Are you looking to unlock an AT&T prepaid phone before the 60-day lock period is over? If so, you’re not alone.
Many AT&T prepaid customers find themselves in a similar situation and are eager to unlock their phone to use with another carrier.
The good news is that it is possible to unlock your AT&T prepaid phone before 60 days, but it does require some extra steps.
Step 1: Check Eligibility
Before you start the unlocking process, it’s important to make sure that your phone is eligible for unlocking.
AT&T prepaid phones are locked for 60 days from the date of activation. If your phone has been active for less than 60 days, you will not be able to unlock it.
If your phone is eligible for unlocking, the next step is to gather the necessary information.
To check the eligibility of your phone, you will need to consider the following factors:
Activation Date:
AT&T prepaid phones are locked for 60 days from the date of activation. If your phone has been active for less than 60 days, you will not be able to unlock it.
Payment Status:
Your phone must be fully paid off and not reported lost or stolen.
Contract Obligations:
If your phone was purchased as part of a contract, you must fulfill any outstanding contract obligations before you can unlock your phone.
Device Type:
Not all AT&T devices are eligible for unlocking, so check with AT&T to confirm that your device can be unlocked.
Once you have verified that your phone meets all the eligibility criteria, you can proceed to the next step of gathering the necessary information.
Keep in mind that the eligibility criteria can vary from country to country and carrier to carrier, so it’s always best to check with AT&T directly to confirm the specific requirements for your device.
Step 2: Gather Information
To unlock your AT&T prepaid phone, you will need to provide certain information. This step is important as it will ensure that your request is processed quickly and accurately.
The information you will need to gather includes:
The phone’s IMEI number:
The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number is a unique 15-digit number that identifies your phone.
You can find the IMEI number by dialing *#06# on your phone or by checking the documentation that came with your phone.
The phone’s account number:
This is the number associated with your AT&T prepaid account. You can find this number on your monthly bill or by contacting AT&T customer service.
The phone’s mobile number:
This is the phone number associated with the device.
A valid email address:
This is where AT&T will send the instructions on how to unlock your phone once the request is approved.
It’s important to double-check and make sure that you have all the information correctly before submitting the request as it may delay the process.
Once you have gathered all the necessary information, you can proceed to the next step of submitting an unlock request to AT&T.
Step 3: Submit an Unlock Request
Now that you have gathered all the necessary information, the next step is to submit an unlock request to AT&T.
This step is important as it initiates the process of unlocking your phone.
There are two ways to submit an unlock request:
Online:
You can visit the AT&T device unlock website and submit your request by filling out the form provided.
You will need to provide your IMEI number, account number, mobile number, and a valid email address.
Once you have submitted your request, you will receive a confirmation email.
Phone:
You can also submit your request by calling AT&T customer service. When you call, have your IMEI number, account number, and mobile number handy, as the customer service representative will ask for this information.
The representative will also ask for a valid email address to send the instructions on how to unlock the phone once the request is approved.
It’s important to make sure that you submit the correct information as it may delay the process.
Once you have submitted your request, you will need to wait for AT&T to approve it.
This process can take up to 2 business days. After your request is approved, you will receive an email with instructions on how to unlock your phone.
Step 4: Wait for Approval
After you have submitted your unlock request, the next step is to wait for AT&T to approve it. This step is important as it marks the transition from requesting to the actual unlocking of the phone.
The time it takes for AT&T to approve your request can vary, but it typically takes 2 business days. During this time, you can check the status of your request by visiting the AT&T device unlock website or by calling customer service.
It’s important to note that AT&T has the right to deny an unlock request if the phone is not eligible or if the account is not in good standing.
In such cases, you will receive a notification from AT&T with the reason why your request was denied.
Once your request is approved, you will receive an email from AT&T with instructions on how to unlock your phone.
It’s important to read the instructions carefully as they will explain the steps you need to take to unlock your phone.
It’s also important to note that the unlock code will be unique for each phone, so do not share the unlock code with anyone else as it will not work on other devices.
Step 5: Unlock Your Phone
Once you have received the email with the unlock instructions from AT&T, the final step is to unlock your phone.
This step is important as it will allow you to use your phone with other carriers and in other countries.
The process of unlocking your phone will vary depending on the make and model of your phone, but it typically involves entering a code into your phone.
The code is usually referred to as the “unlock code” or “network unlock code” and is unique to your phone.
Steps to enter the unlock code:
1. Turn off your phone
2. Insert a SIM card from a different carrier
3. Turn your phone on
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to enter the unlock code
5. Once the code is entered, your phone should be unlocked.
It’s important to note that the process and instructions may vary depending on the phone’s make and model, and also it may vary depending on the carrier, so make sure to follow the instructions provided in the email carefully to ensure that you unlock your phone correctly.
Also, once your phone is unlocked, you may need to reconfigure certain settings and update the phone’s firmware.
It’s important to keep in mind that unlocking your phone may void the warranty provided by the manufacturer. So, make sure you understand the terms and conditions before proceeding with the unlocking process.