How To: Unlock Code TMO?

When unlocking your phone from TMO, is the "restore as new" step required?
I've read that it is needed and then I've read that some users didn't restore.
I went to iphoneimei plugged in in my info and it shows my phone is unlocked.

I've connected my phone to iTunes and saw no "congratulations" message
like the email stated.

I followed steps 1-3 as there is confusion on step 4.
If I have to restore then I'll restore.

thanks
======
T-Mobile Sim Unlock Request
Sim Unlock Reference: #########
IMEI: #################

Unlock Code:
Thank you for taking the time to contact T-Mobile. Please be advised that T-Mobile can only unlock the T-Mobile branded iphone. If your request is for a non T-Mobile iphone the below instructions will not work. You will need to contact the Carrier that the device is from for assistance.

72 hours after receiving this email please follow the below instructions for unlocking your T-Mobile iPhone device.
1. Perform a backup (we suggest backing up through iCloud backup, however iTunes backup will work if you haven't setup iCloud)
2. Connect your iPhone to iTunes
o Important: This step must be performed using the USB cable connected to your PC or Mac in order to trigger the process.
3. Within a few minutes, a screen will appear, "Congratulations, your iPhone has been unlocked".
4. The device is now unlocked. You may now insert any non T-Mobile SIM card into the iPhone.
If the above steps do not work, then the 'restore device' process must be completed and an iTunes activation completed. In the re-activation of the device, the device unlock will be pulled down once activation is complete.


Thank You,
Customer Service
T-Mobile USA, Inc.

 

thanks for the help.
i would have restored if needed to but my preference was not to.
last time i did a restore, it got ugly for me, LOL

thanks again