Deactivate microcell

I read that too quick this morning and thought he said he didn't need his MicroCell anymore and missed the part about canceling his AT&T service altogether. It would be nice to know though if one can still access his myAT&T page after canceling AT&T service to deactivate the MicroCell. Might be a nice addition to the Tech Guide reminding folks to deactivate the MicroCell BEFORE canceliing AT&T service.

Just go to your myAT&T MicroCell page, delete the information, and then click Deactivate. It should only take a day or so for it to go thru the system so that the serial number is no longer associated with your account. After that, it should be good to go.

Since you are no longer with ATT&T you do not have an account you can access to deactivate. You pretty much have a brick.

That's what I was thinking also.....

Add it to the Tech Guide.  This should be done before parting ways with AT&T unless you need an extra doorstop.......

How can you deactivate a microcell if you obtain it from someone who didn't deactivate it before selling it?

@GDGreer1 - It is very difficult, if not impossible. The reason being is if the account associated with the MicroCell is still active, AT&T is reluctant to deactivate it because they have no way of knowing if the MicroCell was stolen or not. Besides, the MicroCell was discontinued at the end of last year so AT&T has no incentive to deactivate it.

If the person you got it from still has the AT&T account, get them to deactivate. Otherwise you are out of luck.

I contacted AT&T via chats two times and explained I was no longer a customer and wanted to get my Microcell deactivated so that I could sell it.  Both times they indicated that by resetting the device by inserting a paper clip into the reset hole while the device was plugged in, will deactivate the device.  Anyone have information on the accuracy of this?  They stated I could use a copy of the chat for proof that it would be deactivated by doing this.

You are getting bad advise. The MCell must be deactivated in the ATT servers.

@Olmbre - I agree with @rjniles . Using a paperclip in the reset hole, following the instructions in my Tech Guide (link is in my sig line) performs a complete reset of the MicroCell but it has nothing to do with deactivating the device (removing it from an account). That is done by the owner of the MicroCell via their myAT&T MicroCell Settings page. Deactivating is an IT/AT&T Account procedure which can only be accomplished by the owner logging into their account and deactivating the unit.

@Olmbre - AT&T has probably changed their deactivation procedures then in getting ready for shutting down the service altogether, because in the past canceling your AT&T cellular account did not automatically deactivate the MicroCell. I would certainly wait a couple of weeks before selling it though to make sure that the removal of the MicroCell's serial number from your account goes thru the entire system. However, their advice about the paperclip was totally wrong, so take that into consideration.