Hello, I recently got an iPhone 14 Plus from the Facebook marketplace, and the phone seems to be carrier-locked to AT&T. I've tried contacting the previous owner but can't get a hold of him. When I checked the AT&T website to unlock it, it said the installment was incomplete. What am I supposed to do in this situation?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
iPhone 14 Plus, iOS 18
Return the phone for a refund. AT&T are the only ones who can unlock it and they aren't going to for two reasons.
1. You don't have a contract with them.
2. There is money still owed on the phone.
Also, in their eyes, you own a stolen phone.
Return the phone for a refund. AT&T are the only ones who can unlock it and they aren't going to for two reasons.
1. You don't have a contract with them.
2. There is money still owed on the phone.
Also, in their eyes, you own a stolen phone.
See: The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying a Used iPad/iPhone – Apple Community
My suggestion would be that when you go shopping for your next phone, you buy it straight from Apple - either new, or from the Certified Refurbished section of the online store. My understanding is that iPhones purchased directly from Apple, in the U.S., are not locked to a particular carrier unless you buy them with carrier financing. (Check the wording that appears and disappears on the new phone ordering pages – or the descriptions of the phones in the Certified Refurbished store – to be sure.)
I'm guessing (though not certain) that Apple sells unlocked phones in other countries, too.
WIth phones from some "marketplace", they might be carrier-locked, Activation Locked, and/or blacklisted. You won't be able to get much of any use out of an Activation Locked or blacklisted "brick."
is it possible for me to pay the remaining money left on the phone?
No. Try to return the phone for a refund. It is going to be completely useless to you.
Unfortunately, there is a reason why the seller likely won't return your calls or answer your email messages.
Carrier-locked iPhone 14 Plus from AT&T
