Does iPhone upgrade lock after activated?

[dwd3885]

I am currently on Sprint but might be switching carriers soon (AT&T or T-Mobile). If I buy an iPhone through iPhone Upgrade Plan, I know it has to be activated in store. Once it's activated, does it lock to that network? I want to be able to buy while on Sprint but keep my options open and possibly switch in a few months if I need to. Is that possible?

 

[Rob Phillips]

Yes it's possible. Since you're more or less paying full price for your phone it comes unlocked. It has to be activated on a carrier plan at the store but you're free to do what you want with the device afterward, including switching carriers.

 

[Garz]

If you buy a phone through the Apple iPhone upgrade program, it will be unlocked for any carrier and stay unlocked no matter what carrier you activate it on. If you buy it through your carrier, most likely it will be locked to that carrier.

 

[swarlos]

See this is weird cause I bought my mom an iPhone through the upgrade program at Apple with AT&T and when I took it home I checked the imei with cricket and T-Mobile both said the phone wasn't compatible with service and then I put my T-Mobile sim in the phone and it didn't work. Had to have AT&T unlock the phone.

 

[Peligro911]

See this is weird cause I bought my mom an iPhone through the upgrade program at Apple with AT&T and when I took it home I checked the imei with cricket and T-Mobile both said the phone wasn't compatible with service and then I put my T-Mobile sim in the phone and it didn't work. Had to have AT&T unlock the phone.

Ya sounds to me Apple gives you the phone that works with your service I would confirm with them what the rules are about switching on networks that don't like activating others phones etc

 

[swarlos]

Ya sounds to me Apple gives you the phone that works with your service I would confirm with them what the rules are about switching on networks that don't like activating others phones etc

I got the phone unlocked and it worked with my T-Mobile sim.

 

[Peligro911]

I got the phone unlocked and it worked with my T-Mobile sim.

Yes because technically in their eyes you own it like full retail so they will unlock it

 

[swarlos]

Yes because technically in their eyes you own it like full retail so they will unlock it

Also it was from my moms account and her contract was up.

 

[C.K400]

See this is weird cause I bought my mom an iPhone through the upgrade program at Apple with AT&T and when I took it home I checked the imei with cricket and T-Mobile both said the phone wasn't compatible with service and then I put my T-Mobile sim in the phone and it didn't work. Had to have AT&T unlock the phone.

You have to get the sim free version they offer.