Apple Stops Allowing Sprint iPhone Activations, Removes Sprint References From Online Store - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Stops Allowing Sprint iPhone Activations, Removes Sprint References From Online Store

Apple is no longer allowing customers who purchase an iPhone, cellular iPad, or Apple Watch to activate a device with now-defunct mobile carrier Sprint. Apple has also removed remaining references to Sprint from its online store.

TMobile Sprint
When checking out with a new purchase, Sprint is no longer an option for connectivity, a change that Apple appears to have implemented today. Prior to now, Sprint customers were still technically able to activate Sprint devices through the T-Mobile network, and Apple listed Sprint carrier deals.

Given that T-Mobile completed its Sprint merger back in 2020, it is likely that this change will not affect many people. Many Sprint customers have already been transitioned to T-Mobile accounts and are no longer technically Sprint customers, but there may still be some individuals out there who have not yet completed the transfer over to T-Mobile.

Sprint customers have technically been using the T-Mobile network since shortly after the acquisition, as T-Mobile began incorporating Sprint spectrum into its network in April 2020.

Former Sprint customers who are experiencing issues related to their service should contact T-Mobile for help as they will need to move their Sprint accounts to T-Mobile to activate their devices.

(Thanks, Dave!)

Popular Stories

iPhone Handoff iOS 27 Feature

T-Mobile to Charge $5 a Month for iOS 27 iPhone Handoff

Thursday September 10, 2026 3:58 pm PDT by
T-Mobile will charge customers $5 per month to use iPhone Handoff, an e-SIM feature that allows the same phone number to be used on two separate iPhones. iPhone Handoff requires carrier support, and at launch, only T-Mobile users in the U.S. and Deutsche Telekom users in Germany will be able to use it. T-Mobile says customers can use their number across two compatible iPhone models and...
iOS 27 Next to iPhone

Here's When iOS 27 Rolls Out Today in Every Time Zone [Update: It's Out]

Sunday September 13, 2026 3:00 am PDT by
Update 10:04 a.m.: iOS 27 is rolling out now, though it may take a bit for all users to see it, so keep checking! Apple is about to release iOS 27, which will finally deliver more advanced Siri AI capabilities as well as a variety of other refinements, improvements, and new features to iPhones. It's Apple's biggest software update of the year, and Apple announced at Wednesday's iPhone event...
iOS 27 Icon iPhone

iOS 27 Available Today With These 8 New Features

Monday September 14, 2026 9:00 am PDT by
Update: Apple has released iOS 27. During its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo event last week, Apple announced that iOS 27 will be released widely on Monday, September 14. iOS 27 should be available around 10 a.m. Pacific Time / 1 p.m. Eastern Time today via the Settings app, under General → Software Update. Below, we have highlighted eight new features and changes coming with iOS...

Top Rated Comments

TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️ Avatar
46 months ago
🪦 RIP Sprint! Do you guys remember the HTC EVO 4G? 🥺

apple stops sprint activations image
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
drew0020 Avatar
46 months ago

They are still not as good as AT&T and Verizon tho. I'm on Dual Network and T-Mobile is still not available as AT&T/Verizon.


I switched from ATT to T-Mobile about 45 days ago. I was an ATT customer since the first iPhone. My 5G speeds went from about 50Mbps to 500mbps (highest I’ve gotten is about 800Mbps) on average with T-Mobile.

T-Mobile provides much better coverage for me in the southeast plus I save $15/month, get free MLB/MLS packages, $350 debit card, Apple TV+, Paramount+, and Netflix (only SD). Only downside is I lost HBO Max.

I wish I switched earlier. T-Mobile 5G in my area is almost as fast as my Google Fiber Home Internet - 2GB. It’s insanely good for the price.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LeadingHeat Avatar
46 months ago
Good riddance.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vegetassj4 Avatar
46 months ago
Mint Mobile rep spotted outside of One Infinite Loop



Attachment Image
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cocky jeremy Avatar
46 months ago
Breaking news: Apple no longer activating phones on network that no longer exists.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️ Avatar
46 months ago

Also, just about all the Sprint mid-band frequencies have been updated to use 3GPP NR 5G. That's how T-Mobile gets such high average download speeds on 5G now.
They are still not as good as AT&T and Verizon tho. I'm on Dual Network and T-Mobile is still not available as AT&T/Verizon.



Attachment Image
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)

🔗 Related Apple News & Rumors

Stay updated with the latest Apple ecosystem news and verified rumors