Forum Discussion
Need to unlock a device? Here's some information to get you started.
The magic of cell phones is that they are our companion wherever we go. They connect us to friends and family, work, entertainment, and everything in between. Cell phones have also been a convenient place for us to store our treasures like pictures and music. Changing phones can be a headache, which is why unlocking our devices is so important if we are traveling to other countries or changing wireless providers.
Let's take a look at the requirements and processes for unlocking your phone.
Requisitos de elegibilidad
To network unlock your device, you must first meet certain eligibility requirements. Some of the requirements are different based on your account type, but some things don't change. El dispositivo debe ser vendido por T-Mobile. It mustn't be reported as lost, stolen, or broken. The account associated to the device must be in good standing. T-Mobile may need proof of purchase or some additional information, but most of the time the unlock process is seamless and easy.
If you are on a postpaid account, the unlock requirements are pretty straightforward. Make sure the device is paid off and it was used on your account for a minimum of 40 days. How easy is that?! :D
If you have a prepaid plan, your device will be eligible for unlock 365 days after the day it was initially activated on the account. One year can be a very long time to wait, but don't fret - there's another option available. Prepaid accounts that activated the device at least 14 days ago and placed $100 in refills per line are also eligible for unlock. Each line can only have two unlocks per year, though, so keep that in mind if you are trying to unlock a third device on the same phone number.
Process to unlock
So how does the unlock happen? As soon as your device is eligible, you will receive a text message notification letting you know that you can go through the unlock process. It only takes a couple of minutes as long as you are connected to the T-Mobile data network or reliable Wi-Fi.
Android devices are diverse, so the exact steps vary. Basically, you can go into settings and then to Red, Conexiones, o Acerca del teléfono. You want to find the option for Desbloqueo de red o Desbloqueo del dispositivo. Finally, select Desbloqueo permanente and let it load. It may restart itself, but if it doesn't, you'll want to restart the phone and then you are ready to roll.
If you use iPhone, you just insert the new SIM card and restart the phone. You can also follow the normal steps to activate the eSIM with the other service provider like normal. Easy peasy!
To sum it up
I love that we have reduced the effort that it takes to unlock devices by sending notifications proactively when the eligibility requirements are met and empowered device owners with the ability to complete the steps easily right from the phone. It saves so much time because there is no need to contact customer support or wait for a ticket to be filed to gain approval.
I hope this helps answer any questions about our unlock process. You can find more information about our unlocking devices on our Support page. I would love to hear any thoughts or other questions that y’all have about unlocking devices.
Followed directions, didn’t work.
Do you only have one line on your account? The $100 refill amount has to be fulfilled per line. If you have 4 lines, you have to refill $400 even if you are not trying to unlock all 4 phones.
How many devices have you unlocked in the last 12 months? Each phone number can only unlock 2 devices within 12 months, so you will need to wait if you have exceeded that already. This is a rolling timeline, not calendar year, so if you unlocked devices late last year, they still count towards this limit.
When and where was the device purchased? If it was purchased through a third party retailer like BestBuy or Ebay, the unlock process is a bit different.
Well here is something for everyone to ponder on. Why in the hell do we as consumers are imposed on a set of rules that force us to wait so many days, or meet this requirement, or to simple be in good standing to unlock a phone. It shouldn't even be a issue. If myself(not speaking for the masses) spend my own money to outright buy the phone then I should be able to do whatever I want I want to. So what is con side of this idealogy. I bought and paid for right. This is just like everything else that we out up with on a daily basis but has come to be norm for us. Just another way to control. In short why should anyone care if you want to unlock your phone. I say stop regulating so stupid and find something more important to regulate. Here is one for them. Regulate the A.I. programs. That's more important and not me unlocking phone. This is strictly my opinion and not meant to offend anyone. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. Replys are welcomed let's hear from y'all.
I bought my iPhone 12 Pro at Sprint two years ago. T-Mobile acquired Sprint, and I have paid off all the money. Now I can't use this device abroad. Can T-Mobile unlock my device?
Good luck with the BBB and even the FTC won't help you. It's because you are going after the wrong people. Carrier with the way Apple or any OEM doesn't do affects the unlock process
Carriers can't unlock devices that they don't have in their database. The only way to put IMEIs into the database is from the manufacturer. This is to prevent fraud and theft. Since your device was sold by Apple and locked to T-Mobile 100% Apple didn't give the new IMEI to T-Mobile and that's where the disconnect is. This has been happening since the Apple Reseller Flex Policy, and how OEMs in generally rarely give IMEI of devices OEMs sell on their own without giving those IMEIs to Carriers.
With the current process I will always tell people buy unlocked especially for iPhone as there is no difference between unlocked and a carrier branded one. Android devices mat has slight differences in carrier aggregation but it's all marketing as most servers top out way less than the bandwidth you can get. You will always get the fastest the slowest speed is willing to give you. You can have 1 gb speeds but the server is only able to give you 50mb well you only getting 50mb. Speed tests are fun and all but not realistic in real world usage.
WedRow wrote:
interesting information, thank you
I laugh when our internet offers faster speeds, never had the faster speed be faster than the slower speed, told a lot of stories about that, but, never worth the difference in cost
Sounds like I should have told them I wanted an unlocked phone?
apple told me they don’t sell locked phones because, they are not the carrier
att told me they phones are not locked by apple
the issue is, as long and people don’t complain, we get scammed
nothing changes until we demand better service
and, more issues with t-mob than the locked phone, they LIED about local towers, I’d never seen the “sos” on a phone before unless I was really out in the wild but had happen several times in los angeles with t mob, lied about the “fastest connection ever” “oh, you have the slower plan, do you want to upgrade for $$ more? “
a half hour at t-mobile today to return the cell spot
they say there is a lock on the account…
wanting to make sure I will never consider them anywhere, any time…
funny, I never had a problem switching a phone between verizon to att
really scammed by the att>cingular fraud though and you are right, the bbb and ftc did nothing to help millions of customers then… people are so willing to be fleeced now
actually the phones get locked to the first carrier they get added onto..most carriers lock it to their network for a certain amount of days to insure they dont just up and bounce and once said days are met then its unlocked… postpaid accounts its 40 days...prepaid is one year or $100 worth of refills.
Verizon is pretty much the same..i think theirs is 50 days..might have changed..
D nero505 wrote:
I was given an iPad Pro 3rd gen as a birthday gift, and I activated it on an old ex’s iCloud acct because I didn’t have one and we are no longer together so to be spiteful she reported it lost on find my app can I bypass the activation unlock somehow?
The unlock that you are talking about is a bit different. iPads do not have a network unlock and one cannot be requested. If the owner of the iCloud account reported a device lost through their iCloud account, that is something that you would have to discuss with that person. You may get some help or options if you contact Apple directly, but T-Mobile wouldn't have any way to help out with that situation.
Sorry and I wish you luck.
I could not find the device unlock command on my Galaxy S21. This is a device that is an insurance replacement for the one I damaged, and on the T Mobile web site it tells me that it is eligible for unlock.
I have replaced the phone with an S23, so have no service to call 611
You need to contact Tmobile support using messenger on one of tmobile's social media platforms like Twitter or Facebook so they can assist you with unlocking the phone.
gramps28 wrote:
You need to contact Tmobile support using messenger on one of tmobile's social media platforms like Twitter or Facebook so they can assist you with unlocking the phone.
I did this and they helped me out. It was a little slow going, but got it done. Gracias
