u/LeftOn4ya

Looking to switch to Popcorn Mobile Global plan and want a discount - use one of the codes in the comments below.

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Gabi Belle put this up & Chad Chad pops in from off screen 😂

Pinely & Josh Dare singing. Chad sitting on the couch off to the side & I think Gabi Belle is the 1 behind the camera

• This is tentative as of iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and Duo pre-release. Will need people to confirm it still works for all models as the previous models once they release September 18 and are in hands.

Below are detailed instructions on how to order an unlocked iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, 18 Duo or 17 standard, 17e, and 17 Air as well as previous iPhone models for use with any carrier, including financing though Apple or other creditors, as well has how to set it up on a r/NoContract plan, and for a bonus how to prepare old phone for selling/giving away.

Ordering a new iPhone

• It is highly recommended to NOT buy iPhone from Retail such as BestBuy, Target, or Amazon as (other than older refurbished models) they are all sold "Flex locked" even if advertised as unlocked - this is false advertising. What Flex locked means is it will lock to the first carrier SIM you insert that supports US flex lock, however if you start with many pre-paid brands the SIM will lock to the parent MNO carrier (T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T), but MNO carriers do not allow MVNO customer support the tools to unlock phones flex locked to MNO carrier. If you bought a flex locked phone you have to contact MNO carrier support to unlock directly to unlock, but they are reluctant to do since you are not an actual MNO customer so can't always be done unless you get a really nice support agent.
• It is suggested to buy new iPhones direct from Apple, either an Apple store or Apple.com/iPhone and select "Connect to any carrier later" to get unlocked phone (cost is $30 extra for standard model, same price for Pro, Pro Max, Duo, Air, and "e" models).
  • If you want to finance an unlocked iPhone though Apple there are 3-4 ways (below) to do so, but Apple will not tell you this as they get billions of $ in kickbacks from MNO carriers and are basically blackmailed to not advertise you can get an unlocked iPhone financed, even Apple Store employees are trained to lie and say the options below will not work (I got confirmation from multiple Apple store employees), but these ways have been confirmed to work since the iPhone 14 when Apple removed the option to finance unlocked iPhones easily.
  • Option 1 (Works on Pro, Pro Max, Duo, Air, or "e" but not standard model): Using Apple Card - When ordering in store or on https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-iphone select (or tell in-store employee) Finance then Apple Card Monthly Installments (do not select T-Mobile/AT&T/Verizon Equipment/Installment/Device Payment Plan) then for phone carrier select T-Mobile (or Verizon or AT&T). When you get to the order screen if it asks for (or if an employee asks for) account info say "set up later". When you get iPhone and it boots up asking for phone # or account info, press "Continue" and "Try Again" 3 times, or if it sends you a verification code press "Didn't get verification code" 3 times, then "Not Now" and "OK" and you can use any carrier as the phone will not be locked.
  • Option 2 (works on all models): Convert to Apple Card Monthly Installments (ACMI) - Apply for an Apple Card or use an existing Apple Card. On order screen payment options select "Buy" (not Finance) and use your Apple Card to pay. Afterwards, contact Apple Card support or call/iMessage Goldman Sachs Apple Card support @ 877-255-5923 and ask them to convert the payment you just made to 24 months of Apple Card Monthly Installments (ACMI). If they ask if you are a customer say T-Mobile or Verizon and give fake account info (they do not look up) or call/chat back during non-business hours until an off-shore agent does not ask for account info. This will allow you to have any model unlocked and on Apple's 0% interest payments. When you get iPhone and it boots up asking for phone #, press "Continue" and "Try Again" 3 times, or if it sends you a verification code press "Didn't get verification code" 3 times, then "Not Now" and "OK" and you can use any carrier as the phone will not be locked.
  • Option 3 (Works on Pro, Pro Max, Duo, Air, or "e" but not standard model): Lease with Apple Upgrade - On order screen payment options select "Lease with Apple Upgrade" then lease period and select any of the three carriers (you do not have to have a plan with them, is just a back door). When you get iPhone and it boots up asking for phone # or account info, press "Continue" and "Try Again" 3 times, or if it sends you a verification code press "Didn't get verification code" 3 times, then "Not Now" and "OK" and you can use any carrier as the phone will not be locked.
  • Option 4 (works on all models): Use your own credit - You can always select "Buy" and pay with your own credit card, or pay with pre-approved “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) account at checkout: Affirm, Afterpay, Klarna, PayPal, Sezzle, Splitit, and Zip. These have easier credit score requirements (no hard pull on credit, SplitIt has no credit check, you just need available credit) and usually lower interest rates than traditional credit cards (0% interest if paid within 2 months, or 6 months with SplitIt), just sign up for one of them before purchasing then on order screen payment options select "Buy" and use the virtual credit card # associated with the BNPL account. See NerdWallet article for comparison and how to sign up, or do some googling or check r/CRedit
  • Option 5 (not verified) : Only do this is you accidentally select AT&T Installment /T-Mobile Equipment Installment/Verizon Device Payment Plan (you should not as other options above are better) - this is a way around getting your phone locked, it may not work as doing this step has not been tested on newer models to see if unlocks. When you get iPhone connect it to a computer and while off quickly press volume up then volume down then hold the side button and follow these instructions to reset it on your computer using iTunes or Apple Devices app and the phone will be unlocked. Note: one person said this method works on a previous model, but anyone who has tried this method please confirm and give more details on instructions
• You can purchase a used/refurbished iPhone or use one that came from other carriers, just make sure that it is not carrier locked and no payments left
  • To check if unlocked, go to Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock = "No SIM restrictions"
  • If a phone is not paid off from carrier or Apple or BNPL account and payments stop (or phone is stolen), eventually the phone will be put on theft lock or finance lock which will be unusable for any carrier, even though it may show up as unlocked now. This is the most common complaint buying used as the phone appears unlocked when you first get but can become locked later, so make sure there are protections from this and refunds available on on seller website.
  • The best site to order used are Swappa (cheapest place other than Facebook marketplace or Craigslist, but way less scams, and they have a good refund policy) and BackMarket (slightly more expensive than Swappa, but they have great quality control and refund policy). Swappa offers PayPal financing, BackMarket offers Affirm, Klarna, and PayPal financing. Also you can always sign up for a BNPL account ahead of time and use the virtual credit card number on check-out.
• Trading in old phone
  • If you previously got your iPhone through Apple payments or carrier (Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, Boost) Installment Plan and it is not paid off or you still have bill credits left, you must pay off first and get unlocked from your current carrier before porting out, then you can do a normal trade in though Apple or sell on Swappa, BackMarket, or elsewhere.
  • If you got iPhone through previous carrier Apple Upgrade Program, you can convert for trade in for new Lease with Apple Upgrade program even if not on that carrier anymore - see above ordering section Option 3 for instructions and make sure to do trade in with Apple not 3rd party such as Swappa or BackMarket.
  • You can trade in your old unlocked phone (any brand, not just Apple) for credit to Apple - if you are buying in store set up new iPhone and wipe old phone in store to get credit immediately, if you are buying online you have 14 days to send in your old phone for credit. See here for max trade in prices which assumes highest GB model in near Mint condition. Bonus is new iPhone sale total used to calculate sales tax is reduced by the trade-in value. If you have multiple phones you can trade in for an Apple Gift Card which can be used to purchase an iPhone
  • Look into selling old phone on Swappa as you always get more than what Apple will give for trade in, sometimes you can get $200-400 more, especially if you have the highest GB option and the phone is in near Mint condition. Note when comparing to Apple trade-in to calculate extra taxes as Apple trade-ins reduce taxable total by the trade-in value.
  • For usually more money than Apple but slightly less money than Swappa, but also less hassle than Swappa, sell old phone on BackMarket
  • You can also try selling on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Craigslist, but usually you get less than Swappa or BackMarket and is way more hassle and potential scammers.

Setting up a new iPhone

• If you have not done so already, set up App based 2FA/MFA on your current cell account but use a cloud TOTP/2FA provider: iCloud Passwords is not recommended unless you have at least one other Apple device on the same Apple account, as if you lose or break your phone a catch 22 prevents login to Apple and carrier on a new phone, but instead use Google/Microsoft Authenticator, Authy, or many VPN/Security/Form fill apps.
• If moving from another iPhone, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Get Started > (if you bought a new iPhone Apple press "Continue" for Apple to temporarily give you 21 days of more iCloud storage to move your phone) > Backup to iCloud.
• If moving from Android, get Move to iOS app on Android phone and start move and backup process using the app.
• If you accidentally select T-Mobile/AT&T/Verizon Equipment/Installment/Device Payment Plan instead of Apple Card Monthly Installments, when you first get the iPhone connect it to a computer and while off quickly press volume up then volume down then hold the side button and follow these instructions to reset it on your computer using iTunes or Apple Devices app and the phone will not be tied to any account. Note: needs tested
• Start setting up new iPhone and choose set up on WiFi.
• If you are financing your iPhone though Apple Card or Lease with Apple Upgrade, on screen that says “Transfer your Phone Number” and ask for your phone/account number and last four of social/ZIP, DO NOT enter anything and click "Continue" at the bottom. You will get a pop up that says “Unable to Verify Account" tap "Try again” and do this three times. If it sends you a verification code, press "Didn't get verification code" and do this three times, On the fourth time, under the "Continue" button, you get a new option called “Not Now” tap "Not Now" then "OK" then continue the setup as normal, and the phone will be unlocked. See this video starting at 5:15 for example.
• Update iOS to newest (if available)
• Restore from iCloud (or if coming from Android, use Move from Android). If you have access to old iPhone you can do direct set-up so copies over WiFi or Bluetooth, which is faster than iCloud but may have some issues.
• If you want to switch carriers at the same time as switching phones, just order new carrier on new phone after you set up on WiFi. You will need account # and port PIN from previous carrier, and ideally the ZIP code you use on billing credit/debit/paypal account on new carrier matches the billing ZIP code of previous carrier- change on old carrier or card/bank account first before activation and porting.
• If you have one of the 12 limited carriers that supports Apple eSIM Quick Transfer and are moving from another iPhone, the eSIM will be transferred automatically. List of carriers is: AT&T, Cellcom Wisconsin, Consumer Cellular, Cricket, C Spire, Nex-Tech Wireless, Red Pocket (GSMA network only), Spectrum, T-Mobile, UScellular, Verizon, Xfinity Mobile
• For all other carriers, or if you are moving from an Android to an iPhone, or if you had a physical SIM card in previous phone, or if you are switching carriers at the same time as switching phones, you will need to order a new eSIM for the new iPhone:
  • Install carrier app and 2FA app on new phone
  • On 2FA app log into cloud account and sync logins
  • Log in to carrier app - it should use 2FA app for authentication and not SMS. Note "Autofill" of 2FA fields may not work for all carriers, so you have to memorize and type.
  • Use carrier app to order a replacement eSIM, you may need to input phone IMEI. Or if you are switching carriers the same time as switching phones, perform order and transfer/activation steps here.
  • For carriers that support eSIM Carrier Activation, when a notification appears that says Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed, tap it. In the Settings app, tap Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed, then tap Continue at the bottom of the screen. This will deactivate old pSIM/eSIM
  • For carriers with eSIM sent as QR code on screen on app or website, tap the QR code to set up your eSIM. When the Activate New eSIM notification appears, tap Allow, then tap Continue at the bottom of the screen.
  • For carriers with eSIM sent as QR code to e-mail, log into e-mail and open message with QR code. Tap the QR code in e-mail to set up your eSIM. When the Activate New eSIM notification appears, tap Allow, then tap Continue at the bottom of the screen.

On old device if you plan on trading in, selling, or giving away, do the following:

• Ensure the phone is unlocked from previous carrier. You will need to make sure it is paid off, but even if paid off it may not be automatically unlocked so check carrier on how to unlock. To check if an iPhone is unlocked, go to Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock = "No SIM restrictions"
• For iPhone:
  • If you paired an Apple Watch with your iPhone, unpair your Apple Watch
  • Turn off Find My iPhone: Settings > [your name] > Find My > Find My iPhone > Find My iPhone [off]
  • Remove account: Settings > [your name] > Sign Out
  • Wipe: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase all Content and Settings
• For ALL PHONES: If you had a physical SIM remove it and trash/recycle it as is deactivated and not reusable.
• For ALL androids: if you have a microSD card with apps or data such as photos/videos, either use phone settings to Erase it or physically remove it to keep.
• For Samsung Androids:
  • Turn off Find my Mobile: Settings > Samsung account > Find my mobile > Allow this phone to be found [Off]
  • Remove accounts: Settings > Accounts and backup > Manage accounts. Select each one in turn and tap Remove Account.
  • Wipe: Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory Data Reset > Reset> Delete All.
• For Pixel and other Androids:
  • Turn off Find my Device: Settings > Google > Find My Device > Use Find My Device [Off]
  • Remove accounts: Settings > Passwords and accounts. Select each one in turn and tap Remove Account
  • Wipe: Settings > System > Reset Options > Erase all data (factory reset) > Reset phone > Erase everything.

I hope this is helpful. I copied most of this from the MintMobile iPhone Wiki I wrote first, but made it more generic for all pre-paid/no contract carriers. Please reply with questions or if any of the above does not work, or if you have suggestions to add/change. Feel free to repost this elsewhere, just credit/link to this thread or to me u/LeftOn4ya.

Note, this is reposted from my thread 6 months ago.

UPDATE: Axon contract just passed though although they slightly amended it such as plate data only kept a for 7 days (not 90), not upgrading license plate readers to Axon on four cars, having police commissioner send city commissioners a report every 30 days on use (not 6 months). Plus they clarified the contract is 1 year with 9 years of renewal, not locked into keeping contract for 10 years just the price if they do renew.

So really what passed is Axon using AI to transcribe body cams and store on cloud, and Skydio drone and dock leased from Axon with contract for maintenance and software to run and store data. $590k ~$577 per year ($13k cheaper without Axon ALPR) for up to 10 years plus one time $117k charge for drone accessories.

September 8, 2026 6:00 PM - September 8, 2026 8:00 PM
Location: Covington City Hall
Agenda: https://www.covingtonky.gov/Portals/covingtonky/Documents/News/20260908%20Legislative%20Agenda.pdf

Board of Commissioners Legislative Meeting 
For live coverage of the meeting, watch:
TBNK's live stream at https://cloud.castus.tv/vod/tbnk/video/5fb4338c44daaa651967657f?page=HOME&type=live
Fioptics channel 814, or 
Spectrum Channel 187.  
TBNK Facebook live stream
*NEW- TBNKtoGO Mobile and Smart TV apps. More information can be found on the TBNK website at https://tbnk.org/get-our-apps/.
To see video of previous meetings, see HERE. 

See detailed article here: https://linknky.com/news/2026/08/21/covington-weighs-6m-police-tech-deal-for-license-plate-readers-ai-and-drone/

You can read the complete contract, which includes a complete list of the equipment to be purchased plus pricing information as well as the city’s current policy on ALPRs below.
Axon Contract
Covington PD ALPR Policy