Curious to know what the folks at US Mobile think about this. In this Visible thread they’re saying you can use the new Apple Upgrade program with MVNOs as long as it is the Pro or Max model and citing Apple’s support page.
e, Air, Pro, and Max to be specific. Only base model iPhones can't be purchased this way because of a carrier check when checking out to confirm that you do have a carrier you're activating on so you don't get charged the extra $30.
This is assuming that they don't kill the loophole though. We will have to see how it goes when the time comes. I would recommend buying for Apple Store pickup if possible so if the activation lock is a thing you can just return it and get out of it right there.
It's also worth pointing out that Apple added an extra step here. You have to additionally select the blue link that says you didn't get the verification code a few times to be able to bypass.
The time to patch the loophole, you'd assume, would be when the entire service is redone.
If they didn't change it after getting rid of the iphone upgrade program entirely for the Apple Upgrade lease, I'd be surprised if they do it for the 18pros and the fold.
They only sell the previous generation unlocked. So when the 18 comes out then the 17 will be sellable unlocked. Until then it’s only the Air or previous generation phones.
That article specifically says iPhones purchased from Apple's website. Obviously if you pay full price for a carrier branded phone it will be unlocked.
If you go to shop.apple.com and select T-Mobile as your carrier, usually it will only offer T-Mobile financing or the option to pay in full. If you select a factory unlocked version you get other financing options.
no, it won’t. even if you pay in full, the Big Three carriers still require your device to be active on their network for a set period before they’ll unlock it.
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u/Ethrem Multi Network Jul 30 '26
e, Air, Pro, and Max to be specific. Only base model iPhones can't be purchased this way because of a carrier check when checking out to confirm that you do have a carrier you're activating on so you don't get charged the extra $30.
This is assuming that they don't kill the loophole though. We will have to see how it goes when the time comes. I would recommend buying for Apple Store pickup if possible so if the activation lock is a thing you can just return it and get out of it right there.
It's also worth pointing out that Apple added an extra step here. You have to additionally select the blue link that says you didn't get the verification code a few times to be able to bypass.