Unlock a replacement phone

IF the original phone is under contract, they have the right to keep it locked until the contract expires. If the new phone was purchased full retail price, it is eligible for unlocking.

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@Ithinkiwillsue wrote:
If your phone drops and breaks and you are cutting your hands and face to use...so you buy a new one and use your phone number....then you go get your phone fixed and now you don't need it because YOU BOUGHT A NEW ONE on your same current plan...how does ATT think it is their right to keep the phone locked because THEY own it?

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Because US law allows for AT&T to wait until the contract is completed that is associated with that particular device before AT&T has to unlock that particular device.

This is a customer to customer forum, so I will try my best to help you.  When you bought the new phone to replace the broken one, was it on the NEXT program, 2 yr contract or paid full price?  If the broken one was still under contract, you will need to wait for the contract to be up.

The second phone was already locked to the ATT network when Apple handed it to you (as are all ATT branded phones handed out by Apple). It is not like ATT locked the phone at some later time.

Have you tried getting it unlocked as a "non-customer"?

All ATT branded phones are sold locked to ATT.  

Once all financial obligations are complete, you can request a phone be unlocked through the portal.  (Financial obligations = 2 year contract phone purchased at a discount or Next installments)

Gophones activated on ATT must have 6 months of paid service, then can be unlocked by request.

The financial obligation on your line is associated with the original IMEI (original phone). 

If Apple replaced your original phone for $300, was this an insurance replacement?  If a phone is replaced on insurance, the original phone is determined destroyed/lost/stolen.  That IMEI would be blacklisted and the phone can not be used as a phone.  The authorized replacement device is put in its place on your account - now that IMEI is under contract in the original phones place.

Or was the $300 iPhone a used phone purchase at full price?  If it was a used or older phone at full price, it can be unlocked by request.

How did a third phone come into play, it wasn't in the original or follow up posts.

How was the other, temporary phone purchased?  Was it a GoPhone?

Have you requested any of the phones to be unlocked through the portal?