128GB Apple iPhone 13 5G Smartphone (Metro by T-Mobile) w/ Metro Flex Plus Plan

ELofLA

Oct 30, 2024 5:18 AM

6.9K Comments

Joined Dec 2007

ELofLAOct 30, 2024 5:18 AM

6.9K Comments

Quote from sraghava

:

For those who bought this phone, can anybody kindly send a screenshot of what they paid up at the time of checkout (including activation + fee). I needto file a chargeback against the store for charging me $240 for the same.

Good luck for the charge back.

ELofLA

Oct 30, 2024 5:23 AM

6.9K Comments

Joined Dec 2007

ELofLAOct 30, 2024 5:23 AM

6.9K Comments

Quote from Superbob0000

:

so boost mobile does a trade in value on this locked phone for about $200. it appears you can get a visa GC. i know its not as high as the $230 for the apple GC, but is the apple gc just for apple?

Anything on sale at the Apple Store or online, PS5 games pad, and various accessories, electronics…or Apple services/monthly fee/digital media….

ELofLA

Oct 30, 2024 5:25 AM

6.9K Comments

Joined Dec 2007

ELofLAOct 30, 2024 5:25 AM

6.9K Comments

Quote from taser

:

Anyone knows If I do not port my number to Metro after receiving the phone from Metro, would I be charged back? Thanks!

Just port and then port back…

aabbccbbaa

Oct 30, 2024 6:15 AM

1.3K Comments

Joined Oct 2021

aabbccbbaaOct 30, 2024 6:15 AM

1.3K Comments

Quote from SlySol

:

Yes, but the poster with the Android phones said that he was able to leave them sealed and then immediately have the phone unlocked with a request once he opened them. That would seem to indicate that the device doesn't actually need to make calls or texts on their system in order to be unlocked. Again, the process may differ from the iPhone but the basic question of whether it needs to be physically used on the line is still uncertain. I would be interested in the iPhone side of it, not Android. Really hoping that a couple of people who have tried it with an iPhone might weigh in at some point (if they're out there somewhere).

I am debating whether to be that person who is able to crack the great mystery of whether a sealed Metro iPhone will automatically unlock after a year. Is such Slickdeals fame worth the loss in resale/trade-in value after one year?

But seriously, I do have an unsealed 12 that I was originally planning to sell as new and unlocked after a year. I even went so far as ensuring that it wasn't paired to my Metro account by switching the line to an unlocked phone. Afterwards I was advised by a fellow Slickdealer that after a year I would end up with a new, but Metro-locked phone even though I had activated it online. I then took a closer look at Metro's unlock policy and started to have doubts about my original plan. I am now thinking of opening and activating it using a line from a different Metro account to be certain that the unlock timer has been started.

Last edited by aabbccbbaa October 29, 2024 at 11:49 PM.

SlySol

Oct 30, 2024 6:41 AM

4.7K Comments

Joined Aug 2015

SlySolOct 30, 2024 6:41 AM

4.7K Comments

Quote from aabbccbbaa

:

I am debating whether to be that person who is able to crack the great mystery of whether a sealed Metro iPhone will automatically unlock after a year. Is such Slickdeals fame worth the loss in resale/trade-in value after one year?

But seriously, I do have an unsealed 12 that I was originally planning to sell as new and unlocked after a year. I even went so far as ensuring that it wasn't paired to my Metro account by switching the line to an unlocked phone. Afterwards I was advised by a fellow Slickdealer that after a year I would end up with a new, but Metro-locked phone even though I had activated it online. I then took a closer look at Metro's unlock policy and started to have doubts about my original plan. I am now thinking of opening and activate it using a line from a different Metro account to start the unlock timer.

I'm probably going to give it a try … but I have no idea if the phone will last a whole year. That's a long time and there's a decent chance that some kind of tempting trade deal may come along in that time and I'll kick it to the curb before finding out, lol.

I feel pretty good about the possibility of unlock, based on previous reports of sealed Android phones able to get an unlock without ever making calls or texts. Anyway, I activated my second phone online, got the email saying "you activated your phone" and my Metro account shows it as "active" and shows "iPhone 12" and the correct IMEI. I also tested my old phone with the number being ported over immediately before and immediately after activating online. Both inbound and outbound calls stopped working on that old phone after that, so it seems like the port to Metro was successful (I also got an email from Visible saying that the number had been ported out). The basic processes seemed very similar to the way it happens at Tracfone / Total / ST, so hopefully getting the device active on their system also yields an unlock like it would with those guys. If not, no big deal … it was only $35 since it was the 12 and I often keep a phone or two around for testing that only really need to be Wi-Fi capable anyway.

I almost find it hard to believe that there haven't been more reports of people trying it before though, given how popular many of these threads have been for so long. Of course, I think that was also the case with the Tracfone / ST deals back before someone tried it and chimed in that it worked.

Last edited by SlySol October 29, 2024 at 11:51 PM.

1

aabbccbbaa

Oct 30, 2024 7:03 AM

1.3K Comments

Joined Oct 2021

aabbccbbaaOct 30, 2024 7:03 AM

1.3K Comments

Quote from SlySol

:

I'm probably going to give it a try … but I have no idea if the phone will last a whole year. That's a long time and there's a decent chance that some kind of tempting trade deal may come along in that time and I'll kick it to the curb before finding out, lol.

I feel pretty good about the possibility of unlock, based on previous reports of sealed Android phones able to get an unlock without ever making calls or texts. Anyway, I activated my second phone online, got the email saying "you activated your phone" and my Metro account shows it as "active" and shows "iPhone 12" and the correct IMEI. I also tested my old phone with the number being ported over immediately before and immediately after activating online. Both inbound and outbound calls stopped working on that old phone after that, so it seems like the port to Metro was successful (I also got an email from Visible saying that the number had been ported out). The basic processes seemed very similar to the way it happens at Tracfone / Total / ST, so hopefully getting the device active on their system also yields an unlock like it would with those guys.

I almost find it hard to believe that there haven't been more reports of people trying it before though, given how popular many of these threads have been for so long. Of course, I think that was also the case with the Tracfone / ST deals back before someone tried it and chimed in that it worked.

I may try as well if I'm able to get a few more 12's, the reward of ending up with a sealed and unlocked phone may be worth the risk. That said you may want to unpair the device from your account (by switching devices on the line). That way it will be more like a factory unlocked phone, though without the warranty.

Alternatively, you can break the seal (or for the 12, remove the outer plastic wrap) but don't remove the paper screen protector, and turn on and activate the phone. I have done this with the 13 that I just received. I have found that in a darker room and with the screen brightness turned up, plus a bit of squinting, I can still make out enough of what's on the display to get it up and activated. I'm also able to read the security codes that Metro sends. I figure an unsealed but "like new" unlocked phone should be worth something?

That said, I'm actually planning to keep the 13 to use as a travel phone (it will replace the ST SE3 that I got earlier this year, you may recall). The 1 year unlock is a bit of a pain, but I'm willing to wait as it's the last US iPhone with physical SIM.

Last edited by aabbccbbaa October 30, 2024 at 12:53 AM.

hpham_53

Oct 30, 2024 11:20 AM

8.8K Comments

Joined Mar 2017

hpham_53Oct 30, 2024 11:20 AM

8.8K Comments

Quote from SlySol

:

I almost find it hard to believe that there haven't been more reports of people trying it before though, given how popular many of these threads have been for so long. Of course, I think that was also the case with the Tracfone / ST deals back before someone tried it and chimed in that it worked.

I tried it with the many free iPhone 11's that I got from TF because the wait period was only 60 days, and if a sealed phone didn't get unlocked then I could try activating it again with a $15 card. But Metro wait time was 6 months and the cost to (re)activate as a new account/line would be much higher, so I didn't try with Metro.

Also, with TF I "generated" network activities by sending texts to the sealed phone. Although those texts were never read, they still went to TF's server and got deducted from the sealed phone's text balance. So TF saw it as active on their network. Metro doesn't show usage, so I couldn't verify that the trick would work.

Last edited by hpham_53 October 30, 2024 at 04:27 AM.

SlySol

Oct 30, 2024 11:37 AM

4.7K Comments

Joined Aug 2015

SlySolOct 30, 2024 11:37 AM

4.7K Comments

Quote from aabbccbbaa

:

I may try as well if I'm able to get a few more 12's, the reward of ending up with a sealed and unlocked phone may be worth the risk. That said you may want to unpair the device from your account (by switching devices on the line). That way it will be more like a factory unlocked phone, though without the warranty.

Alternatively, you can break the seal (or for the 12, remove the outer plastic wrap) but don't remove the paper screen protector, and turn on and activate the phone. I have done this with the 13 that I just received. I have found that in a darker room and with the screen brightness turned up, plus a bit of squinting, I can still make out enough of what's on the display to get it up and activated. I'm also able to read the security codes that Metro sends. I figure an unsealed but "like new" unlocked phone should be worth something?

One of the interesting things about the iPhones is that they will show warranty coverage based on when the device is physically activated, regardless of purchase or line activation date. At least that has been my observation in the past. For instance, if you go to checkcoverage.apple.com and enter the serial # of the phone you physically set up, it should show a warranty expiration of a year from when you set it up, while the sealed one will show that it needs to be activated before giving your warranty date and will then show a year from when you set it up the first time when you do that. Now I kind of doubt that Apple would actually honor a warranty for a phone that was left sealed in a box for a year before being physically activated (I would guess they might want to confirm a sales receipt or something). But having that warranty coverage showing a full year as if it was a new phone if you go to sell it down the road could be a bit of a reassurance for a buyer that it was indeed never used. Not a huge deal, but just one of those things that can factor into it.

Last edited by SlySol October 30, 2024 at 04:51 AM.

1

SlySol

Oct 30, 2024 11:40 AM

4.7K Comments

Joined Aug 2015

SlySolOct 30, 2024 11:40 AM

4.7K Comments

Quote from hpham_53

:

I tried it with the many free iPhone 11's that I got from TF because the wait period was only 60 days, and if a sealed phone didn't get unlocked then I could try activating it again with a $15 card. But Metro wait time was 6 months and the cost to (re)activate as a new account/line would be much higher, so I didn't try with Metro.

Also, with TF I "generated" network activities by sending texts to the sealed phone. Although those texts were never read, they still went to TF's server and got deducted from the sealed phone's text balance. So TF saw it as active on their network. Metro doesn't show usage, so I couldn't verify that the trick would work.

Yeah, that makes sense. It's definitely quite a wait and a lot of people may steer clear of trying it for just that reason. It really is a long time to wait and the idea of having to start over if it doesn't work would be annoying for sure.

For Tracfone / ST, there doesn't need to be any activity at all on the lines. I've unlocked quite a few that never sent / received any calls or texts. As long as the line went to showing as active on their system, they always unlocked for me, despite no activity.

Last edited by SlySol October 30, 2024 at 04:53 AM.

johndoe35

Oct 30, 2024 1:58 PM

2.4K Comments

Joined Jul 2006

johndoe35Oct 30, 2024 1:58 PM

2.4K Comments

Quote from hpham_53

:

I tried it with the many free iPhone 11's that I got from TF because the wait period was only 60 days, and if a sealed phone didn't get unlocked then I could try activating it again with a $15 card. But Metro wait time was 6 months and the cost to (re)activate as a new account/line would be much higher, so I didn't try with Metro.

Also, with TF I "generated" network activities by sending texts to the sealed phone. Although those texts were never read, they still went to TF's server and got deducted from the sealed phone's text balance. So TF saw it as active on their network. Metro doesn't show usage, so I couldn't verify that the trick would work.

Can you show me how to activate a phone without breaking the seal? I have been breaking the seal on every phone I got from TF.

hpham_53

Oct 30, 2024 3:53 PM

8.8K Comments

Joined Mar 2017

hpham_53Oct 30, 2024 3:53 PM

8.8K Comments

Quote from johndoe35

:

Can you show me how to activate a phone without breaking the seal? I have been breaking the seal on every phone I got from TF.

You can do it on TF web site with or without having the phone in your account (if you plan to sell it later, activate it without logging into your account). Click on ACTIVATE near the top of the screen, select that it's TF phone (not a BYOP), enter its IMEI or SIM number depeding on which one the site asks for (the IMEI and SIM number are on the Red Card) that comes with every TF phone. You don't have to unseal the phone.

1

aabbccbbaa

Oct 30, 2024 4:01 PM

1.3K Comments

Joined Oct 2021

aabbccbbaaOct 30, 2024 4:01 PM

1.3K Comments

I've been getting the "Sorry, we are currently experiencing technical issues. Please try again." error when submitting my porting info (account #, transfer PIN and zip) since 8 hours ago, are any of you also seeing the same?

hpham_53

Oct 30, 2024 4:09 PM

8.8K Comments

Joined Mar 2017

hpham_53Oct 30, 2024 4:09 PM

8.8K Comments

Quote from aabbccbbaa

:

I've been getting the "Sorry, we are currently experiencing technical issues. Please try again." error when submitting my porting info (account #, transfer PIN and zip) since 8 hours ago, are any of you also seeing the same?

Try clearing browser's cache or try another browser.

1

vrx3m

Oct 30, 2024 4:24 PM

131 Comments

Joined Apr 2013

vrx3mOct 30, 2024 4:24 PM

131 Comments

Quote from aabbccbbaa

:

I've been getting the "Sorry, we are currently experiencing technical issues. Please try again." error when submitting my porting info (account #, transfer PIN and zip) since 8 hours ago, are any of you also seeing the same?

Yes this also happened to me. Metro website is finicky at best.
Try clearing cookies and go incognito mode. May help.
Did this tech issue error come before ordering the discount phone or later after you received the phone?

1

aabbccbbaa

Oct 30, 2024 4:30 PM

1.3K Comments

Joined Oct 2021

aabbccbbaaOct 30, 2024 4:30 PM

1.3K Comments

Quote from hpham_53

:

Try clearing browser's cache or try another browser.

Thanks, I just tried a different browser (that I haven't used in months), same thing. It might be something with my account. I'll wait a while and try again.

128GB Apple iPhone 13 5G Smartphone (Metro by T-Mobile) w/ Metro Flex Plus Plan

$175

$630

Editor's Notes

Original Post

Editor's Notes

Original Post

Community Voting

Top Comments

Join The Conversation

907 Comments

Join The Conversation

Related Searches

Popular Deals

Trending Deals