https://archive.is/ucvkn
https://web.archive.org/web/20230.../KM1262649
Code:
https://archive.is/ucvkn https://web.archive.org/web/20230223144317/https://www.att.com/support/article/wireless/KM1262649
Loved the fold3 but build quality is terrible. Never dropped the phone and after 15 months, there's a black stripe down the middle and the right screen becomes unresponsive to touch. The black stripe became larger and larger. It costs $550 to repair. Many other people reported same issues. Beware.
T-Mobile more expensive and oos already Frown missed it
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Let me save y'all about 4 hours, which is how long it took me to finally get to the right people to make this happen. Here is how I got this handled
I ordered a $5 Tello number, selected e-sim, received number within a few minutes. Make sure to register the pin they give you in the email, it gives you all the port out info access. Theres a code there that is needed to enter in Best Buy portal when you port it over to ATT.
Ported that number in to ATT via Best Buy portal
Picked up phone
Powered on Phone with ATT sim
Finished ALL account creation, including pin number creation etc via ATT email
Spent 3 hours getting tossed around 10 different reps and departments and supervisors via online chat, disconnected multiple times, told no multiple times, etc etc etc.
Don't bother submitting request online for unlock, it will be denied.
Just call technical support, JUST CALL!!! 1800-288-2020. Call from a phone other that the Z Fold 3. Reason you call from other phone is you will want to pop your sim in from other provider to get to the sim unlock prompt while you are on the phone with them. Tell them you need technical support, you may get tossed around one more time, but you WILL get someone that can help you.
Have your link ready that states phones paid in full at purchase can be unlocked without waiting 60 days. I had to legit provide not just the wording, but the exact link. The rep will literally navigate to it and will be super surprised and state that this is the first they've ever heard of this policy and that they always get hassled by the unlock team and ultimately never get the unlock code for the customer.
Have your receipt from Best Buy ready ready to go (I had to legit take pics with my phone and text them to a number they gave me).
After about 10 minutes with the rep, they provided the unlock code.
Make sure to input the unlock code prior to getting transferred over to cancellation department.
Get sent over to cancellation department and submit for cancellation under buyer's remorse policy.
Done and done. Save yourself a lot of time and just call them. I paid $299 plus tax and have a fully unlocked phone on T-mobile with no issues at all. ATT service is shut down, I didn't care about the Tello number, much easier to pay the $5 for a Tello than mess with a number you actually care about keeping. Just cancel the service and it is over and done with.
I obviously can't promise this is gonna work for every single person. I suppose a non-cooperative rep might not wanna go the extra mile for you, but my telephone rep was super helpful and patient. She admitted I had done my diligence with researching the terms and pushed the "unlock team" to help her with the code. YMMV of course, but this worked for me. Just be patient and courteous to the rep. I was frustrated with how long it was taking but you need to acknowledge that each new person you talk to, it is their first interaction with you, they have no idea how long you've been dealing with people. You can avoid a lot of frustration by just calling to start out instead of trying to manage the situation via online chat.
Questions, feel free to ask, perhaps I wasn't completely thorough, but that was basically what I went through. Good luck all.
Port out the line to cancel. Line automatically cancels as soon as the number it ported out (5-10 mins). You can port to Tello for $2.50.
https://slickdeals.net/f/16531969-tello-50-off-selected-plans
These phones are subsidized by the carriers and hoping people would switch or add more lines and stay with them, etc; therefore different carrier may offer different prices.
You can request unlock right away because it's paid in full with no money owed; i.e., no monthly installment,
Yes.
Port out the number to cancel right away (5-10 min, as soon as the number is ported) so that you don't have to deal with rep that doesn't allow you to cancel. You can port to Tello for $2.50.
https://slickdeals.net/f/16531969-tello-50-off-selected-plans
Yes, but you can cancel right away.
I picked up my Fold 3 this morning from bestbuy. ATT variant.
Ordered online with the porting in option as it wouldn't let me order otherwise. Used a random boost mobile number I had and have no intention of porting in a number.
BB didn't ask for anything in store, just gave me the phone and i walked out.
Received att emails after pickup, created account, created ATT PIN, jotted down account number, and saw $60 plan but $0 due.
unboxed and booted with t-mobile sim card, asked for unlock code.
tried to unlock from my att portal, but denied.
tried to unlock using the request unlock website for non att members, but denied via email
Started a chat with att to cancel service and request unlock.
I mentioned having bad service reception in my area and wanted to cancel and wanted to unlock phone to use it for work which was a different provider.
They wanted me to reset the network, but i said not interested just want to cancel.
They also mentioned that i lose my port in number if i cancelled. which was wierd since i never actually ported in the number yet.
Eventually, they said, "Since the total due balance if $0.00 there will be no charges now. Your services with AT&T will be completely shut off."
Then i asked about the network unlock, which they said they sent directly to my phone. Didn't work even though she said it was unlocked on their system. Eventually they provided the unlock code which worked.
Now my fold 3 is cancelled with att service with 0 payments or fees and unlocked so i can use my Tmobile sim.
hope that helps some of ya.
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- restarted with the sim in
- made a few calls
- restarted
- made a few calls
not showing up, any ideas on how long it takes to show up in myATT account? or if maybe I need a newer model?0. Check that your AT&T account is not suspended. Mine was suspended as I did not port a number over (I saw others did not have to successfully and was feeling cheap with the $3 google voice port). If it is suspended I believe you will likely have to call them and setup a real number for this method to work as you will need to be able to call-out from the AT&T sim, but tbh I was able to get the Fold 3 number to register on myAT&T via the 611 customer support number, did not try it on the second phone though. PAC Port activation center direct number
866-895-1097, was most helpful for porting
- Receive Fold 3, insert AT&T sim card that came with it
- Let the phone setup, login/setup your myAT&T account
- Make a call ON DATA with the Fold 3 (wifi calls will take over at times, or maybe data needs to be running for the phone to register, either way this was faster/showed up for me)
- Check myAT&T account from the app you will see "My Wireless Devices" with a picture of the Fold 3 below "Make a Payment" (this is different from online at att.com; but you will see a Fold 3 there as well, I do not recommend checking here, explained later)
- If you do not see it, try restarting the phone with sim in? Then turn off wifi, make a few calls, maybe click a few sites? This update on myAT&T app was within 10, likely 5 minutes for me when it did work.
- Now that you see the Fold 3 on your AT&T account, take the sim out and put it into an UNLOCKED phone, preferably a NEWER NAME BRAND phone that would likely be in their system
- I first did a newer OnePlus that did not work, then an older iPhone 6s that didn't work, iPhone 11 Pro worked.
- Restart the phone with the AT&T sim card in. Turn off wifi to avoid wifi calling. Make a few calls.
- Check the AT&T app you should see the new phone replace the Fold 3, in my case the iPhone 11 Pro
- NOTE: This did not update on the AT&T website from browser/desktop, I didn't have any options yet and wouldn't find anything soon for 24-hours so I gave it a shot since it updated in the app.
- Go to https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/
- Submit an unlock request
- Do you have a mobile number from AT&T? No
- Provide IMEI# (Call *#06# on the Fold 3)
- Check the box: I've read the legal info. I agree to the device unlock eligibility requirements.
- next etc. etc.
- Last note is my adblock was getting in the way so I opened the "Confirm your device unlock request within 24 hours" email via a chrome incognito browser. It was initially saying link expired, but I just kept refreshing and reconnected my wifi then went to a new browser like mentioned
- Received the approval in 2 minutes after. My code was 16 digits. Beware people have been saying they have received short 8-digit codes from reps, and there is a 5? try limit before it is locked
- If you are denied, try again in 24-hours, idk what other things to tweak than another phone; but at this point I would say file complaint with FCC (did this when I was first denied, went thru multiple reps/depts then up 2 chains of supervisors and they just iced out nope policy changed not possible even if you purchased before):
- By Email: https://consumercomplai
- (see below for what I wrote directly as you can use for reference/change dates/etc)
- FCC by phone: 1-888-225-5322
- At least one person has posted this route worked for them, but it seems they have daysss (maybe 30) to respond, so don't depend on it; I haven't cancelled AT&T yet but I'll mention FCC if they don't cancel costs
That's all I got, hopefully this helps! Best of luck everyone, and I just want to say I'll likely never be signing up with AT&T due to their customer service experience towards the consumer.Update on Cancellation: For cancellation, I called in via the 611 number. Asked for the cancellation department, they called me back I said I've had to talked to tons of different reps, supervisors, supervisors of supervisors, and a person from the "office of the president of at&t" and things just aren't working out. The monthly fee, activation fee, and hidden "All surcharges, taxes & fees:" on billing just add up to too much and I want it canceled under buyer's remorse policy with the fees waived as I haven't had my sim/active for over 2 days even yet. They said sure, buyer's remorse should waive the charges. Note: I did goof and called using the AT&T sim to make sure they wouldn't have any issues identifying and the call disconnected when they canceled services. Calling back now, but sounds smooth otherwise, likely won't update anything else here unless there's issues.
My FCC Complaint:
1. proof of purchase (which they have confirmed via phone) [BestBuy receipt screenshot]
2. my denial due to need to wait 60 days [AT&T unlock deny email screenshot]
3. their policy stating I do not have to wait 60 days. [https://archive.is/ucvkn screenshot]
I have requested AT&T device unlock directly per
https://www.fcc.gov/general/cell-phone-unlocking and per AT&T's policy at time of purchase https://archive.is/ucvkn I should not have to wait 60 days to unlock my fully paid for device.
The policy changed within 24 hours of contacting them, per multiple of their reps/departments by phone they said they updated the policy the 28th and they refused to honor their own policy that stated I did not have to wait 60 days. I bought the phone in full, prior to the change in policy, knowing I would be able to unlock without waiting 60 days.
This should not be allowed especially with issues with refunds/restocking/transfers/etc, the original policy should be honored especially within such a recent timeframe of the request. In general this should be honored if I paid for the phone in full it is my device and I should be able to have it unlocked. AT&T did not provide the consumer with any notice agreement/dispute/resolution, simply no options are provided for the consumer.
Most people have said their ATT FOLD3 came with a SIM installed AND ANOTHER taped to its box.
Mine came with one on the box BUT NO SIM in the FOLD3 - Do you all think if this will MAKE A DIFFERENCE??
Thank you.
Most people have said their ATT FOLD3 came with a SIM installed AND ANOTHER taped to its box.
Mine came with one on the box BUT NO SIM in the FOLD3 - Do you all think if this will MAKE A DIFFERENCE??
Thank you.
Most people have said their ATT FOLD3 came with a SIM installed AND ANOTHER taped to its box.
Mine came with one on the box BUT NO SIM in the FOLD3 - Do you all think if this will MAKE A DIFFERENCE??
Thank you.
0. Check that your AT&T account is not suspended. Mine was suspended as I did not port a number over (I saw others did not have to successfully and was feeling cheap with the $3 google voice port). If it is suspended I believe you will likely have to call them and setup a real number for this method to work as you will need to be able to call-out from the AT&T sim, but tbh I was able to get the Fold 3 number to register on myAT&T via the 611 customer support number, did not try it on the second phone though. PAC Port activation center direct number
866-895-1097, was most helpful for porting
- Receive Fold 3, insert AT&T sim card that came with it
- Let the phone setup, login/setup your myAT&T account
- Make a call ON DATA with the Fold 3 (wifi calls will take over at times, or maybe data needs to be running for the phone to register, either way this was faster/showed up for me)
- Check myAT&T account from the app you will see "My Wireless Devices" with a picture of the Fold 3 below "Make a Payment" (this is different from online at att.com; but you will see a Fold 3 there as well, I do not recommend checking here, explained later)
- If you do not see it, try restarting the phone with sim in? Then turn off wifi, make a few calls, maybe click a few sites? This update on myAT&T app was within 10, likely 5 minutes for me when it did work.
- Now that you see the Fold 3 on your AT&T account, take the sim out and put it into an UNLOCKED phone, preferably a NEWER NAME BRAND phone that would likely be in their system
- I first did a newer OnePlus that did not work, then an older iPhone 6s that didn't work, iPhone 11 Pro worked.
- Restart the phone with the AT&T sim card in. Turn off wifi to avoid wifi calling. Make a few calls.
- Check the AT&T app you should see the new phone replace the Fold 3, in my case the iPhone 11 Pro
- NOTE: This did not update on the AT&T website from browser/desktop, I didn't have any options yet and wouldn't find anything soon for 24-hours so I gave it a shot since it updated in the app.
- Go to https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/
- Submit an unlock request
- Do you have a mobile number from AT&T? No
- Provide IMEI# (Call *#06# on the Fold 3)
- Check the box: I've read the legal info. I agree to the device unlock eligibility requirements.
- next etc. etc.
- Last note is my adblock was getting in the way so I opened the "Confirm your device unlock request within 24 hours" email via a chrome incognito browser. It was initially saying link expired, but I just kept refreshing and reconnected my wifi then went to a new browser like mentioned
- Received the approval in 2 minutes after. My code was 16 digits. Beware people have been saying they have received short 8-digit codes from reps, and there is a 5? try limit before it is locked
- If you are denied, try again in 24-hours, idk what other things to tweak than another phone; but at this point I would say file complaint with FCC (did this when I was first denied, went thru multiple reps/depts then up 2 chains of supervisors and they just iced out nope policy changed not possible even if you purchased before):
- By Email: https://consumercomplai
- (see below for what I wrote directly as you can use for reference/change dates/etc)
- FCC by phone: 1-888-225-5322
- At least one person has posted this route worked for them, but it seems they have daysss (maybe 30) to respond, so don't depend on it; I haven't cancelled AT&T yet but I'll mention FCC if they don't cancel costs
That's all I got, hopefully this helps! Best of luck everyone, and I just want to say I'll likely never be signing up with AT&T due to their customer service experience towards the consumer.My FCC Complaint:
not as an at&t customer. if you go this route, make sure you're logged out of your at&t account, and use an incognito or private browsing session for good measure. you do NOT want att to figure out that you may be an existing customer, for this purpose.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Adding this as a dp
- Picked up the phone from BB.
- Finished setting up on AT&T.
- Updated the phone to Android 13.
- Moved sim card to an unlocked iPhone and waited till the iPhone showed up on my account.
- Requested an Unlock code using IMEI.
- Was sent a unlock code within seconds.
The key seems to be getting the New device to show up on your account.
- restarted with the sim in
- made a few calls
- restarted
- made a few calls
not showing up, any ideas on how long it takes to show up in myATT account? or if maybe I need a newer model?0. Check that your AT&T account is not suspended. Mine was suspended as I did not port a number over (I saw others did not have to successfully and was feeling cheap with the $3 google voice port). If it is suspended I believe you will likely have to call them and setup a real number for this method to work as you will need to be able to call-out from the AT&T sim, but tbh I was able to get the Fold 3 number to register on myAT&T via the 611 customer support number, did not try it on the second phone though. PAC Port activation center direct number
866-895-1097, was most helpful for porting
- Receive Fold 3, insert AT&T sim card that came with it
- Let the phone setup, login/setup your myAT&T account
- Make a call ON DATA with the Fold 3 (wifi calls will take over at times, or maybe data needs to be running for the phone to register, either way this was faster/showed up for me)
- Check myAT&T account from the app you will see "My Wireless Devices" with a picture of the Fold 3 below "Make a Payment" (this is different from online at att.com; but you will see a Fold 3 there as well, I do not recommend checking here, explained later)
- If you do not see it, try restarting the phone with sim in? Then turn off wifi, make a few calls, maybe click a few sites? This update on myAT&T app was within 10, likely 5 minutes for me when it did work.
- Now that you see the Fold 3 on your AT&T account, take the sim out and put it into an UNLOCKED phone, preferably a NEWER NAME BRAND phone that would likely be in their system
- I first did a newer OnePlus that did not work, then an older iPhone 6s that didn't work, iPhone 11 Pro worked.
- Restart the phone with the AT&T sim card in. Turn off wifi to avoid wifi calling. Make a few calls.
- Check the AT&T app you should see the new phone replace the Fold 3, in my case the iPhone 11 Pro
- NOTE: This did not update on the AT&T website from browser/desktop, I didn't have any options yet and wouldn't find anything soon for 24-hours so I gave it a shot since it updated in the app.
- Go to https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/
- Submit an unlock request
- Do you have a mobile number from AT&T? No
- Provide IMEI# (Call *#06# on the Fold 3)
- Check the box: I've read the legal info. I agree to the device unlock eligibility requirements.
- next etc. etc.
- Last note is my adblock was getting in the way so I opened the "Confirm your device unlock request within 24 hours" email via a chrome incognito browser. It was initially saying link expired, but I just kept refreshing and reconnected my wifi then went to a new browser like mentioned
- Received the approval in 2 minutes after. My code was 16 digits. Beware people have been saying they have received short 8-digit codes from reps, and there is a 5? try limit before it is locked
- If you are denied, try again in 24-hours, idk what other things to tweak than another phone; but at this point I would say file complaint with FCC (did this when I was first denied, went thru multiple reps/depts then up 2 chains of supervisors and they just iced out nope policy changed not possible even if you purchased before):
- By Email: https://consumercomplai
- (see below for what I wrote directly as you can use for reference/change dates/etc)
- FCC by phone: 1-888-225-5322
- At least one person has posted this route worked for them, but it seems they have daysss (maybe 30) to respond, so don't depend on it; I haven't cancelled AT&T yet but I'll mention FCC if they don't cancel costs
That's all I got, hopefully this helps! Best of luck everyone, and I just want to say I'll likely never be signing up with AT&T due to their customer service experience towards the consumer.My FCC Complaint:
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
not as an at&t customer. if you go this route, make sure you're logged out of your at&t account, and use an incognito or private browsing session for good measure. you do NOT want att to figure out that you may be an existing customer, for this purpose.
Join The Conversation
Share your experience with the Slickdeals community
Share information with the community. Please follow our Community Guidelines and be kind!