If you’re buying an iPhone directly from Apple, there’s a new policy change you need to be aware of: the company now locks all carrier-financed devices to their respective carriers.
The change, spotted by a Reddit user in Apple’s FAQs for the iPhone 17 Pro, primarily affects customers who are used to having their iPhones financed by T-Mobile and Verizon.
Apple partners with all three major US carriers for payment plans. While devices financed through AT&T were already carrier-locked, those financed through Verizon and T-Mobile came unlocked. This allowed many customers to take advantage of Verizon and T-Mobile’s trade-in values and promotional discounts without limiting their phones to a single carrier.
That loophole has now been closed, and Apple has standardized its policy for all carrier partners. “If you choose to finance an iPhone through the AT&T Installment Plan, T-Mobile Equipment Installment Plan, or Verizon Device Payment Program, your iPhone will be locked to the carrier until paid in full,” the company says on its online store.
It is unclear when the rule was changed and why. However, as MacRumors notes, locking carrier-financed phones is a standard market practice meant to discourage customers from reselling their phones before the balances are paid off.
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(Credit: Apple/PCMag)
We reached out to Apple to learn more and will update the story if they respond. According to MacRumors, Apple’s checkout page still offers unlocked iPhones with Verizon (above) and T-Mobile, so the policy may not have taken effect yet. In any case, you can still buy unlocked iPhones through Apple or third-party resellers. Just avoid carrier-financed plans.
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Jibin is a tech news writer based out of Ahmedabad, India. Previously, he served as the editor of iGeeksBlog and is a self-proclaimed tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex information for a broader audience.
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