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User profile for user: SkateWithJake
SkateWithJake Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

ACMI Carrier Work Around?

Researched a bit on bypassing the new carrier selecting requirements with ACMI.


I felt confident in store yesterday that we’d be able to bypass the activation screen and register to our preferred carrier (Mint)


However, in order for our local store employee to even pick the phone from the back, we needed a AT&T account + pin.


Any advice on how we can get by this? Does the activation work around no longer work?


I have access to an AT&T account within the family, but don’t want to be hit with an activation fee from them in order to just get the physical phone in hand.


thanks in advance!

iPhone 14 Pro Max, iOS 18

Posted on Sep 9, 2024 4:31 AM

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7 replies
User profile for user: SkateWithJake
SkateWithJake Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Sep 9, 2024 6:32 AM in response to Jeff Donald

I’m looking to purchase the iPhone 15 pro max or potentially one of the new iPhones when they get announced later today.


The issue I was seeing when I was watching over the Apple employee’s shoulder was that when we selected a carrier (AT&T) it would give us 3 options, new account, upgrade or add a line.


  1. New account would lead us to be charged a new activation fee from AT&T just to get to the point where we could purchase the phone and then they’d go into their back room and bring it to us.
  2. upgrade or add a line would require you have an actual account with AT&T and enter your current phone number and 4-digit security pin to proceed to the point of purchase.


all of these methods required additional steps before they would allow you to purchase the phone through ACMI.


If I could get past the part of purchasing with ACMI I know that all I would need to do it select activate later from the activation setup screen on the phone itself.


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User profile for user: Jeff Donald
Jeff Donald
User level: Level 7
25,569 points

Sep 9, 2024 6:52 AM in response to SkateWithJake

My understanding is neither Version or T-Mobile are currently requiring an activation. So, you might try either of the other carriers. If all three are requiring activation, then outright purchase might be the only choice.


You need to purchase the iPhone, and when you get home call Goldman Sachs (do not chat) and ask them to put the purchase on installments. If the carrier does require a plan, you should be able to cancel the plan, following their cancellation policy.

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ACMI Carrier Work Around?

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