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Need to unlock a device? Here's some information to get you started.

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W
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actually the phones get locked to the first carrier they get added onto..most carriers lock it to their network for a certain amount of days to insure they dont just up and bounce and once said days are met then its unlocked… postpaid accounts its 40 days...prepaid is one year or $100 worth of refills.

 

Verizon is pretty much the same..i think theirs is 50 days..might have changed..

 

******** interesting, I’ve already received their “we’d love to have you back” mail, 

NO response to my complaint to them 

 

same from spectrum whose “retention”  specialist used the same dishonest dialogue techniques  that are defined as “emotionally abusive” in family counseling 

 

sadly, have had some issues with att, sloppiness in their communication, the account not set up to the account and features I chose and, poor connection with offshore reps with poor English, with two exceptions… 

still not as dishonest as t and s 

in years of dealing with dishonesty in both home and business, they set a new low 

 

they need to not send me more add, I’m being tempted to design a special t-mob voodoo doll 

 

 

 

M

My phone was previously purchased at sprint and the device was paid off, so I went to sprint to unlock the phone, and they told me that the phone is now transferred to t mobile, so I went to the t mobile rep, but the rep told me the system I can't find my phone in , I want to know how to unlock my phone in this situation

 

S

l have an iphone 6 I had bought and used on Tmobile network back in 2015. I keep trying calling Tmobile to have it unlocked but they asked me to use it 40 days on their network. I’m a Tmobile customer for 11 years. There’s no way I’ll use this vintage phone for 40 days.. I needed it to use abroad for a few weeks installing a local sim card. It was used and paid off years ago. I could not find any person on customer service who could help me. They keep repeating me the same thing that I need to use it 40 days before they can unlock the phone. I already have a better phone I’ve been using, why would I use an ancient phone for 40 days because of their ridiculous requirement?! I gave up. Now I need to buy a phone somewhere else unlocked this time. Of course I will never ever buy a phone through Tmobile again. Paying off the phone does not make anybody eligible for unlocking an old phone. I called them 8 times but hit deaf ears in India including so called “supervisor”. 

W
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best for all of us to write to representatives and consumer protection 

if the t-mob gets away with this, other companies will do the same

 

the last t-mob rep I spoke to even said, that, “you will get the same from every company”

not true, this is the first time a company lied about unlocking the phone 

 

now, have to wait 35 days for the refund on my “cell spot” months of complaining about BAD connections before they suggested the cell spot, it did NOTHING because the problem was our one local 5g tower doesn’t work… does it really exist? 

I bet I’m going to have to fight for my refund… and, I was told I would not be charged for going over the payment period because they continue to not unlock the phone, something the last supervisors slipped up and admitted on speaker to all the workers and shoppers in the att store, he knew the phone was still locked, people listening turned and said “AH HAH!”

but, they charged me anyway 

awful company of scam artists

ripping off seniors like myself 

 

 

 

H
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Followed directions, didn’t work. 

Hi @LB47 Did you already receive the text message letting you know that the device is eligible for unlock?

gramps28
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Well here is something for everyone to ponder on. Why in the hell do we as consumers are imposed on a set of rules that force us to wait so many days, or meet this requirement, or to simple be in good standing to unlock a phone. It shouldn't even be a issue. If myself(not speaking for the masses) spend my own money to outright buy the phone then I should be able to do whatever I want I want to. So what is con side of this idealogy. I bought and paid for right. This is just like everything else that we out up with on a daily basis but has come to be norm for us. Just another way to control. In short why should anyone care if you want to unlock your phone. I say stop regulating so stupid and find something more important to regulate. Here is one for them. Regulate the A.I. programs. That's more important and not me unlocking phone. This is strictly my opinion and not meant to offend anyone. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. Replys are welcomed let's hear from y'all.

Much like a computers you own the hardware but the software is still under the End User License Agreement or Eula.

B
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gramps28: You do have valid point there yes. But if you was to scroll back a few inserts on  this, it seemed that some had some type of problem with this topic. I see it as this I don't own the software. You mentioned I own the hardware and I don't own that one either. So for me to let's say alter the software it doesn't screw yours or anyone elses up does it. Only mine would have it. It still falls within my boundaries no one else's. That was a really good point to.  

L

I called 611 finally and was told it had to be unlocked by calling them first. After two reboots it worked. Whew. 

gramps28
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How it looks you bought a phone from someone that should of returned it to Tmobile. Even if you were to get it unlocked Tmobile can always blacklist it since they technically own it.

The only way to buy a used phone in my opinion is through Swappa since they have rules on the phones they sell. Usually factory unlocked and no outstanding payments.

D

I was given an iPad Pro 3rd gen as a birthday gift, and I activated it on an old ex’s iCloud acct because I didn’t have one and we are no longer together so to be spiteful she reported it lost on find my app can I bypass the activation unlock somehow?

F
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My phone was previously purchased at sprint and the device was paid off, so I went to sprint to unlock the phone, and they told me that the phone is now transferred to t mobile, so I went to the t mobile rep, but the rep told me the system I can't find my phone in , I want to know how to unlock my phone in this situation

 

since your phone didnt start with TMO its info more than likely isnt in their system even after the switch. you might contact TMO and have them check. if it isnt the info will need to be added into their system so it can then be unlocked.

***I like many others come onto this site for assistance and to help others. Marking a reply as helpful or correct helps others with like issues when they try to search the site for assistance. I do not work for Tmobile and my suggestions and or opinions are my own**.~~~~ The site here is primarily peer to peer with some TMO moderation to keep the site in order..They do not have account access..The prefered method would be to contact TMO through either calling in (tier 1 support) or by contacting them through either Facebook/Twitter (tier 2 support)**~~~~
B
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Yeah TMobile has denied me to so I have a message for you. I don't really need you to unlock my phone. I figured that I would give y'all the benefit of doubt. Regardless of what you tell me I am going to unlock it myself. I don't need y'all's permission. I will flash the international OS to my phone or I might go with a custom ROM of my choice. Then grant myself super user rights.

 

F
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they weren't going to unlock it anyways lol..at this point they can care less as to what you do with it..they just wont unlock it due to the fact that you met none of the criteria.

 

root it..dont root it..brick it..dont brick it..fully up to you

***I like many others come onto this site for assistance and to help others. Marking a reply as helpful or correct helps others with like issues when they try to search the site for assistance. I do not work for Tmobile and my suggestions and or opinions are my own**.~~~~ The site here is primarily peer to peer with some TMO moderation to keep the site in order..They do not have account access..The prefered method would be to contact TMO through either calling in (tier 1 support) or by contacting them through either Facebook/Twitter (tier 2 support)**~~~~
H
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I called 611 finally and was told it had to be unlocked by calling them first. After two reboots it worked. Whew. 

Hmm Once you get the text message, the phone should be ready for those steps without having to call 611. Thanks for letting us know that they were able to help with that unlock for your device. 

S

I could not find the device unlock command on my Galaxy S21. This is a device that is an insurance replacement for the one I damaged, and on the T Mobile web site it tells me that it is eligible for unlock.

I have replaced the phone with an S23, so have no service to call 611

 

I have a similar situation where I no longer have access/data to my last phone (galaxy s20+ 5g) but it is available for unlock (paid it off a long time ago/ eligible for unlock/ believed I went through the unlock process/ sold it and apparently it's still locked? very frustrating) and chatting with tmobile support (many times) has gotten me no where. Is there no way to unlock it now that I no longer have access? Is contacting tmobile through socials the way to go? Thanks!!

J

I could not find the device unlock command on my Galaxy S21. This is a device that is an insurance replacement for the one I damaged, and on the T Mobile web site it tells me that it is eligible for unlock.

I have replaced the phone with an S23, so have no service to call 611

 

Is contacting tmobile through socials the way to go? Thanks!!

All I can say is that it worked for me.

H
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I could not find the device unlock command on my Galaxy S21. This is a device that is an insurance replacement for the one I damaged, and on the T Mobile web site it tells me that it is eligible for unlock.

I have replaced the phone with an S23, so have no service to call 611

 

You no longer have to call care if you already see online or got the message saying that your device is eligible for the unlock. We show the unlock steps on our Device Unlock support page. T-Mobile device unlock | T-Mobile Support

To find the steps for your S21, use the plus sign next to Android. Newer Samsung devices all follow the same steps so it should be easy peasy. 

F
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I have an old iPhone 11 and I need it to be unlock and the phone is paid off since 3 years old. I called customer service and they are giving me a hard time to unlock it. They say it will take up to 24-72 hours to unlock it. Well it's over that time frame. I am still a customer with them but I want to give this phone to a family member. What can I do to get unlock?  

TMO must put in a request for unlock to Apple..they do whatever they need to do then accept the unlock request.

 

 

Android they just check to make sure everything has been met obligation wise then fire out the unlock.

 

for what its worth..is the old phone connected to at least wifi if its no longer on the TMO network?

***I like many others come onto this site for assistance and to help others. Marking a reply as helpful or correct helps others with like issues when they try to search the site for assistance. I do not work for Tmobile and my suggestions and or opinions are my own**.~~~~ The site here is primarily peer to peer with some TMO moderation to keep the site in order..They do not have account access..The prefered method would be to contact TMO through either calling in (tier 1 support) or by contacting them through either Facebook/Twitter (tier 2 support)**~~~~
J

It’s connect to WIFI but not connected to TMO. Also Apple doesn’t unlock phone the carrier have to do it. 

H
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iPhones are also included in our proactive unlock process. The eligibility requirements must be met and then there are steps you complete on the device itself. Are you on a prepaid or postpaid account? 

A

i’ve had an iphone 12 pro with tmobile since may 2021, i broke the original iphone in january 2023 and got a replacement through apple care from an apple store a few days afterwards. that being said i tried to get my phone unlocked but they are saying that it hasn’t been active with tmobile for 40 days? the reps have put in a request to get it unlocked from the “higher ups” but it’s been over 48 hours from then. I don’t understand what the mean by 40 days, when the phone is fully paid off.. is it 40 days from when it’s fully paid off? because that was in may 2023. 

gramps28
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40 days of usage on Tmobile towers. Since Apple replaced the phone the imei# is not in Tmobile's data base to issue the request.

The new imei# needs to be entered into Tmobile's system.

F
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i’ve had an iphone 12 pro with tmobile since may 2021, i broke the original iphone in january 2023 and got a replacement through apple care from an apple store a few days afterwards. that being said i tried to get my phone unlocked but they are saying that it hasn’t been active with tmobile for 40 days? the reps have put in a request to get it unlocked from the “higher ups” but it’s been over 48 hours from then. I don’t understand what the mean by 40 days, when the phone is fully paid off.. is it 40 days from when it’s fully paid off? because that was in may 2023. 

40 days period. also keep in mind that since your current device was a warranty replacement its info is not in the TMO system. so it’ll show incorrect info and delay the unlock..especially if all things have been met..the updated info wont be and it’ll stop the unlock process. contact TMO preferably through either Facebook or Twitter and have the info for the device corrected.

***I like many others come onto this site for assistance and to help others. Marking a reply as helpful or correct helps others with like issues when they try to search the site for assistance. I do not work for Tmobile and my suggestions and or opinions are my own**.~~~~ The site here is primarily peer to peer with some TMO moderation to keep the site in order..They do not have account access..The prefered method would be to contact TMO through either calling in (tier 1 support) or by contacting them through either Facebook/Twitter (tier 2 support)**~~~~
gramps28
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Did you read the requirements? You need to be a Tmobile USA customer and meet the requirements in the article. Are you a Tmobile customer? If not there's nothing Tmobile can do for you.

H
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My mobile phone is a second-hand mobile phone. I'm on a business trip abroad and can't use the Internet. I'm very anxious. How can I unlock my device?

Having phone issues while traveling can be nerve-wracking to say the least. If you can access phone calls and text messages while abroad, then you should also be getting data. You want to make sure your data roaming is on, so your phone knows to look for other data networks. You can also check that your APN settings are good. The APN settings that you need can be found on our support page here.

If you do need your device unlocked to use a non T-Mobile SIM card, you can try going through the steps that I wrote in the article above. If the steps don’t work, you would want to reach out to person that you got the phone from to determine why it may not be eligible for unlock. 

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