any ipad techies out there?

[Clark]

I bought the ipad mini wifi only version and have decided to ditch it for the mac daddy with wifi and Verizon. ..I want to be able to take it out of the country and use it .. I was told the best way is to buy one that is "unlocked" so I could use different sym cards..  if I don't find one that is already unlocked how do I go about getting one unlocked??? thanks

[BradValk48237]

You can "unlock" any of them by yourself...

Look online about unlocking.... I have used "Blackrain" or 'Snow"

You really don't need to unlock it for use..... all depends on what service you use.... But getting one unlocked can allow use of certain plans - pay as you go with out a contract.

If you are going to go overseas and want to unlock it to use a foreign provider, I am not sure, but having been to Europe, wifi is not usually a problem to find in almost any major city... its everywhere.

If you use your internet/service for data overseas, plan on really high fees....

Just so you know most iPhones and pads have specific hardware in them for different providers... An ATT pad will not work on Verizon even if it is unlocked. you cannot say get a Go Fone SIM card and use the no plan pay as you go. I was using a iPhone (ATT version), with an ATT pay as you go plan to avoid a monthly phone contract, but it was still only wifi data, but you have to do some "shady" things to make it work- but some providers share the same stuff. Also, if you get caught using an unlocked i device on another network the fine is pretty high.. like $25k. Even is you get an unlocked on, it still may only work with certain providers....

I use wifi only on the road and you can find it at almost every motel, restaurant, coffee shop.... i usually had no difficulty finding wifi even down in TN...LOL

Another thing you could do , is if you really want to have an cellular option is to use you Phone as a wifi hotspot... costs a little more, but you only need to use it when you don't have wifi available.

Hope this helps.....
Brad

[IamGCW]

I am not sure about the iPad unlock.  But I gave my old iPhone 4 to a friend.  It was on ATT.  He needed it unlocked for Verizon.  So after a Google search the place to unlock the phone was ATT's web site.  Enter the phone data and they released the phone.  He had it on Verizon soon after.  Just did this last month.

Gil

[Toledo Mark]

I don't believe you need to unlock one for wifi only.  The unlocking is used to allow the phone or ipad to be used with a different cell carrier. 

[alph]

I don't believe you need to unlock one for wifi only.  The unlocking is used to allow the phone or ipad to be used with a different cell carrier. 

exactly.  I have two iphone 4's that were once "locked" to AT&T.  you HAVE to have the original SIM card that came with the phone to have it factory unlocked.  the best unlock is a factory unlock and to have the original owner unlock the phone, you can do the "pine-apple" or "black-snow" unlocks, they'll have a program called "CYDIA" on the phone that is the unlocking program. 

last I knew, the federal government says that phone companies must unlock the phones that were originally locked to their carrier, but there are some hoops that need to be jumped through before they do....

[Clark]

sooo..are you saying that if I purchase a Verizon enabled ipad and I want to unlock it, I need the original sym card..ok if I get the original card, then how do I go about unlocking it.. and yes the reason is I want to have the ability to use different sym cards without a monthly plan, plus I plan to go to Vietnam and remote Alaska and am thinking wifi maybe sparse in those places/ THANKS

[Colin]

I know you are in the US but this is how it works in Europe.

Buy the iPad from your local Apple store and it will not be locked to any airtime provider and so you can use any sim card. It costs more than a subsidised one from a carrier but you can then use it anywhere.

Also bear in mind that the frequencies for 3G & 4G vary by country / region so your iPad may not work overseas even if it is unlocked and you have a local sim card.

My advice would be to go to an Apple store and get their advice on what is best for what you want to do.

[Art708]

 I don't know if Verizon Ipads are different from Verizon phones but I had Verizon for several years. Verizon operates on CDMA and doesn't use a SIM card.

[Jess Tolbirt]

I don't know if Verizon Ipads are different from Verizon phones but I had Verizon for several years. Verizon operates on CDMA and doesn't use a SIM card.

the new ones have sim cards.. i have a verizon motorola razr and it has a sim card..

[saab9k]

Bought a new Iphone 5s  from apple.  Unlocked.
Is using it with strait talk $45/month.  No contract.

Works great.