Unlock Verizon iPhone to run on Sprint?

**Rene Ritchie** · 01-11-2011, 07:25 AM

So after the iPhone 4.2.1 unlock for GSM, how soon before the Jailbreak masterminds get the Verizon iPhone unlocked for Sprint? =)

**Alli** · 01-11-2011, 08:13 AM

Considering that it takes an act of congress as well as hacking skills to get one cdma carrier to allow someone else's hardware on their network, somewhere between March and Never.

My bet is that a Verizon iPhone will work on Cricket long before Sprint.

**deferom** · 01-11-2011, 08:33 AM

Not an expert on CDMA or anything like that, but could we make it so Sprint thinks it's an EVO or Pre when they activate it over the phone?

**uhanrodric** · 01-11-2011, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by deferom

Not an expert on CDMA or anything like that, but could we make it so Sprint thinks it's an EVO or Pre when they activate it over the phone?

You wouldn't have to be shady about it. Look @ T-Mobile, they have a department dedicated to helpinq with iPhones on T-Mobile USA. If/when Sprint becomes an option, it would be foolish for them to turn people away.

**Alli** · 01-11-2011, 09:47 AM

But that's just it. Sprint currently turns away anyone with any device that isn't branded Sprint. Verizon does t his as well, despite news a few years ago that they were supposed to provision each others' devices.

The fact is, they would rather sell you a new piece of garbage hardware than provision someone else's. That goes for both Sprint and Verizon.

The reason I suggested Cricket is that they do have a history of helping their customers to provision someone else's hardware on their network.

**uhanrodric** · 01-11-2011, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by Alli

But that's just it. Sprint currently turns away anyone with any device that isn't branded Sprint. Verizon does t his as well, despite news a few years ago that they were supposed to provision each others' devices.

The fact is, they would rather sell you a new piece of garbage hardware than provision someone else's. That goes for both Sprint and Verizon.

The reason I suggested Cricket is that they do have a history of helping their customers to provision someone else's hardware on their network.

I agree to an extent. T-Mobile was the same way pre-iPhone. They wanted you to buy their phones, and wouldn't let you use anything else. The iPhone, because soo many people use it and want it, made them look at things a little differently.

Sprint, had no reason to entertain the idea, because they weren't presented with the possiblity of allowing an iPhone on it's network. I feel, because the iPhone is SOOO "Main-Stream", it would be foolish for SPRINT to just turn away iPhones. VERY foolish.

This is all assuming a JB/Unlock happens allowing this, of course.

**Alli** · 01-11-2011, 10:34 AM

The difference is that T-Mo is a GSM carrier, so it doesn't take more than a simple unlock on a device to run on their network.

CDMA is totally different. You need the assistance of the carrier. You can't just unlock a cdma phone.

**kjjb0204** · 01-11-2011, 10:57 AM

There is no such thing as unlocking a cdma phone. (unless it's a dual band gsm/cdma device) Technically, they are not locked to a carrier, but the carrier must activate that device ESN on their network. Sprint will not activate a Verizon device on their network, and vice-versa. End of story.

**pilotnh** · 01-11-2011, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by kjjb0204

There is no such thing as unlocking a cdma phone. (unless it's a dual band gsm/cdma device) Technically, they are not locked to a carrier, but the carrier must activate that device ESN on their network. Sprint will not activate a Verizon device on their network, and vice-versa. End of story.

That's what I thought and why I didn't understand the label on this thread.

**zachaj** · 01-11-2011, 11:15 AM

Is it possible to change a device's ESN, or is it hardcoded?

i.e. If you have an existing Sprint phone, could you jailbreak a CDMA iPhone and give it your existing phone's ESN?

**uhanrodric** · 01-11-2011, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by Alli

The difference is that T-Mo is a GSM carrier, so it doesn't take more than a simple unlock on a device to run on their network.

CDMA is totally different. You need the assistance of the carrier. You can't just unlock a cdma phone.

Agreed, but, SPRINT would be foolish to just turn those people away is the point I was making.

**kjjb0204** · 01-11-2011, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by zachaj

Is it possible to change a device's ESN, or is it hardcoded?

i.e. If you have an existing Sprint phone, could you jailbreak a CDMA iPhone and give it your existing phone's ESN?

No. Hardcoded, like DNA.

**deferom** · 01-11-2011, 10:13 PM

CDMA devices aren't locked per say, but Sprint and Verizon won't activate devices not from their networks. However, some smaller carriers will activate them.

What I'm thinking is, for example, I have an EVO. Would there be anyway to make Sprint my Verizon iPhone 4 is my EVO?

Originally Posted by UhanRodric

You wouldn't have to be shady about it. Look @ T-Mobile, they have a department dedicated to helpinq with iPhones on T-Mobile USA. If/when Sprint becomes an option, it would be foolish for them to turn people away.

They'd be foolish to turn people away, but they'd much rather sell people on a new EVO contract. Like they did with me. ;P

**ChrisGonzales90** · 01-12-2011, 07:07 AM

Here is what Sprint had to say about the iPhone

Originally Posted by deferom

CDMA devices aren't locked per say, but Sprint and Verizon won't activate devices not from their networks. However, some smaller carriers will activate them.

What I'm thinking is, for example, I have an EVO. Would there be anyway to make Sprint my Verizon iPhone 4 is my EVO?

They'd be foolish to turn people away, but they'd much rather sell people on a new EVO contract. Like they did with me. ;P

Same here. $100 deposit due to my limited credit history compared to ATT's $500. plus I love the large screen, widgets, camera with scene modes, "4G". Video chat over wifi, 3G and 4G anmd being able to stream it live over the air.So what if it doesn't have a shinny Apple logo, or a high res display. I want a phone that makes phone calls lol.

na, I'm not sure about ATT's service down here, butm I'm so used to this large screen it would be foolish to downsize to the baby screen,

**sting7k** · 01-12-2011, 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by Rene Ritchie

So after the iPhone 4.2.1 unlock for GSM, how soon before the Jailbreak masterminds get the Verizon iPhone unlocked for Sprint? =)

Can you even unlock a CDMA phone? Verizon and Sprint don't activate phones from other CDMA networks as far as I know because they claim it might not be optimzed for their network. On top of that Sprint is worse than AT&T so why would you even waste your time?

**deferom** · 01-12-2011, 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by sting7k

Can you even unlock a CDMA phone? Verizon and Sprint don't activate phones from other CDMA networks as far as I know because they claim it might not be optimzed for their network. On top of that Sprint is worse than AT&T so why would you even waste your time?

Why would I pick Sprint over AT&T? WiMAX, cost, coverage, selection, etc.

Originally Posted by ChrisGonzales90

Same here. $100 deposit due to my limited credit history compared to ATT's $500. plus I love the large screen, widgets, camera with scene modes, "4G". Video chat over wifi, 3G and 4G anmd being able to stream it live over the air.So what if it doesn't have a shinny Apple logo, or a high res display. I want a phone that makes phone calls lol.

I love my EVO. And it may not have a shiny Apple logo, but it does have a shiny HTC logo.

**mgrayo01** · 01-13-2011, 12:35 PM

Regardless of whether the CDMA iPhone can be unlocked or not, it will definitely be possible to just Jailbreak it using greenpoison or whatever, right?

My ONLY gripe about the iPhone is the lack of customization, otherwise, I love my iPod Touch and am envious of all my friends who have iPhones already. I've never owned an iPhone and know very little about Jailbreaking, but it seems that Jailbreaking allows more customization.

**ChrisGonzales90** · 01-13-2011, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by deferom

Why would I pick Sprint over AT&T? WiMAX, cost, coverage, selection, etc.

I love my EVO. And it may not have a shiny Apple logo, but it does have a shiny HTC logo.

Chrome HTC logo with the kickstand... mmmmmm I just hate that the camera sticks out, but meh, I do love the scene modes on the camera.

**jackie treehorn** · 01-13-2011, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by mikegryo

Regardless of whether the CDMA iPhone can be unlocked or not, it will definitely be possible to just Jailbreak it using greenpoison or whatever, right?

My ONLY gripe about the iPhone is the lack of customization, otherwise, I love my iPod Touch and am envious of all my friends who have iPhones already. I've never owned an iPhone and know very little about Jailbreaking, but it seems that Jailbreaking allows more customization.

All depends if Apple patched the bootrom exploit that those programs use

**ChrisGonzales90** · 01-13-2011, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by Coastie

All depends if Apple patched the bootrom exploit that those programs use

and knowing Apple they will, and the jailbreak kids will find a way to hack that.

Pretty soon Apple will add almost everything you use to jail break and there won't be a reason to jailbreak.

**mgrayo01** · 01-13-2011, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by ChrisGonzales90

and knowing Apple they will, and the jailbreak kids will find a way to hack that.

Pretty soon Apple will add almost everything you use to jail break and there won't be a reason to jailbreak.

Sounds good to me!

**deferom** · 01-16-2011, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by ChrisGonzales90

Chrome HTC logo with the kickstand... mmmmmm I just hate that the camera sticks out, but meh, I do love the scene modes on the camera.

Yeah, the camera sticking out is annoying, especially when the camera is terrible. I might be okay with it if the camera didn't look like crap.

**ChrisGonzales90** · 01-16-2011, 03:36 PM

I think the pictures are fine. I mean, its still a phone camera, so don't expect high end images. does the job for me.

**robnaj** · 01-21-2011, 03:36 PM

I not sure 100% but I am quite curtain that the law states that if you are switching from Verizon Wireless to Sprint you can bring your phone with you to Sprint.
However it is highly uncommon for Sprint to do it for you.
If you are disparate for a "Sprint iPhone" I recommend be-friending and Sprint employee who can activate the phone.

**Jon Seals** · 02-03-2011, 02:13 AM

Sprint doesn't allow phones with an ESN that isn't in their database to be activated on their network, some employees might do it for you, but they usually find out and shut you down, although we all know MetroPCS will be unlocking to their network just as they do now with pretty much any CDMA phone.