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How do I unlock my iPhone 5 from sprint

Sprint has gave me a 6 digit unlock code for my iPhone 5 and said the next provider would know what to do with it ...... that is not true no provider I have contacted knows how to unlock it. This is supposed to be a Christmas present for my daughter can someone please help me

iPhone 5, iOS 10.1.1, Locked to sprint

Posted on Dec 11, 2016 11:17 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 11, 2016 11:21 AM

You need to go back to Sprint. There is no code used in unlocking an iphone. Sprint would need to send a message to Apple telling them to process an unlock for your device. You would then process the unlock by doing the following:


How to unlock your iPhone - Apple Support

9 replies

Dec 11, 2016 11:51 AM in response to Ihatesprint272

Ihatesprint272 wrote:


Just got off the phone with sprint they said the provider I take my phone to will know how to use the code and they don't know who or where to send verification to unlock to that is the only support for 4s & 5

That has got to be the craziest statement ever made by a carrier. The process to submit an unlock hasn't changed. They do it the same as they always did. They are just blowing you off. The iPhones and carriers do not use a code to unlock devices. I suggest you work your way up the customer service ladder until you reach someone that actually knows what they are doing.

Dec 11, 2016 12:14 PM in response to Ihatesprint272

Ihatesprint272 wrote:


Just got off the phone with sprint they said the provider I take my phone to will know how to use the code and they don't know who or where to send verification to unlock to that is the only support for 4s & 5

The person you spoke to may not know, so you need to tell them to get a manager on the phone with you. Unlocking an iPhone does not, and never has used any code or manual data entry on the device. That is not, and never has been, how iphones are unlocked. You are being given completely false information and need to escalate your support calls to Sprint.


Your new carrier cannot unlock the device for you. Sprint needs to follow the normal process for unlocking an iPhone. Which is and always has been for them to submit the unlock authorization to Apple for processing.

Dec 11, 2016 12:48 PM in response to Michael Black

They said their is no one else to talk to . The device I am trying to unlock is a iPhone 5. Their is no unlock request to be made that the new provider will have to enter the MSL code they gave me . When they install their carrier simm it will prompt them to enter the msl code. I told her that was not the case the message the screen shows is invalid simm provider lock . She said it's the carrier. My phone is not compatible with that carrier.

Dec 11, 2016 1:01 PM in response to Ihatesprint272

One more time. There is no code used in unlocking an iPhone. There never has been any code used in unlocking an iPhone. I and others have unlocked many iPhones over the years. The process is, and always has been:


1. the user requests the unlock with their carrier or the carrier the device is locked to

2. The carrier the device is locked to authorizes the unlock and, internal to their company, sends that authorization to Apple

3. Apple provisions the authorized unlock in their hardware database

4. The user applies the unlock to their handset through a restore as new in iTunes.


The Sprint reps you are talking to are flat out wrong. The carrier you take it to will be unable to do a single thing to help you. This is on Sprint, and only Sprint can fix it.


The invalid SIM error message will appear with any carrier when using an carrier-locked phone on another network. All that message is telling you is that your phone is indeed still locked to Sprint and will not work with any other carrier until Sprint properly completes your unlock request.


P.S. Unless you're speaking with the CEO and the chairman of the board, there is always someone to escalate a customer service issue with when you are not getting the help you need from whomever you are talking with. If they tell you that, they are again simply lying to avoid dealing with you.

How do I unlock my iPhone 5 from sprint

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