How can you unlock a Sprint iPhone 6 Plus? It was paid in full without a contract
I purchased a Sprint iPhone 6 Plus 64gb off contract. I paid the full amount which was about $1,000. As of today (2014-09-24), how can we unlock the iPhone 6 Plus which is on Sprint? I am a Sprint customer.
Sprint phones CANNOT normally be unlocked for use with any other carrier in the U.S., with the exception of Ting mobile, which uses the Sprint network. Additionally, both Sprint and Verizon are on CDMA networks, so any restrictions imposed on transferring is fabricated by those companies for profit. Additionally, many new phones, including iPhones work with both CDMA and GSM, the only thing stopping you from transferring is the company.
Here is a lame excuse from an actual Sprint technician:
Betty S: Some Apple devices have an MSL code, while others do not, however, even unlocking the software using the MSL code will not enable these phones to operate on a domestic carriers’ network
Betty S: Apple phones sold for use on Sprint's network are designed with an external SIM slot and sold with a SIM card to operate on Sprint's network.
Betty S: Those devices are not enabled for use on a different domestic carrier’s network because the Sprint-specific CDMA requirements are hardcoded in the firmware of the device and downloaded for operation on Sprint’s network and specific frequencies.
Betty S: This is true even within Sprint’s Network, for instance between Sprint and Virgin Mobile. These phones, if sold through a Sprint channel were not engineered as a universal Domestic device.
Betty S: Even if these devices have MSL codes that can be unlocked, the SIM cannot be enabled for use on a domestic carriers’ network.
While the firmware being different is true, it is only that way to stop customers from leaving with their devices.
I just bought a iPhone 6 Model A1586 (Sprint) today at an US Apple Store. I put in my T-Mobile Germany SIM before turning it on and it works fine.
As a Sprint customer all you can ask is an unlock for international use as far as I know.
Unlocking Sprint in the USA is not possible currently and will not result in any benefit, so your best option is to bring it back and get your money if you do not like to be in the cage.
If you’re using a Sprint prepaid affiliate, like Virgin or Boost, Sprint currently cannot unlock those devices. Supposedly help is on its way — as these policies are in violation of the CITA’s unlocking agreement, new, more consumer-friendly policies should be in place by February 11, 2015.
For International see this information.
Basically how the International works is true Sprint agreement for Roaming:
Means they have a contract with
countless GSM Roaming and International CDMA Roaming partners.
So what does all that means to you:
If you are in the USA then
Sprint will not unlock the phone so you can use it on Verizon (while on the same technology (CDMA), the reason is not technical it is business.
Sprint will unlock the phone for International use with GSM? but will not allow you to use ATT, T-Mobile in the USA. The reason again is business and not technical (even so if your Sprint iPhone has the capability).
Sprint is not in compliance with the USA law that becomes active in Feb. 2015, and they know that. They will change they company business policy from that date forward to comply with the new law, but as far I know it will not be backwards compatible (for iPhone bought before that date).
I'm sorry to say that you have a iPhone that is useless for you.
From http://www.sprint.com/legal/unlocking_policy.html
Not all Sprint devices have an MSL code or a locking function that can be unlocked by Sprint (e.g., Apple devices cannot be unlocked to accept another domestic carrier's SIM card).
The confusion is that they have to "unlock for international" use by law. Often online it's mentioned as "unlocking".