Unlocking Verizon iPhone

[rsschneck]

I have an iPhone 4 from Verizon which has been eligible for upgrade for a year. I have no contract and would like to save money a switch to AT & T. When I called AT & T the salesman asked if my phone had been unlocked by Verizon. I called Verizon to get my phone unlocked only to be told some BS story about a law that won't allow them to unlock iPhones. Is this complete BS? If I take my iPhone to an Apple Store can they unlock it there?

I do not want to spend the money on a new phone and would like to save money by switching carriers.

Any knowledge from anyone here on the boards?

 

[lauti]

Well, I don't think it matters because you can't use a Verizon phone on AT&T unlocked or otherwise. Verizon uses CDMA technology and AT&T uses GSM.

If you are out of contract I'd try a new rep or take it to the store but unless you're going to do a verizon prepaid plan you'll probably have to buy a new phone anyway.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Verizon phones won't work on AT&T's network.

 

[artesian]

Verizon phones won't work on AT&T's network.

Actually they will but you will be limited on what works and doesn't work. I got the same story from ATT when I looked into it and did some research. Based on what I read you will not have full network access if you try a Vz phone on ATT

 

[supersnoop]

Actually they will but you will be limited on what works and doesn't work. I got the same story from ATT when I looked into it and did some research. Based on what I read you will not have full network access if you try a Vz phone on ATT

Not true in this case. The iPhone 4 was completely different inside between Verizon and AT&T. The iPhone 4S does contain both CDMA and GSM radios, so it should work on AT&T and Verizon if you can get it unlocked.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

The question is moot, because a Verizon iPhone 4 won't work with AT&T.

That was bs from the Verizon rep about a law forbidding them from unlocking your out of contract phone. Utter nonsense.

 

[rsschneck]

So regardless I will probably have to buy new phones. Where would be the best and least expensive place to purchase new iPhones that are already unlocked and could be used with ANY carrier?

 

[Hisgirl]

I just purchased a previously used Ipone 4s that was from verizon. the owner used to work for verizon and was moving to scotland. (she met me at the verizon store to make sure all was well when I transferred my account to the phone ) She was going with a different carrier. I paid 175 and she told me the phone was unlocked where she could insert a card while she was visiting in the UK and use a prepaid card thingy for a month.

Maybe post a question on an iphone forum somewhere? Also, just FYI, I have verizon and my husband has AT&T with his work. We travel all over here and there and I easily have twice the coverage he has.

 

[rsschneck]

Thanks everyone!

I went to an Apple Store today and had an employee look at my phone. My iPhone 4 has no SIM card and is strictly for Verizon. My daughter and hubbies 4S has a SIM card so when their contract is up in less than a month we will see if we can unlock theirs or simply have AT & T change the SIM card. Looks like I might have to purchase a new phone for myself.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I just purchased a previously used Ipone 4s that was from verizon. the owner used to work for verizon and was moving to scotland. (she met me at the verizon store to make sure all was well when I transferred my account to the phone ) She was going with a different carrier. I paid 175 and she told me the phone was unlocked where she could insert a card while she was visiting in the UK and use a prepaid card thingy for a month.

Maybe post a question on an iphone forum somewhere? Also, just FYI, I have verizon and my husband has AT&T with his work. We travel all over here and there and I easily have twice the coverage he has.

The OP's question has been answered. You can't use an iPhone 4 from Verizon on AT&T (you can use a 4s). The phone can be unlocked if it's out of contract.

OP, you can look for a used iPhone 4s or above on eBay. Only buy from a seller who has excellent feedback from many phone sales. They also sell used iPhones (refurbished) on AT&T's website, among other places.

 

[Jimsig]

Thanks everyone!

I went to an Apple Store today and had an employee look at my phone. My iPhone 4 has no SIM card and is strictly for Verizon. My daughter and hubbies 4S has a SIM card so when their contract is up in less than a month we will see if we can unlock theirs or simply have AT & T change the SIM card. Looks like I might have to purchase a new phone for myself.

Buying a new to replace the 4 might not be too bad of an idea, as much as it stinks to have to part with the money. The 4 was released almost 4 years ago IIRC and the technology is getting dated and I am sure the battery is not as good as it was when you first bought it. After a while (most likely after the 6 comes out, probably this fall) Apple will not support the 4 with software updates and newer apps will probably not work on the 4. To save some money you may even be able to get a refurbished 5, 5c, or 5s from AT&T.

If you get the new phone keep your 4, go into settings and turn on airplane mode and use it as an iTouch/iPod. Turning on airplane mode will save the battery as it is not searching for a cellular signal. That's what I am doing with my old 3gs, I reformatted it and loaded music on it and a few apps I can use wirelessly. We have also given my 4 yo DD an old 4 to use as her own iTouch to keep us from using ours all the time. I have noticed how much slower it is then my 5.

Good luck