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Community Support

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15.2K Messages

Monday, August 21st, 2017 12:31 PM

Device Unlock Requests - Things To Know From AT&T

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We understand there is some difficulty with requesting a device unlock. You will find some information below on how to:

 

- Submit a request to unlock a device.

- Find the IMEI.

- Check status of your request.

- Requirements for device unlocks.

 

How To Request A Device Unlock 

  1. Go to the Device Unlock Portal (page best viewed from a desktop or tablet).
  2. Follow the prompt listed.

To Find AT&T Device Unlock Code Instructions for your device, click here for a full list.


How To Find IMEI on Alcatel device:

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen with two fingers, then tap the Settings icon.
2. Scroll to and tap About phone.
3. Tap Status.
4. Scroll to view the Serial number. To view the IMEI number, tap IMEI information.
5. Here you can view the IMEI number. You can also view your IMEI by entering *#06# from the keypad.

6. You can also view your IMEI on the back of the device, under the back cover.

 

NoteIn most instances, you can dial: *#06# on most devices to find the IMEI. On some devices, the IMEI is located on the back of the phone or under the battery. Do not force open your phone to find the IMEI.

 

To check status of your request

1. Go to our Device Unlock Portal.
2. Scroll down and select ver en espanol
3. Follow the prompts.

To find the IMEI dial *#06#

 

Requirements for unlocking AT&T phones, tablets, and mobile hotspots

  • To unlock a Prepaid device, the device(s) must be active for at least six months of paid service before unlocking.
  • Your device isn’t reported lost or stolen, or involved with fraud.
  • You must complete your contract or installment plan (including early termination fees). Or, pay off an installment plan early and then make another unlock request in 24 hours.
  • Your device isn’t active on another AT&T account.
  • If you upgraded early, wait 14 days to unlock your old device. Business customers wait 30 days.
  • Your service must be active for at least 60 days with no past due or unpaid balance.
  • AT&T PREPAID℠ (formerly GoPhone®) devices must have at least 6 months of active service.
  • If you’re military, we’ll ask you to email your TCS or PCS (Temporary / permanent change of station) documents for eligibility. You won’t have to complete installment plans or contracts.
  • If you have a business-owned device, your company must authorize you to unlock it.

 

If your phone was purchased on eBay, Amazon, Craigslist or another unauthorized retailer, the above still applies. Make sure the device is unlocked before purchasing. 

Note: AT&T reserves the right to deny any unlock request that it concludes would result in an abuse of this policy or is part of an effort to defraud AT&T or its customers. AT&T further reserves the right to alter this unlocking policy at its discretion without advance notice. If during any one month, more than 100 requests are made from a single source, and if more than 10% of those requests are duplicate IMEI numbers, AT&T will no longer process unlock requests from that source.

 

ChrisZ, AT&T Community Specialst 

AT&T Customer Care

Need help with an account specific question?  Post a new question here on the forums by clicking the "Ask a Question" button.
For additional support, please visit us at our AT&T services hub.
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*I am an AT&T employee, and the postings on this site are my own and don't necessarily represent AT&T's position, strategies or opinions.

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Community Support

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15.2K Messages

7 years ago

Unlocking your device is a big topic! We have some helpful information above that may help! Also, do not forget to check out Unlock Search Results, you may find some information that can help with your specific issue or concern! 

 

ChrisZ, AT&T Community Specialist 

Contributor

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1 Message

6 years ago

Hi,

I have bought an iPhone 6 from Buyspry. Which won't activate. I have been to an Apple Store . They told me it is Country Region locked to Japan!! Buyspry first told me it was unlocked. Now they say it is locked into AT&T.

Is there anyway I can try to unlock it, if it is with you guys?

ACE - Sage

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116.6K Messages

6 years ago

@yassyyam  Did you read the article .... the big purple letters “how to request device unlock” ?

The IMEI is probably not in ATT system. It is unlikely ATT will unlock it.

If you bought it advertised as unlocked, then return it.  

 

Contributor

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1 Message

6 years ago

Hi, I bought an iPhone X 256GB out right when activating my daughters prepaid plan.

 

I used it on it until I bought her a phone. Now I’m going to activate it and also use it on my international account in Mexico and South America. When processing the unlock request. I received an email stating that my phone will not be able to unlock until 6 months of active prepaid service. I was told by the Representative that I can unlock any time after 14 days. 

 

I’ve spent hours reading and talking to customer service and I was told it will be unlock and then same email. I called again then i was told no it will not. I have to wait 6 months of active prepaid service. 

 

I also read i can get help for an exception. 

 

Please help, if I knew this I wouldn’t have spent $1400 for iPhone X and cases that day at the store. 

 

Thank you. 

Contributor

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1 Message

6 years ago

Unable to unlock Galaxy S9 that was not even recognized on the network, and IPhone 6 Plus. First time I did the 6plus they give you 24hours to confirm. However it is less than 12 and then it is no longer valid. I had to call customer service last night at 1130pm, in which they submitted a ticket as the S9 was not recognized and I resubmitted the iPhone. I received email at 9:27am with vague instructions to shut off device, remove sim, turn back on and enter #0111* with case number etc. Then at the same time at 9:27am I received a case closure email. There was nowhere to enter the prompts that instructions given. I called again today and was hung up on, then had to call back. They wanted to transfer me to tec support with a 9 min wait time. I’ve done that dance before, 9mins turns into 45. One thing mentioned on email is after 5 unsuccessful attempts the phone is permanently linked to AT&T. 

New Member

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6 Messages

3 years ago

Good day, I bought a device on Ebay, with imei number (Edited per community guidelines) an iPhone xr, when I inserted my mtn sim, it takes me back to activation screen, I asked some questions on Google and it says its carrier locked, pls how can you help unlock this, because I tried unlocking it from the Att.com website I think the previous owner has unpaid bills, pls how can you help solve this problem

(edited)

Tutor

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14 Messages

3 years ago

Я подал запрос на разблокировку 12 августа. Не удалось подтвердить ссылку на запрос разблокировки по электронной почте независимо от того, сколько раз я пытался нажать на эту ссылку, она не загружалась. Теперь система говорит мне, что, поскольку прошло уже более 24 часов с момента моего первоначального запроса, мне нужно будет отправить новый запрос на разблокировку. Я пытался неоднократно! Он говорит мне, что IMEI устройства, которое я отправил, все еще имеет ожидающий запрос на разблокировку. Пожалуйста, помогите? Кто-нибудь?

Tutor

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14 Messages

3 years ago

I submitted an unblocking request on August 12. Couldn't confirm the link to the unlock request via email no matter how many times I tried to click on this link, it didn't load. Now the system tells me that since it has been more than 24 hours since my initial request, I will need to send a new unlock request. I have tried repeatedly! It tells me that the IMEI of the device I sent still has a pending unlock request. Please help me? Anyone?

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