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Can someone school me on iPhones, networks, and unlocking?

I know there are two networks (in the US), CDMA which is used by Sprint, Verizon and US Cellular, and GSM which is used by CDMA. AT&T and T-Mobile. As I understand it, the iPhone is a "world phone" which is to say that technically any given phone from the factory can connect to either network. However, phones are often locked to a single carrier (AT&T, etc) in order to fulfil contract obligations with that carrier. But once the contract is over the phone can be unlocked for use on other networks.

Here's where things start getting murky.

  1. I have a used iPhone 6 that was sold as an AT&T phone. AT&T has a web tool that allows people to unlock their off-contract phones, so I did that (using the phone's IMEI number, since it's not tied to an AT&T account/phone number). Got the confirmation that it's unlocked, so yay. Does this mean that the phone can be used on any network with any carrier, or just on GSM networks? Can I plug a Verizon SIM card in there and use it on their CDMA network?
  2. Same question, but flipped. I have a used iPhone 6 that was sold as a Verizon phone. Once Verizon proclaims the phone unlocked, can I use it on any network with any carrier, or just on CDMA networks?
  3. With AT&T at least, the unlock instructions require me to plug in an AT&T SIM card, then backup the phone, erase it, then restore from backup. But according to their same instructions if I'm not using an AT&T SIM card I need only insert the SIM card from the other carrier and then "follow the setup instructions". Would those "setup instructions" require me to erase the phone too? Would the unlock command (which originated from AT&T) still reach the phone even if it's no longer on AT&T?
  4. I also have a used iPhone 6 that was sold as a Verizon phone. I was kind of on autopilot and while I was entering the unlock request for the AT&T iPhone, I also entered the unlock request for the Verizon phone -- using AT&T's unlock tool. I realized the error after the fact but was very surprised to discover that AT&T sent me a confirmation email that the Verizon phone was now unlocked. How does THAT work?
  5. I have a used iPhone 5S that was given to me by an AT&T customer. I went through AT&T's unlock process, got the verification and such so it's officially unlocked. But I can't use the phone on Verizon. Shouldn't I be able to? I thought the 5S was also a "world phone". After some Googling it seems that there are some iPhones (or at least iPhone 5's) which can't be carrier-unlocked and this iPhone 5S is one of them. What's up with THAT? What other iPhones are similarly carrier- or network-locked?
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1. I dunno. Which tool are you using? You should test and find out

2. Verizon phones are naturally unlocked

3. Should still be on AT&T

4. I just straight up and down don't understand the question

5. Sounds like it's not unlocked

I use blowfishunlocks.com works pretty well

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1. As I said, I'm using AT&T's online portal for unlocking devices. https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/#/

2. So I can use an "unlocked" Verizon phone on AT&T?

3. I'm not sure what you mean by that. Are you saying that the phone should still be on AT&T because it wasn't reset while there was an AT&T SIM card installed? That would mean that it would be impossible to unlock it without an AT&T SIM card, but AT&T's instructions specifically say that it can be unlocked without an AT&T SIM card.

4. Have Verizon phone. Went to AT&T's unlock portal. Entered Verizon phone's IMEI number into AT&T's unlock portal. AT&T sent approval and verification of the unlock. How is it that AT&T can unlock a Verizon phone?

5. According to AT&T's unlock portal, it's unlocked.

I'll check out that URL in the morning, thanks. :-)

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Verizon is naturally unlock able the rest aren't. I will look at your url in the morning. Could be useful

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I checked out blowfishunlocks and I admit I'm a little confused. Since AT&T and Verizon and such all offer unlock services freely for off-contract phones, what's the advantage of using blowfishunlocks?

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It's unlocked for any carrier. Where as you're trying these company unlock sites, and you're not getting what you want. Thanks for reminding me. I need to try yours

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You say Verizon phones are "naturally unlocked". Does that mean I could buy ANY off-contract Verizon phone and, without any effort on my part (beyond inserting a SIM card), connect it to any CDMA or GSM network? If that's the case, why does Apple sell "Verizon" phones and "unlocked" phones?

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