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Carrier Tip for Leaving AT&T

O

ohsnaphappy

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jan 14, 2013
240
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The Verizon Store said I would have to buy new iPhones BECAUSE my two 6's were locked on AT&T and under contract. I didn't want to do that. So I called AT&T and told them I was going to Europe and I wanted to unlock my phone so that I could use a European sim. They said no problem, they charged me an ETF, which I need to pay anyway, since I'm leaving AT&T, and then I had no problem unlocking my phones :) Verizon sims, and all sims, now work in my iPhones and I'll have no problem switching to Verizon. So if Verizon tells you can't use your 6 on their network because it's locked, just tell AT&T you're going out of the country and you need it unlocked haha
 
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I'm love AT&T. They recently bumped me up from 3GB to 6GB for FREE the next 2 years. Now maybe once it's 2017 they'll make me pay more, but I'll decide then.
 
You don't actually have to make a story up. If you're laying your etf here obligated to unlock the phone for you anyway. Just call in, lay your etf, get the phone unlocked, and port your numbers as you see fit
 
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Just so you guys know - AT&T never unlocks an iPhone for you. You have to go through that process manually yourself. It's not hard or anything. But paying the ETF doesn't unlock the phone.
 
ohsnaphappy said:
Just so you guys know - AT&T never unlocks an iPhone for you. You have to go through that process manually yourself. It's not hard or anything. But paying the ETF doesn't unlock the phone.
Click to expand...
We know this. What they have been saying is instead of making up some story about going to Europe you can just say, "AT&T please unlock my phone, thanks".
 
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You also have to actually request that the phone be unlocked from AT&T. It won't automatically unlock once you pay off the phone or pay your ETF. May not be news to you guys, but I figured I'd throw it out there.
 
ohsnaphappy said:
The Verizon Store said I would have to buy new iPhones BECAUSE my two 6's were locked on AT&T and under contract. I didn't want to do that. So I called AT&T and told them I was going to Europe and I wanted to unlock my phone so that I could use a European sim. They said no problem, they charged me an ETF, which I need to pay anyway, since I'm leaving AT&T, and then I had no problem unlocking my phones :) Verizon sims, and all sims, now work in my iPhones and I'll have no problem switching to Verizon. So if Verizon tells you can't use your 6 on their network because it's locked, just tell AT&T you're going out of the country and you need it unlocked haha
Click to expand...

There's a better way. You don't have to lie or ask Att anything or make up any stories.
You port your number to another carrier. That will generate a final bill from att with etf included. When you pay it then the att i6 is eligible for unlock. And can be used on Verizon or any gsm carrier in the world. Verizon will lie to you and tell you your unlocked Att iphone will not work on their Network so you can buy one from them instead.
 
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smoledman said:
I'm love AT&T. They recently bumped me up from 3GB to 6GB for FREE the next 2 years. Now maybe once it's 2017 they'll make me pay more, but I'll decide then.
Click to expand...
Did you call retentions?? My daughter could really use that extra data!!
Are you on a two year subsidized contract?
 
ohsnaphappy said:
Just so you guys know - AT&T never unlocks an iPhone for you. You have to go through that process manually yourself. It's not hard or anything. But paying the ETF doesn't unlock the phone.
Click to expand...

You're wrong.
Again.
They have no option. By law They have to unlock the phone if the contract is fulfilled or etf is paid.
You can put in the unlock request online or call. But it will be unlocked.
 
I thought you can only use unlocked att phone on t mobile ? Can you unlock a att iPhone and use it with any carrier ?
 
Applejuiced said:
You're wrong.
Again.
They have no option. By law They have to unlock the phone if the contract is fulfilled or etf is paid.
You can put in the unlock request online or call. But it will be unlocked.
Click to expand...

I don't know if I'm wrong. I only know what they told me. I'm a consumer. I'm at their mercy. So if they can just push a button and unlock the phone, awesome. But two different techs told me that was not possible. They send you to att.com/unlock and you enter the info. Then, after you go through that process, your erase your phone. At that point it's unlocked. Then you restore from a backup.

Again I don't know if there's a way they can do it independently. But that's how they made me do it for my daughter's phone and my wife's phone. Two different AT&T techs on two different days - exact same procedure.

Considering they stayed on the line with me for like twenty minutes while I unlocked the phones, dang if they had a way to do it themselves...they should have done that and saved themselves some time :)
 
nikhsub1 said:
We know this. What they have been saying is instead of making up some story about going to Europe you can just say, "AT&T please unlock my phone, thanks".
Click to expand...

You can say "unlock it please" but they're going to ask you why. I guarantee it. If you tell them the reason why is to leave AT&T they're going to tell you no and get confrontational. That's their job. They will do anything to keep you from leaving. If you tell them you're going to Europe they're thrilled! They lead you through the whole unlocking process and tell you to enjoy your trip haha, it's just easier!
 
Applejuiced said:
You're wrong.
Again.
They have no option. By law They have to unlock the phone if the contract is fulfilled or etf is paid.
You can put in the unlock request online or call. But it will be unlocked.
Click to expand...

You misread that. ATT never automatically unlocks. You have to ask. I have gone out of contract on may phone and they were not unlocked until I asked. Even paying an ETF will not do it. You have to ask.
 
ohsnaphappy said:
You can say "unlock it please" but they're going to ask you why. I guarantee it. If you tell them the reason why is to leave AT&T they're going to tell you no and get confrontational. That's their job. They will do anything to keep you from leaving. If you tell them you're going to Europe they're thrilled! They lead you through the whole unlocking process and tell you to enjoy your trip haha, it's just easier!
Click to expand...

The process is automated so no one is going to ask why. However, if your account is under contract then they will not grant the unlock until you are month to month.
 
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ohsnaphappy said:
The Verizon Store said I would have to buy new iPhones BECAUSE my two 6's were locked on AT&T and under contract. I didn't want to do that. So I called AT&T and told them I was going to Europe and I wanted to unlock my phone so that I could use a European sim. They said no problem, they charged me an ETF, which I need to pay anyway, since I'm leaving AT&T, and then I had no problem unlocking my phones :) Verizon sims, and all sims, now work in my iPhones and I'll have no problem switching to Verizon. So if Verizon tells you can't use your 6 on their network because it's locked, just tell AT&T you're going out of the country and you need it unlocked haha
Click to expand...


verizon will pay off your ETF so no need to pay it yourself
 
ohsnaphappy said:
You can say "unlock it please" but they're going to ask you why. I guarantee it. If you tell them the reason why is to leave AT&T they're going to tell you no and get confrontational. That's their job. They will do anything to keep you from leaving. If you tell them you're going to Europe they're thrilled! They lead you through the whole unlocking process and tell you to enjoy your trip haha, it's just easier!
Click to expand...

Couldn't you just reply with "because I want my device unlocked" ?

I'm surprised that people would make up a story just to get a phone unlocked when you can request assuming the device meets the requirements as per:

https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/
 
ZipZap said:
You misread that. ATT never automatically unlocks. You have to ask. I have gone out of contract on may phone and they were not unlocked until I asked. Even paying an ETF will not do it. You have to ask.
Click to expand...

You have to put in a request either by going online, call or chat.
If your requirements are fullfilled by law then they cannot deny you the unlock.
 
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