Unlock Request IN-PROGRESS for a Week

Thank you for reaching back out @lsteffko.

It can take 7 business days, or longer, for your request to be processed. There is currently no  expedite process to speed up the unlock process. 

• Go to att.com/deviceunlock/status and follow the prompts to stay updated on the progress of your unlock request.

Let us know if you have any questions. Thank you for visiting AT&T Community Forums. 

Alasani, AT&T Community Specialist 

Did you get, and respond to, the confirmation email?

Yes, I did click on the link in the confirmation email and confirmed the request, therefore the status of the request changed from PENDING to IN-PROGRESS.

My concern is that it has been almost a week and the request is still IN-PROGRESS, even though it's expected to be resolved in no more than 2 business days.

Thank you!

We're here to help shed some light on your Device Unlock request, @lsteffko. 

It can take 7 business days, or longer, for your request to be processed.

Please continue to check for status updates by following the steps below: 

1. Go to our Status Portal.
2. Enter your IMEI Number & Request Number.
3. Follow the prompts.

You can also check out our Device Unlock article for solutions and FAQs.

Thanks for reaching out to our community. We're here if you have any additional questions. 

Sydne, AT&T Community Specialist

Thank you, @ATTHelp for an update. Is there a way to expedite my unlock request? My daughter joined a study abroad program in Italy and she purchased a local sim card, but she can't use it until this is resolved. I would be happy to pay a reasonable fee or provide more documentation to speed up the unlocking process.

Thank you!

there is no way to expedite it 

Thank you for confirming that there is no way to expedite the process!

You say "It can take 7 business days, or longer", so how many business days should I wait before I follow up with on my unlock request again?

To be honest, I don’t see why this process should ever take more than a few hours after the email is confirmed.  Mine have always taken a very short time to get the unlocking approval email (and I know it may take a day or two after that for Apple to actually update their server).  If the IMEI is in the database and tied to a current or former AT&T customer, checking that it’s paid off, account status, use on AT&T’s network, etc. should be instantaneous.  All the information should be there.  What is AT&T actually doing during those 7 days?  Are they really having human beings look through file cabinets for information?  I just don’t understand it.

Thanks for your response, @lsteffko.

At this time, we'd advise for you to give it an additional 2 days then reach back out if your status still shows in progress. In the meantime, be sure to make sure that your device unlock meets the following requirements provided. 

Let us know if you have any other questions.

Lynn, AT&T Community Specialist

@dwill05, I agree with you 100%. I unlocked at least 5 different iPhones in last 10 years for my family, and it has always been a quick and smooth process. This time is different for some reason and I am sure it's not because my old iPhone would be ineligible. My mistake was that I didn't request the unlock 2 months before I gave it to my daughter for her trip to Italy.

Hello steffko, we're here to help with you account.

Let's meet in a Direct Message to discuss your unlock request. Please check your Direct Message Inbox, which is the chat icon next to the bell icon in the upper right corner of the Forums page.

In the meantime, learn how to find out the status of your request to unlock your AT&T phone, tablet, mobile hotspot, or other device.

We hope to hear from you!

A quick update, I was able to reach Carlton from AT&T community support and he created a case for the back office to unlock our device. Couple of hours later my daughter texted me that the phone had been unlocked!

Thank you, Cartlon, for your help with my issue!

How do I get ahold of Carlton? Its been 5 days and even after tweeting at&t and calling a couple times I've still got zero answers. Yes I confirmed the unlock request and yes I've checked the status, it's just stuck at "in-progress". 

Hello @StrongarmDon,

Thank you for your concern. We appreciate you reaching out to us in regards to trying to get your phone unlocked. We'd like to assist you with getting your device unlocked. Have you made sure that the phone had service for 60 days?

Please be sure your device meets our Device Unlock Requirements.

Please let us know and we'd be more than happy to assist.

Mellira, AT&T Community Specialist