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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You need to text 611 and say you
Want to unblock short code texts. For some reason has this blocked on some accounts. Once unblocked you will get those texts from bestbuy.
Best deal without any service required as long as they did not Input sim into new iPhone
Call tmobile they said as long it do not Input sim in any iphone you will not be charge our system has not yet recognized as active tmobile new customer
This deal just got better and better very lucky I ordered Dec 5th pick up on 6th
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Call tmobile they said as long it do not Input sim in any iphone you will not be charge our system has not yet recognized as active tmobile new customer
This deal just got better and better very lucky I ordered Dec 5th pick up on 6th
1) Bestbuy cancels order for whatever reason
2) Bestbuy denies iPhone 12 mini trade-in
Got a new ATT sim from Apple Store.
These are the steps i followed:
1. Put in the unactivated ATT Sim in the Iphone Mini. Didnt show the ATT logo network although its switched on.
2. Updated IMEI info on the unlock link and it instantly showed that its a Iphone 13 Mini.
3. Received email with the message "Confirm your unlock request within 24 hours" with a link to check status.
4.After 5min, clicked on the check status link and the webpage stated Current status - Denied. The follow on message was " your request was denied because your IMEI didnt match a device that is compatible ATT network. I rechecked the IMEI multiple times and confirmed the number is correct.
5. 2 min later received email saying "We can't complete your unlock request right now. Make sure you have the correct IMEI"
I am not an ATT customer so not sure what i should i do next. Is it now permanently locked to ATT? Can Tmobile unlocked it after a period of time?
Any help/suggestion is much appreciated.
thanks
YES, the link to request unlock at att has been there for many years.
YES, there is a loophole that the program will automatically unlock the "brand new ATT paid off phone".
This loophole can be discovered and closed quick.
Can you still use the same link to unlock ATT paid off phone? Sure but they may add a step to check "to exclude flex phone".
I have not received my PM phone in yet but when I do, I may just go TMobile route to be on the safe side.
So far, I read 3 people got stuck/denied with their flex phone.
Do we have anyone after Dec 06 that got denied or stuck in the unlock request?
I will call again few days later to confirm everything is closed out no charge form T-Mobile if they do i was expected that
I will call again few days later to confirm everything is closed out no charge form T-Mobile if they do i was expected that
In your order, there should be an button saying something like "set up my phone", then input your IMEI, which will then activate your phone and number.
Dan
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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
Dan
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