Need to unlock a device? Here's some information to get you started.

I want to sell my phone but the buyer wants me to unlock before he even comes because he thinks it will take over 24hours. I called in and I read the message above. I just want to verify. I am already using my new phone with an e sim and I can't get back on tmobile network. But I can connect to wifi. If I pay my balance will the iPhone be able to be unlocked within minutes or hours. It's an iPhone 13 Pro Max I have 7 payments left and I don't feel like gambling $360 and having this guy either try to lowball me because he knows I just spent $360. He has nothing to lose by coming here and just looking at it and assuring me he is actually paying.

please verify that it is an instant unlock 

You need to contact the ebay seller.

Tmobile only unlocks phones for their customers.

Hola,

Need your help,

Have just purchased used Iphone from ebay, and it is locked to T-mobile. 

Please advice how can I request for unlock if Ii am not a T-mobile subscriber.

¡Gracias de antemano!

What type of phone?

HeavenM wrote:

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.

I am still waiting for my text, my phone was paid off and I never received a message after.  

actually as long as the prior insurance replacement met all the requirements then this one will as well. the  device info will need to be updated in the TMO system though or what youre trying to get unlocked wont match with what you actually have in your hand.

All carriers have unlock requirements.

Tmobile is the worst, i was trying to switch over to verizon recently after experiencing the worst customer service I've ever experienced when geting a replacement phone from Assurant.. i now have to reactivate my phone and pay for 40 days of service. Never heard of such BS. What a convenient way to trap dissatisfied customers into paying for service. On top of that its nearly double my usual bill. Never will be back and will let the world know how terrible tmobile is.   

amanhang wrote:

i've had an iphone 12 pro with tmobile since may 2021, i broke the original iphone in january 2023 and got a replacement through apple care from an apple store a few days afterwards. that being said i tried to get my phone unlocked but they are saying that it hasn't been active with tmobile for 40 days? the reps have put in a request to get it unlocked from the "higher ups" but it's been over 48 hours from then. I don't understand what the mean by 40 days, when the phone is fully paid off.. is it 40 days from when it's fully paid off? because that was in may 2023. 

40 days period. also keep in mind that since your current device was a warranty replacement its info is not in the TMO system. so it’ll show incorrect info and delay the unlock..especially if all things have been met..the updated info wont be and it’ll stop the unlock process. contact TMO preferably through either Facebook or Twitter and have the info for the device corrected.

40 days of usage on Tmobile towers. Since Apple replaced the phone the imei# is not in Tmobile's data base to issue the request.

The new imei# needs to be entered into Tmobile's system.