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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Some got lucky that got unlocked right away. Some between 3-5 days. Some got denied because the phone hasn't been active for at least 40 days. YMMV
Read the wiki, T force twitter for the unlock! End of story
Read the wiki, T force twitter for the unlock! End of story
Here is from TM website.
"The device must have been active on the T‑Mobile network for at least 40 days on the requesting line."
Here is from TM website.
"The device must have been active on the T‑Mobile network for at least 40 days on the requesting line."
This att sim card unlock "trick" has led to people also sticking other sims
T force twitter unlock works like a charm
Thanks for the cut and paste
Is it also written anywhere about the att sim trick working?
Here is from TM website.
"The device must have been active on the T‑Mobile network for at least 40 days on the requesting line."
It depends on the rep who you talk to and the reason for your unlock.
The main 2 reasons they could unlock your device is:- Your T-mobile network is very weak and so you have a backup line from a different carrier, Or you're in a vocation, military deployment.
Any help is appreciated.
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Any help is appreciated.
As for "why" a quick unlock is desirable - some folks know how to turn a fast profit and unlocked phones get you more on the local marketplace. That is "slicker" than what interests me. As long as I get good deals for family and friends I am satisfied. I tried the ATT unlock out of curiosity as the last of my phones is currently a "spare" since I did not load Applecare+ on all my purchases.
It does not make any sense.
1) Tmobile customers signed a contract with trade-in amount and EIP monthly payment amount. No way in hell they can go back and say "we need to increase that monthly payment because we screw up our trade-in program with BB.
2) Lots of non-Tmobile people just created a new/temp T-Mobile accounts to get on these deals. What are they going to do? Send them a bill for it?
Why not read the wiki! Contact T-Force thru twitter with proof of purchase and IMEI and usually they can have your phone unlocked in less than 24 hours.
You paid for the phone outright and entitled to a legit unlock!
Why bother with these "tricks" and get stuck with a bricked phone!
I wonder why?
I have personally unlocked via tforce as well as the att method.
No issues on my end.
Thanks
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Why not read the wiki! Contact T-Force thru twitter with proof of purchase and IMEI and usually they can have your phone unlocked in less than 24 hours.
You paid for the phone outright and entitled to a legit unlock!
Why bother with these "tricks" and get stuck with a bricked phone!
I wonder why?
Sooner or later they will realize not even 10% of the phones sold are in T-Mobile network.
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