Issues with unlocking iPad minis with AT&T - help!

[ssledoux]

Why in the world would the AT&T unlock site tell me my IMEIs are not associated with AT&T devices? I have two minis (one 2 and one 4) that I purchased through AT&T on NEXT plans.

They are paid off and need to be unlocked before shipping to new owners, but the unlock site is telling me the IMEIs aren’t associated with AT&T devices.

I have never had this issue before. One was paid off almost a year ago, but another grandchild was still using it, so I never unlocked it.

The other I paid off maybe a week ago.

Any ideas? I’m trying to handle it with AT&T, but let’s just say they are so dang stupid (sorry - this is the nicest way I can put it), they aren’t much help.

To add to this - when my daughter took the screen shots under “about,” it shows AT&T as the carrier, and the IMEI number on the same damn page. What the heck?

 

[chabig]

iPads are not locked to cellular carriers. That's why AT&T is telling you that the IMEIs are not associated with AT&T. I found this thread that include a little more AT&T support information:

https://forums.att.com/t5/Apple/iPad-locked-or-is-it-Or-not/td-p/4843598

 

[rui no onna]

Yep. iPads are already unlocked to begin with. Well, not the embedded SIM in the Pros, but the physical SIM card slots are.

 

[ssledoux]

I feel like I have unlocked them in the past. I have sold quite a few when I’ve made upgrades.

 

[rikmac]

I have purchased iPads from the beginning and have used them on a number of foreign carriers and I never had too unlock them... Hope this helps

 

[ssledoux]

Thanks everyone. I swear I have done unlocks on them before, but I guess I could just be confusing them with phones. IDK. I’ve bought and sold so many over the years they’ve all run together. That’s what happens with lots of kids and grandkids, and a compulsion to always have new Apple stuff! ;-p

 

[rikmac]

Thanks everyone. I swear I have done unlocks on them before, but I guess I could just be confusing them with phones. IDK. I’ve bought and sold so many over the years they’ve all run together. That’s what happens with lots of kids and grandkids, and a compulsion to always have new Apple stuff! ;-p

I understand!!! I too live in that world

 

[ssledoux]

I understand!!! I too live in that world

LOL I’m tormenting myself right now because I’m upgrading all the grandkids’ pads, and I want 2018s for the 3 older ones, but I’m having a tough time justifying it when I can get 2017s for 249 new.

I did go with the 2018 for my oldest grandson (he already had the 2017), but I have two new 2017s in hand that I bought for 249 each. Now what I WANT to do is return them to WalMart then go to Apple and buy 2 more 2018s, but I’m trying to be practical. I mean they’re 5 years old. Of course, that being said, I think the pencil would be awesome for them, but I also think it would just be something they’d lose...

 

[rikmac]

LOL I’m tormenting myself right now because I’m upgrading all the grandkids’ pads, and I want 2018s for the 3 older ones, but I’m having a tough time justifying it when I can get 2017s for 249 new.

I did go with the 2018 for my oldest grandson (he already had the 2017), but I have two new 2017s in hand that I bought for 249 each. Now what I WANT to do is return them to WalMart then go to Apple and buy 2 more 2018s, but I’m trying to be practical. I mean they’re 5 years old. Of course, that being said, I think the pencil would be awesome for them, but I also think it would just be something they’d lose...

I have bought all 3 of my grandkids, 2 daughters, wife, mom and myself all the gadgets over the years... Lately, I buy the new one for me and pass the older ones down... Keeps your Apple urge happy and the family member getting your older device happy as well...

I say, I say at my age (58) I can now start pleasing myself!!! LOL. Good luck Grandpa!!

Rick

 

[rui no onna]

I mean they’re 5 years old. Of course, that being said, I think the pencil would be awesome for them, but I also think it would just be something they’d lose...

I'm 30+ and I've misplaced my Apple Pencil a few times (thus far, I've managed to find it... eventually). Even up to early grade school, I'd lose writing utensils quite frequently.

Might be better if you had one iPad + Pencil (maybe in a case with a long string tying the Pencil to the iPad?) kept at your house that they can share when visiting grandma and grandpa.

 

[ssledoux]

Well I do have my pro, and they like to do “art” on it when they are here. My grandson will have the 2018 pad, so I may get one of the “kid” pencils that is being released when it comes out, and just have my daughter keep it picked up most of the time.

I decided to just get him that one and upgrade all the others to 2017s from their mini 2s and 4s. I couldn’t beat the price. I figure maybe a few months down the road I can upgrade one at a time with little cost.

 

[rui no onna]

Unfortunately, the Logitech Crayon is only available to schools upon initial release. Who knows, by the time they're actually available to regular consumers, the 2018 iPads might be on clearance sale for $249 at Walmart, too.

 

[ssledoux]

Unfortunately, the Logitech Crayon is only available to schools upon initial release. Who knows, by the time they're actually available to regular consumers, the 2018 iPads might be on clearance sale for $249 at Walmart, too.

Well that’s a bummer! I’m sure someone will come out with something, right?

Oh well, I wasn’t gonna tell him his had that option right away anyway because his sister will be so upset.

 

[rui no onna]

Well that’s a bummer! I’m sure someone will come out with something, right?

Oh well, I wasn’t gonna tell him his had that option right away anyway because his sister will be so upset.

Eventually. Like I mentioned, though, it will probably be a while before it's actually released to the public. Might not even be until it's close to another iPad refresh.