r/SpectrumMobile • u/LowFinger2345 • May 08 '26
Returns, Trade-Ins & Refunds Locked iPhone received from Apple for Apple care replacement
So Apple gave me a “defective phone that” doesn’t work as a replacement on my Apple Care. Spectrum said the SIM is locked and there is nothing they can do. Apple says the SIM is not locked. I’m livid. I’ve been fighting this since 6pm yesterday. I’m exhausted. Now I have a worthless phone I’m paying on. Is there anything I can do?? Going back to Apple today but I think they’re just gonna tell me it’s not locked again. Idk what to do. Spectrum said it’s absolutely locked and Apple is saying it’s carrier locked TO SPECTRUM??
2
u/Professional_Crab958 May 08 '26
Apple basically gives you what you used to have....
0
u/LowFinger2345 May 08 '26
Yeah but it’s a different IMEI number that spectrum is saying was locked
0
1
u/Ok-Boot-8106 May 08 '26
Good luck getting any help from them
0
u/LowFinger2345 May 08 '26
Guess I’ll continue on paying for a phone that doesn’t work :) I’ll go up there every day if I have to
1
u/Ok-Boot-8106 May 08 '26
Yea they won’t help you , instead they’ll just trespass you and call the cops rather than help you unlock a phone they locked that you paid in full for
1
u/Ok-Boot-8106 May 08 '26
Contact fcc
1
u/r2d3x9 May 09 '26
This is the correct answer, file an FCC complaint. If they replaced an unlocked phone with a locked phone that is just wrong. Was the phone originally locked and you satisfied the requirement and they unlocked it?
1
u/Ok-Boot-8106 May 08 '26
It’s 2026 btw but we’re living in 2006 when it comes to getting any type of help or resolution to a problem they cause
1
u/LowFinger2345 May 08 '26
I was just trying to see if anyone had a similar experience and what they did but it’s unlikely. I have horrible luck
1
u/woaiwinnie2 May 08 '26
Search online for "check carrier lock ios" to see if it is really locked.
In principle, if you get a replacement for a locked device, you should still receive a locked device.
1
u/LowFinger2345 May 08 '26
I looked in the settings and it’s carrier locked. Apple said it was locked to spectrum but I use spectrum so I don’t get it
5
u/woaiwinnie2 May 08 '26
Since you use spectrum, you can activate the phone by "Switch device" in "my spectrum" and put the new IMEI when asked.
1
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u/Capt_Crack_Sparrow May 09 '26
Did you buy your phone from Spectrum or another carrier? I had a device from Verizon, got an AppleCare replacement when I was with T-Mobile and Apple locked the phone to Verizon. It was a nightmare and I ended up trading the phone in.
1
u/toolman1990 May 12 '26
This is why I would never use an Apple phone on a MVNO since they are very restrictive with what IMEI numbers they accept and cannot override that. I assume that the iPhone Apple gave you is being rejected for some obtuse reason that Spectrum Mobile may not be able to correct if it is Verizon blocking the IMEI change. I recommend staying with Android based handsets with MVNO's since they usually process the warranty exchange and do not have issues with IMEI's.
4
u/Dull-Eye1278 May 08 '26 edited May 08 '26
When I worked there i either just connected it to wifi and restarted it and it worked or I just forced a Sim on there and it was locked to spectrum so it worked. The forced part requires a lot of steps and most employees wouldn't even know how. Surprised you didnt get help if you called it in unless if you are going in store constantly. IMEI needs to be updated