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6 plus on account for 2 weeks and AT&T denied 5S unlocking request

Slicktype

Slicktype

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Nov 8, 2011
257
11
Prior to buying my 6 plus retail, I called AT&T and asked if my 5S would be unlocked after adding the plus to my 2 year contract (contract is up September of 2015). I was told that I would need to wait 15 days from when the new phone is activated.
It now has been over 2 weeks and I'm still getting denied.
Any suggestions?
Do I have to personally tell them that I now have an iPhone 6+ on my contract and not my 5S ?
 
Slicktype said:
Prior to buying my 6 plus, I called AT&T and asked if my 5S would be unlocked after adding the plus to my 2 year contract (contract is up September of 2015). I was told that I would need to wait 15 days from when the new phone is activated.
It now has been over 2 weeks and I'm still getting denied.
Any suggestions?
Do I have to personally tell them that I now have an iPhone 6+ on my contract and not my 5S ?
Click to expand...
Have you called them in the last few days?
 
You didn't have the 5s for 2 years. I was told by AT&T, until that actual phone is under contract for 2 years, you can't unlock it. I think yo will end up with conflicting answers from AT&T, and might luck out and get someone to unlock it, but it is my understanding they will never unlock it because that actual phone was never fully paid for.
 
Only fully paid for phones will be unlocked and as JT2002TJ pointed out that means 2 years for you since you paid for the phone by subsidy.
 
JT2002TJ said:
You didn't have the 5s for 2 years. I was told by AT&T, until that actual phone is under contract for 2 years, you can't unlock it.
Click to expand...

If I buy a phone on one line and use an early upgrade (on that same line), the previous phone is no longer under contract.

I am unclear if this is what the OP actually did (used the same line), but that is how it should work. I did this exact thing and didn't have issues. The reason there is a two week waiting period is that they don't want you to just be able to return the previous device.
 
lordofthereef said:
If I buy a phone on one line and use an early upgrade (on that same line), the previous phone is no longer under contract.

I am unclear if this is what the OP actually did (used the same line), but that is how it should work. I did this exact thing and didn't have issues. The reason there is a two week waiting period is that they don't want you to just be able to return the previous device.
Click to expand...

If you they offer you an early upgrade (it wont be a year early, since the OP is talking about a 5s) they will unlock it (this is like a month or two). If you switch to a Next, without fulfilling the contract, you haven't paid off the phone yet, so they wont. At least that is how I understand it.

You have to have 2 years on a phone (even if you move it to another line) before they will unlock it. Options are to keep it going with a different number.

Basically, there are 2 deals. You have a contract on your phone line AND you have a agreement to unlock your subsidized phone after 2 years of use (actual use). You can throw out your subsidized phone on day 2 of the contract and get a new full priced phone if you want. But they will not unlock that phone until you have had 2 years of paid use on it.
 
Lots of bad information in this thread. at&t will unlock the offed device after you've waited out the 14-day return period even if you're in the middle of a contract. If you're getting denied after 14 days, something is wrong from their end and I'd suggest escalating the issue.
 
JayLenochiniMac said:
Lots of bad information in this thread. at&t will unlock the offed device after you've waited out the 14-day return period even if you're in the middle of a contract. If you're getting denied after 14 days, something is wrong from their end and I'd suggest escalating the issue.
Click to expand...

As I said, you might get someone to do it, but that is not their policy. Unless you have paid for the phone they do not unlock (unless you have a business account).

Because people do it after escalation does not change the policy.
 
JT2002TJ said:
As I said, you might get someone to do it, but that is not their policy. Unless you have paid for the phone they do not unlock (unless you have a business account).

Because people do it after escalation does not change the policy.
Click to expand...

Upgrading counts as "paying the old phone off" to AT&T

Edit: Never mind, I just saw he paid retail for the new phone. The 5S won't be eligible to unlock until the contract is up
 
JT2002TJ said:
As I said, you might get someone to do it, but that is not their policy. Unless you have paid for the phone they do not unlock (unless you have a business account).

Because people do it after escalation does not change the policy.
Click to expand...

Wrong. If you do a device swap, it is their policy to unlock the offed device after 14 days, the return period of the new iPhone.
 
terraphantm said:
Upgrading counts as "paying the old phone off" to AT&T

Edit: Never mind, I just saw he paid retail for the new phone. The 5S won't be eligible to unlock until the contract is up
Click to expand...

Not if you move to next... I know a few buddies who moved to next with their 5s' and got screwed. The OP has a 5s, so the only way they upgraded was with Next (unless I'm missing something). There is no policy I am aware of that will guarantee they unlock it.

----------
JayLenochiniMac said:
Wrong. If you do a device swap, it is their policy to unlock the offed device after 14 days, the return period of the new iPhone.
Click to expand...

If you go out and buy a new phone at retail, this does not count as fulfilling your requirement. If you have next and you turn in the phone, you wont have it to unlock it. If you have next and pay off the phone, then Yes... you have fulfilled the requirement.
 
JT2002TJ said:
If you go out and buy a new phone at retail, this does not count as fulfilling your requirement. If you have next and you turn in the phone, you wont have it to unlock it. If you have next and pay off the phone, then Yes... you have fulfilled the requirement.
Click to expand...

No, if you buy at retail or device swap a new iPhone from a different line, the contract is still in effect except the new iPhone has replaced the offed device so they will unlock the offed device after 14 days. You still have to honor the rest of the contract but they will unlock the old device.
 
JayLenochiniMac said:
No, if you buy at retail or device swap a new iPhone from a different line, the contract is still in effect except the new iPhone has replaced the offed device so they will unlock the offed device after 14 days. You still have to honor the rest of the contract but they will unlock the old device.
Click to expand...

Again... They might have done this, but this is not policy... You have to have that phone on a working line for the full two years.
 
JayLenochiniMac said:
No, if you buy at retail or device swap a new iPhone from a different line, the contract is still in effect except the new iPhone has replaced the offed device so they will unlock the offed device after 14 days. You still have to honor the rest of the contract but they will unlock the old device.
Click to expand...

If your contract isn't either fulfilled or extended, they don't unlock the old device.
 
OP is confusing everyone. OP did not upgrade, he just bought iPhone 6 and 5s is still under contract.
 
I got a 5S under contract last year. This year I upgraded to a 6 via Next, and requested an unlock for the 5S from AT&T. I did not have to wait 14 days. The unlock request was approved the day after I placed the order for the 6. Maybe I was just lucky?
 
nox5 said:
OP is confusing everyone. OP did not upgrade, he just bought iPhone 6 and 5s is still under contract.
Click to expand...

I read it as buying a 6 at full price and adding (should have said connecting) to his mid 2 year contract phone line...

So, AT&T may unlock it if he begs, but they do not have to. The 5s was bought at a discounted price, and has not been active for 2 years (5s came out last year, so it is physically impossible).

----------
ssl0408 said:
I got a 5S under contract last year. This year I upgraded to a 6 via Next, and requested an unlock for the 5S from AT&T. I did not have to wait 14 days. The unlock request was approved the day after I placed the order for the 6. Maybe I was just lucky?
Click to expand...

Yes. They do not have to. They did it to encourage next sales. You never paid off your 5s. They could have simply said no.
 
JT2002TJ said:
Again... They might have done this, but this is not policy... You have to have that phone on a working line for the full two years.
Click to expand...

terraphantm said:
If your contract isn't either fulfilled or extended, they don't unlock the old device.
Click to expand...

Read the bold part in at&t's policy:

The Service Commitment associated with a given device may be satisfied in one of the following ways:
- Fulfillment of the Service Commitment by expiration of any contractual term
- Upgrading to a new device under AT&T standard or early upgrade policies. Note: when you Early Upgrade you must complete the 14 day Buyer’s Remorse Period on your new device before requesting your previous device be unlocked.
-You should complete the unlock process before porting out your number for use with another carrier
- Payment of any applicable Early Termination Fee
Click to expand...

E.g., you upgrade a different line in a family plan (thereby renewing that contract) and device swap the new device to a line in the middle of the contract. They will unlock the offed device after 14 days. So, no, you don't necessarily need to have it on that line for two full years nor be required to fulfill or extend the contract of that line.
 
ssl0408 said:
I got a 5S under contract last year. This year I upgraded to a 6 via Next, and requested an unlock for the 5S from AT&T. I did not have to wait 14 days. The unlock request was approved the day after I placed the order for the 6. Maybe I was just lucky?
Click to expand...
Maybe lucky by a week or two, but that is about it. That is how it works.

A&T is in a better position than they were before you got your iPhone 6... of course they will unlock the 5S. You still have to pay an ETF if you cancelled the line before your contract period is up, so the 5S is covered there (the ETF is less every month). Bonus for AT&T you now have a new phone and paying for it over another 18 months (or whatever your Next term is). Chances are you are sticking around.

Win. Win.


Michael
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Tinmania said:
Maybe lucky by a week or two, but that is about it. That is how it works.

A&T is in a better position than they were before you got your iPhone 6... of course they will unlock the 5S. You still have to pay an ETF if you cancelled the line before your contract period is up, so the 5S is covered there (the ETF is less every month). Bonus for AT&T you now have a new phone and paying for it over another 18 months (or whatever your Next term is). Chances are you are sticking around.

Win. Win.


Michael
Click to expand...

Yeah, you're right, but I sold the 5S and will use that to pay off the 6.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
JT2002TJ said:
If you they offer you an early upgrade (it wont be a year early, since the OP is talking about a 5s) they will unlock it (this is like a month or two). If you switch to a Next, without fulfilling the contract, you haven't paid off the phone yet, so they wont. At least that is how I understand it.
Click to expand...

AFAIK and if I understand correctly, when you switch to the AT&T Next, your 2 your contract does end and you are no longer in a 2 year contract and you would be on AT&T Next, so AT&T should be able to unlock the 5S.

I had a 2 year contract when I purchased the Galaxy S4 (September 2013). When I switched to Next when purchasing an Galaxy S5 (April 2014), the rep told me that my 2 year contract is now ended because I upgrade to the AT&T Next. *Note that at the time I switched to Next. It wasn't even a year.

So yea once again, if you switch to Next then you are no longer in a 2 year contract. (Unless AT&T changed that policy).

Looks like OP purchased it full price. So yes, your 5S is still under contract.
 
JT2002TJ said:
You didn't have the 5s for 2 years. I was told by AT&T, until that actual phone is under contract for 2 years, you can't unlock it. I think yo will end up with conflicting answers from AT&T, and might luck out and get someone to unlock it, but it is my understanding they will never unlock it because that actual phone was never fully paid for.
Click to expand...
Countless ways to unlock that phone without att
 
Shadowbech said:
AFAIK and if I understand correctly, when you switch to the AT&T Next, your 2 your contract does end and you are no longer in a 2 year contract and you would be on AT&T Next, so AT&T should be able to unlock the 5S.

I had a 2 year contract when I purchased the Galaxy S4 (September 2013). When I switched to Next when purchasing an Galaxy S5 (April 2014), the rep told me that my 2 year contract is now ended because I upgrade to the AT&T Next. *Note that at the time I switched to Next. It wasn't even a year.

So yea once again, if you switch to Next then you are no longer in a 2 year contract. (Unless AT&T changed that policy).

Looks like OP purchased it full price. So yes, your 5S is still under contract.
Click to expand...


There are two different things. The contract for your phone line, and your commitment to pay back the supplemented cost for your phone (so that you can unlock it). Switching to the next does void your line contract and put you under a new next contract. This does not guarantee that they will unlock your phone.
 
JayLenochiniMac said:
Lots of bad information in this thread. at&t will unlock the offed device after you've waited out the 14-day return period even if you're in the middle of a contract. If you're getting denied after 14 days, something is wrong from their end and I'd suggest escalating the issue.
Click to expand...
Correct
 
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