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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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
Dan
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
Dan
If i call T-Mobile they probably wont have my information because i have not activated the sim on any iPhone and BestBuy never gave me new number with new account.
That why i trying to figure out do i input sim and call Tmobile to cancel or can i just call and cancel but then i don't have my phone number.
If they cancel automatically then I will save $60 one month service
You saying i need to go back to BestBuy to cancel line service? They have nothing to do with service??
Dan
lets say buying pro max, otd $500+ tax, etc. with trade in 12mini. wont the tradein credits be spread over 24months?
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The really slick folks managed a $300 BYOD followed by BOGO - perhaps followed by BestBuy trade-ins (I know I certainly did). I skipped the BYOD - these deals have existed in parallel since the launch back in September.
Dan
lets say buying pro max, otd $500+ tax, etc. with trade in 12mini. wont the tradein credits be spread over 24months?
What is super-interesting is that the TMo/Best Buy integration is a work in progress so even if they scan the new SIM card in the store, failing to put it in the phone leaves the new SIM unactivated!
Dan
So, take a phone to costco and activate it on tmo (this will get you $300)
Go in the next day and buy two iphone 13's -- "upgrade" that first line and add another line. This will get you $720 (maybe another $300?)
"Upgrade" these accounts on best buy e.g. trade in a 12 mini (+$600) and xs ($415)
$720 x 2 + $800 x 2 = 3040 - 600(mini) - 415(xs) - 720 (BOGO) -
600 (BYOD) = 4 iphone 13's @ ~356/ea?300 (BYOD) = 4 iphone 13's @ ~401/ea?oh I guess that 2nd line ain't BYOD hahaha
I finally got my 12 Mini around lunchtime. Opened it and took straight to Best Buy and exchanged for the 13 Mini. I had to scour the BB website everyday until the phone showed up. It was showing unavailable within 250 miles for like a week. I had to go past 2 other BBs to finally get it.
Also made a stop at the Apple Store and requested and got ATT sim card. Came home, popped in per wiki instructions and within minutes, I now have an unlocked Iphone 13 Mini!
Total cost = $300 (Walmart) + 70 (BB) = $370 + $37-ish taxes = slickdeal!
Now to look at a carrier, maybe the Stacksocial Tello one or Redpocket.
Thanks to the community for this!
I finally got my 12 Mini around lunchtime. Opened it and took straight to Best Buy and exchanged for the 13 Mini. I had to scour the BB website everyday until the phone showed up. It was showing unavailable within 250 miles for like a week. I had to go past 2 other BBs to finally get it.
Also made a stop at the Apple Store and requested and got ATT sim card. Came home, popped in per wiki instructions and within minutes, I now have an unlocked Iphone 13 Mini!
Total cost = $300 (Walmart) + 70 (BB) = $370 + $37-ish taxes = slickdeal!
Now to look at a carrier, maybe the Stacksocial Tello one or Redpocket.
Thanks to the community for this!
So you don't even need to sign up for *any* T-mobile plans? I thought I would need to sign up for a T mobile plan if I have to order the phone from BB with this offer.
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