If you consider a "bring your own" device plan - beware..

So I just learned an expensive lesson, a real pisser. I changed carriers, 3 lines. All phones I had purchased outright, so I'm not contract tied. Two were Google Nexus 4 & 5 phones, unlocked. Third was iPhone5, supposedly unlocked.

I initiated the change with new carrier, asked to "port" each old number over. The 2 Google phones accepted the new SIM card flawlessly. Five minutes & done. iPhone wouldn't allow new SIM to activate. Puzzled, I call old carrier and ask "is it locked?". They say "nope" - and the suggest "you can call Apple to confirm this" and they gave me the number. SO I called Apple and am told "it's locked". Motherberkeleyers.

So then I call old carrier to request unlock. At this point the number is already ported away to new carrier, and the old account is GONE. They can't unlock because the account doesn't exist. Two hours of chat support (so I get it in writing) and nothing. I retire for the night.

Next day after work, I try again. CSRs, Supervisors begging nicely but explaining from scratch every time because there are no notes with the account that doesn't exist any more (so they say). All I can do is re-activate iPhone back on old carrier, then piss away $100 into the account so it meets the unlock rules - then I can request unlock which takes "1-14" days. I know they have a way to un-berkeley me but they won't and it is basically an expensive lesson. So the lesson learned, for the hive to know.. if you are migrating a phone to a new carrier - make sure you request the device be unlocked at least 2 weeks prior to changing carriers. I didn't, and it sucks hard. I'm temporarily back on the old carrier for 1-14 days.. waiting for the unlock to go through.

I think the lesson is don't get iPhone.

DaveEstey wrote: I think the lesson is don't get iPhone.

Most phones are locked, not just iPhones. I assumed it wasn't locked and then had to pay some stupid tax. They'll unlock it if you ask, you just have to meet certain criteria.

Yeah most phones are locked. The lesson is to only buy unlocked phones online, and then get a SIM for them from your telco. Most phones sold by telcos or with any kind of cell plan are locked, and often include branded firmware.

I just went through the process of having someone remotely root/flash my new Moto G. A somewhat confusing process that does crack the door for security issues, but the guy was also kind enough to install a program (SuperUser) that monitors any outside source trying to access the phone.

I also didn't realize I had to go through the port process and probably should have also had an account with PagePlus prior to switching from Verizon. So the dude did a root but I had to wait 48 hours before he could do a flash and I had service again.

This type of stuff takes a fair amount of research to determine the history of the phone, when it was last used, on what carrier, with what sim and many times its just not as easy to simply "unlock" a phone.

What sucks is I bought it outright. Didn't finance it or have a contract, ever. No reason for a carrier to lock that device and hold me hostage.

What I know now is that buying it from a Teleco branded shop means it's theirs, not unlocked..

I only used the word extortion once or twice in my support chat marathon.

Can't you jailbreak it to get around the issue?

I'm curious. What carriers were affiliated with the shop you bought the phones from?

What carrier were you attempt to use them on?

While my Moto G required some work to get service on PagePlus, if the Nexus 5 were eventually able to be used on a CDMA system I wouldn't hesitate to get one of those. Phenomenal phones. Part of the reason I went with the Moto G was the stripped down natural of anything Google has a hand in developing.

Just go online to one of the "iPhone Unlock" sites. $20 and you're done. It's worth it to avoid dealing with all the Carrier bullE36 M3

bgkast wrote: Can't you jailbreak it to get around the issue?

That was my first thought.

I considered a 3rd party unlock.. but the iPhone forums say that's not a viable option anymore. I didn't want to throw more money away.

Didn't jailbreak just because.. Didn't want possibility of an expensive brick (ironic, isn't that?) if I messed up the procedure.

I bought the iPhone from Walmart in the T-Mobile shop. Phone wasn't "carrier" branded at all. I think it was displayed as unlocked but in hindsight I have nothing to substantiate that.

I attempted to port all 3 old numbers to AT&T. The Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 were purchased from Google play store, they are unlocked and ported over fine.

Another reason I'm glad I still just have a dumb phone.

I am not a luddite at all--really, I have an Ipod right next to my vinyl player, I have plans in the works to run my entire house wirelessly. I just have an enormous problem with an industry that says "These are your options, choose one and bend over". Why is there no negotiating possible? (Yes, I know why)

Especially since I am rarely more than 20 feet from a computer with an internet connection, and when I am, I'm usually driving, on a golf course, at church, or at dinner (all of which the phone should the phone should be away anyways. Or I'm with someone who does have a smart phone, so I don't need one.

I'll probably be exploring the Republic/Ting routes eventually though.

This why I call this "hot rodding" a phone.
Just the same, you can pull the 4 cyl engine out of your Chevy S-10 and put in a V8 but expect that it will require some additional knowledge and forget about future dealership service.

Pheller: I look forward to some future thoughts on your Moto G. I might want to do similar.

OHSCrifle wrote: So I just learned an expensive lesson, a real pisser. I changed carriers, 3 lines. All phones I had purchased outright, so I'm not contract tied. Two were Google Nexus 4 & 5 phones, unlocked. Third was iPhone5, supposedly unlocked. I initiated the change with new carrier, asked to "port" each old number over. The 2 Google phones accepted the new SIM card flawlessly. Five minutes & done. iPhone wouldn't allow new SIM to activate. Puzzled, I call old carrier and ask "is it locked?". They say "nope" - and the suggest "you can call Apple to confirm this" and they gave me the number. SO I called Apple and am told "it's locked". Motherberkeleyers. So then I call old carrier to request unlock. At this point the number is already ported away to new carrier, and the old account is GONE. They can't unlock because the account doesn't exist. Two hours of chat support (so I get it in writing) and nothing. I retire for the night. Next day after work, I try again. CSRs, Supervisors begging nicely but explaining from scratch every time because there are no notes with the account that doesn't exist any more (so they say). All I can do is re-activate iPhone back on old carrier, then piss away $100 into the account so it meets the unlock rules - then I can request unlock which takes "1-14" days. I know they have a way to un-berkeley me but they won't and it is basically an expensive lesson. So the lesson learned, for the hive to know.. if you are migrating a phone to a new carrier - make sure you request the device be unlocked at least 2 weeks prior to changing carriers. I didn't, and it sucks hard. I'm temporarily back on the old carrier for 1-14 days.. waiting for the unlock to go through.

after it's unlocked and transferred, can you get with your CC company and do a charge back ? … since the original phone company is basically just berkeleying you

mtn wrote: Or I'm with someone who does have a smart phone, so I don't need one.

This is the only reason I went to a smartphone. I hate wasting gas trying to find someplace (I dont have a nav unit, paper maps aren't good for addresses, and I hate always resorting to running to a computer when I'm looking for a Mexican restaurant or decent place to eat while I'm on the road. I typically carry my computer while on vacation, but it will be nice to keep track of hotel reservations, flight updates, etc without getting the computer out in every wifi equipped fast food joint.

My girl has a smart phone, but it was a free smartphone. I don't want to say it useless as its gotten us out of trouble a few times, but it can painful to use sometimes.

The thing is, it's her phone. Does she ever use it for smartphone stuff? Nope. Maybe she'll use it for directions occasionally, but she's got email turned off, facebook removed, never uses it for internet. I probably use her data more than she does.

I'm hoping eventually to have us both on prepaid plans, probably with 500mb data limits.

Try going to an independent cell phone store. This often requires going to the other side of the tracks... They often sell a lot of pre-paid plans, and often also do phone repairs. I went to one to get an iphone repaired and while I was there I saw a lot of carrier transfers.

The place I went was in Akron and is called Abe's Wireless, but later heard about several other places just like it.

Its at least worth a phone call to a place like that in your town.

about a year ago I had two iphones unlocked... $3.50 each on ebay... looks like prices have gone up but still would be the cheapest way to go... also did this for my mother-in-laws android, it seems even though her contract was met that ATT had exclusive rights to that phone... $20 to an online unlocker and I had the code and phone was unlocked

I always buy phones unlocked, through the manufacturer's online store, or on Amazon. That means paying the full retail price though.

In reply to mtn:

It's not really a smart phone vs dumb phone thing- it's more about how you want to use the phone.

Say you travel abroad, who have a separate cell phone program- of which it's cheaper to get a pre-paid one month chip than using your current service. An unlocked phone of any type (that is compatable wiht the system) is what is needed.

Or you want to just be able to change to the cheapest pre-paid car all the time. Data may or may not matter.

Took me a little pain to get my iPhone unlocked by Sprint- their webstite says 20 days, and their forums say the same thing for long time customers. But just as I got my phone to play with before a trip, they changed to 6 months. The trip was the entire reason I got the phone (which I do like, but that's another thread)- and I did manage to get it unlocked a day before we left. I was a little nervous, but once I got to the Vodafone place, new micro-SIM, and I had a non Sprint phone.

In a little over a year, when my contract is up, it will be interesting to see what my options are in terms of opened up options. We'll see.