After posting the unboxing of Google Pixel 9a and iPhone 13, a fan friend asked me for a long time: How did you buy the $165 iPhone 13? But unlike what you might think, it’s not that he doesn’t know the channels, but that he frequently fails to place orders on Total Wireless. He has more experience in the entire purchasing process than I do, but he is just a little unlucky and is always risk-controlled in inexplicable places. I can only say: fate plays tricks on us.
I will still follow theBuy Pixel 9 for $299"As in that issue, I will share with you the entire purchase process and provide solutions to purchase difficulties. I hope it will be helpful to everyone. Lower your expectations in advance: even if you are in the United States, you may be subject to risk control. I am lucky to have it.
1. Three things to know before buying
1. Why buy an iPhone 13 for $165?
As far as the US version is concerned, the iPhone 13 is Apple's last generation of 5G iPhones that have both a physical SIM card slot and eSIM functions. Starting with the iPhone 14, the US version of the iPhone has cancelled the physical card slot, leaving only dual eSIM. Therefore, for Chinese users, if they do not want to seek help from Huaqiangbei, the iPhone 13 is considered the "latest" iPhone that can insert a domestic physical SIM card.
Of course, the three major domestic operators have also made new moves recently, perhaps paving the way for the iPhone 17 Air, and have begun internal testing of eSIM mobile phone numbers. Therefore, forward-looking friends can also "bet" on iPhone 14 or iPhone 16e. In order to avoid the US version of iPhone being sold out by DP bigwigs after the domestic eSIM mobile phone number goes online.
As for how to use the iPhone 13, whether it is given as a gift to elders or juniors, or used as a backup phone for personal use, it is different. If you can't figure it out, just give up. I can only say that there is no demand.
2. Why choose Total Wireless' iPhone 13?
Total Wireless is a virtual operator in the United States. There are many such virtual operators in the United States, all of which rent the networks of the three major operators, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. In the unboxing video, the Metro mobile I mentioned, and Mint mobile when I bought the Pixel 9, both belong to this category.
The reason why the mobile phones purchased from these operators are very low in price is that they are contract phones that are used with line packages. But the advantage is that you usually only need to buy a 1-3 month package to unlock it. Therefore, the cost of purchasing such mobile phones is: device price + package price + shipping fee + tariff. And a more troublesome operation for domestic users is that you need a US mobile phone number to port in (which will be discussed in detail later), which costs about 5 to 20 US dollars.
Since this type of mobile phone is a contract phone, before purchasing it, you must pay attention to the unlocking network time and unlocking method.
- Unlock duration
When we see that a certain operator's contract phone policy says "unlocking within 60 days", we must confirm whether it means 60 days on the network or 60 days after the package is activated. This is very important.
If you are online for 60 days, it means you have to buy at least a 2-month package; if you activate it for 60 days, you may only need to buy a 1-month package.
- Unlock method
For domestic users in China, I only recommend buying iPhone or Pixel phones. Only these two brands can be automatically unlocked when they expire. For other mobile phone brands, you basically need to contact the operator's customer service. Some operators' unlocking services must be communicated over the phone, and friends who are not good at English may be in trouble.
In addition, even for the two brands Apple and Google, there is a chance that you will need to find customer service to unlock it.
In short, if you want to save money, you will have to work hard.
Back to my choice in the unboxing video, why did I choose Total Wirelss instead of Metro? It's because the former only takes 60 days to unlock if I buy a 3-month package, while the latter needs one year after the package is activated to unlock.
3. Chinese users should be cautious when choosing US operators
At present, the most active place with the most users and tutorials is the US card forum. Most of these users are or have been students studying in the United States, and they spend most of their time in the United States. However, some US operators' mobile phone cards must be connected to US base stations to activate. Therefore, they can do many tutorials, but we cannot. We must distinguish the usage environment.
If this type of contract phone is mailed back to China, it will never be able to be unlocked officially.
If you want to use it normally, you can only use technical means.
In addition, there are many cool operations on locked phones. If you are interested, please go to the forum.
2. How to successfully buy iPhone 13 overseas
It should be stated that no matter how well you prepare for this type of overseas shopping, there is still a chance of risk control. I will tell you my actual operation, but each link will give you a safer approach. Friends who have the conditions should be extremely careful and do not take chances.
Just like the fan friend at the beginning, the order placement environment he built was far better than mine, but it was me who succeeded. Don't think that a low-probability event like mine can be replicated.
In addition, if you encounter various order failure problems, don't be stubborn and continue to operate. Because after the account, IP, mobile phone number, payment method, etc. are subject to risk control, repeated operations are likely to be directly banned. Try to wait and change.
Most of the links I listed have promotional rewards. It’s good for you and me too… I lost 1,000 to make this tutorial, so please help me make up for it…
1. Preparation
As the saying goes, try to simulate the real shopping environment of Americans in the United States.
Although I used BandwagonHost's datacenter IP + Chrome normal mode + US PayPal payment successfully, I don't recommend you to learn from me.
0. eSIM mobile phone
If you don't have an eSIM-supported phone, you will need to buy an eSIM write card.
Link:https://xesim.cc/?DIST=Tk5D
Coupon code: bj1fYm
1. Residential IP
Optional: IPRoyal
Link:https://dlj.playfulzone.top/qvn95p
Tutorial:Verification, risk control, account ban? Why we need residential IP
Note: You can use ping0.cc or ipinfo.co to check the IP type and risk situation. Try not to use risky IPs higher than 40%.
2. Fingerprint browser:
Optional: AdsPower (available for both win/mac)
Link:https://share.adspower.net/playful
Coupon code: playful
Tutorial: Wait for the video demonstration. There may be some additional benefits through my link. We are still discussing. Who knows what will be added one day.
3. Total Wireless Account
It is best to register with Gmail
Registration link:https://www.totalbyverizon.com/about/loyalty-program?referralCode=CCIA-AA2B
4. US mobile phone number
Because you need to port in a US mobile number and SMS verification is required.
If you don’t have money and don’t want to spend money, choose Helium mobile. This is what I use.
Invite code: W4ERXX3
5. Transshipment address
Don't choose Transfer Help, which is a serious scam. Find another one.
His electronic products can only be shipped via FedEX, and the starting price is $55.
This price is really unnecessary.
6. Payment Methods
I use the US Paypal, which is bound to the Bank of China Visa single standard full currency.
It is recommended to use a US credit card or Paypal. Because US Paypal can be linked to Chinese bank cards, friends who don’t have one can consider applying for one.
Application link:https://py.pl/2KrwGw
7. Passport
After verifying your phone number, you will need to verify your identity by taking a photo of your passport and then going through facial recognition. Be prepared in advance.
8. Rakuten Cashback
Registration link:www.rakuten.com/r/JIAJIN127?eeid=28187
Remember to install the Chrome browser plug-in
Those who don't know how to operate it should take a look at:Buy Pixel 9 for $299
Regarding Rakuten rebates, the key is to make sure to operate in the entire US environment. Too many people have not been able to get rebates. It seems that there will be a limited-time rebate before May 12, which will be more. I got a $5 rebate at that time, but I didn’t seem to get it. So, do it if you can. New users can get a $40 rebate for spending $40, plus shopping rebates. If you can get them all. It is estimated that you can get an iPhone 13 for more than $100.
(II) Register an account
It makes no difference whether you register for Total Wireless first, or go directly to the iPhone 13 purchase link and then register.
It is recommended to register first. The longer the purchase process and time, the more likely problems will occur.
Registration link:https://www.totalbyverizon.com/about/loyalty-program?referralCode=CCIA-AA2B
(III) U.S. mobile phone number port in verification
Product Links:https://www.totalwireless.com/smartphones/apple-iphone-13-128gb-prepaid
Remember to activate the Rakuten rebate plug-in activity.
For those who are not familiar with it, this step is usually the most difficult. After selecting $0, you will need to provide a mobile phone number. Unfortunately, I tried my Helium number several times last night to write this tutorial, but now I can’t log in.
So I can only narrate it orally from now on.
This step is: enter your mobile phone number, receive the verification code, and you can proceed to the next step smoothly.
For those who want to play around, I can say one more thing: since Total Wirelss's mobile number porting is just verification and will not be executed. During the mobile phone activation phase, you can also choose to activate a new number instead of porting in your current mobile number.
So you can use the same mobile number to make multiple purchases. But you have to be quick. If you miss a few days like I did, risk control may be triggered, making the number unusable.
At the same time, it is strongly recommended to activate the package with the operator's own mobile phone number, otherwise it will easily lead to failure of automatic unlocking after 60 days.
(IV) Identity verification and shopping, etc.
You can port in via your mobile phone number, and the rest is pretty simple. Basically, you just need to verify your identity, fill in your information, choose a package (55✖️3=165), fill in your address (tax-free state), and finally pay.
As for whether the payment can be successful, it depends on whether your entire environment and payment method are powerful.
Like me, I just rushed there, just to take a look, but I didn’t expect that I could pay smoothly.
The screenshots below come from a brother who is experienced but unlucky. He has implemented risk control on his US PayPal account after many changes.
So, if you have verified and executed the above steps and still cannot make a successful payment, it may be that you are just out of luck.
Don't say I started with a picture, the rest was all up to my mouth. Here is a screenshot of the successful payment, which is also my only proof. Because I didn't think it would be successful at that time.
[My guess, just a guess, is that American Card and other channels released discount posts for iPhone 13, and after the wool army was dispatched, the risk control became stricter. In addition, repeated attempts with the same information can also easily lead to risk control. ]
5. The SIM card that comes with the device is very important
After the payment is successful, you just need to wait for the delivery. In addition to the shipping fee, the tariff is 13%. The tax increase between China and the United States did not affect the iPhone and Pixel. Because these two mobile phones are most likely manufactured in China.
After receiving the goods, pay attention to the physical SIM card stuck to the back of the phone case.
This is very important, very important, very important!
In order to successfully unlock the phone automatically in China, you must have the IMEI of this card to activate the package.
Before your phone is unlocked, don't throw this card away, don't throw it away, don't throw it away!
(VI) Activate your mobile phone package
Since most of the information on the Internet about how to activate the Total Wireless package is text description, I will take a simple screenshot to demonstrate.
(1) Official website entrance - Home page - activate
(2) Select: I want a new number, zip code is optional
(3) Enter the IMEI on the physical SIM card, which is the first IMEI of iPhone 13.
According to what is said online, activation is completed at this step.
But on the PC web page, it continued to select the number, which was not the activation process at all. I thought I had failed again. Later, out of boredom, I used my iPhone to select "Activate device" in the menu of the Total Wireless App, then selected "New number", entered the IMEI, and finally activated the plan.
After activating the package, you can see your mobile phone number in the Line app, the network name and mobile phone number will also be displayed in the iPhone's cellular network, and Wi-Fi calling can also be turned on.
However, Total Wireless does lease Verizon's network, so you can't use Wi-Fi calling in China. Therefore, this package is just for show. Forget about making calls or sending and receiving text messages.
Just be patient and wait for your iPhone to unlock automatically after 60 days.
Before activation: No signal
After activation: Display TFW Wi-Fi
The above is the entire process of Total Wireless iPhone 13 contract phone from purchase, transfer to activation.
In addition, I would like to thank two fan friends, one of whom bought a brand new, unopened Pixel 9a from me over the weekend, which helped me get most of my money back and no longer be exploited by small yellow fish. But at the same time, I can no longer share the unboxing of the Pixel 9a.
The other one is the friend at the beginning, who provided a very valuable piece of information.Visible Pixel 9a is only $230 with contract. However, this activity has been removed from the shelves now. But judging from the comments of netizens who followed it, this activity has been put on the shelves many times in the past ten days, and it is also worth paying attention to.
I looked through relevant websites and found relevant introduction to this event.
I have set up payment information for this website. Because I have already mentioned the most critical information of the event. You can find it by searching casually. This website is my small effort to make up for the 1,000 yuan I lost. You can ignore it, but please sympathize...
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