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Can I use a SIM card in a locked iPhone 13 while living in Chiang Mai?

iPhone 13SIM cardlocked phoneT-Mobileunlocking phonesChiang Mai expattraveling to Thailandphone services in Thailand
Jun 3, 2023
2 years ago
Arlene **********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi, I will be living in Chiang Mai for a few months and have an iPhone 13 with T-Mobile service that is locked. Can I get a SIM card for a locked phone? I’d rather not buy another phone to use in CMX. Thanks!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is inquiring whether they can use a SIM card on their locked iPhone 13 from T-Mobile while living in Chiang Mai. The majority of responses confirm that a locked phone cannot use a different carrier's SIM card. Suggestions include contacting T-Mobile for a travel unlock or seeking local unlocking services in Chiang Mai, though this may void warranties. Various commenters shared their personal experiences with the unlocking process and offered locations for assistance.
Arlene **********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you all for the information!
2 years ago
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Darrell ********
I have T-Mobile and both my 14s have been unlocked and have eSims, True and DTAC.
2 years ago
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Brian ********
If your phone is paid off, T-Mobile will unlock it for you. If it isn't yet, just pay it off and they'll do it right there.
2 years ago
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Toby *********
I got my phone unlocked by t mobile. Called them and said I’ll be traveling oversees.
2 years ago
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Sel *****
There is still sim lock in 2023 wth
2 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
Do they really still do this locked phone thing in the US? That ended in Europe almost a decade ago, I think. Back then, you could jailbreak phones ... but that got harder to do, too.
2 years ago
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Tim *******
No. You either have to pay off your phone with T-Mobile or take it to a hacker and risk your warranty
2 years ago
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Ken ********
@Tim ******
 get travel insurance fuck the warranty
2 years ago
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Ken ********
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Nicolas ********
Who comes to Thailand and plans to stay here with a locked phone from their country? 🤦🏻‍♂️
2 years ago
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Cris ******
I have the exact same issue. I've been told no no by every store I go to. I ended up just buying a phone here
2 years ago
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Terry ********
Give me your IMEI and MAC and I will unlock.
2 years ago
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John **********
Just go to a local tech store and ask them to unlock it for you. You also used to be able to buy an unlock code on the internet which I've used in the past.
2 years ago
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Bob **********
If you don’t owe T-Mobile anything for the phone it’s the law they have to unlock it
2 years ago
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Terry ********
Just pay 200 bahts and unlock it.
2 years ago
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Bob **********
@Terry *******
 not an IPhone
2 years ago
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Bob **********
We’ll help the OP out and tell him where to go
2 years ago
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Terry ********
@Bob *********
 give me 200 and I will resolve situation. So will any booth at shopping mall.
2 years ago
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Bob **********
@Terry *******
 Not 200 buddy
2 years ago
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Terry ********
@Bob *********
 jailbreak is free.
2 years ago
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Terry ********
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Bonnie *********
Just get it unlocked. Very easy.
2 years ago
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Оливер *********
Isn't there a tukom or pantip centre in Chiang Mai? They usually unlock phones for a small fee
2 years ago
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Marc ********
You can have it unlocked in Thailand.

You will lose the warranty
2 years ago
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Nami ********
@Marc *******
 where do you get it unlocked at?
2 years ago
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Marc ********
@Nami *******
 Top floor they fix displays too
2 years ago
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Marc ********
@Nami *******
2 years ago
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Marc ********
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Jeff *******
@Marc *******
 It might be a one-off thing but I had a Samsung tablet unlocked in Thailand. It wouldn't allow system updates after that.
2 years ago
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Jeff *******
Tried that a few times.
2 years ago
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Marc ********
@Jeff ******
 Factory reset maybe?
2 years ago
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Marc ********
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Falcon *******
NO!
2 years ago
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Arlene **********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for the info. We surmised that but wanted to be sure.
2 years ago
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Arlene **********************
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Tony *********
If it's locked to a network then no
2 years ago
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Jae *****
@Tony ********
 You can use T-Mobile Live Chat. Simply logon to tmobile.com or ask any friends if they have T-Mobile WiFi calling to call the customer service.
2 years ago
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Jae *****
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Brandon ************
If your phone is locked you cannot use another SIM on it, not even an e-SIM.

You can try calling Tmobile and asking for a travel unlock. They may tell you it'll only be for 30 days or something like that. Just agree and say thank you and know that Apple does not do temporary unlocks anymore so it'll be fully unlocked permanently.

But they may say no and require you to pay off the phone first.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
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