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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
a year 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!
a year ago
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Darrell ********
I have T-Mobile and both my 14s have been unlocked and have eSims, True and DTAC.
a year 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.
a year ago
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Toby *********
I got my phone unlocked by t mobile. Called them and said I’ll be traveling oversees.
a year ago
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Sel *****
There is still sim lock in 2023 wth
a year 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.
a year 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
a year ago
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Ken ********
@Tim ******
 get travel insurance fuck the warranty
a year 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? 🤦🏻‍♂️
a year 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
a year ago
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Terry ********
Give me your IMEI and MAC and I will unlock.
a year 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.
a year 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
a year ago
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Terry ********
Just pay 200 bahts and unlock it.
a year ago
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Bob **********
@Terry *******
 not an IPhone
a year ago
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Bob **********
We’ll help the OP out and tell him where to go
a year ago
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Terry ********
@Bob *********
 give me 200 and I will resolve situation. So will any booth at shopping mall.
a year ago
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Bob **********
@Terry *******
 Not 200 buddy
a year ago
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Terry ********
@Bob *********
 jailbreak is free.
a year ago
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Terry ********
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Bonnie *********
Just get it unlocked. Very easy.
a year 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
a year ago
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Marc ********
You can have it unlocked in Thailand.

You will lose the warranty
a year ago
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Nami ********
@Marc *******
 where do you get it unlocked at?
a year ago
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Marc ********
@Nami *******
 Top floor they fix displays too
a year ago
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Marc ********
@Nami *******
a year 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.
a year ago
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Jeff *******
Tried that a few times.
a year ago
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Marc ********
@Jeff ******
 Factory reset maybe?
a year ago
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Marc ********
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Falcon *******
NO!
a year ago
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Arlene **********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for the info. We surmised that but wanted to be sure.
a year ago
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Arlene **********************
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Tony *********
If it's locked to a network then no
a year 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.
a year 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.
a year ago
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Brandon ************
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