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Different retailers, so it's not a repost. But this thread sucks as much as the Walmart one: There are no clear instructions on how to get the phone unlocked via a Tracfone plan for those of us who aren't familiar with the process.
Bought from Walmart online yesterday and picked up today. Also bought the TracFone 10$ 30min plan from TracFone ebay store.
Failed activation today after pickup and TracFone CS said take it back to Walmart and ask them to tie the purchase to the receipt. They didn't scan it correctly and hence it's not showing in their system.
So I went back to the store and the guy at CS desk had no idea. But the guy at electronic desk knew the problem. But he said he cannot fix it and CS needs to fix it.
Tried to return the phone and the CS said they don't accept phone reruns at that particular store because they had one explode and I can go to some other Walmart.
I then called the store next closest to me and the lady at the electronic desk knew exactly the problem and solution. I went to that store and she was able to do the return without receipt and rebuy and scan the codes correctly.
Then I tried online activation on TracFone website and thst still didn't work.
So I chatted with TracFone CS and they were able to confirm the phone is now good and then help me activate the plan I bought online.
The online plan gives you a PIN that I gave to CS.
They didn't mention anything about rebrand and neither did I.
You are stronger and tougher than I am.
I congratulate you on getting this done. But I couldn't do it, at this point in life don't have the patience and might not be able to find the one aware, competent person you did.
Will pixel 6a be an upgrade over Galaxy s10? Still runs good, just on lookout for backup and gifts.
Only thing bother is, OS support ends next year on 6a, while 8 gets 5 more till 2028.
S10 camera is much better IMHO, but if ur used to Pixel phones, u might like pixel as well. I have both s10 and pixel 6a and prefer s10 (it's battery life going down though)
S10 is a flagship phone with premium hardware. Pixel 6a has plastic feeling throughout the body. Sometimes I get camera overheat issue popup in pixel 6a and won't let me use the camera for hours. Not a big fan of screen fingerprint reader. Pixel 6a is a daily driver, stable, no bloatware.
Last edited by dallace_marable November 28, 2023 at 09:30 AM.
how does it unlock automatically? dont you have to go to the site and enter your imei and get the unlock codes?
I believe Pixel controls the unlock, just like Apple does on iPhones. Once the 'clock' request is started by activating on the provider, Google tracks the date and transmits unlockiing info over the air. WiFi connection or SIM connection is necessary to process the unlock. Although I do not know for certain, I'd recommend leaving the original SIM in the phone until it's unlocked.
How to get this phone unlocked:
Step 1: Buy the phone and a Plan
Step 2: Activate phone and plan
Step 3: Wait 60 days for phone to be unlocked
Step 4: Take to another carrier
*Note: The Bootloader is locked on this phone as the OEM software provided disables "Bootloader OEM unlock".
People who haven't dealt with this carrier are trying to understand how to get it activated and keep it activated for 60 days for $10 as claimed. Several comments indicate this requires jumping through hoops with CS that may or may not work (rebranding, having it scanned right at purchase, PIN codes), but I haven't seen anyone post a detailed reliable process. Posts like this that simply summarize it as "Activate phone and plan" are pretty much useless n that repect -- downvoted.
Can we use the Straight Talk SIM from the iPhone SE deal? that one is a $35 plan, but I wonder if that same SIM will work for the "activation" or unlock process
Can we use the Straight Talk SIM from the iPhone SE deal? that one is a $35 plan, but I wonder if that same SIM will work for the "activation" or unlock process
Nope - sim is linked to phone.
If you swap sim the 2nd phone won't be activated. Always activate the sim that comes with the phone to get phone unlocked.
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Nope - sim is linked to phone.
If you swap sim the 2nd phone won't be activated. Always activate the sim that comes with the phone to get phone unlocked.
I ordered it on ST.com as an "Upgrade" and put in the number from the SE I got at WM. My understanding it that I have to activate it with the included sim but will be able to transfer the plan from the SE. Then the unlock timer will be running on both phones.
I ordered it on ST.com as an "Upgrade" and put in the number from the SE I got at WM. My understanding it that I have to activate it with the included sim but will be able to transfer the plan from the SE. Then the unlock timer will be running on both phones.
All depends on whether it's important to get both phones unlocked. While some here have said it can be done there's also lots of misinformation.
I've personally never tried because I don't want any issues with the 1st or 2nd phone unlocking. I've unlocked lots of TF/ST/TbyV over the years and I don't recommend playing games with their system, it's just not worth it. It's so cheap & if something goes wrong arguing with support can be frustrating - you're getting a good deal on the phones, why not do it right?
Last edited by oregon14 November 28, 2023 at 06:30 PM.
All depends on whether it's important to get both phones unlocked. While some here have said it can be done there's also lots of misinformation.
I've personally never tried because I don't want any issues with the 1st or 2nd phone unlocking. I've unlocked lots of TF/ST/TbyV over the years and I don't recommend playing games with their system, it's just not worth it. It's so cheap & if something goes wrong arguing with support can be frustrating - you're getting a good deal on the phones, why not do it right?
Yeah I'm cheap but I'm not going to risk the other phone unlock timer getting screwed up due to changing phones to save $10.
But if you are cheap enough to do that, assuming the unlock is some signal sent from their network, swap the sim back into the other phone before your unlock day. Do let us all know how it goes.
I take it people are ordering from Straight talk website, although I read posts about their shipping issues. I see they've the UPS 2 day shipping option (ships in 3-5 days, it says). is that still not reliable?
DO NOT BUY the Pixel 6a. I had nothing but trouble, poor reception, GPS loss/inaccuracy. Biggest mistake buying this, I expected much more from my first Pixel phone.
Got three Pixel 6a in my family for almost an year now. No such issues and camera is impressive.
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Failed activation today after pickup and TracFone CS said take it back to Walmart and ask them to tie the purchase to the receipt. They didn't scan it correctly and hence it's not showing in their system.
So I went back to the store and the guy at CS desk had no idea. But the guy at electronic desk knew the problem. But he said he cannot fix it and CS needs to fix it.
Tried to return the phone and the CS said they don't accept phone reruns at that particular store because they had one explode and I can go to some other Walmart.
I then called the store next closest to me and the lady at the electronic desk knew exactly the problem and solution. I went to that store and she was able to do the return without receipt and rebuy and scan the codes correctly.
Then I tried online activation on TracFone website and thst still didn't work.
So I chatted with TracFone CS and they were able to confirm the phone is now good and then help me activate the plan I bought online.
The online plan gives you a PIN that I gave to CS.
They didn't mention anything about rebrand and neither did I.
I congratulate you on getting this done. But I couldn't do it, at this point in life don't have the patience and might not be able to find the one aware, competent person you did.
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Only thing bother is, OS support ends next year on 6a, while 8 gets 5 more till 2028.
S10 is a flagship phone with premium hardware. Pixel 6a has plastic feeling throughout the body. Sometimes I get camera overheat issue popup in pixel 6a and won't let me use the camera for hours. Not a big fan of screen fingerprint reader. Pixel 6a is a daily driver, stable, no bloatware.
Step 1: Buy the phone and a Plan
Step 2: Activate phone and plan
Step 3: Wait 60 days for phone to be unlocked
Step 4: Take to another carrier
*Note: The Bootloader is locked on this phone as the OEM software provided disables "Bootloader OEM unlock".
If you swap sim the 2nd phone won't be activated. Always activate the sim that comes with the phone to get phone unlocked.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
If you swap sim the 2nd phone won't be activated. Always activate the sim that comes with the phone to get phone unlocked.
I've personally never tried because I don't want any issues with the 1st or 2nd phone unlocking. I've unlocked lots of TF/ST/TbyV over the years and I don't recommend playing games with their system, it's just not worth it. It's so cheap & if something goes wrong arguing with support can be frustrating - you're getting a good deal on the phones, why not do it right?
I've personally never tried because I don't want any issues with the 1st or 2nd phone unlocking. I've unlocked lots of TF/ST/TbyV over the years and I don't recommend playing games with their system, it's just not worth it. It's so cheap & if something goes wrong arguing with support can be frustrating - you're getting a good deal on the phones, why not do it right?
But if you are cheap enough to do that, assuming the unlock is some signal sent from their network, swap the sim back into the other phone before your unlock day. Do let us all know how it goes.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Join The Conversation
Share your experience with the Slickdeals community
Share information with the community. Please follow our Community Guidelines and be kind!