How To Finance An Unlocked iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max

Apple normally requires you to pay full price up front to get the SIM-free, or unlocked, model iPhone.

BUT, it turns out there is a secret way to finance an unlocked model.

Here is:

The step-by-step order process
How to bypass a screen that asks for carrier account details you don't have
How to confirm your new iPhone is, in fact, unlocked

Upfront, this method requires the Apple Card.

If you have the Apple Card, you're good to go.

If you do not have the Apple Card, then, unfortunately, there is no way to finance an iPhone from Apple directly.

You could lease the new iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max with the Apple Upgrade program though, and that will also give you an unlocked model.

All right. Let's dive in.

1. Order Process

First, configure the iPhone you want on Apple's order page.

A screenshot of an Apple online store order page for the iPhone 18 Pro. On the left, a product image displays the front and back of two burgundy iPhones, showcasing a deep red wavy wallpaper on the screen and a horizontal triple-lens camera array on the back. On the right, the configuration menu shows the "iPhone 18 Pro Max" model and "Burgundy" color finish are currently selected, along with pricing options and delivery details for Friday, September 18.

Select if you want the iPhone 18 Pro or the bigger Pro Max. Choose your finish. Configure your storage option.

Then, select if you want to trade in your old iPhone.

A screenshot of an Apple Trade In webpage interface. The header states "Apple Trade In. Get $35–$885 credit towards your new iPhone." The "Add a trade-in" option is actively selected, revealing configuration menus below. In the dropdown menu for "Which model do you have?", the "iPhone 15 Pro Max - Up to $455" is chosen. Under "What is the condition of your iPhone?", the "Good" option is selected over the "Damaged" option, with subtext explaining that "Good" means fully functional with minimal wear.

This method fully works with trade-ins. Trading in your phone will reduce your monthly payment. I recommend it.

Next is the important step.

Select Finance
Select Apple Card Monthly Installments
Select any carrier

A screenshot of an Apple online store payment options interface. At the top, the "Finance" payment method is selected and outlined with a thick red box, showing a price of "$54.12/mo. for 24 mo." at 0% APR. Large red arrows point from this top selection down to a lower section where the specific "Apple Card Monthly Installments" plan is also outlined in a thick red box, detailing the 24-month terms, the $1,299.00 total financed amount, and carrier requirements.

A screenshot of an online store interface section titled "Connectivity. Choose a carrier." Below the heading are three horizontal selection boxes for AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Each carrier box displays the identical pricing option of "$54.12/mo. for 24 mo.*"

I personally chose Verizon, but the carrier does not matter.

Now, you're probably thinking, "wait, what??! I thought the carrier iPhones would only work on the carriers! And that you had to have an account to even place an order!"

I have good news.

It turns out that when you order an iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max, Apple does NOT require carrier info to place your order.

Interestingly, Apple only requires carrier information if you try to order the base iPhone 17.

A screenshot of an Apple store carrier setup page. At the top, a small product image of a light blue phone is accompanied by text reading "iPhone 17 Mist Blue 256GB" and "Apple Card Monthly Installments." The main heading says, "Now let's get your new iPhone ready." Below this, bullet points explain that the user will keep their existing number and rate plan, their current phone will remain active until setup, and Verizon requires a quick credit review that won't affect their credit score. The page features two input fields for "Wireless Number" and "Billing Zip Code," along with a blue "Continue" button at the bottom.

Apple only requires you to enter AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon account information if you order the base iPhone 17. All other models don't require this step to place your order.

And the news gets even better.

It turns out that all iPhone models purchased with Apple Card monthly installments ship unlocked.

Apple confirms this themselves on their website:

Apple says:

When you purchase an iPhone at Apple by paying in full or financing with an Apple financing option, you'll receive an unlocked model that you can use with any carrier.

Bingo. You're good to go. This iPhone will work on ALL carriers, including popular prepaid ones such as US Mobile, Visible, Mint Mobile, and more.

BUT...

There is one more step.

You need to bypass a screen while setting up your iPhone that asks for carrier credentials you don't have.

2. How To Bypass A Screen That Asks For Carrier Credentials You Don't Have

When you first begin setting up your new iPhone 18 Pro Max, everything will seem normal.

You'll select your language, your country, and your preferred appearance (default, medium, or large).

Next, you'll be prompted to set up using your previous iPhone.

I have found that when you set up with your previous iPhone, you will NOT be asked to enter your AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon account information.

There will be no screen to bypass.

BUT, if you select "Set Up without Another Device," then you will immediately be hit with this:

A top-down view of an iPhone lying flat on a light wooden surface, displaying a "Transfer Your Phone Number" setup screen. The screen includes a blue antenna icon and text explaining that T-Mobile and Apple will verify the user's cellular plan. A person's hand enters the frame from the right, with their index finger pointing directly at the blank input fields for "Wireless Number" and "Account PIN." A blue "Continue" button is at the bottom of the screen.

Uh-oh.

This screen asks you for carrier information.

In my case, it asked for my Verizon phone number and account PIN.

Which I don't have.

So, how do you get around this?

Tap "Continue" and then tap "Try Again" three times.

Then, you will see a new button at the bottom that says, "Not Now."

Tap on that, and you are good to continue setting up your iPhone.

Once you bypass that screen, you will never be prompted to enter your AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon account information again.

3. How Do You Confirm Your iPhone Is Unlocked?

You can always check the locked or unlocked status of any iPhone in the Settings app.

Go to:

Settings > General > About > SIM Restrictions

A top-down view of an iPhone lying flat on a light wooden surface, displaying the "About" menu within the Settings app. The screen lists various device details such as storage capacity and firmware. A person's index finger enters the frame from the bottom, pointing directly at the "Carrier Lock" field, which displays the text "No SIM restrictions."

If you see "No SIM Restrictions," that means your iPhone 18 Pro Max is unlocked and ready to use on any carrier.

If it says anything else, that means your iPhone is locked to your current carrier and you need to fulfill the requirements before you can request to have it unlocked. Often this means paying off any remaining balance and contacting your acarrier afterwards.

In my case, the iPhone I ordered from Apple came unlocked out of the box, just as the popup on Apple's website said it would.

Now That You Have An Unlocked Phone, Here's One Tip To Save You Money

Look, my gig is I review cell phone plans.

I review the top plans from AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

But I also review popular prepaid carriers such as US Mobile, Visible, and Mint Mobile. My goal is to help 1 million people save $10/mo or more on their cell phone bill.

Right now, you have an unlocked iPhone.

That means it'll work on ANY carrier.

So, now is not a bad time to check your cell phone bill and see if you can save money with another provider.

To keep things super simple for you, here are my top picks for the best unlimited plans on each of the networks:

Best plan with AT&T coverage: US Mobile Unlimited Starter Dark Star ($25/mo, currently on sale for $16.58/mo)
Best plan with T-Mobile coverage: Mint Mobile Unlimited ($30/mo, currently on sale for $15/mo)
Best plan with Verizon coverage: Visible+ ($35/mo, currently on sale for $29/mo)

Also, if you're not sure what network is best in your area, download my free Coverage Map app.

It will give you a full breakdown of cellular coverage and performance in your area, thanks to crowdsourced speed tests.