Are you inquisitive, or in quest of unlocking your AT&T prepaid phone before the 6-month rule? Well, this post is beneficial for you.
In this post, we will address information concerning “How To Unlock AT&T Prepaid Phone Before 6 Months”, making available comprehensive details about AT&T and how to unlock it.
At&T is a prominent network provider in the united states, offering services mainly in the telecommunication niches. Some of their services are Wi-Fi, wireless phone service, etc.
And though the service of wireless smartphone service, when purchased from them, will require one to go through some process like being persuaded to agree to use their network for six months before gaining the liberty to use it with any type of network provider.
And the method in which they use to make customers agree is to reduce the price of the phone, thus making it a tasty offer to many customers.
While on this journey of finding out how to unlock an AT&T prepaid phone before 6 months, you are to make sure you pay full attention to the details in this post to get acquainted with important information.
Description
In the year 1876, a man called by the name Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. That was the beginning of the company that would become the popularly known AT&T, a brand that is now known for innovation in communications.
In 1984, the former AT&T agreed to divest its local telephone operations but retain its long-distance, R&D and manufacturing arms. From this, SBC Communications Inc. (first known as Southwestern Bell Corp.) was born.
After 12 good years of growth in technology, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 drove major changes in the competitive landscape. SBC expanded its U.S. presence through a series of acquisitions, including Pacific Telesis Group (1997) and Ameritech Corp. (1999). In 2005, SBC acquired AT&T Corp, creating the new AT&T, a leader in global communications for businesses.
This prosperous history aids their ongoing mission, which is to; Connect people with their world, everywhere they live, work and play, and do it better than anyone else.
Today the technology era has evolved and people are now mobilizing the internet, securing business communication from the smartphone to the cloud, and also making cars homes, machines, and even cities smarter. And yet still looking for greater things in the future.
Can I Really Unlock AT&T Prepaid Phone Before 6 Months?
The answer is No. You’ll hardly find any prepaid phone from AT&T being able to unlock before six months.
The rule is that you can be able to unlock the phone and free use it with any network carrier of your choice after six months of only using the AT&T network.
AT&T Unlock Requirements
To unlock your AT&T mobile phones there are some basic requirements to be met. Though the requirements can vary.
Below are the unlock requirements for an AT&T Prepaid Phone:
Personal device requirements
You are to make sure that your phone is:
-Is an AT&T phone or device and isn’t active on another AT&T account.
-Was paid in full when you bought it (not on an instalment plan). You don’t have to wait 60 days to unlock it.
Has a paid-off instalment plan. Whether it is paid
- Through your monthly bill: You are required to Submit your unlock request at the start of your next bill period.
- Paid off early: The wireless number assigned to the device must be active for at least 60 days. Then wait 48 hours after you make your final payment to submit your unlock request.
Business device requirements
- To meet up with this requirement, you are to make sure it:
- Has permission from the company to be unlocked.
- Has a completed contract or term agreement, if applicable.
- Requires a 30-day waiting period to unlock if it was on a two-year contract that was upgraded early
How To Unlock AT&T Prepaid Phone Before 6 Months
It is obvious to many that phones purchased from such companies as AT&T are locked to the AT&T network, and they are usually locked for six month months from the date of activation.
This means that the phone can be used with AT&T’s network and cannot be used with other carriers’ networks during this time.
However, after six months, the phone can be unlocked and used with other carriers’ networks. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to unlock an AT&T prepaid phone after six months.
Step 1:
Check the phone’s eligibility:
Before trying to unlock your phone, you need to check to see if the phone is eligible for unlocking. AT&T will only unlock a phone if the buyer has paid off the phone in full, it is not reported as lost or stolen, and not associated with any fraudulent activity.
And some might be wondering, “how do I check the eligibility”? Well, to check for the eligibility of your phone, you can do that by visiting AT&T’s device unlocking page and entering the phone IMEI number, then clicking enter, after that, it will show if it is eligible or not.
Step 2:
Request an unlock code:
The next step after confirming if the phone is eligible for unlocking, you can then request an unlocking code from AT&T.
To request an unlock code, you can do this by visiting the device unlocking page on AT&T’s website and filling pit the online form.
They are required to provide your phone’s IMEI number, as well as your account information. Once AT&T processes your request, they will send you an unlock code via email.
Step 3:
Enter the unlock code:
And now, suppose you have received the unlock code, you can enter it into your phone to unlock.
The steps to follow for entering the code will vary depending on the device, but the common steps go thus;
You will first need to power off the phone, then insert a none AT&T SIM card, and then turn the phone back on. After this, the phone would prompt you to enter the unlock code.
Step 4:
Confirm the unlock:
After all these steps above, and after you enter the unlock code, your phone should display a message confirming that the phone has been unlocked.
Then you should now be able to use your phone with any carrier that has the same type of SIM card as the one you inserted.
Step 5:
Update the Carrier settings
Once the phone is unlocked you can use it with other carriers’ networks. But, you have to update the carrier settings. Go to settings>General>About and then look for Carrier settings. Select the carrier settings and check for any updates. Once the updates are done, you are good to go.
FAQ
What Is a Locked Phone
Locked devices are phones sold by telecommunication companies like Verizon, and AT&T, to get the customer to agree to stay ok their network.
There are several benefits to buying a locked device. And one of the benefits is that they commonly sell the phones at a discounted price, and the carrier subsidizes a portion of the cost ( or bundles it into your monthly subscription rate).
What Is an Unlocked Phone
Getting a locked phone might seem to be a lot of work, considering that you have to go through a series of works to get unlock the phone.
Unlocked phones are most times considered a good option for international travellers. They also have their benefits, mostly anyone who likes to frequently upgrade phones will benefit by buying an unlocked phone.
Conclusion on How To Unlock AT&T Prepaid Phone Before 6 Months
In conclusion, unlocking an AT&T prepaid phone after six months is a relatively simple process that can be done by requesting an unlock code from AT&T and then entering it into the phone.
However, it is important to ensure that the phone is eligible for unlocking and that the account is in good standing before proceeding. If you encounter any issues, you can contact AT&T customer service for assistance.
Robomin is a freelance writer and blogger who covers topics related to Account Creation, gadgets, Refunds, and how to delete An Account. He has a passion for new and innovative technology and enjoys sharing his knowledge with others