NOT @ "Authorized Dealer Locations."
NOT Online Either.
Port-in / The number you will transfer to Metro by T-Mobile MUST be owned by AT&T or Verizon, or one of their eligible MVNOS or the port will not go through. You can also call in to the store (if they answer), and have them check your number for you for eligibility.
Just like buying a car or anything thru a commissioned salesperson, if you know what you want and know it should be available at the advertised price point and are prepared to say: "NO", then it is just a little adventure!
The beauty of this thread is that it outlines what you Should be able to achieve, and all the ways you can be prepared.
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My experience is different. We did this deal on 12/20/2022 @corporate store.1. They will make you wait depending upon the people in store. Sometimes, if you lucky and they had less activation on that day, they will take you on priority if you tell number port-in. 2. If activating 2 lines, they may tell you that plan for 2 lines is $100 or more for first month. But you should tell politely that you called customer service and confirmed its $90. Its $60 for the first line and $30 for the second line. 3. The maximum you can get is 2 switcher promo per Verified ID / Account / Household / Address. It can be any of the 2 phones they offer. 4. Remember: The charges are per store rep wish, if they have target to achieve, they may or may not add many add-ons. The system only requires the minimum, however they have the ability to modify the deal and charges as they like. That's how people have different experiences. 5. For 2 iPhone 11, the cost was , $49.99 + $3 tax + $49.99 + $3 tax + $95 for first month plan = $201 for me. 5. Luckily she didn't charge $20/line activation so we saved around $35 on total bill as she charged $95 for first month of service instead $90. 6. Make sure number porting is done fully by calling that number. Incoming should work or you should get message on phone that your number transfer is complete. |
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Onto the second store I called, they did have one iPhone left and I drove about 12 mins to that authorized dealer. The guy already know the procedure and I went through the process. Of course they have to ask you if you want any cases/accessories. I politely declined. I paid out the door $50 for iPhone, $60 for the service, and taxes (which is charged to the full price of the phone). I paid $148.xx with cash. The guy activated the phone for me and I was on my way.
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Just walked out with 2 iPhone 11's from a corporate store in SoCal for $218. Bought 2 Boost Mobile numbers from eBay for $20.
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Answers to FAQ:
1. This is prepaid. No need to cancel. Just stop paying. Most will pay the forced first monthly fee (that comes with initial order) and then simply stop paying.
2. Phones are locked to Metro ONLY for first 180 days and chances are slim to none that you can get them unlocked before 180 days to use on other carriers.
a. Some exceptions: A few phones will work on TM from Day 1 {keep reading below}
3. Phones will/should unlock after 180 days. even if u only pay for 1 month
4. You can order online or in store.
If ordering on line:
a. if website says find a store. that means it is temporary OOS. Check again later.
b. order may not get through immediately. try again. try different browser.
c. no activation fee.
d. once u receive the package in mail....the Sim card is there, look in a brown/white bag that looks like packing material
If ordering in store:
a. $20 AF (occasionally ,rarely is promo where it gets waived)
b. best discount is if u port a number. this has to be in store only
c. lots so potential scams from employees {read below to find out more}
5. It is unclear if phone has to be in USA to unlock
6. During first 30 days, make sure u activate phone properly, make a call every 5-10 days (just as a example)
a. It is possible that those folks who did not get their unlock in 180 days, never fully activated their phone.
TBD
____________________________________
Each phone )Android or Apple) has different ways to unlock.
Generally, To unlock the phone after 180 days
Phone's settings, connection, more connection settings, network unlock
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To have the phone unlock automatically in 180 days (6 months)
You need to have activated the phone 180 days ago.
You do not. repeat do NOT have to pay for service for 180 days.
the above has been true for most every metro deal in the past.
both apple and android
Most people get the 1 month service.
Then simply place phone in a drawer [or use as wi fi device].
wait 6 months.
The sim can be left in phone or stored safely.
It does not matter, as long as you DO NOT THROW AWAY THE SIM until you get a confirmed unlock
Phone should/will unlock in ~180 days + 6 -10 days.
best chance of success as follows:
During the ~6 month wait.
YOU can use as wifi device.
keep sim in phone.
when getting near the 180 day , have phone connected to wi-fi.
Try to unlock the device, once 1-2 days from day 180 onwards.
- None of us knows when Metro is going to close this unofficial loophole, .
-However this has been in effect with Metro phone deals for last ~4-5 years
Exercise your own judgement,
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https://www.metrobyt-mobile.com/t...olicy.html
Please read the OFFICIAL Metro by Tmobile unlock policy.
Unlock eligibility requirements
We unlock mobile devices that meet the following eligibility criteria free of charge:
The device must be purchased from Metro by T-Mobile.
The device must not be reported as lost, stolen or blocked.
One hundred eighty (180) days must have passed since the device's activation date
{180 days since activation. no mention of payment requirement during those 180 days}
Countless number of people have reported.
Both iphone + Android have auto unlocked ~180 days from purchase.
Even when paying for ONLY 1 month of service.
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Only a select few "newer" phones work with T-mobile out of box Day 1 without being unlocked.
Phones that work with Tmobile from Day 1:
Oneplus N200
Samsung a53 (don't update the A53 firmware past July 2022 or your T-Mobile sim won't work until 180 days like other phones do)
Moto g stylus 5g 2021
note: Metro may close this loop whole at any time.
phones that DO NOT work with T-Mobile from Day 1:
Moto G Stylus 5g 2022
Moto G 5G 2022
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
OnePlus N20 5G
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How to activate:
In your shipment confirmation email, there's a link on the bottom that says track your status "here".
Click on that link, enter your order number and zip, it will show you shipment progress. At the very bottom of that page, there's a spot that says activate service. Just click on that and it will populate the phone number and activate the sim.
How to activate and avoid some common issues:
the URL:https://www.metrobyt-mobile.com/order-status
- after you placed your order and received order confirmation email (subject should be We've received your Metro order!), you should be able to start tracking order and delivery status at the above URL
- once you received your phone, insert sim and power up the phone. for the initial phone software setup (not activation), I connected phone to wifi and skipped all of the google things so phone would say I'm only XX% through setup which doesn't really matter. I didn't have to download any app either. before next step I'm already at phone's "desktop" without google account or phone maker (ex. moto) account on the phone
- on your PC or whatever device you know website access would work, go to the same above URL
- enter your order info to track your order
- after page loaded the tracking info, scroll to the bottom and click on the button to start activate your phone/sim. go through the activation process which would setup an Metro online account if you don't already have one. make sure your phone is already powered up with sim inserted before you start the activation process!
- you should be able to do calls and texts if activation went through properly. I have both working within less than a minute where phone shows 5G UC icon and both wifi calling & VoLTE registered for Metro by T-Mobile. you should receive an email with subject You did it! Your phone is active within 24 hours. the email with subject Ready. Set. Activate will come some time later as well. I received both emails one day after I had already activated and started using the phone with full services
ALTERNATE method to activate your new phone
1. Use the order status page and enter the order# and zip, below the status is a link to activate.
2. Once you click this, you will see your new phone#.
3. Login to your account with your new phone# and the pin you created when creating the order
4. OTP is sent to the phone that is not yet setup - LOL
5. Setup the new phone
6. Repeat #3 and this time you can get the OTP on your new phone
7. Login - confirm auto billing option is OFF
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If purchasing in store:
many times M reps will make up rules...
if it sounds odd...its probably made up
Most common scam=insurance.
they will say it is required. usually `~$10.
total lie.
insurance not required for any promotion to date.
sometimes they will add it as part of monthly fee.
like saying the monthly fee is $50.
when in fact it is actually 40+10 insurance.
know exactly what u r paying for before, i repeat BEFORE u pay.
get it itemized.
specifically say "I do not want insurance"
follow up with "are u adding insurance?'
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Top Comments
Nightmarish experience:
- Even corporate store employees covertly tacked multiple extras onto my account (worth $80/month) despite my saying outright that I wanted the cheapest plan with no extras
- My metro app is broken
- website is broken
- porting numbers out was an adventure
- stores and employees are sketchy, but will require you to show your ID
Will not do it again. Too much aggravation, risk, and hassle.
Beware that it probably won't be a smooth ride for you.
And what about those folks who do not have any corporate store around?
Dealers are charging activation, insurance and tax on full price of the phone. Making this deal almost $200 OTD.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/28503028...SwAP
If you get them before end of 2022, you can activate one of them first and begin a new tracfone award account with a refereral code. Then add 2 devices to
it. With all of these, you should get 25k rewards points pending. In case you get them after end of 2022 and tracfone stop the 10k per line promotion, you need
to activate one of them first and add all left 3 devices later. Then you should get 26k rewards points pending.
After 2 months the rewards points vest, you need to monitor these 2 urls:
https://www.tracfone.co
https://www.tracfone.co
Whenever they are in stock, just change your 20k reward points to a $300 discount coupon.
If it's a new phone, you only need to pay $30 + $10 (for service).
If it's a reconditioned, you can buy two and then pay $30 + $20 (for service).
Activate the iPhone after you get them and they will automatically get unlocked after another 2 months.
So it will take you around $150 and 4-5 months in total to get either a new iPhone 11 or two reconditioned iPhone 11.
At same time, you also got several years Tracfone service and several basic phones.
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And what about those folks who do not have any corporate store around?
Dealers are charging activation, insurance and tax on full price of the phone. Making this deal almost $200 OTD.
Limited-time offer; subject to change. While supplies last at participating Metro by T-Mobile stores. Purchase iPhone 11 and receive an instant $450 rebate off the full retail price of $499.99. Applicable tax due at sale. Qualifying port-in and validation of name, address, and date of birth provided through independent database and presentation of matching identification required. One time activation fee may be required. Excludes phone numbers currently active on T-Mobile or active on Metro by T-Mobile in the past 180 days. Instant rebate applied as credit against regular purchase price at time of sale and has no cash value. After 3 months of service, receive a $50 virtual prepaid Mastercard after submission of a properly completed redemption form and satisfaction of all offer requirements, which you can use online or in-store via accepted mobile payment apps; no cash access & expires in 6 months. The Virtual Prepaid Mastercard is issued by Sunrise Banks N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. This card may be used everywhere Debit Mastercard is accepted. Registration, activation, acceptance, or use of this card constitutes acceptance of the terms and conditions stated in the Prepaid Card Agreement. This promotion is not associated, sponsored, or endorsed by Mastercard or Sunrise Banks N.A. Lines must be active and in good standing when card is issued. Limit 2 per household. Offer not available in CT, RI or Miami-Dade County, FL. See store associate for complete details.
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And what about those folks who do not have any corporate store around?
Dealers are charging activation, insurance and tax on full price of the phone. Making this deal almost $200 OTD.
For folks with no Corporate stores, you can still get it, just will pay more fees, at the very least Activation fee and $6 or $12 insurance at an Authorized Dealer.
Like I said in the OP, they are making up their own rules.
Just the first month. After that either use the device as a WiFi device or put it in a drawer for the next 150 days. Metro phone usually unlock after 180 days with or without active service beyond the first month.
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https://www.ebay.com/itm/28503028...SwAP
If you get them before end of 2022, you can activate one of them first and begin a new tracfone award account with a refereral code. Then add 2 devices to
it. With all of these, you should get 25k rewards points pending. In case you get them after end of 2022 and tracfone stop the 10k per line promotion, you need
to activate one of them first and add all left 3 devices later. Then you should get 26k rewards points pending.
After 2 months the rewards points vest, you need to monitor these 2 urls:
https://www.tracfone.co
https://www.tracfone.co
Whenever they are in stock, just change your 20k reward points to a $300 discount coupon.
If it's a new phone, you only need to pay $30 + $10 (for service).
If it's a reconditioned, you can buy two and then pay $30 + $20 (for service).
Activate the iPhone after you get them and they will automatically get unlocked after another 2 months.
So it will take you around $150 and 4-5 months in total to get either a new iPhone 11 or two reconditioned iPhone 11.
At same time, you also got several years Tracfone service and several basic phones.
No data. Unlimited text with 100 minutes of voice. $5 per month
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