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 understand this may have been discussed multiple times but trying to avoid having to go through the 5700+ posts. I did look at the wiki and the first question's answer says I don't need to have the number until I trade in. So I thought I can sign up for a number when I go to pick up the phone. Is that not the case? Would really appreciate any help.
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No problem for me if it's locked on Visible now, I want to keep my Visible plan. So does this mean that I can cancel the tmobile?
Dan
The reason I want to go ATT unlock route is I do a 30-month payment (no interest) for my 2 phones and I know there is no way I can get T-mobile/T-force to unlock it for me. They will ask me to pay them off first.
I'm a T-mobile user and plan to stick with them for few years so I definitely want to take advantage of the 30-month interest free payment plan.
My only big concern is the ATT unlock trick does not work then I will be really stuck with ATT.
Another question in mind is "do I need to prove ATT that the phone is paid off?"
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I understand this may have been discussed multiple times but trying to avoid having to go through the 5700+ posts. I did look at the wiki and the first question's answer says I don't need to have the number until I trade in. So I thought I can sign up for a number when I go to pick up the phone. Is that not the case? Would really appreciate any help.
Now 1st attempt for my 2nd 13pm inserted Att active postpaid sim and went through activation and got to home screen. Then used Att unlock portal w/o entering Att account info and it unlocked with a few minutes.
Now hopefully when I get a 3rd 13pm anyone want me to test an Att active postpaid sim differently?
Also, after I am done with trading in:
1) Then when I want to close the Tmobile account/line is there a prorated refund on the $20 unl talk/text line?
2) If there are future Tmobile trade in deals that require an account/line would I be able to do it again?
Thanks
I went to Apple store and they told me they ran out of ATT sim card (must be some SD effect).
I ordered one from MS and waiting for it to ship.
I do have some friends who use ATT and do not mind to ask to unlock for me. I'm just worried that somehow the phone IMEI is not recognized in their (ATT) system when unlock request.
Technically there are still 8 more days for me to receive my 2 PMs. I check BB website daily and ETA is still 12/17. I still hope they come as expected (no delay, no cancel).
I went to Apple store and they told me they ran out of ATT sim card (must be some SD effect).
I ordered one from MS and waiting for it to ship.
I do have some friends who use ATT and do not mind to ask to unlock for me. I'm just worried that somehow the phone IMEI is not recognized in their (ATT) system when unlock request.
Technically there are still 8 more days for me to receive my 2 PMs. I check BB website daily and ETA is still 12/17. I still hope they come as expected (no delay, no cancel).
Don't panic - you will find a way
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