore as new first and then restore the backup.

  • by Michael Black,

    Michael Black Michael Black Jul 28, 2016 12:16 PM in response to BackInAction
    Level 7 (23,942 points)
    Jul 28, 2016 12:16 PM in response to BackInAction

    iPhones have never used an unlock code to complete a carrier unlock.  Your carrier was apparently uninformed about the unlock process specific to Apple's iPhone.

  • by Boxerlove,

    Boxerlove Boxerlove Jul 28, 2016 12:28 PM in response to Michael Black
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 28, 2016 12:28 PM in response to Michael Black

    Sprint is messed up. The overseas help desk told me at first the 4s could not be unlocked with is untrue.

    So I am presently in itunes with my 4s connected and restoring the iphone. it says it is downloading software and will restore the iphone when download is complete. I hope I am on the right track so far.

  • by Boxerlove,

    Boxerlove Boxerlove Jul 29, 2016 4:40 PM in response to Boxerlove
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 29, 2016 4:40 PM in response to Boxerlove

    Ok after getting no where with Sprint on their toll free number and chatting with apple and Sprint, this is what I found out. First of all you have to have finished your contract with Sprint. I had a 2 year contract with iphone6 that I bought for $200 way back when.

     

    iphone 4S Sprint USA, this phone can use an unlock code that Sprint gives you. You can then take the phone to another carrier such as ATT or Verizon. You give them your unlock code, they unlock it and it can now be used on their network. You cannot use a 4S internationally with a foreign sim card such as you can get in Australia for example. 4S can only be used in the USA if bought in USA. This phone has been inactive for 3 years. You need to give them the MEID number to get an unlock code. You cannot unlock the 4S on your own period!

     

    iphone 6 Sprint USA. You chat with Sprint International. They can unlock your phone for international call with a foreign sim card such as Australia. After you chat with Sprint you need to go to Itunes on your computer. Back up your phone. Factory reset the phone. Then restore your backup to your phone as BackInAction describes.  Then you can go to the other country, but a sim card and put it in your phone and it will work. I chatted with Sprint once again to make sure the

    unlock did occur. It did.

     

    All this took me about 4 hours to finally get it resolved due to toll free Sprint people having no clue. The chat people seem to know their stuff. Apple helped me out too.