manchester2016

Is this an option? We have good phones on contract in the US, and would love to be able to unlock them and put in a UK sim.

Is this a viable option?

petitefrancaise

yes. You can either use google to find the instructions eg "unlock t-mobile phone" or whatever or search for it on the company website. You usually have to call them with the various phone imei numbers and they send you an unlock code via email.

teejaydee

You cannot do it if is a CDMA phone. You will need to find out which standard your phone is. If it is GSM or LTE you will be OK.

manchester2016

It's an iPhone 6+ LTE data, t-mobile.

petitefrancaise

you'll be fine provided it's paid for. You might have to pay the outstanding amount first if it isn't already paid for.

manchester2016

Yes, we will need to pay off the contract in full But I like the phone, and am ok with this.

penguinsix

You need to check the exact model of the iPhone you have and then make sure that it supports the right LTE bands in both countries. The exact model number, which starts with an 'A' is on the back of the case. While the GSM phone might work across multiple countries, you may have a version of the iPhone that doesn't support LTE in both countries.

Apple - iPhone 6 - View countries with supported LTE networks.

I think however the warranty on an iPhone is country-specific. If the phone is still under warranty then you might not be able to get service in the UK. People have had experiences both ways (is under worldwide warranty, is not under worldwide warranty).

I would get a spreadsheet out and really run the numbers. iPhone 6+ is already over 1 generation old being nudged by the iPhone 6s +, and the iPhone 7 is due in <6 months. Is the cost of your old phone + contract termination + 'bring your own phone' plan in the UK better/worse than the cost of an iPhone 6s+ with a new plan in the UK? I don't know but if the difference is negligible it might be worth considering an update.

holly_1948

T-Mobile is also a provider in Europe.
It's worth asking them your options, maybe you can stay with T-Mobile even in the UK.

whistlestop01

What about a samsung Galaxy s6 with Verizon? Would love to be able to use it in the UK too if it's possible.

petitefrancaise

http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/...-all-carriers/

according to this - a 4g lte phone from verizon isn't locked anyway.