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Using current AT&T Plan with an iPhone

geekindisguise

geekindisguise

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jul 22, 2008
297
0
Oklahoma
Say that I bought an iPhone off of Craigslist or eBay and I don't want to update my plan for iPhone (Because I can't afford it! :D ) will it work?
Right now I have an LG Vu with just regular Phone calling and Texting. Will the SIM Card out of my Vu work with the iPhone? I won't use the Internet or Apps that need internet unless I have WiFi.

So, has anyone done this before?
Thanks! :D
 
jmann said:
They will see the IMEI and gladly tack on the Data plan for you. :) You don't even need to ask for it. :p
Click to expand...

I don't think they can automatically pick up on it.. you would have to call it in.

to the OP, I think you might run into trouble with texting and such, because iphone require a certain type of texting plan (i've just ported over from Verizon to AT&T about 100 lines for my business and I've had to deal with Cust Service a WHOLE lot).
But you can give it a shot :D
Just be careful with DATA, because it'll BURN if you end up using it without a data plan!
 
VSMacOne said:
I don't think they can automatically pick up on it.. you would have to call it in.
Click to expand...
Nope... AT&T will detect a phone change almost instantly. ;)

I can swap my SIM from my iPhone to my Blackberry and see the change to what type of phone I am using within a matter of minutes.
Try it and then log into you account online. Pretty cool really.

The billing will not change until you have used it for a little while.
 
rjohnstone said:
Nope... AT&T will detect a phone change almost instantly. ;)

I can swap my SIM from my iPhone to my Blackberry and see the change to what type of phone I am using within a matter of minutes.
Try it and then log into you account online. Pretty cool really.

The billing will not change until you have used it for a little while.
Click to expand...

Maybe it's different for business accounts because I remember calling in to swap out a phone and having to give them the IMEI ...
 
rjohnstone said:
The billing will not change until you have used it for a little while.
Click to expand...

Wrong. They will not change the plan and they will not charge you extra. There is not a post on these forums where people were using an unapprived plan with an iPhone and had AT&T change their plan. They may send an SMS stating that you are using an unapproved plan and to call and have it changed, but they won't change it.

I've been using a GoPhone sim in my 3G phone for months now and have never heard from nor seen any SMS warning me to change the plan to an iPhone plan.

My 3G S phone is also running a 3G iPhone data plan and has been since the end of June.
 
VSMacOne said:
I don't think they can automatically pick up on it.. you would have to call it in.

to the OP, I think you might run into trouble with texting and such, because iphone require a certain type of texting plan (i've just ported over from Verizon to AT&T about 100 lines for my business and I've had to deal with Cust Service a WHOLE lot).
But you can give it a shot :D
Just be careful with DATA, because it'll BURN if you end up using it without a data plan!
Click to expand...

The iphone doesnt require a certain text plan. I have the AT&T unlimited family text plan, 2 iPhone and 1 non iPhone.
 
SpaceKitty said:
Wrong. They will not change the plan and they will not charge you extra. There is not a post on these forums where people were using an unapprived plan with an iPhone and had AT&T change their plan. They may send an SMS stating that you are using an unapproved plan and to call and have it changed, but they won't change it.
Click to expand...

Many people here have reported AT&T changing their accounts for using the wrong plan with an iPhone.
The SMS message about an unapproved plan is only a warning. AT&T WILL add it if you fail to respond in a timely manner.

SpaceKitty said:
I've been using a GoPhone sim in my 3G phone for months now and have never heard from nor seen any SMS warning me to change the plan to an iPhone plan.
Click to expand...
AT&T allows users to use GoPhone plans on iPhones that are no longer under contract or users that have crappy credit and can't qualify for a contract plan.

SpaceKitty said:
My 3G S phone is also running a 3G iPhone data plan and has been since the end of June.
Click to expand...
The 3G and 3GS use the same plan, so why would AT&T change it?
 
VSMacOne said:
Maybe it's different for business accounts because I remember calling in to swap out a phone and having to give them the IMEI ...
Click to expand...
There's no need to contact them unless you are changing billing info.
AT&T can identify a device on any account by it's IMEI number.
They know this as soon as you connect to a tower.
 
On my AT&T account, I updated the IPCC file, set up the MMS settings, swapped SIM cards with another phone, sent a couple of txt msgs from that phone, and the model of phone updated on my account almost immediately.
I then placed the iPhone SIM card back into the iPhone, and MMS was working. After a couple of messages though, the account updated with the Iphone (automatically sensed it), and MMS stopped working.
So, bottom line, they can tell what phone you're using.
 
rjohnstone said:
Many people here have reported AT&T changing their accounts for using the wrong plan with an iPhone.
The SMS message about an unapproved plan is only a warning. AT&T WILL add it if you fail to respond in a timely manner.


AT&T allows users to use GoPhone plans on iPhones that are no longer under contract or users that have crappy credit and can't qualify for a contract plan.


The 3G and 3GS use the same plan, so why would AT&T change it?
Click to expand...

I meant that I am using a 2G data plan that includes 200 SMS with my 3G S iPhone and AT&T has not warned me.

Also, everyone claims that AT&T has changed their acounts for using the wrong plan. Show some examples on this forum. I have never seen a single post fron anyone claiming this. Again show us some examples.
 
It's spelled out in AT&T's plan terms. Ya know, that contract you signed when you got service. ;)


http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/legal/plan-terms.jsp#iPhone

Data Plans: An eligible data plan is required for certain devices including iPhone and other designated Smartphones and PDA's. Eligible data plans cover data usage in the U.S. and do not cover international data usage and charges. If it is determined that you are using iPhone or other designated Smartphone or PDA without an eligible data plan, AT&T reserves the right to add an eligible data plan to your account and bill you the appropriate monthly fee. Use of iPhone 3G to access corporate email, company intranet sites, and/or other business applications requires an Enterprise Data Plan for iPhone. For applicable rates, terms and conditions, see AT&T Business Plans for iPhone 3G brochure.
Click to expand...
 
SpaceKitty said:
I meant that I am using a 2G data plan that includes 200 SMS with my 3G S iPhone and AT&T has not warned me.

Also, everyone claims that AT&T has changed their acounts for using the wrong plan. Show some examples on this forum. I have never seen a single post fron anyone claiming this. Again show us some examples.
Click to expand...

Just a quick search found this one.
https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/6488999/

There are others, but I'll let you deal with the crappy search engine on this site.
 
How is that different from someone who purchased an unlocked version (full price) in the past, and decides to use it on AT&T with just voice and no data plan? If a customer never entered an iPhone contract to begin with, none of the iPhone-specific terms apply. It's just like using a foreign or no-name phone of choice on AT&T, as long as the phone isn't under an iPhone contract.
 
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