updated 10/22/23
Answers to FAQ:
1. Summary: This is prepaid. No need to cancel. Just stop paying. Ignore the message that says $40 will be due every month, that is there just to let u know when next bill is due. if u dont pay they will suspend the service. in 30 days from then they will cancel the account. Most will pay the forced first monthly fee (that comes with initial order) and then simply stop paying. best (for added security totally optional) to use a virtual credit card like from citi for example or a privacy virtual card.
Auto pay is OFF by default. Don't do anything (don't turn ON Autopay, don't pay for the 2nd month) and the service will be suspended after the 1st month, then auto-cancelled after the 2nd month.
To have the phone unlock in 180 days. You ONLY needed to have activated the phone 180 days ago. You do not. Repeat do NOT have to pay for service for 180 days. Phones will unlock after 180 days +/- a few days. even if you only pay for 1 month.
Most people get the 1 month service. In months 2-6, phone can be use as WiFi device. or simply stored away in a drawer.
Phone can be on or off.
Phone can be factory restored anytime.
Phone can be in usa, india, argentina or wakanda.
Sim card can be in or out. [best to keep sim in phone or at least handy until unlock confirmed].
none of this affects the unlock at ~ day 180
wait 6 months. ~day 180. connect to internet using wi fi. try unlock. 1000's of folks have done this.
2. Phones are locked ONLY to Metro for first 180 days. Chances are slim to none that you can get them unlocked before 180 days to use on ANY other carriers.
There is no known ebay unlock. Do not waste your money!
a. Rare exceptions: A few phones will work on TM from Day 1 {keep reading below}
3. [if porting a number it HAS TO BE DONE IN STORE]
If ordering in store (avoid if possible):
a. $20 Activation Fee + taxes + all kind of fees will be charged (rarely is there a promo where it gets waived)
b. If you port a number. this has to be in store only. and sometimes get a larger discount on some phones
c. however, lots of potential scams from employees {read below to find out more}
d. avoid if possible. the few $ you MAY save is not worth the headache.
4. a few have claimed phone can be unlocked even if outside usa on ~ day 180.
5. During first 30 days, make sure you activate phone properly, make a call every 5-10 days (just as a example).
6. once unlocked the phones (in general, not the specific phone in this deal) will 100% work on TM & Metro.
should work on TM mvno.
may work with att + its mvno
may work on Verizon + its mvno
however this is risky because.
V needs imei to be whitelisted in V system,
one user reported:
"my Metro A53 unlocked and was able to use on Verizon.
It wasn't as easy as plug and play with the Verizon SIM card.
I went to Verizon webpage and had to enter their APN manually to get the data and group texting to work"
if planning to use with verizon or its mvno:
do your own further research to make sure this phone will work. proceed cautiously
7. For metro, the imei of phone has to married/associated with the sim.
You cannot simply take sim card and put in another phone.
Metro bundles device with SIM card, if you want to change phone you need call metro to register the IMEI of another phone to able to use. usually a fee of ~$10
(Although you cannot just take the sim and use it in another phone, you can in fact transfer the sim to another phone through the Metro app for FREE. You do not have to call CS to do this.)
8. porting
into metro
has to be done in store.
or
you can still avoid the store.
i. order online with a new number. avoiding the 20 AF + scummy M employees
ii. after you receive the number/phone. use for ~ 1 week or so as example
iii. if happy with service, you can contact metro and port your old number over the one assigned by metro.
iiii. however, how this impacts unlocking is unclear.
out of metro:
a few questions on if you can port out during first 30 days. generally it is safe to simply let plan die. however, many have reported they ported out and phone still unlocked.
-if you do want to port out, do so during the first 30 days where you have active service.
-if you try to port out after the 30 days, when you don't have active service. it may not be able to port
9. Unlocking
Most people get the 1 month service. In months 2-6, phone can be use as WiFi device. or simply stored away in a drawer. Phone can be on or off. wait 6 months.
best chance of success as follows:
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.
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
another summary from i think a moto g stylus 5g 2022
Go to settings > about > device unlock > will get an error saying i cant unlock yet because of _____(it was actually blank) then right below that it says "Try Premanent Unlock" and i clicked that wait about 30 seconds and it successfully unlock.
The sim doesn't seem to be important in unlocking.
It can be left in phone or stored safely. DO NOT THROW AWAY THE SIM until you get a confirmed unlock
x. TBD
________________________________________________________
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}
___________________________________________________________
Only a select few phones work with T-mobile out of box Day 1 without being unlocked.
Phones that work with Tmobile from Day 1:
Moto g stylus 5g 2021
Oneplus N200 ( new version N200 is locked for T-Mobile from day 1)
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)
note: Metro may close this loophole at any time.
phones that DO NOT work with T-Mobile from Day 1:
Moto G Stylus 5G 2022
Moto G 5G 2022
OnePlus N20 5G
OnePlus N30 5G
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
________________________________________________________________________
purchasing in store:
{generally avoid (both corporates stores and authorized dealers).
many SD report bad experience with both
if you want to port you must go to store.
in which case, go to a CS}
update: corporate stores are shutting down,
but there are few.
many times M reps will make up rules...
if it sounds odd... it's probably made up
like force you to buy a sim card for $15.
Most common scam- insurance.
they will say it is required. usually `~$10.
total lie.
insurance has not been 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 you are paying for before, i repeat BEFORE you pay.
get it itemized.
specifically say "I do not want insurance"
follow up with "are you adding insurance?'
For those that want to know the date when their phone will be unlocked, check this online calculator. [timeanddate.com]
Mine shipped this morning and together with the shipment confirmation/tracking also received my new phone number, I went online and activated.
For example, activated today 09/01/2023 + 180 days, will be ready for unlock on 02/28/2024
.
expiredXlonMusk posted Nov 18, 2023 05:10 AM
Item 1 of 4
Item 1 of 4
expiredXlonMusk posted Nov 18, 2023 05:10 AM
Free Samsung Galaxy S23 FE In Store (Port In Only, Metro by PCS)
$600
Metro by T-Mobile
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If they are charging activation in store, can OP please update title and/or original post with this detail?
If they are charging activation in store, can OP please update title and/or original post with this detail?
At this point, my out of pocket will be $40 (plan)+ $25 (activation)+ $15(port in) = $80.
I think I'll wait until it comes back in stock at $99 for a new number online. The $20 saved is worth it considering the hassle of waiting in line in the store and then dealing with the sales person. Last time I was in store, I waited 30 min in line then when it was my turn, they told me I had to get the $60 plan and so on.
So annoying 😔
At this point, my out of pocket will be $40 (plan)+ $25 (activation)+ $15(port in) = $80.
I think I'll wait until it comes back in stock at $99 for a new number online. The $20 saved is worth it considering the hassle of waiting in line in the store and then dealing with the sales person. Last time I was in store, I waited 30 min in line then when it was my turn, they told me I had to get the $60 plan and so on.
So annoying 😔
I bought one in January and one in March.
I moved last month.
And now, every single order I place is declined with the message to go into a store or call their 888 number. The 888 is useless ; they just tell you to go into a store.
It isn't a problem with my credit card, because it shows pending, but Metro By T-Mobile doesn't follow through.
Maybe when the holiday season is over, they'll change back.
At this point, my out of pocket will be $40 (plan)+ $25 (activation)+ $15(port in) = $80.
I think I'll wait until it comes back in stock at $99 for a new number online. The $20 saved is worth it considering the hassle of waiting in line in the store and then dealing with the sales person. Last time I was in store, I waited 30 min in line then when it was my turn, they told me I had to get the $60 plan and so on.
So annoying 😔
Do you mind sharing your cost breakdown from your receipt?
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If they are charging activation in store, can OP please update title and/or original post with this detail?
they can keep it.
luckily the longer they keep phones on the books the faster they depreciate and they end up worthless its in their best interest to sell them as a result.
total cost is really as others have said
40 plan + activation fee + MSRP tax destroying ANY savings at all for porting number.
in fact just don't bother.
40 plan + online = 130-140
GOING in any store is pointless with MSRP and or activation fees more expensive than online plus dealing with porting? yeah don't even bother porting just do new line.
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Do you mind sharing your cost breakdown from your receipt?
But I believe they pocketed some of the discount and gave me the case and screen protector as reimbursement.
I believe the cost break down is
40 plan + 25 activation + $5 premium bundle(I cancelled this as soon as I got home and got some credit back) + $80 on case and screen protector (they claim that to be a $50 case but I know they are making a killing)
I did get some money back as my Amex Offers on Wirless got triggered so I will get a $15 rebate(for each phone, total 30).
So not including the $40 plan and $25 activation
The total cost for phone+case+glass protector is 80- 15=65
Am I happy that I got scammed? Hell No.
But if I had to choose between being scammed $65 for a free S23FE and paying $400 to Best Buy for a new phone, I'd still rather be scammed the $65. Plus the case and screen protector would have cost me at least $20 anyway so technically I was just out of an additional 45.
BTW I actually got some additional money back. After calling Metro customer service many times they for some reason decided to give me additional $30 discount for my service next month without me asking. No idea how that happened.
There are no other metro stores nearby unless I am willing to drive additional 20-30 miles
without any guarantee I would not still be scammed out of $50 for each phone.
The most reliable alternative would be Best Buy just a few blocks away but they would
charge me $400 for this phone.
https://www.androidauth
But I believe they pocketed some of the discount and gave me the case and screen protector as reimbursement.
I believe the cost break down is
40 plan + 25 activation + $5 premium bundle(I cancelled this as soon as I got home and got some credit back) + $80 on case and screen protector (they claim that to be a $50 case but I know they are making a killing)
I did get some money back as my Amex Offers on Wirless got triggered so I will get a $15 rebate(for each phone, total 30).
So not including the $40 plan and $25 activation
The total cost for phone+case+glass protector is 80- 15=65
Am I happy that I got scammed? Hell No.
But if I had to choose between being scammed $65 for a free S23FE and paying $400 to Best Buy for a new phone, I'd still rather be scammed the $65. Plus the case and screen protector would have cost me at least $20 anyway so technically I was just out of an additional 45.
BTW I actually got some additional money back. After calling Metro customer service many times they for some reason decided to give me additional $30 discount for my service next month without me asking. No idea how that happened.
However, your experience just reinforced me not to do the deal in store and wait for the S23FE to get back in stock online. I personally would be totally irritated if that happened to me. 😬
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However, your experience just reinforced me not to do the deal in store and wait for the S23FE to get back in stock online. I personally would be totally irritated if that happened to me. 😬
They only offer free S23 FE in store. I would not have gone to the store if I am getting a new line. But then the price would have been $100 per phone, which is actually even more...
I already anticipated this kind of hassle would happen in store.
Actually they initially tried to BS me that I had to sign up the $65 plan in order to get a new phone but only reduced the price by 20 (each line) after I showed them the online ad.
I played this game before and won some lose some so I'm used to it.
In 2017 there was that free 1 year Amazon Prime and Galaxy J7 Prime deal for each line at Metro stores. I could have gotten 4 years but ended up with only 1 year of free Prime and 4 free phones. Not as good as expected but still free is free and I sold 3 of those phones on eBay. Really can't complain too much.
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