AT&T iPhone unlocking begins – easy, but long process
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Customers must call AT&T to speak with an agent. Those going through the process reported that then there is a lengthy hold time to speak with a technician. After that, they need to provide their IMEI and answer a series of qualifying questions to confirm eligibility.
Once authorized, most users are quoted a 72 hours waiting period before the unlock takes place, but reports of quoted times have varied anywhere between a few minutes to six days.
The unlock code is administered via iTunes. Users are instructed to connect their device to iTunes on a Mac or PC with Internet connectivity and then back and restore the iPhone with iTunes. After the restore, the phone will display a message that reads, “Unlock Complete. Congratulations, your iPhone has been unlocked. To set up and sync this iPhone, click Continue.”
While phones purchased without a contract from an Apple Store are already unlocked, those utilizing this service to unlock phones that have fallen out of contract will be limited to 5 devices per year to limit abuse.
source: AppleInsider
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16 Comments
1. cncrim posted on 09 Apr 2012, 12:51 0 0
Curiously, will ATT unlock if the phone is bought from craiglist and Subcriber is ATT customer have small phone all this time?
2. networkdood posted on 09 Apr 2012, 12:54 3 0
As long as the IMEI has fulfilled contract - then, yes.
3. good2great posted on 09 Apr 2012, 13:29 0 0
correct!!!
plus the reps are gonna transfer you to the technical support department which is an hour long wait...
6. networkdood posted on 09 Apr 2012, 13:51 0 0
No, customer care can create a case, if the rep has access to view the IMEI history, meaning on when the IMEI first showed up in our system and if it has completed its contract time. If the phone was bought out right, then the customer faxes the proof.
4. md227a posted on 09 Apr 2012, 13:29 0 0
also to go with above comment, if the device is not reported lost or stolen. So say by a device on CL and it is reported to AT&T as stolen then they will not unlock it or release the steps to do so.
5. Jerry209 posted on 09 Apr 2012, 13:32 0 0
Had so many calls about this at least 15
want to get my girl one she has t mobile anyone know if its worth is ??
let me >>?>
10. Chasers posted on 09 Apr 2012, 14:16 0 0
T- mobiles 3g is on a different fequency band. You will be stuck on 2g speeds.
7. networkdood posted on 09 Apr 2012, 13:52 0 0
Account must be current.
Device not reported stolen. Well, this one requires reading notes, thus using the IMEI history...
8. markhsu posted on 09 Apr 2012, 13:57 0 0
what if you sign a contract and pay etf right away can the device be unlocked immediately?
11. tsxking83 posted on 09 Apr 2012, 18:33 0 0
I try to unlocked my iphone today at&t say no, you have to us the iphone for more then 2 year, if you haven't us for two year att won't let you unlock your phone.
"i think that is not right for at&t to do that. that my comment"
12. gsmfast posted on 09 Apr 2012, 20:42 0 0
I got mine unlocked through this companyhttp://www.gsmfast.net i did research on them and they are all over and have good ratings.They took about 1 week to do mine.Claims they are at&t direct you guys can check them out.They unlock all iphones whether with att or not.
13. Kilo_Gilo posted on 10 Apr 2012, 16:53 0 0
I work in AT&T's online warranty chat department, and trust me you would be better off going through Customer Care. The average wait time for our Tech Support Chat is about 90 minutes. People have been going crazy about this unlock policy. If the iphone you want unlocked is still under contract, AT&T will not unlock it, same is if it was a stolen phone. Whats funny about this is all these people are going through AT&T to do this when they can just google how to do it......
14. j4kp07 posted on 19 Apr 2012, 12:30 0 0
Be very way of these promises from AT&T. I went into a store and they were clueless. I then talked to a manager and he was clueless. He then called AT&T customer support, collected my information, sent me a text with a confirmation number and said "5-7 business days". 10 business days later, 3 calls to AT&T and 2 calls to Apple and this is what you will hear:
AT&T: We don't provide unlock codes, we are waiting on a response from Apple. Please contact Apple.
Apple: We don't lock phones and we don't unlock phones either. Please contact AT&T.
15. j4kp07 posted on 23 Apr 2012, 19:52 0 0
The official excuse I get now is: "Error in the system", "Unable to process requests" and "Indefinite delay with no ETA".
So....I've dropped them. Funny, how it never crossed my mind until this: "Yes. I've paid for this phone in full and then some. It should belong to me to do as I please." While it may not be for everybody, I'm opting to buy an unlocked iPhone directly from Apple and opt for a cheaper plan from another provider. In the end, I'll save atleast $850 over the course of 2 years and the phone will have a better resale rate as well. So it's a win-win for me.
So long AT&T. You opened the proverbial pandora's box.
16. hm_chivas posted on 09 May 2012, 20:03 0 0
how can i contact at6t since mexico?? cuase i looked in their website ande there's no way to contact them by e-mail, cause making a call to US will be very expensive
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