How can I determine if my iPhone 5 is locked or unlocked? Is there a way to tell just by looking at some settings or diagnostics?
The only way to really tell is to put another carriers SIM in it, it comes up with "No SIM", switching aircraft mode on then off will bring up an Invalid SIM error.
Canadian carries have been unlocking phones (even those under contract) for a while now, though they change a small fee.
If I have a Rogers phone for example, and I'm done my contract and decide to switch to Bell. I am no longer eligible to get that phone unlocked because I'm not a customer with Roger anymore. This is complete BS, and also makes selling/giving away phones more difficult because the recepient cannot unlock the device unless I (the original owner) am present and maintains an account with that provider.
I had the wonderful experience of AT&T re-locking my fully paid for out of contract iPhone 5 and I discovered it when I was traveling overseas. I contacted them but as usual it took weeks and multiple calls and they didn't unlock it again until i was back in the USA. I now only buy unlocked phones. This law change is long overdue.
Most carrier's customer services reps seem to know what going on about the unlocking. Then now say it will take XX days to do instead of saying: "why do you want to do it and end up with "you cannot do it"! Big, big step to in favorite of the consumer!
Only Apple has for sale an "unlocked" version with all the U.S. radios built-in along with many international radios. Other then Google Play version and Nexus; all other U.S. smartphones are locked or are limited in radios to a particular U.S. carrier!
If I have a Rogers phone for example, and I'm done my contract and decide to switch to Bell. I am no longer eligible to get that phone unlocked because I'm not a customer with Roger anymore. This is complete BS, and also makes selling/giving away phones more difficult because the recepient cannot unlock the device unless I (the original owner) am present and maintains an account with that provider.
You can have Rogers unlock the phone at any time during your contract or after your contract expires but you're still get your service from them. I don't know what you would do if you let your service expire. I've done this a few times with Telus, but I'm pretty sure that all the carriers in Canada will unlock a phone upon request (if you have an account with them) since 2012.
Business phones should not be locked even under contract because they may have to travel overseas to use the same phone with different SIM. Moreover, they are business so won't run away not paying contractual obligation. But if it is personal/family account and under contract than carrier has no obligation to unlock because you can run away to other carrier with same unlock phone and not pay remaining balance. Crooks have used people(social security number) off street who has no bad credit and can buy phone on their behalf and not pay,
Depending on the size of the business and the business needs - a business may buy phones/plans/contacts - though they would typicall (if smart) setup options for inexpensive international travel for data & voice, while on said contract. I would also imagine some less savory business may buy a bunch of phones and then maybe attempt to get out of the contracts and/or sell the phones off.
Not that I am for the phone carriers - they should give customers the option for an unlocked from the start. If they are concerned that a customer may fail to live up to the terms of the contract - they could screen the customer/user. Some customers may have crappy credit and not care if they damage it more by failing to pay the contract fees ... some do care and probably have a very good credit score. Of course if the phone is off contract it should always be unlocked - automatically. Why are the carriers so evil and stupid? This is beyond me!
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When are the Canadian carriers going to follow suit?
Canadian carries have been unlocking phones (even those under contract) for a while now, though they change a small fee.
How can I determine if my iPhone 5 is locked or unlocked? Is there a way to tell just by looking at some settings or diagnostics?
The only way to really tell is to put another carriers SIM in it, it comes up with "No SIM", switching aircraft mode on then off will bring up an Invalid SIM error.
Let's be honest. This is partially Apple's fault for not offering up unlocked devices to begin with.
If I have a Rogers phone for example, and I'm done my contract and decide to switch to Bell. I am no longer eligible to get that phone unlocked because I'm not a customer with Roger anymore. This is complete BS, and also makes selling/giving away phones more difficult because the recepient cannot unlock the device unless I (the original owner) am present and maintains an account with that provider.
Let's be honest. This is partially Apple's fault for not offering up unlocked devices to begin with.
...at the behest of the carriers.
I was given a Cingular Motorola Razr many years before the iPhone was launched that was locked.
For iPhone users this really means very little.
Most carrier's customer services reps seem to know what going on about the unlocking. Then now say it will take XX days to do instead of saying: "why do you want to do it and end up with "you cannot do it"! Big, big step to in favorite of the consumer!
Only Apple has for sale an "unlocked" version with all the U.S. radios built-in along with many international radios. Other then Google Play version and Nexus; all other U.S. smartphones are locked or are limited in radios to a particular U.S. carrier!
If I have a Rogers phone for example, and I'm done my contract and decide to switch to Bell. I am no longer eligible to get that phone unlocked because I'm not a customer with Roger anymore. This is complete BS, and also makes selling/giving away phones more difficult because the recepient cannot unlock the device unless I (the original owner) am present and maintains an account with that provider.
You can have Rogers unlock the phone at any time during your contract or after your contract expires but you're still get your service from them. I don't know what you would do if you let your service expire. I've done this a few times with Telus, but I'm pretty sure that all the carriers in Canada will unlock a phone upon request (if you have an account with them) since 2012.
Business phones should not be locked even under contract because they may have to travel overseas to use the same phone with different SIM. Moreover, they are business so won't run away not paying contractual obligation. But if it is personal/family account and under contract than carrier has no obligation to unlock because you can run away to other carrier with same unlock phone and not pay remaining balance. Crooks have used people(social security number) off street who has no bad credit and can buy phone on their behalf and not pay,
Depending on the size of the business and the business needs - a business may buy phones/plans/contacts - though they would typicall (if smart) setup options for inexpensive international travel for data & voice, while on said contract. I would also imagine some less savory business may buy a bunch of phones and then maybe attempt to get out of the contracts and/or sell the phones off.
Not that I am for the phone carriers - they should give customers the option for an unlocked from the start. If they are concerned that a customer may fail to live up to the terms of the contract - they could screen the customer/user. Some customers may have crappy credit and not care if they damage it more by failing to pay the contract fees ... some do care and probably have a very good credit score. Of course if the phone is off contract it should always be unlocked - automatically. Why are the carriers so evil and stupid? This is beyond me!
Price is cheap