SIM Unlock refers to enabling the SIM slot of your device to allow you to insert another carrier's SIM card (either domestically or internationally.) Unlocking a device will not necessarily make a device interoperable with another carrier's network.
- Unlocking the Sprint iPhone 4S Sprint still haven’t said much about unlocking iPhone other than ‘customers in good standing‘ can request unlock for their iPhone 4S. I haven’t personally heard or seen a Sprint customers that has successfully unlocked the SIM slot on their iPhone 4S.
- Thanks for posting. We do offer assistance to unlock the sim card slot but primarily for international use and only to current Sprint customers. We won't be able to provide any specific assistance to move the phone to another carrier. Any permanent change of carrier made to the phone would only be done by a 3rd party and not recommended.
- The iPhone 4 on Sprint's network is not a GSM/World phone, therefore does not have international capabilities. For that reason, it does not need a SIM card and does not have a SIM card slot. The iPhone 4s, however, has a SIM card/slot because it is a GSM/World phone.
- The iPhone 4 on Sprint's network is not a GSM/World phone, therefore does not have international capabilities. For that reason, it does not need a SIM card and does not have a SIM card slot. The iPhone 4s, however, has a SIM card/slot because it is a GSM/World phone.
“The SIM card installed in this iPhone is not supported under activation policy.” No longer want to use the existing Sprint network on your locked iPhone? You need to first unlock your Sprint iPhone before switching to a new network on your device.
You won’t be allowed to switch to another network unless your Sprint device is eligible for it. There are two ways you can apply for the process of unlocking your Sprint iPhone. While one way is to fill up the forms and request for unlocking the device, the other way is to get it done by a third-party unlocking service.
Unlike Verizon, unlocking a Sprint device is not so straightforward. Let’s head over to find out how it’s done the right way!
How to Unlock Sprint iPhone and Switch to Other Network
You Need to Know:
- If you purchased your iPhone after 2015, Sprint would unlock it for domestic use (within the US) when it’s eligible for it
- In case you had purchased your iPhone before February 2015, Sprint will inform you once the device is eligible to unlock. You will have to request for the unlock
- As the domestic and international unlocking process is done separately, you need to complete both the requests to ensure the device can be used with any carrier both domestically and internationally
- Sprint’s iPhone 5 versions are allowed to be unlocked only for international GSM networks – outside the U.S. However, it will work on Verizon’s CDMA network
- If any an iPhone has been blacklisted or reported lost, it can still be unlocked but won’t work on domestic (U.S.) networks. But it will work outside the U.S.A
- An unlocked blacklisted Sprint iPhone might not work in some countries that share U.S. database
- Earlier versions of iPhones were made to work only on specific networks. As for instance, Sprint’s iPhone 4s won’t work with other networks. Newer iPhones like 5s or iPhone 6s work with GSM carriers as well as Verizon’s CDMA network
- Sprint’s iPhone 7 is compatible with most GSM networks and with Verizon’s CDMA network
- If you want to know more about Sprint’s unlocking policy, head over to this page
Is Your Sprint iPhone Eligible for Unlocking?
Your iPhone must pass these following rules for domestic unlocking.
- Your device must have been active on the Sprint network for at least 50 days
- The iPhone must be domestic SIM unlock
- You have fulfilled the associated Service Agreement, Installment Billing Agreement, or Lease Agreement along with the payment in full of any applicable early termination fees or end-of-lease purchase options
- The iPhone shouldn’t have been reported as lost or stolen. Besides, it must not have been linked with any fraudulent activity
- The associated account is deemed to be in good position
Your device must pass these following rules for International unlocking:
- To request for international SIM unlock, you must be the current Sprint customer. You will have to authenticate as the Account Holder or an Authorized Contact
- The iPhone must be capable of international SIM unlock
- The device must be currently active on a Sprint account
- Your Sprint account must have been active for at least 90 days
- The account should be in a good position
- The device must not have been reported as lost or stolen and linked with any associated with fraudulent activity
- Each phone number on the account is permitted to work with up to two unlocked devices within 12 months
If your account is eligible, you need to contact Sprint Customer Care (1-888-211-4727) to request for the Domestic SIM Unlock and Sprint Worldwide Care (888-226-7212) for international unlocking.
What to do once you have successfully unlocked your iPhone?
You won’t have any difficulty in unlocking your phone as carriers will guide you through the steps. After you have successfully unlocked your device, you will be able to use another carrier on your device.
Once it is unlocked, you can use your iPhone on another carrier by following the instructions below:
Step #1. First off, you need to switch off your iPhone.
Step #2. Next, remove the SIM card from the device and insert the new SIM card in the SIM card slot.
Step #3. Now, restart your device. Go through the on-screen instructions to set up your iPhone.
That’s it!
The founder of iGeeksBlog, Dhvanesh, is an Apple aficionado, who cannot stand even a slight innuendo about Apple products. He dons the cap of editor-in-chief to make sure that articles match the quality standard before they are published.
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Sprint customers who buy the iPhone 4S will be able to roam internationally on GSM networks, but will not find themselves with unlocked microSIM slots, a Sprint representative tells Ars. While some initial reports suggested that the owners of the Sprint iPhone 4S might be able to pop a local GSM microSIM into their phones while abroad and avoid Sprint’s roaming charges, Sprint denies that that is the case.
On Tuesday, Macworld reported that the iPhone 4S would be sold with its microSIM slot unlocked. In theory, this means that the iPhone 4S would be able to use prepaid SIM cards on networks outside the US so customers wouldn’t have to pay for international roaming. Macworld said this would be the case for the Verizon iPhone 4S as well, after customers had had the phone and been in good standing after 60 days.
However, while Sprint will now support international roaming on GSM networks with the appropriate monthly plan, the company will not be selling the phone unlocked for use with international microSIMs. Ars asked Michelle Mermelstein, a Sprint wireless device public relations representative, to confirm that the Sprint iPhone 4S would not work with international microSIMs. “That is correct,” Mermelstein said. “I believe Verizon’s device works the same way.”
This corroborates some forum comments from Sprint customers, who state customer service representatives have told them the iPhone 4S can roam internationally on GSM with the appropriate plan, but can’t use SIM cards other than the one it comes with. If customers could get an unlocked phone from Sprint starting at $199, it would make the $549 unlocked version of the iPhone 4S somewhat redundant—according to Apple’s product page, the unlocked one “can also use a micro-SIM card from a local GSM carrier,” and only GSM networks in the US.
Advertisement Update: Sprint has clarified for us one more time regarding the locked state of their iPhone 4S's: it will be sold unlocked, but will soon be locked, but can be unlocked again, if you ask nicely. The company's statement:
Sprint’s policy is to have the iPhone 4S SIM locked to our network domestically and internationally. At launch, the International SIM will be unlocked. We do expect a SIM lock to be pushed to the devices shortly after launch. We will then allow existing customers in good standing to unlock the SIM for international use if needed in the future.
Customers can sign up for one of our international rate plans and use this phone all over the world. When traveling internationally, there is a setting that must be turned on within the device to connect to GSM. The phone will work with a SIM that is provided within the device out of the box. International voice and data charges are on a pay-as-you-go basis and vary based on the country where the customer is using their phone; a list of rates is available at www.sprint.com/international.
Sprint offers two international voice plans that customers can subscribe to for discounted voice rates:
• The Canada Roaming add-on is $2.99 per month and all calls placed from Canada are only 20 cents per minute. Without this add-on, calls from Canada are 59 cents per minute.
• The Sprint Worldwide Voice add-on is $4.99 per month and offers discounted rates in countries around the world. For example, calls from Italy are $1.69 per minute with this add-on or $1.99 per minute without the add-on; calls from Peru are $2.29 per minute with the add-on or $2.49 per minute without it.
Unlock Sprint Iphone 4s Sim Card Slot Offers
Sprint does supply notifications of data roaming charges to protect customers from high costs. Notifications are sent to the customer’s preferred method, either text or email, and are sent once the device exceeds approximately $50, $250, $500 and $1,000. To protect the customer from additional charges, the device’s international data roaming capability will be suspended after the customer exceeds approximately $1,000 of international data charges in a billing cycle.