Troubleshoot your device issues
irakli's profile

New Member

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7 Messages

Thursday, March 30th, 2023 3:27 PM

phone unlock for all carriers

dear att, i bought a phone and it is blocked on AT&T cell
and i cant use it on other carriers
when i tried to unlock via your portal, it gives me a message:
We can't unlock this device for you because AT&T did not sell or activate it.
please help , i cant use the phone otherwise :(((
thanks!

Accepted Solution

Official Solution

Community Support

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231.3K Messages

1 year ago

Hello, @irakli! We thank you for responding back.

 

We recommend you reach out to the original purchaser of the device to have them submit the device unlock request.

 

Also, remember you must meet all the device unlock eligibility requirements.

 

We hope this information is helpful, and please let us know if you have any additional questions.

 

Thank you for reaching out to the AT&T Community Forums!

 

Rachel, AT&T Community Specialist

 

ACE - Expert

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13.1K Messages

1 year ago

Either it is not an AT&T phone, the phone is no longer in the AT&T database or the phone was never activated on the AT&T network and AT&T has no record of the IMEI.

 

New Member

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7 Messages

1 year ago

when i enter the IMEI, my phone model is displayed o att website, it was brand new in original package, also, att  sim card is inserted already. maybe it was never activated ,because i opened the original package

ACE - Sage

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117K Messages

1 year ago

AT&t requires minimum service before a phone is even registered in their unlocked portal. If you have no intention of ever using this on AT&t, or can't because you're not in the united states, return the phone and get your money back.

I discourage anyone from purchasing android phones off eBay, amazon, or anywhere else that sells new or used AT&t android phones unless they intend to use the phone on AT&t for the entire time they own the phone. It's not just about whether or not the phone can be unlocked, it's also about software updates which only occur when you are using AT&t for service.

ACE - Expert

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64.7K Messages

1 year ago

AT&t requires minimum service before a phone is even registered in their unlocked portal. If you have no intention of ever using this on AT&t, or can't because you're not in the united states, return the phone and get your money back.

Actually, that requirement has changed. You no longer must have minimum service on ATT provided the phone was paid for in full at the time of purchase. You now just need to wait 60 days to unlock, activating or using on ATT is no longer required.

Community Support

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231.3K Messages

1 year ago

Hello, @irakli! We understand the urgency in wanting your device unlocked as quickly as possible.

 

We need a few other details to provide the most accurate information:

  1. Is the phone locked to AT&T? 
  2. Have you been an At&t customer for at least 60 days?
  3. Is the phone be in use on your account for at least 14 days? 
  4. Is both the phone and your account paid off in full and in good standing? 

We look forward to your response and assisting you further.

 

Rachel, AT&T Community Specialist

New Member

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7 Messages

1 year ago

hello Rachel, thank you for fast response

1. yes, it is

2. no, never, the phone was brand new and it even has att sim card inserted, but was never used i guess, i opened the factory package

3. no

4. i bought it from ebay brand new. i have no idea about the phone past history. as i know it should be paid 

all i want to use the phone with my local carrier, 

please help :)))

New Member

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7 Messages

1 year ago

BTW Rachel. Don't you need to check my IMEI for further actions?

ACE - Sage

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117K Messages

1 year ago

@irakli 

4. i bought it from ebay brand new. i have no idea about the phone past history. as i know it should be paid 

AT&T will not be able to help you. EBay is not an authorized reseller of AT&T goods and there is no seller authorized to resale goods on eBay. You take your chances when you purchase anything off eBay.

You will never be able to unlock a phone that's not registered, and AT&T will not help you bypass their unlock policy in order to get it unlocked.

Resell the phone on eBay as AT&T locked and buy something that is already unlocked.

There is a reason AT&T phones sell cheaper than other phones. Now you know why

New Member

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7 Messages

1 year ago

@formerlyknownas  thanks for the comment

I totally understand that now, but my question is that att website can recognize my phone and there is sim card in the phone from att, so i really think that att has the code in their database, and if they do, and there is no other issue with the phone (i mean fraud or something) , they could share it....

and i asked ,some of my friends could unlock it on att website the phones which they bought on ebay, it;s not like impossible thing

I will wait for att final response, maybe they can help :))

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