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

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. 

The magic of cell phones is that they are our companion wherever we go. They connect us to friends and family, work, entertainment, and everything in between. Cell phones have also been a convenient place for us to store our treasures like pictures and music. Changing phones can be a headache, which is why unlocking our devices is so important if we are traveling to other countries or changing wireless providers.

Let's take a look at the requirements and processes for unlocking your phone.

Eligibility requirements

To network unlock your device, you must first meet certain eligibility requirements. Some of the requirements are different based on your account type, but some things don't change. The device must be sold by T-Mobile. It mustn't be reported as lost, stolen, or broken. The account associated to the device must be in good standing. T-Mobile may need proof of purchase or some additional information, but most of the time the unlock process is seamless and easy.

If you are on a postpaid account, the unlock requirements are pretty straightforward. Make sure the device is paid off and it was used on your account for a minimum of 40 days. How easy is that?! :D

If you have a prepaid plan, your device will be eligible for unlock 365 days after the day it was initially activated on the account. One year can be a very long time to wait, but don't fret — there's another option available. Prepaid accounts that activated the device at least 14 days ago and placed $100 in refills per line are also eligible for unlock. Each line can only have two unlocks per year, though, so keep that in mind if you are trying to unlock a third device on the same phone number.

Process to unlock

So how does the unlock happen? As soon as your device is eligible, you will receive a text message notification letting you know that you can go through the unlock process. It only takes a couple of minutes as long as you are connected to the T-Mobile data network or reliable Wi-Fi.

Android devices are diverse, so the exact steps vary. Basically, you can go into settings and then to Network, Connections, or About Phone. You want to find the option for Network Unlock or Device Unlock. Finally, select Permanent Unlock and let it load. It may restart itself, but if it doesn't, you'll want to restart the phone and then you are ready to roll.

If you use iPhone, you just insert the new SIM card and restart the phone. You can also follow the normal steps to activate the eSIM with the other service provider like normal. Easy peasy!

To sum it up

I love that we have reduced the effort that it takes to unlock devices by sending notifications proactively when the eligibility requirements are met and empowered device owners with the ability to complete the steps easily right from the phone. It saves so much time because there is no need to contact customer support or wait for a ticket to be filed to gain approval.

I hope this helps answer any questions about our unlock process. You can find more information about our unlocking devices on our Support page. I would love to hear any thoughts or other questions that y’all have about unlocking devices.

I bought my iPhone 12 Pro at Sprint two years ago. T-Mobile acquired Sprint, and I have paid off all the money. Now I can't use this device abroad. Can T-Mobile unlock my device?

Trying to switch carries from T-Mobile, unfortunately, poor reception here

tm told me, phone is unlocked 

called other carrier (oc), they said it isn’t

called tm, told me phone is unlocked, called oc they said it isn’t

called tm and merged the calls, tm said ”oh, it can take 24- 48 hours to unlock phone” since I paid the balance of the monthly billing 

why not tell me that upfront? 

called me today to say “the phone is unlocked”

called the oc, they said it isn’t 

called tm again with oc on the call, tm said they show the phone is unlocked

but….. it can take apple a couple days to unlock the phone

???

the other reason I am leaving tm, the run around

what do I have to do and who do I need to talk to get the truth on this issue?

you know the other carrier would like to add a customer...so, I doubt they are stalling 

I wanted to bill tm for the run around I had over glitches in the new iPhone 13, resolving that took me hours and hours… and four 2 hour round trips to the apple store 

now, even less happy with them

at it’s worst, the other carrier, never wasted my time like this 

interesting information, thank you

I laugh when our internet offers faster speeds, never had the faster speed be faster than the slower speed, told a lot of stories about that, but, never worth the difference in cost 

Sounds like I should have told them I wanted an unlocked phone?

apple told me they don’t sell locked phones because, they are not the carrier

att told me they phones are not locked by apple

the issue is, as long and people don’t complain, we get scammed

nothing changes until we demand better service

and, more issues with t-mob than the locked phone, they LIED about local towers, I’d never seen the “sos” on a phone before unless I was really out in the wild but had  happen several times in los angeles with t mob, lied about the “fastest connection ever” “oh, you have the slower plan, do you want to upgrade for $$ more? “

a half hour at t-mobile today to return the cell spot 

they say there is a lock on the account… 

wanting to make sure I will never consider them anywhere, any time… 

funny, I never had a problem switching a phone between verizon to att

really scammed by the att>cingular fraud though and you are right, the bbb and ftc did nothing to help millions of customers then… people are so willing to be fleeced now 

Google Pixel 7 was paid off and unlocked using T-Mobile’s Unlock (Pixel) app.  But I still cannot OEM unlock (bootloader unlock).  I want to flash a new ROM on my device.