Community Support
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2.7K Messages
AT&T Device Unlock Help - Solutions & FAQS
Learn what you need to do to unlock your device and the requirements
Notice
If you are not the original owner of the device and are denied a device unlock, you will need to reach out to the original seller/ owner. AT&T is unable to assist. Read below for more information.
To unlock your device, you need the right keys. By keys I mean, device eligibility. Unlocking your phone seems cut and dry but there are requirements it must meet first. Below you learn which set of keys you'll need before your device can be unlocked. You'll also find information about why your request may have been denied (scroll toward the bottom of the page).
How to request a device unlock |
Check the status of your request |
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*AT&T customers will receive a unique Text that can be used to check the status of your unlock request without the need of entering your IMEI Number or Request Number.
**Non-AT&T customers will receive an email and must follow steps 2-4 above.
Things to know:
- The device unlock process usually takes minutes and we will let you know when your request is complete. For non-AT&T customers If prompted, please confirm your request in the email we send you.
- AT&T cannot unlock devices from other wireless carriers.
- Business customers can submit an unlock request through the same Device Unlock portal.
Email Confirmation
In some instances, you may need to confirm an unlock request via email. In some instances, the email is routed to your primary email folder, in others, it may have been routed to spam. So, check spam and trash to make sure the email did not go there.
Website Troubleshooting
If you have an issue with the site, delete cache, cookies, and restart your browser. In some instances, you may need to use another browser.
General Requirements for All Unlock Requests
- The device must be designed for use on, and locked to, the AT&T wireless network.
- A device bought at full price must wait 60 days from that purchase date to be eligible to unlock (Prepaid requires 6 months of service & Postpaid is 60 days from the date of purchase if paid in full)
- It must not be reported lost or stolen.
- It’s not associated with fraudulent activity.
- All the device’s service commitments and installment plans are completed, and all early termination fees are paid in full.
- The device is not currently active on a different AT&T customer’s account.
- If you performed an early upgrade, you must wait the 14-day buyer’s remorse period before you can request to unlock your previous device.
- Visit our Unlock Support page for the full requirement list.
eBay & Non-AT&T Purchases
Before purchasing a device from a non-AT&T authorized dealer or sites like eBay, make sure the seller performs the unlock request. In some instances, you will have to contact the seller to perform the request. If the device was purchased by another provider, they should have online resources to unlock the device. If you purchase the device and it is NOT unlocked AT&T will not be able to unlock the device.
Postpaid Customers
- If your device was purchased on an installment plan, your account must be active for at least 60 days, with no past due or unpaid balance.
AT&T Prepaid
- The device must be active for at least six months of paid service.
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- You currently do not or you’ve never had an AT&T wireless account and you meet the General Requirements for unlock requests.
Deployed Military Personnel (Current AT&T Customers Only)
- Current AT&T customers who are active and deployed military personnel, and have provided deployment verification, need to meet all the General Requirements, except those related to the device's service commitments, installment plans and early termination fees.
Have you submitted an unlock request that has been denied and you are unsure why?
Chat with us so we can look at your request further. (Scroll down to find the chat option)
Important:
AT&T reserves the right to deny any unlock request that it concludes would result in an abuse of this policy or is part of an effort to defraud AT&T or its customers. AT&T further reserves the right to alter this unlocking policy at its discretion without advance notice.
ChrisZ, AT&T Community Specialist
AT&T Help
Need help with an account specific question? Post a new question here on the forums by clicking the "Ask a Question" button.
For additional support, please visit us at our AT&T services hub.
*I am an AT&T employee, and the postings on this site are my own and don't necessarily represent AT&T's position, strategies or opinions.
jemsanderson
Tutor
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9 Messages
6 years ago
To get unlock code either 1)download unlock device app and then it verify where your mobile is eligible for unlocking or not. If you have paid all your due amount then your mobile will be unlocked.
or 2) provide imei number of your mobile and make and model of your mobile like samsung , iphone, lg etc to at&t ,they will email you unlock code for your mobile.
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DPenhead
Mentor
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32 Messages
6 years ago
This whole thing about having to have the phone for 6 months to cover their costs on a subsidized phone is total hogwash. The phone I am trying to unlock is the same price at Walmart as it is in the AT&T store. $49. I just do not want to have to take another phone back to Walmart and punish the retailer for a stupid rule that AT&T is now implementing in order to take more money from my family than we already spend on cell service. You know what the fix to this problem is starting to look like to me? Maybe it is time to fire my cell phone company? We spend around $3000 a year on cell service in my house. I am willing to bet someone else wants that money more than AT&T. I received an unlock code today for a brand new phone from AT&T. It is their own phone. I am on their network and have been for over 10 years. I have an unlock code. I have an AT&T SIM. I am not changing cell carriers to go to another company with their phone. I want to use it on my own family plan. What I do not have is much more patience for this sort of 'Planned Systemic Obsolescence'.
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GLIMMERMAN76
ACE - Expert
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23.9K Messages
6 years ago
@DPenhead
its not like the rules for unlocking are not on the back of the box the phone comes in but here is the unlock page for your reading pleasure....
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DPenhead
Mentor
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32 Messages
6 years ago
Thanks though.
By the way, y'all need to change the way you do business along these lines or you will be replaced by another company one day that has the best interests of the consumers in mind. Just a suggestion... Give it a try...
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GLIMMERMAN76
ACE - Expert
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23.9K Messages
6 years ago
@DPenhead
att does not need to change a thing they are the least time for unlock on prepaid most carriers are 12 months.
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DPenhead
Mentor
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32 Messages
6 years ago
"att does not need to change a thing they are the least time for unlock on prepaid most carriers are 12 months."
From your response I can see that you are missing the point... I don't agree with that way of doing business at all. I don't care who does it. All of the companies are wrong. Now, it might extort people here in America into paying out of their nose for things that they think they need, but it is greedy and short-sighted of every single company that does it... Set us free from the chains...That is the only acceptable solution... You will not convince me that all of this being the 'lesser of two evils' means that it is therefor a fantastic idea and AT&T has a generous heart for all consumers of their products... So, that being said. They DO need to change their business model.... You can disagree with that all that you want to. I am not going to change your opinion, and you are most assuredly not going to change my opinion. The opinion that I have on this side of the fence has been brutally beaten into me by them in the past. They are not alone though in my frustration with cell phone companies. I have dealt with many different phone companies over the past... That is what led me to AT&T... Because, just as you put it, they are for sure the lesser of a bunch of other evils... Where else is there to go when the whole industry is like that to some degree or the other?
So, getting back to my phone... I have received the clearance from AT&T management directly in order to release me from the prison that is a locked phone, and to turn my GoPhone into the phone that I plan to use on my network that I already pay for... I have everything that I need to unlock it, including the official permission to do so. Will you help me to finish with this path that I am on, or shall we continue this discussion further about how they are not the worst company out there and how I need to get in line with the rest of the sheep? Because, I won't get in line. I am not that guy... And, I have no need to. I am not doing anything wrong... So, will you please help me, or not?
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ATTHelp
Community Support
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231.3K Messages
6 years ago
Good evening @harshkcjain,
Welcome to the Community Forums. I would be glad to look into your device unlock request!
It sounds like you may have received this message in error and I would like to verify this on my side. In order for me to investigate further, please send us a private message directly to @ATTCares. Be sure to include your full name, phone number and any other detail about your device which may help me.
Thank you and I hope to hear from you!
Adrian, AT&T Community Specialist
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ATTHelp
Community Support
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231.3K Messages
6 years ago
Hi there @Rayaan7298!
Thanks for reaching out to the Community Forums with your question. I would be happy to help.
I see you have sent us a private message, and I wanted to let you know I would be sending you a response shortly. This will arrive in your Forum’s Inbox, and I look forward to working with you.
Have an awesome day!
Fiona, AT&T Community Specialist
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GLIMMERMAN76
ACE - Expert
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23.9K Messages
6 years ago
@DPenhead
if you have the unlock code put in another carriers sim and unlock it... Its that easy.... Its not rocket science.... All you need is said unlock code.
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DPenhead
Mentor
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32 Messages
6 years ago
I did that and the phone said that it did not have a SIM in it. It was a Verizon nano-SIM that the Verizon store let me try to do it with that they pulled out of one of their drawers in the store. It wasn't a new one though. The people there told me they would not let me use a new one without paying at least $45 for a Verizon prepaid plan, which would defeat the purpose of all of this, since I do not want Verizon service. Is there some aspect to how I handled that situation at Verizon that I might try to do differently, such as use a new nano-Sim instead, or something like that? Sorry for the late response. I had to move 300 miles yesterday for work. Any advice is greatly appreciated....
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