Author Topic: Sprint Unlocking Phones for Domestic Use (Read 3071 times)

yuneeq · « **on:** March 13, 2015, 01:15:11 AM »

It's not exactly news that sprint has rolled out a new policy regarding unlocking phones. However, I didn't see any chatter here, so I'd like to share one of the benefits.

I was able to buy a Sprint iPhone 6 off contract for over $120 cheaper than what it costs from other carriers.
I managed to unlock and use the iPhone on TMobile (with LTE) after activating the phone and speaking to countless clueless reps, but yes it's possible to unlock an iPhone 6 to work domestically on TMobile or ATT (I don't know about Verizon though).

Read more here about sprint policy - http://www.sprint.com/legal/unlocking_policy.html

yuneeq · « **Reply #1 on:** March 14, 2015, 10:06:12 PM »

I thought there would be much more interest in brand new unlocked iPhones for just $525...

Guess not.

cozmohoot · « **Reply #2 on:** March 19, 2015, 08:29:26 PM »

How do you figure 525?
Also vzw is fully unlocked out of the box

JoeCha · « **Reply #3 on:** March 19, 2015, 10:26:22 PM »

Quote from: cozmohoot on March 19, 2015, 08:29:26 PM

Also vzw is fully unlocked out of the box

Not for domestic AFAIK

yuneeq · « **Reply #4 on:** March 19, 2015, 11:47:11 PM »

Quote from: cozmohoot on March 19, 2015, 08:29:26 PM

How do you figure 525?
Also vzw is fully unlocked out of the box

That's what the 16gb sells for on ebay.
Though I got a 64gb for $625.
It all comes down to price, you won't get close to that price for the Verizon or unlocked versions.

Quote from: JoeCha on March 19, 2015, 10:26:22 PM

Not for domestic AFAIK

-1
Verizon iPhone works on all domestic GSM carriers.

cozmohoot · « **Reply #5 on:** March 20, 2015, 04:09:38 PM »

Vzw is fully unlocked.
525 on ebay but then you have to be a sprint customer to unlock with other rules as well...

yuneeq · « **Reply #6 on:** March 27, 2015, 12:26:13 PM »

Quote from: cozmohoot on March 20, 2015, 04:09:38 PM

Vzw is fully unlocked.
525 on ebay but then you have to be a sprint customer to unlock with other rules as well...

You can work around the sprint customer issue by transferring a sprint number to your phone.

Mendylab · « **Reply #7 on:** May 13, 2015, 01:20:39 AM »

If I get it unlocked to be used domestically, will it work overseas or I need a separate unlock for that?

yuneeq · « **Reply #8 on:** May 13, 2015, 01:21:16 AM »

It will work everywhere.

Mendylab · « **Reply #9 on:** May 13, 2015, 01:21:41 AM »

Thanks

Mendylab · « **Reply #10 on:** May 13, 2015, 01:23:24 AM »

Does it need to be on a plan for 3 months like it needs to be to get in unlocked internationally, or as long as it is paid in full and no contract?

yuneeq · « **Reply #11 on:** May 13, 2015, 01:24:32 AM »

Quote from: Mendylab on May 13, 2015, 01:23:24 AM

Does it need to be on a plan for 3 months like it needs to be to get in unlocked internationally, or as long as it is paid in full and no contract?

Officially it could be activated for 5 minutes though with Sprint reps YMMV.

Mendylab · « **Reply #12 on:** May 13, 2015, 01:27:34 AM »

Thanks, I guess i'll replace my phone with a random phone, open a new line with my locked phone, get it unlocked, then close the line (it will be prorated) and move the phone back now unlocked!!!

yuneeq · « **Reply #13 on:** May 13, 2015, 01:33:21 AM »

Quote from: Mendylab on May 13, 2015, 01:27:34 AM

Thanks, I guess i'll replace my phone with a random phone, open a new line with my locked phone, get it unlocked, then close the line (it will be prorated) and move the phone back now unlocked!!!

You're on sprint already?
Just port your number to the locked phone and get it unlocked.
No need for all the shtick.

yitrap · « **Reply #14 on:** May 13, 2015, 02:47:13 AM »

Quote from: yuneeq on May 13, 2015, 01:33:21 AM

You're on sprint already?
Just port your number to the locked phone and get it unlocked.
No need for all the shtick.

sounds like his number already is on the locked phone, really no need for any shtick then...

Mendylab · « **Reply #15 on:** May 13, 2015, 07:49:06 AM »

Quote from: yuneeq on May 13, 2015, 01:33:21 AM

You're on sprint already?
Just port your number to the locked phone and get it unlocked.
No need for all the shtick.

But I have a contract on the line with the locked phone, so it can't be unlocked on that line....

yitrap · « **Reply #16 on:** May 13, 2015, 07:51:52 AM »

Quote from: Mendylab on May 13, 2015, 07:49:06 AM

But I have a contract on the line with the locked phone, so it can't be unlocked on that line....

Tell them you would like for it to be usable out of the country, I think now that they support complete unlocking it's the same process, mention casually that you want to ensure that it'll also work domestically so that you don't have to go through the process again at a later date

ETA: I'm not even sure that they won't unlock it domestically just cause you're still on contract

yuneeq · « **Reply #17 on:** May 13, 2015, 08:24:18 AM »

Quote from: Mendylab on May 13, 2015, 07:49:06 AM

But I have a contract on the line with the locked phone, so it can't be unlocked on that line....

I'm not an expert, but my guess is that as long as the iPhone is paid off they'll unlock it for you.
The only thing it needs is activation but it doesn't need to be kept active.
So just port the number temporarily and ask them to unlock.

Yordai Dooma · « **Reply #18 on:** May 13, 2015, 08:31:26 AM »

Is this for iPhones only? Will this work for any Androids?

yuneeq · « **Reply #19 on:** May 13, 2015, 08:49:28 AM »

Quote from: Yordai Dooma on May 13, 2015, 08:31:26 AM

Is this for iPhones only? Will this work for any Androids?

IIRC its only for phones that came out after the unlocking policy was changed (2/18/15), unless its an iPhone 5s and up.

ETA: "Generally, if you have a device that was launched prior to February 2015 and it is capable of being unlocked, Sprint will provide a bill notification and/or text message when you are eligible to have your device unlocked. The bill notification will direct you to Sprint Customer Care who can assist in efforts to unlock your device.

For domestic SIM unlockable ("DSU") devices launched after February 2015, Sprint will automatically unlock the device when it becomes eligible."

Then there's a chart showing only iPhones as DSU unlock-able, so it doesn't sound like Android has changed much, unless its for international use.
Also, keep in mind that many Android phones aren't the correct chipset to be used on other carriers, so even unlocking them might not do anything useful for you.