Originally Posted by
TGarza
Buying from Apple is hit or miss with unlocked iPhones using carrier finance. My iPhone 14 was unlocked. My son’s iPhone 15 plus was locked. He submitted a military deployment unlock request. Initially, the carrier denied the request because the deployment was less than 90 days. Then the carrier approved the appeal since the carrier made up the less than 90 days.
If purchased using the Apple Card Monthly Installment (ACMI) for carrier financed iPhones, here is their lock policy from their website:
"An iPhone purchased with ACMI is always unlocked, so you can switch carriers at any time. ACMI is not available for purchases made online at the following special stores: Apple Employee Purchase Plan; participating corporate Employee Purchase Programs; Apple at Work for small businesses; Government, and Veterans and Military Purchase Programs, or on refurbished devices."
Is it possible he purchased using one of the exceptions to the lock policy, like the Vet discount? I use that every year for a 10% discount. I do not use their financing however, so my iPhones are always unlocked.
Edited to add:
"Apple Card Monthly Installments (ACMI) is a 0% APR payment option that is only available if you select it at checkout in the U.S. for eligible products purchased at Apple Store locations,
apple.com (Opens in a new window), the Apple Store app, or by calling 1-800-MY-APPLE, and is subject to credit approval and credit limit."