Skip to main content
The new iPhone 15
4 Messages
Friday, September 15th, 2023 2:39 PM
I just have two quick questions. I'm looking to buy the 15 pro from Apple because I want an unlocked phone since I do a lot of traveling. This is my first time buying from Apple instead of upgrading from AT&T. In the checkout out I can select AT&T as my carrier or no carrier. I get a prompt that says all phone are unlocked unless purchased on an AT&T financing plan. I'm buying outright so I assume mine will remain unlocked despite choosing AT&T as my carrier. I just wanted confirmation that my assumption is correct. Secondly, I see an AT&T upgrade fee of $35 listed on the final bill (it may be put on my phone bill not sure). I couldn't really find a clean answer online. Is this something I have to pay no matter what? Say if I choose no carrier, when I connect it to AT&T later would I still have to pay that?
Thank you for your time. Also, I'm upgrading from an iphone X to an iphone 15 pro.
Questions
•
Updated
19 days ago
11.3K
15
Responses
Accepted Solution
Official Solution
7 months ago
If you choose AT&T as a carrier, it will come with a preloaded AT&T SIM, which means you’ll pay the upgrade fee. If you choose no carrier, it won’t come with a SIM, and you’ll have to move your AT&T SIM to it. If you have an iPhone X currently, you only have a physical SIM, so you’ll have to move your SIM as an eSIM.
https://www.att.com/help/wireless/esim-get-started/
As long as you are paying Apple for the phone, not AT&T, it will come unlocked.
(edited)
4 Messages
7 months ago
Thank you for your response. I guess that's where my confusion comes in. I have a physical sim and I know the 15 only uses esims. I'm not really sure how that process works.
EDIT: I saw the link you posted. Thanks!
(edited)
ACE - Sage
•
116.6K Messages
7 months ago
The link posted by @dwill05 will allow you to easily transfer your service from your AT&T iPhone to the Esim on your new unlocked iPhone when it is received
Community Support
•
230.7K Messages
7 months ago
Hey @jgeichho, We'll be happy to help you set up an eSIM.
You can convert your physical SIM to an eSIM following these instructions:
- Go toSettings.
- SelectCellular.
- SelectAdd Cellular Plan.
- SelectConvert to eSIM.
- Convert to eSIM screen appears advising their plan is associated to a physical SIM that can be converted to an eSIM.
- SelectConvert Cellular Plan.
- Convert eSIM message displays advising customer once SIM is converted to eSIM it can be removed from the SIM tray.
- SelectConvert to eSIM.
- Cellular settings screen appears, the phone number (cellular plan/eSIM) displays in the Cellular Plans section with “Request Sent” indicator.
- The screen refreshesand the “Request Sent” indicator changes to “Activating”.
- Once activation completes the “Activating” indicator disappears.
- The physical SIM will be listed in the Cellular Plans section with “Converted to eSIM” indicator.
- Complete test call to confirm service is working.
- Discard physical SIM in old iPhone (it is no longer active).
Let us know if you have any more questions.
Thank you,
Scarlett, AT&T Community Specialist
Community Support
•
230.7K Messages
7 months ago
Hi, thank you for contacting AT&T Community Forums.
We're here for you, we hear you. Customer must wait 60 days from purchase date to submit an unlock request (Installment Plan pay off & Pay in Full). $35 are upgrade charges, even if you choose no carrier and then connect AT&T there will be an activation fee.
Hope this helped!
Donald, AT&T Community Specialist
1 Message
6 months ago
Wow that s a load of garbage. $35 dollars for literally doing nothing?! I ll have you know that ATT is the ONLY provider that does this. I checked with T-Mobile and Verizon and they do no charge a fee for activating the iPhone 15. This alone makes me want to switch providers. I hope the greed was worth it
ACE - Expert
•
23.9K Messages
6 months ago
Maybe something has changed with AT&T but the last time I purchased a SIM-less (unlocked) iPhone from Apple I literally walked around the corner to an AT&T Corporate Store (I made sure), had them install a new SIM (for free), activate it to my account and remove my old phone, and walked out. Took about 10 minutes and I wasn't charged anything.
ACE - Master
•
10.3K Messages
6 months ago
Things aren’t quite the same with eSIM, especially if you are moving from a phone with a physical SIM, but it’s not really clear why AT&T would charge an upgrade fee for a phone not bought from them, other than they just want the money.
(edited)
ACE - Sage
•
116.6K Messages
6 months ago
@binaryinitials
You are only charged if you choose ATT as your carrier. This is required if you finance your phone with AT&T or on the Apple card.
Apple provides a $30 connectivity credit when you select any service provider.
Both T-Mobile and Verizon have $30 activation fees if you choose their financing
If you have no signature discount program added to your account, AARP is available to anyone regardless of age and does wave upgrade and activation fees
If you pay for the phone outright, no activation fee.
New Member
•
4 Messages
5 months ago
Thank you . After reading the above, I like to clarify is processing the upgrade on ATT worth it? or shall I buy outright from Apple?
I submitted an order to upgrade my I phone 13 to I phone 15 pro. still pending accepting my terms to finish my upgrade. now I see that the fee for 256 gb is $1099 ! ATT offered $1000 for I phone 13. But I see that buying from Apple I will get unlocked phone. Also I heard the batter heats up ? Which other I phone you recommend as upgrade ? Shall I go with I phone 15 plus instead of I phone pro?
- 1
- 2
Related Conversations
Tags
Not finding what you're looking for?
Ask a question
New to the AT&T Community?Start by visiting theCommunity How-To.
New to the AT&T Community?
Visit theCommunity How-To.
