iPhone unlocking question
 

My uncle passed a short time ago. My aunt now has an iPhone 7 that she wants to give to my mother who is still using a free flip phone. The problem is that the iPhone has already been disconnected, and was on ATT while my mom is on T-mobile.

When I go to the ATT website it says that you request the unlock online, but that the only thing that you need to do then is swap SIM cards to the new SIM card (no special process to go through like other phones).

I'm assuming that means that when you request the unlock, that ATT sends a command through the network to the phone.

Does anyone know for sure if that means that the phone would have to be put back on the ATT network, unlocked, and then taken back off of the network before it could be moved to T-mobile?

You will need to contact AT&T and get an unlock code. They emailed it to you a day later. Then you can unlock it.

If you stay on AT&T, no need to unlock it.

If the phone was bought outright and never on a contract payment plan with att for the phone, it is unlocked. If the phone was on a plan to be paid off, you may need a code, and also may have to pay off the phone.

Yep, but that's not going to happen. The phone is going to someone that is currently on T-mobile and will be staying on T-mobile.
I'm fairly certain the phone was probably on a payment plan, and is also currently paid off.

Thanks all.

Check the IMEI number, that will tell you if it is locked.

https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/

IMEI number is on the back of the phone or you can check it by dialing *#06#

As I understood it, once it's paid off it's no longer locked. My galaxy S9 and my kids Iphones were all on a payment plan (BOGO nonsense) before we left AT&T. I paid the all off and the phones were unlocked.

Sometimes they forget to unlock them.

Thanks folks. I suspect since the phone has been disconnected, the website may not work, but we'll give it a shot.

I have been using the iPhone since the first version. I skipped a lot of them, and I am not one of the fan boys that always has the newest one. My wife and I get them one at the same time, and I have two unlocked iPhone 6s on my desk that I need to put on EBAY, but I have the experience of doing it.

Anyway, I unlocked bot of them. I just went to the web site, and requested an unlock code, it took 24 hours of so to get it. They are now unlocked. My current phone was purchased outright, and I bet it too is locked, but I have not checked.

Most likely you will need to go to an AT&T store, and have that fun. Since you were not the original owner, you will need to provide some proof your relative is dead, and that the phone is not stolen. Good luck, most likely it will suck getting it unlocked.

If you have the phone in your possession, even if the calling is disabled, you can set it up to use wifi, and use it for every function, except making a call. It would be a miniature iPad, and iPod all in one.

My mom and aunt (who was the original owner of the phone) live a few miles apart. I suspect my aunt can go to an ATT store with my mom to get it done which will still be a hassle because every cell phone store is, but not as horrible as if my aunt weren't able to go.

This is usually a hassle when people buy used carrier unlocked phones as you need the associated phone number in addition to IMEI and buyers don't know it which does not sound like an issue for you.

That it's disconnected is not a problem, just submit the online request and it'll get sorted.

You will also need to remove it from the current iCloud account unless she intends to keep using it.

This is the way. This site can be frustrating to use, but even if you call ATT, they are going to direct you here.

OK, my mom was a little freaked out to use the site, but I had her send me the IMEI and I've submitted and will receive the unlock info myself. We should be good. Thanks.

FYI, when you use the site, there are 2 options (1. you are an ATT customer or 2. you are not an ATT customer). If you say you are a customer, then you submit your cell number. If you are not a customer, then you can use the IMEI and your mobile # and email. They send you an email to confirm that you've given them a valid email. Now I'm waiting for them to send me a code.

Nope. A carrier-locked phone detects a non-carrier SIM inserted and wants a PUK, or it won't use it.

All you do is enter the code, and the phone is SIM unlocked. Forever.

All happens on the phone; nothing is sent from the carrier.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIM_lock

Any carrier is obliged to provide the network unlock code if you meet their criteria - which usually hinge on the account/contract being in good standing, past some minimum age - and almost certainly you having paid back what they wanted for the phone, if it was obtained on a subsidized plan.

So, if the contract is lapsed, you've nothing to lose by asking AT&T for the unlock code; I rather doubt they'll provide it. But I haven't used them as a carrier since I binned them in 2005 for abysmal customer service, so what do I know? It may be different now (I would hope os). And it may just depend on the agent you get to talk to as well.

AT&T used to be rather hard work to get a code out of anyway. If they're still the same, it's probably just easier to buy an unlock code on the interwebs for $20.

It's all automatic these days (at least for ATT) whether you are the original purchaser or not. You enter the IMEI your cell and a valid email address, and presumably, their system checks eligibility for unlocking, and then does it. On an iPhone, there's no code. Just stick the new SIM in and go. I don't know if that means that they do it remotely or what.

At one time I had two locked 6s iphones. Both were locked by the carriers, att and tmobile. One was in great shape, the other not so much. Swap one part over and I could use it with either carrier, so long as the part and sim card matched that carrier (IMEI).

I don't suggest anyone to tear apart an iphone that far though. I never put the 2nd back together. I eventually gave the working phone away. I'm android.