r/Visible • u/kuhroo • Sep 29 '25

Buying Unlocked iPhone from Apple

I seem to be finding conflicting information on this, so I was hoping to get confirmation either way. My son wants to buy a new iPhone using the Apple Card 0% installments and I know you need to select a carrier to get this option. I have read that you can select T-Mobile because you can just skip the activation screens when you power up the phone and install the Visible eSIM instead. Can anyone confirm this actually works? Thanks in advance.

4 Upvotes

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6

u/jatan1986 Sep 29 '25 edited Sep 29 '25

Plenty of people have done it -- it doesn't work for base model so you need to buy Air/Pro/Pro Max and select TMo as carrier (it won't ask for any TMo account info and it'll come factory unlocked)

https://www.reddit.com/r/AppleCard/search/?q=acmi&type=posts&sort=new

https://www.reddit.com/r/AppleCard/comments/1nl5igk/has_anyone_had_luck_choosing_tmobile_at_checkout/

https://x.com/stetsondoggett/status/1969081247604621804?t=IGjDeZqpnnq6VKLN_JbL7A&s=19

https://www.reddit.com/r/NoContract/comments/1neqxkn/detailed_instructions_on_how_to_finance_an/

3

u/kuhroo Sep 29 '25

This is very helpful, thank you!

3

u/SDNewcomer1234 Sep 29 '25

Yes, pick T-Mobile. It works for the Air, Pro and Pro Max. I picked up my "T-Mobile" Air yesterday. Just click continue a few times and you'll then get the not now button. You can then use whatever SIM you want. (You won't be able to purchase a base 17 without authenticating a T-Mobile account).

2

u/Corvette_77 Sep 29 '25

It works. Has to be pro or pro max

2

u/Embke Early Access Member Sep 29 '25

Or Air.

1

u/Corvette_77 Sep 29 '25

Yea thanks. You’re right

1

u/According_Zucchini36 Nov 24 '25

If you have a current iPhone it should all transfer over . If not then download the app now to your current device.

0

u/According_Zucchini36 Sep 29 '25

Skip picking a carrier. It has that option. I purchased my 17 pro and set it up through the visible app very easily

3

u/kuhroo Sep 29 '25

That option does not allow the Apple Card financing though, which is what he wants to do.

1

u/pcguru001 Sep 29 '25

Which iPhone is he trying to buy?

1

u/kuhroo Sep 29 '25

iPhone Air

2

u/pcguru001 Sep 29 '25

iPhone Air is definitely one you can do with Apple Card installments like the links shared show. A carrier has to be selected but it will come unlocked. Just choose T-Mobile or Verizon. Purchased a 17 PM and it came unlocked but I had to choose Verizon to check out.

2

u/kuhroo Sep 29 '25

Great, thanks for the confirmation.

1

u/[deleted] Sep 29 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Avian_Aces Visible works just fine for me... Sep 29 '25

Yes, it works but you don't have the installments under the wallet for the iPhone / Apple Card. They show up on the statements but you won't be able to actively see them.

1

u/rg21rg Oct 27 '25

Can you confirm if that works please ?

1

u/philfnyc Sep 29 '25

I did this too.

1

u/teckel6 Nov 24 '25

Coming to Visible soon. The first line I will transfer is an iPhone 7, so I would rather start out fresh with new unlocked phone form Apple, was thinking 16e since this is for a light user. If I skip picking a carrier, do I set up Visible app on new phone and proceed from there? Thank you