Permanently locked?

Hello @Signghuy,

I am sorry to hear the incorrect unlock code was submitted five times. I understand how concerning this could be! I can certainly look further into this for you!

Reviewing our Device Unlock Code Instructions, under Samsung, it states "Five unsuccessful unlock attempts permanently locks the device to the AT&T network." I am very sorry about this! If you have another AT&T device we can certainly assist you with unlocking it if it's eligible. 

Please let me know if you have further questions or concerns. Thank you so much for your time, and I hope you enjoy the rest of your day!

Jess, AT&T Community Specialist

Did this customer actually mess up entering the code or did the unlock code fail? Samsung phones are not unlocking properly (I don't know if this is true of every model but I have the J320. After three failed attempts -- I took photos with another phone, so I know I entered the codes right -- nothing happened. It didn't power off or power on, never mind unlock. 

I don't actually see how it permanent locking can be legal, or why Samsung would be the decider here. I know you're trying to help -- but every brand gets five attempts with AT&T, whereas you get more with other cell phone providers. It seems a bit unlikely. 

 I am currently trying to unlock Samsung Galaxy J3. I already typed in the same exact code 4 times, and AT&T has been extremely unhelpful. I have been connected to agents over the phone and through chat who are unable to assist, and provide me with unnecessary steps that of course result in no help whatsoever. It almost seems like they provide incorrect unlock codes on purpose, and improperly train their "support technicians." I am so disgusted with AT&T. 

@APRILhatesthis

Android unlock codes come from the manufacturer.  If the wrong code is given, certainly don’t keep entering it!   You can try a paid service to see if they get a different code.

@APRILhatesthis this is exactly what I'm going through right now!  Same phone and everything!  It is my MIL's phone and she is in CA and I'm in TX so it makes it so much harder to do this.  After hours on live chat over multiple days with AT&T a case was finally opened.  I just received notification that we can try to unlock the phone again after 24 hours.  I'm so nervous with the idea that they will permanently lock the phone after 5 unsuccessful attempts.  That just doesn't seem legal to me!!  I'll keep you posted on whether or not it actually worked!

@jenn422, @Signghuy , @APRILhatesthis, @brasscupcakes @lizdance40 This is exactly what happened to us. We were very careful putting in the code. It was the one they gave us. Our mistake was that we had a brand new non-AT&T sim card in that had NOT been "activated" for the first 3 attempts. Or so we were told this was the issue.. So on the 4th try the non-AT&T shop assistant put an activated sim in. It still didn't work. We freaked out and didn't want to use our 5th attempt. We contacted AT&T and they informed us our phone was permanently locked. Furthermore, there is NO WAY for anyone to unlock it. They have this "oops too bad, so sad" attitude -- like we have money to throw away. "Oh, okay so I'll just buy another overpriced plan with you". Forget it! How irritating. Could you please TAG the "ME TOO" button on the post that started this thread? Looks like I'm the only other one that had this issue. We should boycott AT&T for their tyrannical behavior. Start a "AT&T stands for "Avaricious Telecom & Tyrannical"  They are making money this way. Luring unsuspecting people in and locking their phones when they try to switch to cheaper companies. Did any of you get your phone unlocked, ever?  

i was having problem with my nokia android 3.1A . it,s now permanently locked. can unlock it?

I have the same problem. Did you ever get resolution on the permanently locked phone?

This seems illegal and is certainly unethical. I am TRAPPED with ATT now and I am so unhappy. Seems like a (Edited per community guidelines) suit waiting to happen.