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I bought the phone from Tmobile and then bought the unlock code online but for the life of me I am unable to get the prompt for entering the unlocke code.
One previous phones (G3, Note 3), it automatically poped up when I started the phone with At&t sim but I'm having no such luck with the G4. I have also tried all the codes that the seller suggested but still no prompt. I even tried the Tmobile's unlock application and it just gives an error that server is not responding.
Does anyone has any suggestion? I desperately need some help.
ajamils said:
I bought the phone from Tmobile and then bought the unlock code online but for the life of me I am unable to get the prompt for entering the unlocke code.
One previous phones (G3, Note 3), it automatically poped up when I started the phone with At&t sim but I'm having no such luck with the G4. I have also tried all the codes that the seller suggested but still no prompt. I even tried the Tmobile's unlock application and it just gives an error that server is not responding.
Does anyone has any suggestion? I desperately need some help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe that phone needs to be used for 30 or 60 days or something to let you unlock it.
Sent from my M8 M8
ThatKawaiiGuy said:
I believe that phone needs to be used for 30 or 60 days or something to let you unlock it.
Sent from my M8 M8
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought that requirement was only of I want to request an unlock code from Tmobile.
What if i use a different sim in that phone? My brother has been a Tmobile customer for over 10 years.
ajamils said:
I thought that requirement was only of I want to request an unlock code from Tmobile.
What if i use a different sim in that phone? My brother has been a Tmobile customer for over 10 years.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same "strick" requirements with S6/Edge.. to do permanent unlock your brother needs to have the ESN tied to his account as main user.. you can try the temporary unlock with his tmobile that could buy you 30days
Try putting this in the dialer 2945#*811#
Edit.. Doesn't work they gave me that code to unlock my G3 but it had the 851 suffix If you own the phone outright then customer service should give you the code
I was told by an in-store t-mobile rep that if you buy the phone outright, you can contact them to get it unlocked for free. If you buy it on the EIP, you have to make two payments before you can get it unlocked.
I did buy the phone outright but since they didn't want to sell the phone without a service plan I got the month to month plan and from what I've heard I need to keep the account for 40 days before I can request an unlock code.
With that said, since I already have the unlock code all I need is the access to the prompt to enter it.
Sticky situation...
I got the same problem. Any attempts to prompt to enter activation fail.
Tried entering other carrier sim cards and dialing 2945#*811# but it doesn't do anything.
All we need is a manual way to enter unlock code (which i already got). Would be nice if there was an app that just forces it to appear... It feela like T-Mobile is just masked it out of their dialer.
I have the same problem - I have the codes but cannot access the unlock menu?
T-Mobile 811
I did notice that there is a new app Tmo threw on here called unlock. Maybe that's why the code won't work. Maybe it has to go through the app now..
Swizzle82 said:
I did notice that there is a new app Tmo threw on here called unlock. Maybe that's why the code won't work. Maybe it has to go through the app now..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what it looks like. I contacted Tmobile and asked for an unlock code and the CSR told me that they do not have any record of my phone's IMEI so I should use it for few days and then call back.
I'm on new Tmobile account and just opened the phone today.
Swizzle82 said:
I did notice that there is a new app Tmo threw on here called unlock. Maybe that's why the code won't work. Maybe it has to go through the app now..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, but all that app does it checks if you're eligible for an unlock... I don't understand I gave them FULL payment for the phone (I don't owe T-mobile anything for this device, device is paid off in full).
But I did call them and they're saying you basically have to be with them for 40 days for them to give you the unlock.. It's really lame how they're hacking their phone not to display unlock option, even though you friggin' have paid off phone.... you don't force people to be your customers like that "Mr we give you so much freedom, we don't even have contracts".
That's total BS. I paid full price for the phone as well so I don't know what gives them the right to do something like this.
same here. not only did i pay full price. according to their pricing chart i had to pay a $30 premium on top of the MSRP because I'm a non-tmobile customer. Now i'm finding out that not only does the unlock process have to go through app, even though customer service gave me different instructions on how to unlock it (that didn't work), but I also have to find a tmobile customer that's within good standing temporarily give me their sim card to put into the phone so that i can run the unlock with the app. WHAT THE F**K TMOBILE!? and you want me to leave ATT for you? as bad as people say ATT is they've never given me issues like this. BS
I was a Tmobile customer since Voice Stream days but switched to At&t two years back and I'm never going back. The only thing that I hate about At&t is their B$ about locking bootloader and because of that my last 3 phones have been from Tmobile. But the way things are going with Tmobile now, it looks like I'll be buying my next phone will either be an international version or At&t
I'm with you guys! This is last time I did business with T-Mobile , forcing people to use your services even if you paid in full for the device is not the best way to gain business...
And by the way even getting someone with T-Mobile account will not magically unlock your device, you would still have to buy their service for 2 months ahead to unlock "YOUR" device.
Lobanovskiy said:
I'm with you guys! This is last time I did business with T-Mobile , forcing people to use your services even if you paid in full for the device is not the best way to gain business...
And by the way even getting someone with T-Mobile account will not magically unlock your device, you would still have to buy their service for 2 months ahead to unlock "YOUR" device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The argument right now is that there should in no way be any restrictions from a carrier if the customer purchases a product at full value. Although, this restriction is technically included in their T's & C's.
BUT!!! In line with those same T's & C's, technically there's no way for them to stop any of us from having an existing tmobile customer gain an unlock code using their account as long as sed customer claims it as their own during the unlock process. After it's done tmobile can't do sh**.
What you are describing falls under their eligibility requirements for "Unlock eligibility for monthly phones, tablets and mobile internet devices". What I'm trying to do technically falls under the standard device unlocking requirements (IN RED). They can't tell a tmobile customer in good standing that they can't unlock a tmobile phone that was purchased for them as a "gift" that was paid for at face value as long as that tmobile customer meets all of tmobile's requirements pertaining to the unlocking category they fall under. If they do that then they're in for a lawsuit for sure...
Unlock requirements
We provide mobile device unlock codes free of charge within two business days (or provides further information about timing) for eligible devices.
Device eligibility is determined as follows:
The device must be a T-Mobile device.
The device must not be reported as lost, stolen or blocked to T-Mobile.
The account associated with the device must be in good standing.
You have requested no more than 2 mobile device unlock codes per line of service in the last 12 months.
The device must satisfy all the Postpaid or Pay in Advance (Prepaid) Unlocking terms outlined below.
You may need a non-T-Mobile and non-MetroPCS SIM card to insert in the phone.
Unlock eligibility for monthly phones, tablets and mobile internet devices
The device must have been active on the T-Mobile network for at least 40 days on the requesting line.
If the device is financed using T-Mobile’s Equipment Installment Plan (EIP), all payments must be satisfied and the device must be paid in full.
If the device is on an account that is under a service contract term, at least 18 consecutive monthly payments must have been made or the account has migrated to Simple Choice no contract rate plan.
If the device is associated with a canceled account, the account balance must be zero, including all pending charges
T-Mobile may request proof of purchase or additional information in its discretion and certain other exceptions may apply.
Unlock eligibility for pay in advance (prepaid) phones, tablets and mobile internet devices
The device has been active on the T-Mobile network for more than 1 year on the requesting line.
If the device has been active for less than 1 year on the requesting line, the Pay in Advance account associated with the device must have had more than $25 in refills for basic phones or $100 in refills for smartphones or tablet since device first use date.
The account must not be canceled and in good standing.
T-Mobile may request proof of purchase or additional information in its discretion and certain other exceptions may apply.
I have unlocked phones for friends before. As long as the phone is registered on the network for at least 7 days and is paid off someone who has a T-Mobile account(older than 40 days) can unlock any device.
I was thinking of getting the G4 from T-Mobile and use it on ATT. However, I learned a harsh lesson when trying this for my wife with the S6 edge. There is no question in my mind that T-Mobile is going around the agreement that all carriers have to unlock the device. I too purchased a code and even though someone figured out how to get the unlock prompt up, it would not take the code. I decided to get prepaid service. Turns out that if you get prepaid service, to unlock the phone you have to have added at least $100 balance. Otherwise, you have to wait 1 year on prepaid. No one I spoke to was able to unlock the device. In the end I probably could have gotten the phone unlocked once I had $100 balance using the app but I thought this was ridiculous so I filed an FCC complaint. I was contacted the next day by someone form their executive office. She offered to unlock the phone. I had already returned the phone and was stuck with a $100 prepaid account I didn't need. So in the end I got a $100 visa card from them.
Despite me explaining to her multiple times, she would not acknowledge that they were preventing third-party unlocking by forcing the use of the T-Mobile app. I think they need to hear from more people. I gave the links in my S6 post. I am linking it here so maybe some of you can file the complaint as well and T-Mobile can stop this nonsense for phones purchased at full retail.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=60610687&postcount=46
I'm seriously thinking about returning the damn phone and getting the Unlocked version from eBay. It is not only cheaper but I won't have to deal with any of this account crap that I had to sign up for to buy the device. My only concern is that I've already filled the online rebates for the 128GB microSD and the LG promo, so I'm probably going to miss out on those.
Does anyone has any experience with returning phone + service to T-Mobile store? On the reciept it says that they could charge a restocking fees of up to $50.
Hi, I am mentally challenged and needs one-on-one help. I want to unlock and release my Samsung Galaxy Note 3 to switch to a government program carrier who also uses T-Mobile. The device is from T-Mobile. Right now, I am stuck with money, moving into low-income-housing apartment and I need help to stay connected. I've seen people somehow unlock and release their devices from cerriers before being paid in full. Please help me to do the same on here for my Note 3 then all I need to do is go to the store for goverment provider service to purchase a SIM card. My text is 405-593-8077 and I really need help, please. My only option is to buy a device at a pawn shop, which is scary cuz I dunno why they were pawned. The store has been waiting for a few weeks for S3 to arrive, so I either wait for the S3, or unlock to release my N3 or buy a device at a pawn shop. I need at least 1GB. Their Nokia Lumia 520 and iPhone 4 has 512mb of RAM. So my options are limited. I dunno why the S3 shipment from provider to warehouse are late. Help me on how to unlock, please. If ya don't want to text, then eMail at [email protected] is fine. I've had several one-on-one help here before. Please help.
ThunderOKC said:
Hi, I am mentally challenged and needs one-on-one help. I want to unlock and release my Samsung Galaxy Note 3 to switch to a government program carrier who also uses T-Mobile. The device is from T-Mobile. Right now, I am stuck with money, moving into low-income-housing apartment and I need help to stay connected. I've seen people somehow unlock and release their devices from cerriers before being paid in full. Please help me to do the same on here for my Note 3 then all I need to do is go to the store for goverment provider service to purchase a SIM card. My text is 405-593-8077 and I really need help, please. My only option is to buy a device at a pawn shop, which is scary cuz I dunno why they were pawned. The store has been waiting for a few weeks for S3 to arrive, so I either wait for the S3, or unlock to release my N3 or buy a device at a pawn shop. I need at least 1GB. Their Nokia Lumia 520 and iPhone 4 has 512mb of RAM. So my options are limited. I dunno why the S3 shipment from provider to warehouse are late. Help me on how to unlock, please. If ya don't want to text, then eMail at [email protected] is fine. I've had several one-on-one help here before. Please help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since the carrier you're talking about also uses T-Mobile, I'm about 90% sure the phone will not need to be unlocked to use the service. My T-Mobile N900T Note 3 isn't unlocked and I've tested all kind of carriers that utilize their service. Other than my contract SIM I've tested T-Mobile's prepaid, Family Mobile, and MetroPCS and all work perfect since they use the same service and can use identical APN's. However, if you do want to have the phone unlocked to make sure, it's very simple. As long as it's been active on your account for at least 40 days and the account is in good standing (no past due bill) then T-Mobile is obligated to provide you with an unlock code for it if you call and request it.
Now the part about releasing the device before the bill is paid in full, I'm pretty sure you will not have to do that either. That is unless you purchased it under their Equipment Installment Plan (EIP) and you're still paying for the phone. As long as you own the device then I do not believe they can Blacklist it at all. The only time they Blacklist them is for the EIP I explained, and you just stopped paying your bill, or if you reported it lost or stolen.
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk
The service got suspended and I didn't turn it on. So now what? Any way I can still unlock? Or just buy a ph on eBay or at pawn shop?
ThunderOKC said:
The service got suspended and I didn't turn it on. So now what? Any way I can still unlock? Or just buy a ph on eBay or at pawn shop?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go here and enter your IMEI number.
https://swappa.com/esn
It will tell you the status and if the phone is still clear to use or not.
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk
Hi Everyone,
I've seen some posts about unlocking this but I'm curious as to whether I can unlock a T-Mobile branded phone purchased outright that has never been activated.
What have you all found to be the easiest way to unlock it? I've already reached out to TM via FB to no avail.
Let me know what you guys think.
Thanks!
Bootloader unlock is done via Motorola. To unlock your device for all carriers you must actively use the phone for 7 days. If you can't unlock it yourself after 7 days using the builtin app, then go in to a store. They can call in and help get it unlocked, but only after you've used the phone for 7 days.
papadelogan said:
Bootloader unlock is done via Motorola. To unlock your device for all carriers you must actively use the phone for 7 days. If you can't unlock it yourself after 7 days using the builtin app, then go in to a store. They can call in and help get it unlocked, but only after you've used the phone for 7 days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, that is my question.
The phone is brand new - no sim. I'm trying to get it to a prepaid wireless service and need it unlocked to do so. What you're saying is that I would need to activate it for 7 days for the bootloader to work, correct?
Tmobile themselves offer unlocking but only after 40 days of service which is a no go in my current situation.
Thanks again for any help. No other programs or apps out there that can unlock it more quickly without the amount of work?
You guys are awesome!
ponzpo said:
Ok, that is my question.
The phone is brand new - no sim. I'm trying to get it to a prepaid wireless service and need it unlocked to do so. What you're saying is that I would need to activate it for 7 days for the bootloader to work, correct?
Tmobile themselves offer unlocking but only after 40 days of service which is a no go in my current situation.
Thanks again for any help. No other programs or apps out there that can unlock it more quickly without the amount of work?
You guys are awesome!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. You are matching the two things together. Let me be a little bit simpler about this. All use different paragraph so you don't get confused.
BOOTLOADER unlock can be done about 1 minute after you buy the phone. You contact Motorola directly. Search this forum and you'll get tons of information on it
CARRIER Unlocking a T-Mobile phone to be able to use with any carrier can be done after 7 Days of use on a T-Mobile plan. If they recently bumped it up to 40 and that's what customer service told you, then go with that. I've been with them for a few years now and only needed 7 days, but then I was in the store working with one of the sales people and they called in about it. I may have gotten special consideration given the amount of time my wife has had an account with T-Mobile, but I did a carrier unlock after only 7 days.
Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
I picked up a New tmo z2 force and started it with prepaid. The prepaid balance has to be at least 100$ and active for 14 days before they will unlock it.
noXcape said:
I picked up a New tmo z2 force and started it with prepaid. The prepaid balance has to be at least 100$ and active for 14 days before they will unlock it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that T-Mobile specific prepaid?
Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
Yes. Tmo prepaid
Also that's what the tmo rep told me. I still have like 10 days to wait...so I'll report back when it's done
Decided to call and try my luck with another rep. They escalated the unlock for me and did it with the hour.
Unlock app says permanently unlocked now!
You don't need to have it 7 days or whatever. Buy the phone full price, insert the tmobile sim, boot up and carrier unlock right away with the unlock app. Bootloader unlock is with motorola. That's it.
First, you need to activate your phone with a T-Mobile SIM card (you don't need to possess the SIM card, you can even borrow one for a few minutes) and a non-T-Mobile SIM to check if the phone is network locked.
You can check by following these steps:
1. Insert the “non-accepted SIM card” on the phone (Please check if your new SIM Card is activated, if not contact your Mobile Operator in order to activate it).
2. Wait for the phone to load
3. Insert the SIM’s PIN code (4 digits), if asked.
4. Read the message your phone displays, if you need the unlock code or to unlock via the Device Unlock App.
Mod Edit
Based on the message you have, you can contact T-Mobile again and ask them to unlock. Or you can use a third party unlocking service.
RossTeagan said:
First, you need to activate your phone with a T-Mobile SIM card (you don't need to possess the SIM card, you can even borrow one for a few minutes) and a non-T-Mobile SIM to check if the phone is network locked.
You can check by following these steps:
1. Insert the “non-accepted SIM card” on the phone (Please check if your new SIM Card is activated, if not contact your Mobile Operator in order to activate it).
2. Wait for the phone to load
3. Insert the SIM’s PIN code (4 digits), if asked.
4. Read the message your phone displays, if you need the unlock code or to unlock via the Device Unlock App.
Mod Edit
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This doesnt work.. It says unlock failed.. tried permanent and temporary. Tmobile says theres an unpaid balance but the phones imei is not lost or stolen. The way to request an unlock is the previous owner and the imei # has to make a request. ugh and theres some dude who says he can do it for a fee (clean the imei) im trying to use this on metro and cannot because of the whole tmobile unpaid balance bullcrap
Correct me if I'm wrong. No T-Mobile phone is eligible for unlock unless it's paid off in full and remained on the network for 45 days after. I've unlocked plenty of them after they were paid off and this was almost always the case.
I unlocked my bootloader right after getting my phone. It's not paid off, as I upgraded via JUMP.
sabrdawg said:
I unlocked my bootloader right after getting my phone. It's not paid off, as I upgraded via JUMP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thinking the OP is talking about carrier unlock.
Check what your IMEI's status is in the T-Mobile network with their service here: https://www.t-mobile.com/verifyIMEI.aspx
Note that if the result doesn't with "Congratulations..." you might not be able to unlock your phone.
20degrees said:
Thinking the OP is talking about carrier unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, got it. It's tricky when "unlock" has multiple meanings, lol! In that case, no, you can't carrier unlock until your phone is paid off
I posted a similar question before I realised there was a thread already on this topic. Can anybody confirm that if you buy a tmo version from Motorola, then what are the conditions for having it unlocked? Is it $100 credit balance (for me that would add $100 to the cost) or immediately on insertion of a TMO SIM or some other conditions? Does anybody have any experiences they can report? Thanks
I can tell you I just tried getting a tmobile variant unlocked (375 outright, I have AT&T) and had a buddy with a tmobile account make the purchase and put his active sim in it and they would not unlock it. Stated it had to be on tmobile network for 40 days. He called multiple times and argued it's already paid off but they wouldn't budge. So I returned it. Had to eat a 50 fee for returning it. I chalk it to a lesson learned.
I was going to buy the phone from the Motorola website for $500 so $375 is a good deal. The problem is while I have a tmobile SIM card on a prepaid account I don't live in the US and while I'm travelling there soon I won't be on the network for 40 days. so I guess it won't be unlockable while I'm there and certainly not once I'm gone.
I wonder what the unlocking Services online are like? Has anybody had any experiences to relate
lchiu7 said:
I was going to buy the phone from the Motorola website for $500 so $375 is a good deal. The problem is while I have a tmobile SIM card on a prepaid account I don't live in the US and while I'm travelling there soon I won't be on the network for 40 days. so I guess it won't be unlockable while I'm there and certainly not once I'm gone.
I wonder what the unlocking Services online are like? Has anybody had any experiences to relate
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is also a temp unlock through the unlock app. Still fully sim unlocked but for only a short time. Then if you do come back to the US for 40+ days you can try for the permanent unlock.
Sent from my Moto Z (2) using XDA Labs
OK _ just got off both a phone call and chat session with TMO support. Basically the phone has to be on their network for 2 billing cycles and then you can call them to unlock it. That applies even apparently to the $3/month plan. I do have somebody who could do that but they would have to send the phone to me and I am not sure you can do that with its LiOn battery inside.
I got ahold of a used t-mobile z2 force. Considering I'm still using a 2012 phone, this will be quite an upgrade for me. I tried the t-mobile app to carrier unlock but no luck. From reading here, it seems there are two options.
#1 - Get new a prepaid sim, activiate, then add $100 credit, wait a few days, then try the app again, eventually it will work.
#2 - Get/Borrow a used sim (doesn't matter if prepaid), put it in the phone, wait a few days, then try the app again, eventually it will work.
Am I right?
If so, any suggestions where to find a used sim? I tried ebay and they're all new and unactivated. Or maybe someone here did option 1 and doesn't need their sim anymore, PM me.
I looked into option #1 myself but at $3/month for voice/text only, it's not real useful to me as I use hangouts/voice for voice & text, all I really need is data. And with the prepaid unlimited I'd use up my $100 in two months, kinda a waste imo.
What error message did you receive? There are two kinds; the device is not eligible for an unlock or the device is unknown.
Unlock Failed: This mobile device is not eligible for unlock. For device Unlock eligibility details, please go online or contact Customer Care.
That error means the device is recognized by the server and can be unlocked when it is eligible. Since you’re not the original owner you won’t have any way of knowing when it will be eligible. The phone could still be on a payment plan or the original buyer could have defaulted.
If you need it unlocked quickly your best bet maybe finding a third party unlock service that can flag your IMEI as unlock eligible with the unlock server.
I'm more concerned about cheaply than quickly.
My understanding tho is that it is not under any contract. But even so my understanding is that the app won't unlock unless there's a SIM card in there too from an existing customer... but this is just based on searches, I'm still unsure.
I believe the phone has to be used for at least 45 days on a T-Mobile account to be considered for unlock.
If I had family or friend on t-mobile I'd ask them to use this phone a while. But I don't unfortunately, that would be the easiest.
I had my unactivated new in box T-Mobile z2 force that i got from a trade unlocked in a week after getting prepaid and putting 100 on it. That was the fastest and easiest way not knowing ppl who use tmo. Just wait a few days then call tech support and get them to escalate the unlock...say it's work related...after that restart and it will be unlocked.
I want cheapest, not fastest or easiest. $100 for unlock sounds crazy. Don't suppose you still have that sim card?
I don't know if my Sim would even help. I think with prepaid they go by imei so you might even have to add that $ to it. I think the Sim is just the door bell button.
oh... yeah I better figure that out. If they require prepaid sim to have added $100 since first used on that particular imei, then a used sim doesn't help.
So seems like 3 options.
1 - fork out the $100 to t-mobile,
2 - borrow a non prepaid t-mobile sim (loan my phone to someone) for possibly up to 45 days before able to unlock
3 - find and pay an unlock service
I wonder what these unlock services do that I can't.
Anyone have the link to the apk?
enigma9o7 said:
oh... yeah I better figure that out. If they require prepaid sim to have added $100 since first used on that particular imei, then a used sim doesn't help.
So seems like 3 options.
1 - fork out the $100 to t-mobile,
2 - borrow a non prepaid t-mobile sim (loan my phone to someone) for possibly up to 45 days before able to unlock
3 - find and pay an unlock service
I wonder what these unlock services do that I can't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They have a contact with someone at T-Mobile that can flag your IMEI as unlock eligible with the unlock server.
---------- Post added at 11:23 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:18 AM ----------
sounreal said:
Anyone have the link to the apk?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The app is preinstalled on supported phones only. If your phone does not have the app then it uses a different method to Sim unlock.
I tried 3 different eBay seller and none could provide me with a code.
Well I just paid $60 to try cellunlocker.net; hopefully it works. An advertisement posted 5 days ago says it will...
https://www.cellunlocker.net/cellphonenews/2018/03/t-mobile-unlock-app-service-is-up-and-running/
still waiting... their eta aint so great as I passed the 1-5 business days. But I'm still hopeful cuz their online chat told me should be by next tuesday, although they didn't answer support email and I was on phone hold 10 mins beofre hanging up (since online chat replied while I was waiting on hold).
enigma9o7 said:
still waiting... their eta aint so great as I passed the 1-5 business days. But I'm still hopeful cuz their online chat told me should be by next tuesday, although they didn't answer support email and I was on phone hold 10 mins beofre hanging up (since online chat replied while I was waiting on hold).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been waiting for two weeks and I have lost my confidence.
Picasa01 said:
I have been waiting for two weeks and I have lost my confidence.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you heard anything in the meantime? I got an email (after I posted here last) saying it was ready, but it still won't unlock. Called them and the guy said sorry they'll re-do it, something about the wrong server. So back to waiting... losing confidence but still hopeful...
If it isn't too much trouble, keep me updated (in this thread) as to what happens for you, or if you end up asking for refund, etc....
Codes don't work on T-Mobile phones once the unlock app is on the device. Hopefully there isn't a balance on the device which would prevent it from being unlocked. For all the phones I use the app for, cuz I have T-Mobile and have gone through a quite a few devices, once it's paid off usually the app automatically works long as it was active service for 40 days prior.
Before the app I knew you could have someone with T-Mobile use this phone for a few days until it registers on the network and then you can request an unlock code and have it escalated.
I really want to lose patience
enigma9o7 said:
Have you heard anything in the meantime? I got an email (after I posted here last) saying it was ready, but it still won't unlock. Called them and the guy said sorry they'll re-do it, something about the wrong server. So back to waiting... losing confidence but still hopeful...
If it isn't too much trouble, keep me updated (in this thread) as to what happens for you, or if you end up asking for refund, etc....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really want to lose patience。Did you unlock it? My order has been for a month
What is the proper procedure to unlock an att s9 to use with another carrier?
Thanks.
Just to clarify. This phone was purchased from Samsung directly with the new $150 discount for Att branded phones.
RossTeagan said:
So the phone is bought from samsung but lock on att?
Try the following to check if your phone is network locked be sure you really need to unlock it (otherwise, I don't think you need to unlock it).
1. Insert a GSM SIM card from another network (a non-AT&T SIM, liek Cricket ot T-Mobile)
2. Try placing a call
If your phone manages to connect and make the call with this other SIM card, then you won't need to unlock it, as it's already unlocked. And if the phone is locked, I recommend you check with AT&T, given that this phone is not tight to a contract.
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I don't have the phone yet (2 more days,) but I did an extensive Google search, and it seems like this particular phone will be sim locked. It's paid off outright, no contract or anything, but there were several heavy discounts like $150 off msrp and another $150 off for trading in S6.
My Google search gave me two possible options -
1) Talk to ATT and ask to unlock,
2) Use an unlock site, like DeviceUnlock, pay 20-50 dollars for them to obtain and send an unlock code to you.
As for #1, I saw a post where a guy complained that talking to ATT and Samsung was useless to him in a similar situation - each company sent him to the other one to get it unlocked, so he got nowhere with this option.
Also, I saw a few posts that said that a locked phone may have to be activated on ATT first and used for up to 40 days before ATT will unlock it for you. What would happen with this Samsung bought phone though?
And for #2, I just don't know how this kind of business works - you send them IMEI and the locked carrier info, pay money, and a few days later, they send you an unlock code that you can enter yourself.
Is it safe? How does it work exactly? What if there's a problem because the IMEI is not actually registered on ATT because the phone was sold by Samsung?
I have many more questions, just because I don't know what I am talking about, but the bottom line is this. What should I do?
Thanks.
AS your phone is paid off and there is no contract on it, you should stick with your first option: ask att to unlock it but as you said you will need an activated phone, so you will need to activate the phone with att, however, you should go to them immediately and not wait for 40 days. While Samsung locked the phone, the actual company who controls the lock and who has authority of unlocking it att. So don't let them fool you to go search the code somewhere else.
Also, there is a law in the US that forces operators to unlock your phone if there are no debts or contract on your device. So keep that in mind.
Regarding third parties, they are a shortcut and you just have to provide them the devices IMEI and network lock. They, in turn, will look for the unlocking code for you. And if there are issues, as you said, I think you can ask for a refund (so if you decide to go for such a service, first make sure they have a money back guarantee).
TLDR Go with att, they should (have to) provide the unlock for you
Hi nabbed,
did you manage to unlock it?
what did you do in the end?
Giskardors said:
Hi nabbed,
did you manage to unlock it?
what did you do in the end?
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I called ATT, spoke to tech support. The tech said that since I had no history/account with ATT, they had to make one to verify that the phone IMEI was clean. He created a new account - name, address, phone, email, imei etc info. He created a support ticket (and gave me its number) for sim unlock. He said that I should receive an email within 48 hours that would either tell me that I cannot unlock or will come with the unlock code (if it is decided that I should be able to unlock.)
I tried using their default web service for getting an unlock https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/#/unlockstep1 but that thing doesn't work - the Next button cannot be clicked.
If unsuccessful, I am considering going and talking to a retail ATT store representative directly. They probably don't know much, but perhaps they can be more convincing on the phone with ATT.
Third option is trying one of the unlock websites.
So I had to do this with my S9, same kind of situation as you (I have T-Mobile service, received an AT&T locked device).
As you know, the web portal won't work. AT&T never entered your IMEI in their database, so as far as THEY are concerned, your phone doesn't exist.
Call tier 2/advanced tech support and have them create a case with the Device Unlock Team. GET A CONFIRMATION NUMBER. You should receive an email confirming that the case was made.
48-72 hours later, you SHOULD have an unlock code. Should. This is AT&T, and they don't know their ass from their elbow. It took me 2 weeks.
Device unlock services didn't work, as the IMEI has to be in AT&T's database for it to work correctly. They'll just (hopefully) refund your money when it fails.
Don't go into an AT&T store. As a former AT&T retail employee, I can guarantee you, those employees are dumber than a bag of wet hammers, and have no way of helping you with this, whatsoever. In addition, since you're not BUYING anything, they're not going to help too much even if they could.
Good luck. It will work for you eventually.
entropism said:
So I had to do this with my S9, same kind of situation as you (I have T-Mobile service, received an AT&T locked device).
As you know, the web portal won't work. AT&T never entered your IMEI in their database, so as far as THEY are concerned, your phone doesn't exist.
Call tier 2/advanced tech support and have them create a case with the Device Unlock Team. GET A CONFIRMATION NUMBER. You should receive an email confirming that the case was made.
48-72 hours later, you SHOULD have an unlock code. Should. This is AT&T, and they don't know their ass from their elbow. It took me 2 weeks.
Device unlock services didn't work, as the IMEI has to be in AT&T's database for it to work correctly. They'll just (hopefully) refund your money when it fails.
Don't go into an AT&T store. As a former AT&T retail employee, I can guarantee you, those employees are dumber than a bag of wet hammers, and have no way of helping you with this, whatsoever. In addition, since you're not BUYING anything, they're not going to help too much even if they could.
Good luck. It will work for you eventually.
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Thanks.
The tech guy didn't say what kind of a support ticket he created. It may have been a general support ticket, or maybe he referred me to the unlock team directly, I don't know. He seemed like he understood perfectly what I needed. Anyway, the ticket format is like this - cm10230128_122673352, does that look right?
I have received an email confirmation that the call was made, but not that the case was created yet. The call ended at 5:30pm CDT on a Friday night, so maybe it would take until Monday to get a confirmation?
nabbed said:
Thanks.
The tech guy didn't say what kind of a support ticket he created. It may have been a general support ticket, or maybe he referred me to the unlock team directly, I don't know. He seemed like he understood perfectly what I needed. Anyway, the ticket format is like this - cm10230128_122673352, does that look right?
I have received an email confirmation that the call was made, but not that the case was created yet. The call ended at 5:30pm CDT on a Friday night, so maybe it would take until Monday to get a confirmation?
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Maybe it will take up to tuesday. That's the limit
Im going to the US for 2 weeks, I dont know if i'll be able to unlock it on time, but If I order it I'll get it on the 2nd week.
I really hope you can unlock it!
Keep us updated
Update:
Got the unlock code in an email. The instructions say "Please allow 24 hours upon receipt of this notification to complete the unlock process." Not sure what that means, gonna try to unlock tomorrow with a project fi sim.
Update2:
Phone unlocked fine with a Project FI sim card and connected to T-mobile.
We're on the same boat!
I'm also on Project Fi and I received my AT&T S9 today.
My IMEI was found in AT&T's database and I just submitted the unlock request.
Do you experience any issues when using S9 w/ Project Fi?
zenlifexxa said:
We're on the same boat!
I'm also on Project Fi and I received my AT&T S9 today.
My IMEI was found in AT&T's database and I just submitted the unlock request.
Do you experience any issues when using S9 w/ Project Fi?
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I just used the Fi sim card to facilitate the unlock procedure (the S9 is not mine, it's for a friend, and I am just setting it up.) I just looked at sim status in the options to confirm that provider was T-Mobile. In my research, I read that using Project FI T-Mobile was no different from any other unlocked gsm phone using T-Mobile. You will lose all Project FI apps because they don't exist with non-Google phones. There will not be carrier switching between T-Mob, Sprint and US Cell, and there will not be wifi calling. But if your T-Mob service is already good, there shouldn't be a problem.
As as side note, my own FI service is kind of awful. Ever since Google introduced "preferred partner" feature, where a FI phone would connect not to the strongest signal carrier but rather to a particular carrier, in this case Sprint in my area, I have had really bad sound quality.
US Cellular has best towers in this area, with signal strength of -70-80 db or so, while Sprint has crappy towers with signal strength of less -100 db. Yet I am constantly connected to Sprint with crappy sound quality because they are the preferred partner here. I have to constantly to remind myself to manually switch to US Cell if I'm to make a lengthy phone call.
Good luck.