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AT&T Will Unlock Off-Contract iPhones Starting Sunday, April 8

I called AT&T Tech Support and was able to get my iPhone 3GS unlocked no problem. In fact, the representative waited on the line to ensure I received my unlock confirmation email, at which point he told me to backup and restore my phone to receive my unlock. I did this and was able to receive my unlock IMMEDIATELY. I then asked the representative if he could unlock my wife's iPhone 4, but he said he was unable to since the iPhone 4 was activated in June 2010 and would not be eligible for unlock until next month.

After hanging up with the Tech Support rep, I got online and contacted AT&T Chat support. The Chat rep agreed to unlock my Wife's iPhone 4 upon confirmation that her line was not under contract (we used my line for her upgrade). The rep opened a ticket and said I would receive as confirmation email within the next 72hrs (so not immediate like the phone rep).

I also put in a ticket to have my Original iPhone 2G unlocked (he said you can do up to 5 devices per year).
 
I bought a locked iPhone from eBay, but had to get it replaced by Apple a month later.

- I called the AT&T toll free number, told the person I wanted to unlock my iPhone. He asked me to provide him with the IMEI; I did. He then placed me on hold (for a nerve-racking length of time) while he looked for my account (I already told him of my above circumstances). He said I'm not on their system; and he asked if I had proof of purchase. I didn't (because of the above).

He went ahead and submitted (whatever), and he told me unlocks take 5-7 business days and that I'm to expect the unlock to occur (by/on) the 16th of April. He asked me for my contact information, and he told me to expect a text with a confirmation number, and an email with instructions on how to proceed with the unlock. He also told me that I may be contacted regarding verifying proof of purchase (but then seemed to backtrack on this).

I received the text (with Case ID and Resolution Date), but no email has been forthcoming.

I guess I'll wait until the 16th to be sure.
 
I'm not sure how you guys are getting this done over chat. Here's what it looks like when I try:


Gloria Urquidi : Hello! My name is Gloria Urquidi and I am an International Care Representative. I’m reading your inquiry and I will be right with you.
Me: hi there
Gloria Urquidi : I will be happy to assist with your international concerns.
Me: Thanks. I know you're likely very busy today with unlock requests. I'd like to check if I can get my iPhone XXXXXXX unlocked so I can travel overseas with it
Me: it is an iPhone 4. I have since upgraded to a 4S, but I think it should be eligible?
Gloria Urquidi : All iPhone devices sold by AT&T are designed to work exclusively on the AT&T network. Unfortunately AT&T does not provide the unlock code for iPhone devices.

Me: excuse me - its April 8th, are you aware AT&T changed the policy starting today?
Me: your coworkers have been unlocking phones all evening for customers based on this new policy. can you please look into it.

Gloria Urquidi : I apologize, We have read and are aware of the articles online stating AT&T will begin unlocking iPhones that are no longer under contract as of today. Unfortunately, at this time, AT&T has not released an official statement informing us of the validity of the reports or how we will go about unlocking the iPhones.
Gloria Urquidi : f you have any further questions on this policy you can contact AT&T Domestic care at 1-800-331-0500

Me: so you have coworkers able to do it - but you personally can't? can you transfer me to someone who can?
Gloria Urquidi : I apologize, that is incorrect, none of us are able to unlock any Apple iPhones.

Gloria Urquidi : I apologize, I am aware of the unlocking policy.
 
brucku said:
I'm not sure how you guys are getting this done over chat. Here's what it looks like when I try:


Gloria Urquidi : Hello! My name is Gloria Urquidi and I am an International Care Representative. I’m reading your inquiry and I will be right with you.
Me: hi there
Gloria Urquidi : I will be happy to assist with your international concerns.
Me: Thanks. I know you're likely very busy today with unlock requests. I'd like to check if I can get my iPhone XXXXXXX unlocked so I can travel overseas with it
Me: it is an iPhone 4. I have since upgraded to a 4S, but I think it should be eligible?
Gloria Urquidi : All iPhone devices sold by AT&T are designed to work exclusively on the AT&T network. Unfortunately AT&T does not provide the unlock code for iPhone devices.

Me: excuse me - its April 8th, are you aware AT&T changed the policy starting today?
Me: your coworkers have been unlocking phones all evening for customers based on this new policy. can you please look into it.

Gloria Urquidi : I apologize, We have read and are aware of the articles online stating AT&T will begin unlocking iPhones that are no longer under contract as of today. Unfortunately, at this time, AT&T has not released an official statement informing us of the validity of the reports or how we will go about unlocking the iPhones.
Gloria Urquidi : f you have any further questions on this policy you can contact AT&T Domestic care at 1-800-331-0500

Me: so you have coworkers able to do it - but you personally can't? can you transfer me to someone who can?
Gloria Urquidi : I apologize, that is incorrect, none of us are able to unlock any Apple iPhones.

Gloria Urquidi : I apologize, I am aware of the unlocking policy.
Click to expand...


That's what happens with third party support...left hand hello, right hand do you know what's going on?
 
Exegesis48 said:
I called AT&T Tech Support and was able to get my iPhone 3GS unlocked no problem. In fact, the representative waited on the line to ensure I received my unlock confirmation email, at which point he told me to backup and restore my phone to receive my unlock. I did this and was able to receive my unlock IMMEDIATELY. I then asked the representative if he could unlock my wife's iPhone 4, but he said he was unable to since the iPhone 4 was activated in June 2010 and would not be eligible for unlock until next month.

After hanging up with the Tech Support rep, I got online and contacted AT&T Chat support. The Chat rep agreed to unlock my Wife's iPhone 4 upon confirmation that her line was not under contract (we used my line for her upgrade). The rep opened a ticket and said I would receive as confirmation email within the next 72hrs (so not immediate like the phone rep).

I also put in a ticket to have my Original iPhone 2G unlocked (he said you can do up to 5 devices per year).
Click to expand...

Wow im Surprised that u got your unlocked rite away! How come tho? I requested my 2 iphones 2g and the tech support told me to wait until next week to get it unlock! Wat am i doing wrong?
 
The waiting period i imagine is a worst case scenario, I requested my unlock on my 4s at 2 P.M. i restored my i phone at 9 this evening in ITUNES and it said congrats your iphone is now unlocked, so give it a shot. Worst case it says nothing and you restored your phone
 
we should have a pie chart of success vs no success with this.

i called in early this morning around 9AM CST -- and was advised that mine would not be eligible until Dec 2013.

this is for my iPhone 4. -- I purchased the first iPhone 4 as soon as possible -- was part of the first batch -- and later did the same with the iPhone 4S
---prior to my iPhone 4's 1 year warranty expiring. I had my iPhone 4 replaced.

The first person i spoke with said its going to be very possible, then was on hold for ~20 minutes - got the next advisor who told me they were not going to do it. I told her I haven't even been using this phone, since I have my iPhone 4S, and this was a replacement from Apple -- she said it goes off the "system" --all she asked for was my imei.

i asked her how people are able to get their phones bought off ebay etc processed -- and she said they must be from a different carrier..

REDICULOUS. made me so mad --wasted so much time on the phone for nothing.
 
firerage101 said:
The waiting period i imagine is a worst case scenario, I requested my unlock on my 4s at 2 P.M. i restored my i phone at 9 this evening in ITUNES and it said congrats your iphone is now unlocked, so give it a shot. Worst case it says nothing and you restored your phone
Click to expand...

did you received an email from either ATT or Apple to confirm your unlock before you do the restore?
 
firerage101 said:
The waiting period i imagine is a worst case scenario, I requested my unlock on my 4s at 2 P.M. i restored my i phone at 9 this evening in ITUNES and it said congrats your iphone is now unlocked, so give it a shot. Worst case it says nothing and you restored your phone
Click to expand...

No. Worst case is you lose an unofficial unlock you have now.
 
firerage101 said:
The waiting period i imagine is a worst case scenario, I requested my unlock on my 4s at 2 P.M. i restored my i phone at 9 this evening in ITUNES and it said congrats your iphone is now unlocked, so give it a shot. Worst case it says nothing and you restored your phone
Click to expand...

Would restoring update the system and delete a jailbreak?

I got thru on the after hours tech support line 866-801-3600. They created a case for me :(

The customer rep also told me that if I upgraded ( currently eligible ) my iphone 4 to a new 4s, then I would be able to unlock the iphone 4 right away without paying the termination fee.

I suppose after a few days I can return the new one and go back to the unlocked iPhone 4. Does this seam plausible?
 
Last edited:
I submitted my request for my iPhone 4 yesterday and was told to wait 24-72 hours. Have not received confirmation from AT&T, but I called Apple directly and they confirmed the profile on my account is unlocked. Restored and free.

"Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!" -MLK
 
DerekRod said:
Cant people under contract just sue in small claims court to have it unlocked?Is it possible?
Click to expand...

Sue for what? Paying $199 or $299 for a $800 phone? You agreed to the terms of the contract while I paid $800+ for my phone and chose not to. Why on Earth should you get to sue for that?
 
I moved to Lebanon for work, called AT&T to try to get them to unlock my 4S. They said they cannot unlock a 4S because it is a 4S. Went all the way up to managers, supervisors. I imagine they can do it, but the people handling the calls are clearly not all aware of what's up.

Because I have moved abroad and have left the "service area" I can, as per the agreement, cancel my contract without paying the early termination fee. So, in the legal twilight zone I am currently in, I could cancel my AT&T contract, yet still be stuck with a phone that cannot work on any network except AT&T. I asked if this would be the case even if I paid the early termination fee and they said I would still be stuck with a locked phone. Hmm.
 
The process seems to be real smooth even for the oversea's callers. I placed a request yesterday and was asked to wait for 5-7 days with a case number. To my suprise, i just received an email few mins back informing on the unlock process and confirmation for the unlock. Thankyou APPLE for buying me the Freedom at last.
 
gillboyzz said:
The process seem to be a real smooth for oversea's callers aswell. I placed a request yesterday and was asked to wait for 5-7 days. To my suprise, i just received an email few mins back informing on the unlock process and confirmation for the unlock. Thankyou APPLE for buying me the Freedom at last.
Click to expand...

Did you unlocked it already? Do we have to restore phone, or we can just place foreign sim card, and open itunes... will that work?
 
zepica said:
Did you unlocked it already? Do we have to restore phone, or we can just place foreign sim card, and open itunes... will that work?
Click to expand...

No....i just connected my iphone to itunes and pressed on the syn button. The very next moment it gave me a pop-up of congraluating for the unlock. However, the instructions received were real confusing and asking me to do a clean restore.
 
gillboyzz said:
No....i just connected my iphone to itunes and pressed on the syn button. The very next moment it gave me a pop-up of congraluating for the unlock. However, the instructions received were real confusing and asking me to do a clean restore.
Click to expand...

And was at&t sim card at that moment in the iphone?
 
1st call

i just finished my 1st call to ATT and they still can't accept any calls because it almost 05:00AM over there i guess, waiting for the rep to come to give them a call via skype:confused:
 
I have a question I'm not US resident and I bought my jailbroken iPhone 3G on ebay 3 years ago.
So is it possible now to unlock it ? and can you give me a link where I can contact with tech support chat from AT&T because I don't want to call it will expensive for me:)

Thanks!
 
No ATT Sim Card--can't activate phone at all

I would like to unlock my wife's original iPhone which is long out of contract so that I can use it with a PAYG SIM from T-Mobile when I'm visiting the U.S. Her original SIM card is long gone. I had the phone jailbroken but when I plugged it in today I elected to go ahead and update the system software. Now it is asking me for a valid SIM card before it will load the new system software. I tried active T-Mobile (US) and Orange (UK) cards but keep getting the message "The SIM card inserted does not appear to be supported. Only compatible SIMS from a supported carrier may be used to activate iPhone. Please insert the SIM card that came with the phone or visit a supported Carrier's store to receive a replacement SIM card." Since I'm in Scotland, there is no way I can go back to an ATT store. If I can get ATT to unlock this phone, will the unlock code sent by Apple allow me to use the T-Mobile or Orange SIM card to activate the phone? Is there a way to get the system software installed so that I can just use it as a WiFi device for now? Thanks in advance for anyone's help. This is very frustrating. Erik Hansen aka Lownote.
 
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