Apple just closed a popular workaround for buying an unlocked iPhone
Apple is ending a popular workaround by carrier-locking iPhones purchased via installment plans from T-Mobile and Verizon.
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The brief
Apple has implemented a policy change regarding carrier-financed device purchases in the US. iPhones bought on installments through T-Mobile or Verizon will now be locked to those specific carriers. Coverage from GSMArena, Android Headlines, and Wccftech emphasizes that this move targets devices purchased from the Apple Store. 9to5Mac describes the change as the closure of a previously popular workaround for obtaining unlocked iPhones.
Attention is now turning to how this affects the purchase of the iPhone 18 Pro, as PhoneArena suggests T-Mobile and Verizon users have reasons to avoid the device.
Synthesized by Archynetys from the headlines below under a strict no-invention contract. ✓ fact-checked: all claims supported by sources Updated 1h ago.
Quick answers
Which carriers are affected by this new policy?
The policy specifically mentions T-Mobile and Verizon.
What specific purchase method triggers the carrier lock?
Devices purchased on installments or those that are carrier-financed.
Where are these changes taking place?
The coverage focuses on device purchases within the US.
Coverage (7)
- Apple Makes A Big Change To Carrier-Financed Device Purchases The Mobile Report · 1d ago
- Carrier-financed iPhones in the US now get locked to that carrier GSMArena.com · 1d ago
- Buying From Apple Store? New Policy Locks Financed iPhones to Verizon and T-Mobile Android Headlines · 1d ago
- Apple Will Now Carrier-Lock iPhones That You Purchase From T-Mobile Or Verizon On Installments Wccftech · 1d ago
- T-Mobile and Verizon users have a major reason to avoid iPhone 18 Pro PhoneArena · 1d ago
- Carrier-financed iPhones in the US now get locked to that carrier GSMArena.com · 1d ago
- Apple just closed a popular workaround for buying an unlocked iPhone 9to5Mac · 1d ago
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