4 ms·

Apple phones can definitely be locked. I have an iPhone that is fully paid off. My company was paying for the monthly fee on AT&T for the last year and a half.

by pivo 4y ago

Apple phones can definitely be locked. I have an iPhone that is fully paid off. My company was paying for the monthly fee on AT&T for the last year and a half. When I left the company a month ago I switched the phone to a new personal account with AT&T because it apparently wasn't possible to get the phone on a personal account and switch carriers at the same time. I then tried to unlock the phone to move to a better carrier. After spending hours on support calls with AT&T thy finally told me that they can't unlock it for two months after a new account is created. I asked why and they said, "it's just our policy." May AT&T rot in hell.

lotsofpulp 4y ago
I know they can be locked, but not if purchased from Apple. Which is why I have always bought phones from Apple since 2008, since I always hated the locking game. But I assume Google or any other manufacturer would similarly not want their customer to end up with a locked phone, hence my surprise that a phone purchased from google also can end up locked.
- flutas 4y ago
  > but not if purchased from Apple That's actually wrong. Apple has what's called a Flex Activation policy. Some networks can lock your device based on just the sim card installed, even if it was paid for outright. I'm actually curious if yours is locked and you just don't know it. Mine purchased from BestBuy is locked (thanks T-Mobile) even though it was purchased as "unlocked." Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock
  - lotsofpulp 4y ago
    My carrier lock says “No Restrictions”. I have been an ATT customer since 2008. It would be disappointing to find out that unlocked phones purchased from Apple.com are lockable after the fact. It is already disappointing that any unlocked phone, much less Apple which heralded unlocked phones, are lockable after purchase at Best Buy or other retailers. Apple’s website does not say that unlocked phones purchased from Apple are lockable after purchase: https://www.apple.com/iphone/buy/ https://www.apple.com/iphone/buy/ > Will my new iPhone be unlocked? > Every iPhone you buy from us online or in an Apple Store is unlocked, with the exception of a few carrier financing options. With an unlocked iPhone, you’re free to go with the carrier of your choice.

by pivo 4y ago

lotsofpulp 4y ago

I know they can be locked, but not if purchased from Apple. Which is why I have always bought phones from Apple since 2008, since I always hated the locking game. But I assume Google or any other manufacturer would similarly not want their customer to end up with a locked phone, hence my surprise that a phone purchased from google also can end up locked.

flutas 4y ago
> but not if purchased from Apple That's actually wrong. Apple has what's called a Flex Activation policy. Some networks can lock your device based on just the sim card installed, even if it was paid for outright. I'm actually curious if yours is locked and you just don't know it. Mine purchased from BestBuy is locked (thanks T-Mobile) even though it was purchased as "unlocked." Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock
- lotsofpulp 4y ago
  My carrier lock says “No Restrictions”. I have been an ATT customer since 2008. It would be disappointing to find out that unlocked phones purchased from Apple.com are lockable after the fact. It is already disappointing that any unlocked phone, much less Apple which heralded unlocked phones, are lockable after purchase at Best Buy or other retailers. Apple’s website does not say that unlocked phones purchased from Apple are lockable after purchase: https://www.apple.com/iphone/buy/ https://www.apple.com/iphone/buy/ > Will my new iPhone be unlocked? > Every iPhone you buy from us online or in an Apple Store is unlocked, with the exception of a few carrier financing options. With an unlocked iPhone, you’re free to go with the carrier of your choice.