Yes, I had to file complaints to both.
Not sure what one worked but next day I got a call from AT&T Corporate and the issue was resolved
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Need some advice at&t won't unlock my phone
- Thread starter amyangel
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Yes, I had to file complaints to both.
Not sure what one worked but next day I got a call from AT&T Corporate and the issue was resolved
It was actually Walmart that did this to her. Walmart should not advertise these as refurbs, they aren't. They are open box returns.
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Probably the FCC that worked.Yes, I had to file complaints to both.
Not sure what one worked but next day I got a call from AT&T Corporate and the issue was resolved
Lets not blame Walmart because that is not who is at fault here clearly.
Me and many others have been dealing with the same nonsense with AT&T. We got out ETF's removed and paid all fees and bills and they still wouldn't unlock our devices.
The OP provided all info need, receipt and jumped through dozens of hoops and still cannot get it unlocked.
That's complete nonsense and not Walmart's fault.
If the OP bought the phone, and it was previously registered to someone else's iCloud account, and that was the impetus for AT&T not unlocking the phone, I might be inclined to lean towards pointing the finger at Walmart. However, the OP has not given any indication that that is the case.
In OP's case it is Walmart's fault. They sold her an open box return that was purchased on contract. Walmart has the ability to refurbish the phone and get it unlocked by Apple just like Asurion does. But instead, they sold it as a refurb when it wasn't, so it will be locked until the original owner's line goes off contract.
This is 100% Walmart's deceptive advertising.
Totally different situation than OP's. OP's line wasn't on contract. She bought a phone from Walmart that Walmart should have made sure was unlocked before Walmart sold it to her as a "refurb".
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iCloud accounts have nothing at all to do with SIM locking. Nothing.
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No one said anything about iCloud accounts but you. iCloud accounts have nothing at all to do with SIM locking.
A retailer such as walmart, Target, best buy etc cannot unlock a device or even submit an unlock request to Apple.
That's only done by wireless carriers that the device its locked to.
The rest its all BS excuses for AT&T's incompetence period.
Apple certified refurbishers can. Walmart sold it as a refurb when it wasn't. THAT is the problem. It was an open box return. Walmart didn't sell it as an open box return. They sold it as a refurb when in fact, they did not get the phone refurbished. It was simply a used device mislabled as a refurb.
You aren't understanding what went on here. Walmart claimed to be selling a refurb. They were not selling a refurb. They were selling open box returns and THAT is why the device is still locked to AT&T.
This is ENTIRELY 100% Walmart's fault due to deceptive advertising. Walmart did what all of those shady ebay sellers do when they say they are selling refurbs when they are not, they are simply selling used devices.
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Although yes, Walmart F'ed up, Walmart is powerless to fix their mistake. Only ATT or Apple can.
I doubt if even Walmart uses an Apple certified refurbish company. Or if they're supposed to sell iphone refurbs at all.
Many companies sell customer returned devices, only AT&T makes it impossible with proper documentation to unlock a device that is not supposed to be locked to them to begin with.
They could refund her money in full and then she could buy an unlocked phone with that money.
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I agree and that is the problem. They should be doing what Best Buy does and sell these as open box returns if that is what they are.
Like Best Buy. But Best Buy tells you it is an open box device so you know what you are getting.
I just checked www.walmart.com and I see listings llke this:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Apple-iPhone-6-Refurbished-AT-T-Locked/42104293
If OP bought one of those phones that was labeled as AT&T locked, then OP is the one to blame because she bought a locked phone and assumed she had the ability to get it unlocked early.
She should have bought one like this:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Refurbished-Apple-iPhone-6-64GB-GSM-Smartphone-Unlocked/49230864
Only OP knows which one she bought. If she bought one that was labled unlocked, then it is 100% Walmart's fault. If she bought one that was labeled locked to AT&T, she has no one to blame but herself.
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You're still not getting it.
Anyone can buy a locked AT&T iPhone and submit an unlock request and by law AT&T has to unlock it.
It doesn't matter if it was used and returned by another customer.
AT&T has to figure it out and unlock it with the proper documentation and receipt.
There is no such thing as locked AT&T iphone unless its under contract or a device payment plan. When someone returns the device his contract or device payment plan option gets voided and that imei should not be tied to anyone else.
If its paid off in full and without a contract they have to unlock it period.
All you're doing is victim blaming that's all.
Never mind the fact that he provided AT&T with proof and wasted many hours submitting unlocks and talking to AT&T reps.
Sure, its Walmarts fault or the person that bought it.
Never AT&T...
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Sorry, I should had known once I say LAW, we gonna have a legality discussion. NO, I couldn't care less if it's legal, but sometimes in 2013 or so something changed, and the usual unlock folks can't do it anymore. Heck, I even took my phone overseas and they are unreachable by U.S. law and they didn't want to touch it. Instead of law, I really want to say at&t did *something* and made third party unlocking "unpalatable."
I am 100% getting it, you aren't. Walmart sells used devices that are both locked and unlocked. No one should assume if they buy one of the locked ones that they can get it unlocked early. If OP bought one of the unlocked ones, then she needs to blame Walmart. If OP bought a locked one, she needs to wait until the device is eligible for unlock.
Walmart is clearly labeling the devices locked or unlocked.
There's still many companies that provide 3rd party imei unlocks with a 100% success rate.
So AT&T maybe did do something to make it harder but its still available. Its just not $1-2 per AT&T unlock any more.
Its more like $70-80 per unlock
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They can assume that if they buy a locked AT&T device they can 100% unlock it because that's their policy and their agreement with the US government.
He doesnt need to wait to be eligible for an unlock because it already is eligible.
Its not unlocking it early, an AT&T iPhone can be unlocked by law if its not tied up to a 2 year contract or under a device payment plan.
Read the rules:
Device requirements for ALL requests
Devices must:
- Be designed for use on, and locked to, the AT&T network. (Questions? See Device unlock support)
- Not be reported lost or stolen
- Not be involved with fraudulent activity
- Have all service commitments and installment plans completed and all early termination fees paid in full
- Not currently be active on a different AT&T customer's account
If you don't have an AT&T wireless account for the device you're unlocking, the device still must meet all these requirements.
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They can 100% unlock it when it is eligible for unlock. OP's device is not yet eligible.
You are the one being wall like. AT&T doesn't have to unlock used phones until they are eligible for unlock. OP should have bought an unlocked one from Walmart. Clearly both types are for sale from Walmart.Ok Im done talking to a wall
And Walmart shouldn't be labeling open box returns as refurbs. They aren't refurbs.
It was originally bought on contract. That contract ends June 2017.
If you were to buy a subsidized phone on contract from AT&T and then sell it on swappa, same thing. The device wouldn't be eligible for unlocking until the original owner's line was off contract. Now we all know that you can sneak some of these through by doing the unlock request as a non-AT&T customer, but that is a glitch. A glitch that we have been telling OP to try since it works many, many times.
Except that the OP didn't purchase it under contract.