AT&T Won’t Unlock My Phone? – (Try These Solutions!)

Kevin Wood Updated on
at&t won't unlock my phone

AT&T won’t unlock my phone. How do I fix this? If AT&T won’t unlock your phone, you’re going to miss out on better deals and coverage from other providers.

Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to get them to unlock your device.

To get AT&T to unlock your phone, check your phone’s eligibility and submit a request to unlock your device.

Approval is typically granted within a few minutes, provided you have your IMEI number and meet requirements.

Let’s go into the details. 

AT&T Won’t Unlock My Phone – What You Need to Do

at&t won't unlock phone

If you want to unlock your phone, follow the following steps.

We arranged them from easiest to most complex to give you a clear sequence. 

Check Your Phone’s Eligibility

checking your phone’s eligibility

The first thing you should do is check your phone’s eligibility.

To do this, go to AT&T Unlock Device and enter your IMEI and request numbers.

You’ll find both in the email or text sent by the network when you submitted your request. 

If your request is approved, you’ll receive a confirmation message and instructions to unlock your device.

Otherwise, you’ll know why and what you should do next.   

1. Your Phone Must Be Paid Off in Full

phones must be paid off in full

One of the most common reasons AT&T won’t unlock your phone is you still owe them money.

If you bought your device on an installment plan, pay off the remaining balance before unlocking it.

To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your AT&T online account. 
  2. Navigate to the Installment Plan section. 
  3. Select the phone you want to pay off. 
  4. Click on Manage Device & Features.
  5. Choose your preferred Payment Method.
  6. Enter the payment amount. 
  7. Review the payment details and submit. 

Paying off your phone allows you to own it fully and, if it is locked, use it with other carriers. Once done, continue with the process of unlocking it. 

2. Your Phone Must Not Be Under Contract

the phone must not be under contract

Another reason is you’re still in contract with AT&T.

If you signed a contract with the network when you got your phone, fulfill the terms of the agreement before you unlock it.

You must stay with them for a certain period or pay an early termination fee. 

To pay for an early termination fee, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your AT&T account online or through the myAT&T app. 
  2. Navigate to Billing & Payment.
  3. Choose Make a Payment.
  4. Enter the amount you need to pay for the early termination fee. 
  5. Enter your payment information.
  6. Review the payment and submit. 
Note: Paying the early termination fee does not guarantee your phone will be eligible for unlocking. 

3. Your Phone Must Not Be Locked to Another Carrier

phone must not be locked to another carrier

“What if AT&T won’t unlock my phone? Is there anything I can do?”

If you purchased your device from a different provider or a third-party seller, it’s locked to their network and incompatible with AT&T’s unlocking process.

You must contact the original carrier or seller and ask them to unlock your phone. 

Here are a few ways to find out which provider your phone is currently locked to:

  1. Contact your current carrier. 
  2. Check your phone’s original box and purchase receipt.
  3. Insert a different SIM card on your phone.
  4. Use an online IMEI checker.
  5. Visit a carrier store or service center. 
  6. Use a third-party IMEI checking service. 

You must have your phone’s IMEI number for most of these methods. 

4. Other Eligibility Requirements

other eligibility requirements

In addition to the three requirements above, you must meet other conditions to unlock your AT&T phone.

AT&T’s unlock requirements vary depending on the type of device and your service contract.  

  • Your phone must not be reported lost or stolen. 
  • Your phone must be active on the AT&T network for at least 60 days. 
  • Your account must not have a past-due balance.

If you have any questions or concerns about the requirements, contact AT&T’s customer support or visit their website for detailed instructions and assistance. 

More Methods to Unlock Your AT&T Phone

unlocking your at&t phone

If you’ve checked your phone’s eligibility and submitted a request to unlock your device but still cannot use your phone with another SIM, there are additional methods to help you.

Here are some of them: 

5. Verify Your Phone’s IMEI

Sometimes, AT&T won’t unlock your phone due to a mismatch between your device’s IMEI number and the one they have on record.

This usually happens when you replace your phone or change your SIM card. 

verifying your phone’s imei

To verify your phone’s IMEI number, follow these steps:

iPhone

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap on General.
  3. Select About.
  4. Scroll down to IMEI.
  5. Compare the number with the one you entered on the AT&T unlock portal. 

Android

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap on About Phone.
  3. Select Status.
  4. Tap IMEI Information.
  5. Compare the number with the one you entered on the AT&T unlock portal. 
Note: If they don’t match, contact AT&T customer support and ask them to update your IMEI number. 

6. Pay Off Any Outstanding Balances on Your Account

paying off any outstanding balances

Yes, having a past-due balance on your account will keep you from receiving the confirmation text or email that contains the unlock code and instructions.

Ensure your account is current and has no outstanding balances before submitting an unlock request. 

To pay off any outstanding balance on your account, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your AT&T account online or through the myAT&T app.
  2. Go to Billing & Payments.
  3. Select Make a Payment.
  4. Follow the prompts to pay your bill. 
Alternative: Dial *PAY (*729) from your AT&T device or 800-331-0500 from any other phone. Then, follow the automated system to pay your bill. 

7. Use the AT&T Unlock App

using the at&t unlock app

If you have an AT&T Prepaid device, use the AT&T Unlock app to unlock it.

The app is pre-installed on some models of AT&T Prepaid phones, such as the Samsung Galaxy Express Prime 3 and the LG Phoenix Plus.   

Here are the steps to use the app:

  1. Ensure your phone is connected to WiFi or Mobile Data.
  2. Open the AT&T Unlock App.
  3. Tap Continue.
  4. Review and accept the terms and conditions.
  5. Tap on Unlock Device.
  6. Enter your AT&T Prepaid account information.
  7. Wait for the app to process your request and display a confirmation message. 
Note: Back up your device’s data before initiating the unlock process. 

8. Contact AT&T Customer Support

contacting at&t customer support

“My phone is paid off bill paid but AT&T won’t unlock the phone.”

If none of the above methods work or you encounter errors while unlocking your device, contact AT&T customer support for assistance.

They’ll help you troubleshoot the problem or provide you with alternative solutions. 

Here are the following ways to contact AT&T customer service:

  • Dial 611 from your AT&T phone or 800.331.0500 from other phones.
  • Chat with a representative online at AT&T support.
  • Visit a nearby AT&T store and ask for help. 

Consider Canceling Your Account

considering canceling your account

As a last resort, cancel your account and switch to a different carrier.

This will give you the freedom and flexibility to use your phone with any compatible SIM card.

But, ensure you choose a provider that offers the features and coverage you need.

Before you make the switch, you should be aware of the following:

  • Consider early termination fees if you cancel before your contract ends. 
  • Unlock your phone with the new carrier if you want to use it on their network. 
  • Transfer your benefits if you’re enrolled in an Affordable Connectivity Program.
  • Check your new carrier’s coverage and compatibility in your area.  

If you are sure about switching to a different carrier, here are the steps to cancel your AT&T account:

  1. Contact the new carrier you want to change to. 
  2. Ask them to port your number from AT&T.
  3. Pay any outstanding fees and charges on your AT&T account. 
  4. Follow the instructions from the new carrier to activate your phone and service.
Note: You may need to insert a new SIM card on your phone or download a specific app to complete the activation process.  

Once you’ve activated your new service, your old account and service will cancel automatically. Call AT&T to double-check. 

Quick Recap

If AT&T won’t unlock my phone, will it limit my options with other providers? Yes, but it’s possible to open it.

First, check your eligibility and make a request. You will get an approval within minutes if you meet the requirements. 

Visit our blog to access more AT&T fix guides.