Unlocking second sim possible?

Here is the issue with the sim unlock policy:

• T-Mobile subsidizes the hardware to keep you in a contact which prevents you from paying the phone off early. It would cost the consumer $400-600 depending on the promotion.
• I don't see a situation where I would pay the phone off ever. I would just keep replacing the phone every 1-2 years. Which is what T-Mobile wants to stay under contact but continues to prevent the user from using the 2nd sim.
• If you are looking for a second line from T-mobile, the cheapest line you can get to put on the phone is $30. You have no need for data but it's part of the package anyway. They should consider doing an "add a line" like they do for watches and tablets for $10. 
• You can get a second line UNL Talk and Text with no data for $9 from other carriers that use T-Mobile. 

There are some posts on being able to pay off your phone and continue to get the promo paid out. I spoke to T-Mobile today and they said that if you pay it off there is nothing left for the promo to pay off so it just ends. 

For those that mention the DIGITS line, if you have no data in your area it never works. Great if you are on wifi all the time but it's not reliable as having an actual line. And Google Voice is the best option however you just end up forwarding the number or calling through a bridge. You can't really separate your personal line from your second line. 

Unless T-Mobile can do an add a line for $10 to the second sim, I don’t really see how any carrier will let you use the T-Mobile unless you bought an unlocked phone directly from Apple. 

syaoran wrote:

The device needs to be SIM unlocked to use the second eSIM with a different provider.  You can use the second eSIM with another T-Mobile line.  To qualify for a SIM unlock, your account and device must both meet all of the SIM Unlock Policy requirements. 

https://www.t-mobile.com/responsibility/consumer-info/policies/sim-unlock-policy

I actually paid the phone off today so I didn't have to deal with that with my new carrier.  Seems I meet all the qualifications and will try this.  Thank you!  Will post back here with an update for others!

Have you thought about a Google voice number?

So I am traveling on a Disney Cruise with stops in New Caledonia, Fiji, and American Samoa (plus New Zealand and Australia).  I do not believe T-mobile has service on the Disney Wonder (the oldest on that cruise line).  I want to buy a second e-sim for a service with those locations, any recommendations for service on the ship with a T-mobile locked iPhone 15 in those locations?

EricGoldman wrote:

So I am traveling on a Disney Cruise with stops in New Caledonia, Fiji, and American Samoa (plus New Zealand and Australia).  I do not believe T-mobile has service on the Disney Wonder (the oldest on that cruise line).  I want to buy a second e-sim for a service with those locations, any recommendations for service on the ship with a T-mobile locked iPhone 15 in those locations?

Keep your device in Airplane Mode before you get within a couple of miles of the ship and leave it that way until after your cruise is finished and you are at least 2 miles away from the ship.  Buy the ships unlimited WiFi package.

Buying from the Apple Store you always get an unlocked phone even if you choose EIP. You don't get an unlocked iPhone buying directly from T-Mobile. 

reedog117 wrote:

Buying from the Apple Store you always get an unlocked phone even if you choose EIP. You don't get an unlocked iPhone buying directly from T-Mobile. 

Yes and no.  Buying an iPhone from an Apple store on a carrier linked EIP gets you a device that SIM locks to the first SIM/eSIM you put in the device.  Apple, like Samaung, does have a specific model that is sold SIM unlocked that won't SIM lock regardless of what SIM's/eSIM's you use but those usually cost more and you need to specify that is what you specifically want.  

This is an old thread, but my work around is this:

1. Buy a unlocked phone from the apple store.
2. Trade-In old phone.  
3. Costs an extra $500 a year, but I need to have two carriers for my job, and the credit is usually $1000.  So you basically end up with a phone worth somewhere around $550 at the end of the year.  If you keep the phone for 2 years, it costs you only $375 a year.

I really wish they could just carrier lock the primary line, and leave the other line unlocked as long as the primary carrier never cancelled, or phoned him every month or something.  I'm never going to buy 2 t-mobile lines for my phone, I just need a different carrier to ensure that I maximize coverage abroad and in rural areas of the US.