Note for NYS: Apparently all Long Island stores are not eligible for this offer as they don't have the appropriate licensing with T-Mobile. Must go to an NYC store.
Folks not receiving verification text from BestBuy - Opt for text messages from BestBuy by sending 'HELP' to numbers - 332211 and 22891 (do both). You should receive verification text on the next try
Additional Info that may help
Q: Do we have to pick a plan from Best Buy for T-Mobile if we are not a current customer?
Ans: You don't have to pick a post paid T-Mobile plan from Best Buy to get this deal. You can sign up for the plan anywhere and have it active before trading in your device at Best Buy.
Q: Can we cancel the plan immediately out of the store?
Ans: If you cancel the plan immediately out of the store then you won't be able to unlock the phone because you are no longer with T-Mobile.
Q: Can we unlock by messaging T-Force?
Ans: Yes, you can. But, you have to be with T-Mobile and wait times are long. People had success unlocking anywhere between 3 days to 40 days after getting the iPhone 13. T-Force can override the system after 30 days.
Q: Do we wait 40 days with service or without service?
Ans: With service, of course. Otherwise you are no longer with T-Mobile and why would they unlock the phone?
Q: Do they accept phones with a lightly cracked front or back?
Ans: Cracked front or back. Totally depends on the rep helping you but more than likely it won't fly.
Q. Can I insert a SIM card from a different carrier other than Tmobile?
Ans: Due to Flex Policy, the device is locked to the first sim card inserted.
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If you get the message "We're sorry, there was an issue processing your request. Please try again later." when trying to validate your T-Mobile account, try the follow procedure below. It seems to help some users but not all YMMV!.
Go to your T-Mobile account and turn OFF every block for "chargeable" things including sms, downloads, etc. If they are already OFF toggle them ON and OFF just to clear the system of residual blocks. You CAN leave scam block ON. Then send "HELP" (without quotes) text message from each of your mobile no. that you are trying to upgrade to 22891, 332211 and 66803. Wait 30 minutes after completing everything above and try again. If it does not work, you might an account that has employee discounts or something else.
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Almost instant unlock process via ATT (AT&T) SIM card (as reported by multiple users)
Note: The iPhone 13 must not be be activated with T-Mobile sim card at Best Buy by the rep in order to use this ATT unlock trick! It needs to be in brand new, inactivated state.
You don't need to be a current ATT subscriber to use the ATT unlock portal as mentioned below.
- Get an ATT sim card.
You can go to a local Apple store and ask for a new ATT sim card. Users reported: I visited my local Apple store and asked for an AT&T not activated SIM card. They ordered one on their iPad and a few minutes later they handed it to me. They didn't ask for any personal or iPhone information.
You can also order one for $2 plus tax from the Microsoft store if you don't have an Apple store nearby or it's not worth the gas: https:// www. microsoft.com/en-us/d/at-t-sim-card/8n0scjxn845k
(Remove spaces!) - Put the SIM card into your new Best Buy iPhone and go through the activation process and connect to WIFI. The iPhone will then state under settings that it's carrier locked.
- Go to the ATT unlock page: https:// www. att. com/deviceunlock/unlockstep1
(Copy, paste and remove spaces as we don't want to send a lot of slickdeals referrers to this page) - Select "No" for "Are you an AT&T wireless customer?"
- Enter the IMEI into the field. You can get the IMEA under settings or dial *#06# on your iPhone to bring up device information.
- Go to the next step and enter your personal information. The email needs to be valid as ATT will send a confirmation email to this address.
- If everything is correct, wait for the confirmation email and click on the link to confirm the request. Note: Use it within 24 hours or ATT will cancel your request.
Users reported that the "No SIM restrictions" info under "Carrier Lock" appeared within 60 seconds after clicking on "confirm your unlock request".
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Once you get the email, click on the link to confirm the unlock. It should be unlocked within a minute
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I can confirm that the ATT sim card unlock trick worked for my 3 Best Buy iPhone mini 13. I used an unactivated (new) prepaid AT&T SIM card when I started the iPhone and then proceeded to unlock via the portal.
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Good luck!
Jon
6,472 Comments
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"After unlocking my iPhone 13 with the ATT sim method, i called to cancel the Tmo line the same day of activation. Guess what? They told me since they attempted to send a text to the new Tmo line but it was never received (never inserted the SIM) the line was automatically cancelled. I asked for a confirmation number but was told no confirmation can be provided. And no balance either."
Today I wanted place a new iPhone 13 mini order then for $600 trade-in only. But I had some glitches and errors. So I thought I use the "Forget About This Site" feature in Firefox to remove all Best Buy cookie and other data in my browser and start from scratch. This time I could place a new order via T-Mobile upgrade and the trade-in value for the mini was back at $630. Glad I didn't lose money just because FedEx doesn't get the order from last week delivered. Hopefully it will be delivered today or tomorrow (when another order auto-cancels).
thanks for the update
what do you think is the best method in a situation like this:
I placed an order yesterday for 13 with the $600 trade in value.
Should I cancel that order or place a new order at the same store?
I remember having two active orders at two different stores last month and picked up the one that came first and canceled the other after. but this time, only one store has the phone in stock around me.
Hope I didn't confuse you more lol
I don't think you can place duplicate orders anymore, i.e. placing a second one at $630 while your initial order with the $600 is still pending. That only leaves you with the option to cancel or to bite the bullet and hope that they will bump up the trade-in value when you bring in your 12 mini (I mean, they gave $630 in store yesterday and online today). Chances are that they will do the transaction at $630, and IF NOT, you can always tell them to just cancel the order and do it while you're already there. That would take out the risk of someone else grabbing that phone you so desperately want
if you don't have one, ask a friend/family member
1) call tmobile to start a new line for the $20 unl talk/text only line and wait for the tmobile sim since I am using Att.
2a) After tmobile sim arrived and the WM Tot Wireless 12 mini come on Friday 12/3 I will take both to BB and start the process of trade in since tax in Cali bay area will be taxed AFTER trade in
or
should I go to BB store now with only tmobile sim and no 12 mini to secure my oos 13 pro max and then after the 12 mini arrived go again to BB to do actual trade in?
2b) During trade in what do I need to do with tmobile sim since I read BB rep will need to text my tmobile line a code? Will it be required to be inserted into 13 pro max but I do have an unlocked 12 pro max I am using.
Btw is it really necessary for BB rep to activate 13 by inserting tmobile sim?
3) hit up tmobile twitter to unlock which can take up to 40 days
Or
Use an inactive used postpaid Att sim card with Att unlock portal to unlock?
Also can I do this trade in again on the same line for another 13?
Today I wanted place a new iPhone 13 mini order then for $600 trade-in only. But I had some glitches and errors. So I thought I use the "Forget About This Site" feature in Firefox to remove all Best Buy cookie and other data in my browser and start from scratch. This time I could place a new order via T-Mobile upgrade and the trade-in value for the mini was back at $630. Glad I didn't lose money just because FedEx doesn't get the order from last week delivered. Hopefully it will be delivered today or tomorrow (when another order auto-cancels).
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I don't think you can place duplicate orders anymore, i.e. placing a second one at $630 while your initial order with the $600 is still pending. That only leaves you with the option to cancel or to bite the bullet and hope that they will bump up the trade-in value when you bring in your 12 mini (I mean, they gave $630 in store yesterday and online today). Chances are that they will do the transaction at $630, and IF NOT, you can always tell them to just cancel the order and do it while you're already there. That would take out the risk of someone else grabbing that phone you so desperately want
They sent back that they need to send an email to their team to look into this since those are not t mobile devices
I sent back stating they were.
Just got an answer that this is standard since they were bought from 3rd party such as bestbuy
Edit: is there a way to check if unlocked online?
They sent back that they need to send an email to their team to look into this since those are not t mobile devices
I sent back stating they were.
Just got an answer that this is standard since they were bought from 3rd party such as bestbuy
Edit: is there a way to check if unlocked online?
They sent back that they need to send an email to their team to look into this since those are not t mobile devices
I sent back stating they were.
Just got an answer that this is standard since they were bought from 3rd party such as bestbuy
Edit: is there a way to check if unlocked online?
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
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