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Edited March 4, 2024
at 11:40 AM
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https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sams...Id=6530811
S23 for $399
S23+ for 499
S23U for $699
You can choose ATT or Verizon version. VZW one unlocks after 60 days even if you cancel the account. For ATT read below for instant unlock.
1. There are two timelines for the cancellation. If you cancel a line before 3 days it was active then the activation fee is waived. If you cancel it within 14 days from activation under buyers remorse then no bill is charged but activation fees need to be paid. The line activates on right when you place the order not the day you receive the phone on hand so you might have to pay the activation fee of $35.
2. You can use a tello number and port to ATT but you would have to make sure porting is successful by going to
https://www.att.com/portstatus/.
3. You can use SIM swap method method to unlock the device.
4. When you receive the phone activate it on ATT with the SIM provided. Make sure it shows up on myATT app/in the web so ATT knows and registers the IMEI in the network. Then put the SIM in another unlocked phone, reboot, make some calls and make sure this unlocked phone is now showing under the line in app/web portal.
5. Now go to ATT unlock portal
https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/ and then choose not an ATT customer and use the IMEI of s23 and submit an unlock request.
6.Confirm the unlock request email and receive the unlock code.
7. Only cancel the line after you have unlocked the phone.
Then after unlocking if you are feeling adventurous and want to flash the phone to an unlocked firmware to get rid of ATT bloat you can follow these steps. It's actually very easy to do with Odin.
1. There are many models of s23U but in US two models are imp. S918U is carrier locked version and S918U1 is the unlocked US version. The firmware for these versions are interchangeable so you can flash the ATT model with S918U1 firmware.
2. Download patched odin v3.14.1_3B_PatchedD.zip from
https://xdaforums.com/t/patched-o...1.3762572/ as regular odin does not allow flashing mismatched firmware.
3. Download the firmware from S918U1 XAA version from
https://samfrew.com/firmware/mode.../Desc/0/10 Extract as there will be multiple files.
4. Connect S23U to the windows PC. Make sure developer mode is turned on in the phone.
5 .Put s23u in download/recovery/odin mode. Power down. Press Volume up and down together and then press Volume up to go into recovery (a green screen would appear).
6. Start odin and then select different files for different categories and then start.
7, It should be now the US unlocked version.
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It may also take time to figure out why the order doesn't go through and/or it gets canceled, etc. In other words, don't make a friend or relative do it for you.
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1. Can anyone confirm that creating a new ATT account results in a soft pull and not a hard pull?
2. Why does BB want to setup an appointment if you want to get a new number? I assume this is why the port-in is mentioned?
3. Is it easy to cancel the account/line after unlocking? I guess ATT can't do anything to the phone at that point? Is the phone plan that you signed up for charged entirely or pro rated when you cancel?
4. If for whatever reason the unlock fails, can you return the phone to BB?
Thanks in advance!
1. Soft pull as per ATT and confirmed by some in https://slickdeals.net/share/android_app/t/17327499
2. For a new number you have to setup an appointment with them but it's quick and yes that's why port in is better to do it all online
3. Yes, cancellation is easy via chat, again, refer to the thread above. The activatation charge is waived if cancelled within 3 days. You have to pay prorated charges for the days line was active.
4. Yes, but a restocking fee might apply.
I do not want to find myself being stuck with 60 Days of ATT service before I can use the phone with T-mobile.
Yes. On the timeline of unlocked software updates, not the carrier versions.
I do not want to find myself being stuck with 60 Days of ATT service before I can use the phone with T-mobile.
You can go to BB and get a new number. You don't need to port, that's only needed if you want to do this all online. Couple of pages ago somebody reported the SIM swap to be working. I'm guessing from the upvotes it worked for many others? but there's a risk of it not working if you dont do it right in which you might to return the phone with a restocking fee.
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The you don't need to unlock the phone. Just cancel the ATT account once you get the phone.
I think my plan would be to go to bestbuy, get the phone and new number. Try the sim swap method (not sure it will work with my unlocked android phone that is on the ATT prepaid plan currently because the IMEI is already registered with ATT currently). Then unlock new phone and cancel service. Activate a new prepaid plan on the ATT with a sim kit on the new now unlocked phone. Then contact my employer to port my real number in.
I know you said "The you don't need to unlock the phone. Just cancel the ATT account once you get the phone". Maybe I can bypass all the sim swap stuff. Will ATT unlock the phone eventually or will it remained locked.
I think my plan would be to go to bestbuy, get the phone and new number. Try the sim swap method (not sure it will work with my unlocked android phone that is on the ATT prepaid plan currently because the IMEI is already registered with ATT currently). Then unlock new phone and cancel service. Activate a new prepaid plan on the ATT with a sim kit on the new now unlocked phone. Then contact my employer to port my real number in.
I know you said "The you don't need to unlock the phone. Just cancel the ATT account once you get the phone". Maybe I can bypass all the sim swap stuff. Will ATT unlock the phone eventually or will it remained locked.
As per ATT policy you can request unlock after 60 days https://www.att.com/support/artic...KM12626
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