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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Top Comments
Good luck!
Jon
6,472 Comments
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I have ATT sim anyone tried ATT did not work? last day or two
Trade-in value of $630.
You need to currently be on T-Mobile; otherwise you'll need to sign up for a new plan which will have a hard credit pull. Cheapest plan is $65/month for people who aren't seniors, first responders, etc.
Remove the phone from the box and keep the accessories as they only want the phone.
They will be checking the screen condition and looking for cracks on the back.
They will power on the device to see the display condition (you can charge the phone ahead of time).
They will check the IMEI number and whether Find my iPhone was turned off under your Apple ID settings
No need to mention which provider and lock status.
Remember you need to go to Mobile section at Best Buy and not the Pick Up counter.
There are reports that your new T-Mobile phone from the Best Buy deal can be unlocked in less than a week (within 1 to 3 days); contact the T-Mobile support (T-Force) team on Twitter or Facebook and request unlock.
Sometimes the unlock process can take longer as iPhones are not bought from T-Mobile directly and are not in their database. They have to submit an email request internally to Apple to get the IMEI unlocked. Once unlock confirmed, check under "Settings > General > About". "Carrier Lock" entry should show "No SIM restrictions".
After the phone is unlocked, cancel the T-Mobile plan; ask them to pro-rate any current charges
I have ATT sim anyone tried ATT did not work? last day or two
I did read one user state one of his unlocks took 67 hours.
if they closed the loophole, I would do it through tmobile unless you are willing to wait the 60 days with visible/verizon
Trade-in value of $630.
You need to currently be on T-Mobile; otherwise you'll need to sign up for a new plan which will have a hard credit pull. Cheapest plan is $65/month for people who aren't seniors, first responders, etc.
Remove the phone from the box and keep the accessories as they only want the phone.
They will be checking the screen condition and looking for cracks on the back.
They will power on the device to see the display condition (you can charge the phone ahead of time).
They will check the IMEI number and whether Find my iPhone was turned off under your Apple ID settings
No need to mention which provider and lock status.
Remember you need to go to Mobile section at Best Buy and not the Pick Up counter.
There are reports that your new T-Mobile phone from the Best Buy deal can be unlocked in less than a week (within 1 to 3 days); contact the T-Mobile support (T-Force) team on Twitter or Facebook and request unlock.
Sometimes the unlock process can take longer as iPhones are not bought from T-Mobile directly and are not in their database. They have to submit an email request internally to Apple to get the IMEI unlocked. Once unlock confirmed, check under "Settings > General > About". "Carrier Lock" entry should show "No SIM restrictions".
After the phone is unlocked, cancel the T-Mobile plan; ask them to pro-rate any current charges
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I have ATT sim anyone tried ATT did not work? last day or two
Like I said - a sudden closure of the loophole would be huge news and the only reference I saw was a report of a delayed unlock over the weekend.
Dan
I did read one user state one of his unlocks took 67 hours.
if they closed the loophole, I would do it through tmobile unless you are willing to wait the 60 days with visible/verizon
when do i get a my new number form T-Mobile? when i insert the sim? cause i do not want to. I want to unlock and cancel same day ?
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there's tips all over this thread
Was near Costco and stopped in to see about doing the BYOD shop card deal. When I asked about the $20 plan, TM rep says they don't do prepaid plans. Let them know it's a postpaid plan and am told that since they weren't trained on this plan and their manager never mentioned it, they can't do it. Didn't even try to look it up in the system.
So far, TM is batting a thousand with me.
Was near Costco and stopped in to see about doing the BYOD shop card deal. When I asked about the $20 plan, TM rep says they don't do prepaid plans. Let them know it's a postpaid plan and am told that since they weren't trained on this plan and their manager never mentioned it, they can't do it. Didn't even try to look it up in the system.
So far, TM is batting a thousand with me.
If i just leave it do not insert sim card will the plan automatically be cancel?
I need to cancel my line but i do not have my new number i open today
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I was able to run two BestBuy trade-in "upgrades" with the line established in late September. Some SDers report a cap after four orders on the same phone number.
Dan
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