Unlock AT&T iPhone

Some carriers lock the phones especially those that they directly sell to their customers. The phones locked this way cannot be used on other networks. It is possible to unlock such phones if certain conditions are met. You may be wondering how to unlock AT&T iPhone, that you had earlier purchased directly from AT&T. There may be several reasons you would want to unlock your AT&T iPhone.

What Reasons to Unlock AT&T iPhone

There are a host of reasons you would want to, unlike your AT&T iPhone. Some of these are:

  1. High Roaming Charges: AT&T has one of the highest roaming charges in the region. So, if you travel abroad, you’ll have to incur a huge cost to stay in touch with your loved ones back home or even while accessing your social media accounts. When on a trip abroad, your desired option may be to buy a local SIM, and that would mean using your phone just like you did back home. But with an AT&T locked phone, you are restricted to do that and are forced to pay exorbitant roaming charges.
  2. Re-Selling Price: If it’s been a while that you are using an AT&T locked iPhone, and it’s time to upgrade, you can’t sell your phone for a good price. An unlocked phone fetches a better price than a locked one.
  3. Switch Your Carrier: It’s possible in today’s highly competitive world that you come to know about another carrier’s data plan and are tempted by it for its better price, or for a variety of its features that you don’t have on your current AT&T plan yet. If you’re using an AT&T locked phone, you are at a loss; you can’t switch your provider.

Eligibility Criteria for Unlock Your AT&T iPhone

Your AT&T iPhone must meet the following eligibility criteria if any of the conditions aren’t met, your request may be declined:

  1. Your AT&T iPhone shouldn’t be active on another AT&T account.
  2. The installment plan is paid-off.
  3. Early installment pay-off is possible if you pay the remaining installments in lump-sum.
  4. Your AT&T phone number must be active for at least 60 days.
  5. Your AT&T iPhone must not be reported as stolen, involved in a crime, or fraudulent activity.
  6. It is also eligible if it is AT&T Prepaid iPhone that has used a paid service for at least 6 months.
  7. If your AT&T iPhone is on a business account, you must have permission from your company to unlock it.
  8. Just as with personal phones, the AT&T iPhone on a business account must have completed its contract.
  9. A 30 days’ waiting period is needed if the iPhone was on a 2 years’ contract but was upgraded before the expiration of the contract period.

How to Unlock AT&T iPhone: Easy Methods

Method 1: AT&T’s Official Process

  1. Check Eligibility: Make sure your iPhone is paid off, not reported lost or stolen, and has been active on AT&T’s network for at least 60 days.
  2. Submit Request: Visit AT&T’s Device Unlock Portal, fill out the request form, and submit it.
  3. Confirm Request: Click the link in the confirmation email from AT&T within 24 hours.
  4. Wait for Approval: Wait for AT&T to approve your request and send the unlock instructions.

Method 2: Third-Party Services

  1. Choose a Service: Find a reputable third-party unlocking service.
  2. Provide Details: Give them your iPhone’s IMEI number and other necessary details.
  3. Pay Fee: Pay the service fee.
  4. Receive and Enter Code: They’ll send an unlock code. Insert a non-AT&T SIM card, then enter the code when prompted.

Remember, while third-party services can be effective, they come with risks. Always proceed with caution and consider reaching out to AT&T’s customer service for assistance if needed.

How to Unlock AT&T iPhone – Multiple Ways

The key ones are listed below:

1. DirectUnlocks

Is a reliable company that provides phone unlocking service particularly AT&T iPhones. The Company uses the IMEI method of unlocking.

Features:

  • Your iPhone warranty remains valid.
  • Apple approved method.
  • Network carriers’ approved method.
  • Permanent unlocking.
  • Totally legal.
  • Confirmation sent by email & SMS when the device is unlocked.
  • 24/7 helpline.
  • Quick, cheap & secure.
  • Money-back guarantee.
  • The phone is usable during the unlocking process.
  • User-friendly process.
  • Advance payment is required.
  • An additional fee may be applicable if the device is brand new.

2. AT&T Unlocking Portal

Provides you the facility to unlock your AT&T iPhone online. Just generate an unlocking request, quote your device’s IMEI number and request number that you’ll receive via email or SMS, and you are done.

Features

  • Works even if the device is using other networks’ data plans.
  • Directly from the carrier.
  • Your iPhone warranty remains valid.
  • Apple approved method.
  • Totally legal.
  • Confirmation sent by email & SMS when the device is unlocked.
  • Unlocking status tracking.
  • Easy procedure.
  • May take up to 48 hours to complete a request.
  • An additional fee may be applicable if the device is brand new.

3. CellUnlocker

Is an online phone unlocking service. They claim to be the world’s only factory unlocking service for AT&T iPhones.

Features

  • Your iPhone warranty remains valid.
  • 98% success rate.
  • Can unlock all firmware versions.
  • Confirmation sent by email & SMS when the device is unlocked.
  • Uses IMEI method of phone unlocking.
  • Lifetime customer support.
  • World only factory unlocking solution for AT&T iPhones.
  • Unlocking status tracking.
  • You can get your phone unlocked from the comfort of your home.
  • Low price.
  • Works even if still under contract.
  • Ability to unlock any AT&T iPhone that others cannot.
  • Phones once unlocked cannot be locked back again.
  • Easy procedure.
  • 100% money-back guarantee.
  • May take up to 48 hours to complete a request.
  • An additional fee may be applicable if the device is brand new.

4. Amazon

Offers a factory unlocking service all iPhone called quick unlock.

Features:

  • Your iPhone warranty remains valid.
  • Uses IMEI method of phone unlocking.
  • Ability to unlock any AT&T iPhone.
  • Phones once unlocked cannot be locked back again.
  • Easy procedure.
  • Low price.
  • May take up to 48 hours to complete a request.
  • Only accepts out of contract iPhones.

5. DoctorSIM

Is another AT&T iPhone unlocking service that uses the IMEI method that is easy to use from the comfort of your home?

Features

  • Your iPhone warranty remains valid.
  • Uses IMEI method of phone unlocking.
  • 100% legal.
  • Unlocking method approved by Apple & AT&T.
  • 100% secure payment method.
  • Ability to unlock any AT&T iPhone.
  • Phones once unlocked cannot be locked back again.
  • Easy procedure.
  • No technical knowledge required.
  • Low price.
  • Money back guarantee.
  • Online unlocking advice.
  • May take up to 48 hours to complete a request.
  • Only accepts out of contract iPhones.

6. Zaibis

Is an online phone unlocking service. They claim to be the world’s only factory unlocking service for AT&T iPhones.

Features

  • Your iPhone warranty remains valid.
  • Uses IMEI method of phone unlocking.
  • 100% legal.
  • The unlocking method approved by Apple & AT&T.
  • 100% secure payment method.
  • Ability to unlock any AT&T iPhone.
  • Easy procedure.
  • No technical knowledge required.
  • Low price.
  • 100% Moneyback guarantee.
  • Online unlocking advice.
  • Future iOS updates will not affect the unlocked status.
  • May take up to 2 business days, sometimes up to 4 days.
  • No refund if incorrect IMEI or phone number stated.
  • Orders once placed, cannot be cancelled.
  • Only accepts out of contract iPhones.

7. IMEIUnlockSIM

Launched in October 2017. No other phone offers 2GB/32GB memory in the comparable price range.

Features

  • Your iPhone warranty remains valid.
  • Uses IMEI method of phone unlocking.
  • 100% legal.
  • The unlocking method approved by Apple & AT&T.
  • 100% secure payment method.
  • Factory unlocking.
  • Ability to unlock any AT&T iPhone.
  • Easy procedure.
  • Low price.
  • 100% Moneyback guarantee.
  • Future iOS updates will not affect the unlocked status.
  • May take up to 2 business days, sometimes up to 4 days.
  • No refund if incorrect IMEI or phone number stated.
  • Orders once placed, cannot be canceled.
  • Only accepts out of contract iPhones.

How to Unlock AT&T iPhone: Things to Watch Out for

Network compatibility is important when buying a new phone. Customers would be better off when they considered a few points while buying a new handset.

  1. Check out which method your unlocking service provider uses. If it uses any method other than the IMEI, then don’t use it.
  2. Before getting your AT&T iPhone unlocked, be sure to check with the carrier you are moving to see if your device is compatible with their network. Some devices may not work well with other carriers, even when unlocked.
  3. Some AT&T phones may not be eligible for unlocking. Please check this out with your carrier before making an unlocking request.
  4. If your iPhone contains data that you want to keep, connect to iTunes first and back-up your data before you start the unlocking process.
  5. If your iPhone is connected to iCloud, use your username and password handy to access your data once the phone is unlocked.

Final Word

The AT&T iPhone purchased directly from the network is usually network locked i.e. it cannot be used on any other network. It may have many disadvantages such as you’ll have to pay higher roaming charges when traveling abroad, you cannot sell your phone at a good price, and you cannot change your carrier. Different carriers have different policies towards phone unlocking. There are many companies, including AT&T itself, that offer iPhone unlocking services.

There are usually two ways you can get your device unlocked: the IMEI method and the software method. IMEI is a relatively easier method that you can make use of from the comfort of your home. Most unlocking services can unlock AT&T iPhone 12, 12 minis, Pro max, 11 Pro, XS Max, XS, XR, X, 8, 8Plus, 7, 7 Plus, 6, 6S, SE, 5S, 5, 5C, 4, and 4S and work with iOS 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

I get the message” SIM card not supported” on my iPhone when I insert a SIM from T-Mobile, why is this?

It simply means that your iPhone is carrier-locked and you cannot use it on T-Mobile. You’ll first need to get it unlocked.

How long does it take to unlock an AT&T iPhone?

It is usually a quick procedure and your unlocking service provider will keep you informed about the progress. Sometimes, the procedure may take a little longer depending upon many factors but generally, it is not a time-consuming process.

Will I have to hand-over my AT&T iPhone for unlocking?

There is no need to physically hand over your AT&T iPhone to any unlocking service provider if it is using a remote method through 3G/4G or WiFi. You’ll be able to use your phone during the unlocking process. There won’t be any interruptions to your network services, either.

Are there multiple ways to unlock my AT&T iPhone?

Yes. Two such methods are in vogue. IMEI unlock and software unlock.

What is an IMEI number?

IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. It is a unique code that is associated with your device. Carriers use this number to track phones.

Which method of unlocking is better: IMEI unlock or Software unlock?

Apple and most network carriers approve the IMEI method of unlocking. It is remotely done meaning that you can get your phone unlocked from the comfort of your home or office. The software method is quite cumbersome. It will require you to download complex software and further updates to your phone will not be possible.

What information is needed to unlock an AT&T iPhone?

Just your device’s 15-digit IMEI number, if you choose to unlock your AT&T iPhone with the IMEI method of unlocking.

I don’t know my AT&T iPhone IMEI number, what can I do’?

Just dial *#06# and press send. The IMEI number will shortly be displayed on the device’s screen. There is another way to locate your device’s IMEI also. You can go to Settings >> General>> About in your phone’s menu.

Can I still unlock my AT&T iPhone even if I am under contract period?

By all means, you can. However, you’ll have to settle your unpaid installments in lump-sum. Sometimes, an additional fee may also be required.

I am a deployed military and need to unlock my iPhone, can I do so?

Sure, you can. Just click ‘yes’ when you are prompted to answer the relevant question. You’ll, however, need to submit your change of station documents, but do not need to settle your outstanding installments and continue to pay your bill as usual.