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

Jun 3, 2023
2 years ago
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!
Darrell ********
I have T-Mobile and both my 14s have been unlocked and have eSims, True and DTAC.
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.
Toby *********
I got my phone unlocked by t mobile. Called them and said I’ll be traveling oversees.
Sel *****
There is still sim lock in 2023 wth
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.
Tim *******
No. You either have to pay off your phone with T-Mobile or take it to a hacker and risk your warranty
Ken ********
@Tim ******
get travel insurance fuck the warranty
Nicolas ********
Who comes to Thailand and plans to stay here with a locked phone from their country? 🤦🏻‍♂️
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
Terry ********
Give me your IMEI and MAC and I will unlock.
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.
Bob **********
If you don’t owe T-Mobile anything for the phone it’s the law they have to unlock it
Terry ********
Just pay 200 bahts and unlock it.
Bob **********
@Terry *******
not an IPhone
Bob **********
We’ll help the OP out and tell him where to go
Terry ********
@Bob *********
give me 200 and I will resolve situation. So will any booth at shopping mall.
Bob **********
@Terry *******
Not 200 buddy
Terry ********
@Bob *********
jailbreak is free.
Bonnie *********
Just get it unlocked. Very easy.
Оливер *********
Isn't there a tukom or pantip centre in Chiang Mai? They usually unlock phones for a small fee
Marc ********
You can have it unlocked in Thailand.

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