Can I use AT&T's iPhone SE from Best Buy on Verizon?

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Level 1

8 points

Can I use AT&T's iPhone SE from Best Buy on Verizon?

So I have an iPhone SE that is from Best Buy (https://www.bestbuy.com/site/at-t-prepaid-apple-iphone-se-4g-lte-with-32gb-memor y-prepaid-cell-phone-space-gray/5792701.…). The Part number is for the space grey unlocked version (MP7T2LL/A), not the AT&T space grey version (MP8A2LL/A). So does that mean it can be used on any network? Or can it still be locked by AT&T even if it is the unlocked version?

And the reason I want to know is because Im trying to recommend this to a friend who can't use AT&T. She will probably use Verizon, but this is by far the best deal for the iPhone SE. So I was thinking that even though it was sold by AT&T, because it was the unlocked version it would be able to be used on Verizon's network without having to go through AT&T's unlocking process.

Has anyone bought this same phone by chance? Best Buy, AT&T with no plan? And if so have you had any luck bringing it to another carrier?

Thank you!

Posted on Sep 17, 2017 1:16 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

madra31

Level 6

9,946 points

Sep 17, 2017 2:49 PM in response to Jesse_W_B

iPhones sold by Best Buy are subject to the US Resellers Flex policy and will not activate on a carrier other than the one for which it is branded until that carrier unlocks it. iPhones intended for prepaid service can be subject to different unlocking requirements.

Therefore an AT&T branded iPhone SE from Best Buy would have to meet the AT&T unlock requirements before being used on another carrier. If the goal is to place the phone on a different carrier (other than an AT&T MNVO, including FreedomPop GSM service) immediately then it is not economical to purchase such a device.

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Answer 2

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Sep 17, 2017 1:47 PM in response to Jesse_W_B

An unlocked iPhone can be used on any service by opening a service account with the provider and getting their SIM to install in your iPhone. One can purchase an iPhone tied with any of the supporting services such as Sprint, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Not all use the same connectivity - GPM or CDMA. But if the phone supports both services then it can be used with any of the four. The SE should support all four.

I would verify this by contacting the provider your friend will use.

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Answer 3

Jesse_W_B Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 17, 2017 2:29 PM in response to Kappy

Thank you! Will do.

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Answer 4

Sep 17, 2017 2:52 PM in response to Jesse_W_B

No, you can't. The only iPhones that Verizon accepts on their network that were not bought for Verizon are the iPhone 6/6+ and 6S/6S+.

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