Unlocking a Sprint Pixel 4 XL for use on T-Mobile? - Google Pixel 4 XL Questions & Answers

I have a 64gb Pixel 4 XL that i want to unlock and use on T-Mobile.
The phone was never actually on a Sprint account. It was never technically paid off by a consumer. Its also never been activated on the sprint network to my understanding. (Which are all required to have sprint send an unlock code)
It was given to me by a Sprint store manager when they had to clean out end of year inventory.
I'm trying to figure out if i can unlock it somehow without having to get sprint to send the unlock code.
I don't really want to go through the hassle of explaining to them how i got a hold of it when they look at it in the system.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

You need to call Sprint and have it unlocked. They won't do it until it is paid in full.

? You clearly didn’t read what I wrote. I know that’s what’s usually needed. I was wondering if there was any possible way to go around that in order to unlock the carrier because of the situation involved with this individual phone. It was never on an account it’s was never actually paid off because it’s a store phone that was given away to me for free because they needed to get it out of inventory so I’m trying to find out a way to not have to explain that to Sprint if I call them and get try to get them to give me the unlock code.

MOD EDIT: Commercial link removed
ask these guys. they charge 13 bucks

That is exactly the type of service i was looking for. Thank you very much. Hopefully this will solve my problem.

Chipman417 said:
That is exactly the type of service i was looking for. Thank you very much. Hopefully this will solve my problem.
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Please let us know if the service worked. Thank you

yeah please do.

kidhudi said:
ask these guys. they charge 13 bucks
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Does anyone know if this ever worked for the user?

It didn't work at all. We received an email back after 24 hours saying that it wasn't possible.
I did find a solution though for an actual fix.
I took the phone into Sprint and paid to add service to it.
($30 activation fee + $35/month service + $7 tax)
After 2 months of paying for this the phone will be eligible to be unlocked by Sprint.
1. The phone must be in good standing (No money owed on it)
2. Service for minimum 60 days
3. Must have a current SIM or eSIM from Sprint
After all these things are done, Sprint will send the unlock code so the phone can be used on any network desired.

Chipman417 said:
It didn't work at all. We received an email back after 24 hours saying that it wasn't possible.
I did find a solution though for an actual fix.
I took the phone into Sprint and paid to add service to it.
($30 activation fee + $35/month service + $7 tax)
After 2 months of paying for this the phone will be eligible to be unlocked by Sprint.
1. The phone must be in good standing (No money owed on it)
2. Service for minimum 60 days
3. Must have a current SIM or eSIM from Sprint
After all these things are done, Sprint will send the unlock code so the phone can be used on any network desired.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, i just talked TMO into unlocking my Pixel last night. My buddy has the Sprint version and i'm trying to find out a method for him...

Chipman417 said:
It didn't work at all. We received an email back after 24 hours saying that it wasn't possible.
I did find a solution though for an actual fix.
I took the phone into Sprint and paid to add service to it.
($30 activation fee + $35/month service + $7 tax)
After 2 months of paying for this the phone will be eligible to be unlocked by Sprint.
1. The phone must be in good standing (No money owed on it)
2. Service for minimum 60 days
3. Must have a current SIM or eSIM from Sprint
After all these things are done, Sprint will send the unlock code so the phone can be used on any network desired.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
another option would be to sell it on swappa "Sprint" section of the P4XL area to someone that has sprint as a provider and buy one from the "unlocked" section once sold.
it would be a real hassle but maybe it would save you $107

Related

Quick Way to Unlock Your ATT Tilt

I just got off the phone with ATT and I got an unlock code over the phone within 2 minutes!!!
Simply call 1-(916)-843-4685 and do what it says and you will talk to a representative. Tell them you are going to England/France/Germany/etc this week and you bought a Tilt and your old phone died and that you have a European SIM with you that you use over there and you need it to work in the Tilt. I just did it and I now have an unlocked phone!
Also, for all of you naysayers, google that phone number and it will show up with the ATT International Support.
Enjoy!
staulkor said:
I just got off the phone with ATT and I got an unlock code over the phone within 2 minutes!!!
Simply call 1-(916)-843-4685 and do what it says and you will talk to a representative. Tell them you are going to England/France/Germany/etc this week and you bought a Tilt and your old phone died and that you have a European SIM with you that you use over there and you need it to work in the Tilt. I just did it and I now have an unlocked phone!
Also, for all of you naysayers, google that phone number and it will show up with the ATT International Support.
Enjoy!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have a SIM unlocked phone. This doesnt mean you can go dumping any ROM on it you want. But yes its a good idea
yeah, the technique works on ur convincing abilities though
@bratag: I'd say SIM unlocking is a much more desired issue as compared to cid unlocking, but then it might vary from person to person..
Quick... somebody try this with an iPhone!!.... *crickets chirping* anyone? *cricket* eh... *shrug* I love my Kaiser :-D
I posted this elsewhere and its documented by others all over.
SIM unlock is very easy. And legal. And actually done by AT&T.
Step 1: Call AT&T @ 1-(916)-843-4685, tell them you travel alot internationally. Ask them to to add the "International Dial" add on to your account (it costs like $6/month). (Note: the reason the number is not a 800 number is because it asumes you are calling from an int'l location, since its their int'l support line. 800 numbers don't work from an int'l location. You can even call the normal 800 # or even call 611 from your phone, and you can get routed to the int'l support line. I recommend you call from a separate line, so you can actually type in the unlock code when they give it to you to confirm it "takes" before you hang up. If you have another company SIM card, you can even test it with them on the phone)
Step 2: Tell them you also travel for extended periods of time and might need to use a local SIM in your phone. And you need an unlock code to do it. Since you have the international plan, they almost always will oblige. (if they don't, hang up, call back, get another rep, and ask again. They will eventually do it)
Step 3: They ask for your IMEI number. And they give you an unlock code.
Step 4: Say thanks to them
Step 5: Go online to your account manager, and remove the Int'l Plan on your features page to cancel it. You will only be charged a pro-rated amount for the feature.
Step 6: Enjoy your SIM unlocked phone.
Bratag said:
You have a SIM unlocked phone. This doesnt mean you can go dumping any ROM on it you want. But yes its a good idea
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well my phone is CID unlocked too, but thanks to Pof
ehhhh, slow it please:
what is the difference between SIM Unlock and CID Unlock?
Which is more permanent or more secure?
If I buy an unlocked Kaiser off this website, is it SIM unlocked or CID Unlocked?
thanks, MN
actually sometimes you dont even have to add international call...if you have been with ATT for a while (I'm going to assume 1 yr +) they will either give it to you over the phone, or email you it within a week if they dont have the code for your phone on hand (this is what happened with my 3125, which is still has no free SIM unlock) CID unlocking of course, is a completely different issue...
CID unlocking allows you to flash any carrier's ROM. SIM unlocking allows you to insert any carrier's SIM.
I dont have an ATT number. I just went into a store and bought the phone, and later that night called internation support and they gave me an unlock code, no questions asked (except for imei )
staulkor said:
I dont have an ATT number. I just went into a store and bought the phone, and later that night called internation support and they gave me an unlock code, no questions asked (except for imei )
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That surprises me - I've ALWAYS had to give my account information, so I'm leaning towards calling B.S. on your description of your experience, unless you told them a number of other things also....
FWIW, the 800# for International Services is: (800) 335-4685 though for exactly your point about dialing 800#s outside the US, most of us have the non 800 # in our phones: (916) 843-4685.
I've never had to add the $5.99/mo discounted international roaming, just make sure that the "normal" international roaming is enabled. (Of course they fvcked that up last time and took me 3 calls from Japan on VOIP to get it fixed.)
YMMV of course,
Richard
rsolomon said:
That surprises me - I've ALWAYS had to give my account information, so I'm leaning towards calling B.S. on your description of your experience, unless you told them a number of other things also....
FWIW, the 800# for International Services is: (800) 335-4685 though for exactly your point about dialing 800#s outside the US, most of us have the non 800 # in our phones: (916) 843-4685.
I've never had to add the $5.99/mo discounted international roaming, just make sure that the "normal" international roaming is enabled. (Of course they fvcked that up last time and took me 3 calls from Japan on VOIP to get it fixed.)
YMMV of course,
Richard
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Wait AT&T charge for international roaming?
Good grief - what DONT they charge for.
I got my unlock code, but where can i find the instructions? anyone? thanks
Bratag said:
Wait AT&T charge for international roaming?
Good grief - what DONT they charge for.
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Click to collapse
Ha, well actually, of course they charge a huge amount per minute for calls when u are roaming intl'ly. But you can buy a monthly service that brings the cost down per minute. It goes from f'in ridiculous rates to just plain ridiculous per minute rates. But this add-on does make sense if you plan to go overseas for an extended trip. And since its an add-on you can add it / cancel it whenever you need/don't need it. An example of the rates: in some cases its like 2.29 per minute to call without the plan. But with the plan its only 1.99
But at 30 cents per minute, if you make more than 20 min of calls, then you've "saved" money. So, how I stumbled upon getting an unlock code was since I was going to be there for a month, I actually got a local SIM and tried to put it in the phone and they said I could, but they'd have to give me an unlock code, which they did.
You may call BS, but who cares. I did this and it worked. If you want to call BS on this, go ahead. I found this on Howard Forums and thought you guys might like to know. Others have got their unlock code directly from ATT by using this method.
staulkor said:
You may call BS, but who cares. I did this and it worked. If you want to call BS on this, go ahead. I found this on Howard Forums and thought you guys might like to know. Others have got their unlock code directly from ATT by using this method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are the first person I've heard of getting an AT&T unlock code without being an AT&T customer. Bravo for you if true. (Note that I didn't say the *method* was B.S. - in fact I affirmed it working for me as well! I said doing all that when you "dont have an ATT number" sounded like BS - because I've always been asked for my account information as soon as they answer the phone.)
Richard
Hi,
I'm new in this phoneworld. I wonder if it is possible to buy a AT&T tilt via ebay and nulock her in Belgium. Do you think it is possible?
Kind regards.
I have called twice now to get my SIM unlock code and both CSRs said that because I have had AT&T service for less than 90 days, they can't/won't do it. They say I have to have at least 3 months service. Will try a couple more times but doesn't look good.
bernard.schockaert said:
I'm new in this phoneworld. I wonder if it is possible to buy a AT&T tilt via ebay and nulock her in Belgium. Do you think it is possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I'm not aware of any verified-working Kaiser unlocking services right now, so I'd say no - not unless the person you buy it from has already had AT&T unlock it.
Richard
YMMV
rsolomon said:
You are the first person I've heard of getting an AT&T unlock code without being an AT&T customer. Bravo for you if true. (Note that I didn't say the *method* was B.S. - in fact I affirmed it working for me as well! I said doing all that when you "dont have an ATT number" sounded like BS - because I've always been asked for my account information as soon as they answer the phone.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I got a Tilt on Friday and called this morning to get it unlocked. For grins I bought a brand new $20 GoPhone w/activation kit, activated it, and used that phone # at an Agent store to buy the Tilt no-contract ($530 ugh). Then I called the International Services folks and gave them the GoPhone # and my new Tilt IMEI. I expected a big spiel about the length of time I'd been a customer (as T-mo did to me on a prepaid unlock), a refusal to unlock phones on prepaid (as I'd previously heard from Cingular), or some other such nonsense - at which time I planned to call right back on my loooong-term account and get an unlock code.
Note that the first thing the agent asked was "Mobile number and last 4 digits of SSN". I gave him the prepaid phone # (active for <1wk) and my correct last 4 digits of SSN. He seemed to have trouble getting that combination to take, so I mentioned "This is prepaid, so I didn't think there was a SSN on it...."
To my unending shock, the guy on the other end of the phone then said "Ok, I've got an unlock code for you. Ready?" and read me out the code for my phone. Popped in an old Tesco SIM I had kicking around, entered the code, and wham! Unlocked Tilt.
So there's either some serious YMMV going on at International Services or AT&T has thrown in the towel on unlocking!
YMMV of course
Richard

Cancelling T-Mobile service after receiving Note 4

Do you actually have to cancel service with T-Mobile after receiving the phone? I had to sign up for a plan with them in order to purchase my Note 4 when I placed my preorder. I paid full price for the phone. However, I unlocked the phone when I got it, put my sim card in from my current provider and have been using it since 10/14/14 with no problems. I see there is a pending charge on my credit card for the first month of service, but I don't plan on calling them and activating the service. Does anyone know what will happen? I was under the impression that if I never called them and activated the service then that would be the end of it. Comments would be appreciated.
I believe that you have 14 days to change your mind on a plan but since you have already paid full price for the phone I don't think you should have problem backing out of the plan.
Clever, keep us posted. Also, hot did you unlock without being on a plan for 40 days?
Borocay said:
Do you actually have to cancel service with T-Mobile after receiving the phone? I had to sign up for a plan with them in order to purchase my Note 4 when I placed my preorder. I paid full price for the phone. However, I unlocked the phone when I got it, put my sim card in from my current provider and have been using it since 10/14/14 with no problems. I see there is a pending charge on my credit card for the first month of service, but I don't plan on calling them and activating the service. Does anyone know what will happen? I was under the impression that if I never called them and activated the service then that would be the end of it. Comments would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cancel that plan the same day
NOTE 4
BACARDILIMON said:
Cancel that plan the same day
NOTE 4
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Should I actually call them and cancel the plan? I would think that they would say something about the agreement I made to get the phone and how I would need to send the phone back if I am breaching the agreement. I really don't know what to do right now.
if you signed an agreement, committing to service with the phone, then yes, you are breeching your contract with T Mobile..
I bet they charge you for service, and unless you return the phone within 14 days, I bet they keep on billing you.
With your signature on that contract, you are legally liable for the service, unless you return the phone...
wase4711 said:
if you signed an agreement, committing to service with the phone, then yes, you are breeching your contract with T Mobile..
I bet they charge you for service, and unless you return the phone within 14 days, I bet they keep on billing you.
With your signature on that contract, you are legally liable for the service, unless you return the phone...
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can't they also blacklist the phone even if its unlocked?
tsdsbrk said:
can't they also blacklist the phone even if its unlocked?
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Click to collapse
Yes, If you owe them money on that line for any reason they can/will block your phone/IMEI, unlocked or not. If you cancel, be sure everything is in order. I've also heard of cooperation between carriers on the blacklists. So you can't take it to another carrier and get around the block.
Also on a side note, they will also ding your credit. Unpaid cell phone bills are one of the biggest problems seen on credit scores.
Tmobile now keeps the plans/service and the phone payments separate. So you should be able to keep the phone once you cancel no problem.
Well I sure don't want to piss them off. I am willing to pay them for 40 days of service if they are going to blacklist the phone. I'm just wondering how everyone else who unlocks their Note 4 as soon as they get it and slap in their AT&T sim card are getting around the same thing I am asking about. Thanks for the feedback.
Borocay said:
Well I sure don't want to piss them off. I am willing to pay them for 40 days of service if they are going to blacklist the phone. I'm just wondering how everyone else who unlocks their Note 4 as soon as they get it and slap in their AT&T sim card are getting around the same thing I am asking about. Thanks for the feedback.
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Click to collapse
not sure if they're getting around it or just paying for the 40 days. has someone stated differently? i haven't read the att forum so maybe someone there knows.

What's the process to using this phone on ATT?

Hi I want to buy this phone, unlock it and use it for ATT.
I heard you cannot buy this phone off contract and that you must have a service with them. I hear people are just signing up for the service for one day and then cancel the day after.
Can someone explain how they did it?
pham818 said:
Hi I want to buy this phone, unlock it and use it for ATT.
I heard you cannot buy this phone off contract and that you must have a service with them. I hear people are just signing up for the service for one day and then cancel the day after.
Can someone explain how they did it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pay full price for phone up front and buy the smallest package. After 40 days cancel the service. Some stores will sell it out right without a plan, but you will have to do some searching and calling. I had to go to 3 different stores before I found one that would sell it out right.
I read LTE and 4G dont work so well when you take it back to ATT. I read somewhere.
chong67 said:
I read LTE and 4G dont work so well when you take it back to ATT. I read somewhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Results vary. Some say it works just as good
My LTE works perfect on AT&T.
My unlocked T Mobile Note 4 running on AT&T.
chong67 said:
I read LTE and 4G dont work so well when you take it back to ATT. I read somewhere.
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I thought the same thing. This is not the case with the Note 4. It was an issue with the Note 3 and previous devices in my experience.
martinezma99 said:
My unlocked T Mobile Note 4 running on AT&T.
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Click to collapse
Who did you use to unlock it? im looking to pick one up and i'd rather not have to wait for tmobiles unlocking terms.
If you buy the phone out right you can unlock asap
bigmase23 said:
If you buy the phone out right you can unlock asap
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's been conflicting reports about that.
I bought the phone outright. Paid $30 or so to cellunlocker to get an unlock code. Popped in AT&T sim and off I went. Still need to cancel Tmo service.
taphius said:
There's been conflicting reports about that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you purchase the phone outright you now it and can unlock it.
I bought my Note 4 outright and purchased the lowest priced package I could. I unlocked it the first day I received it, inserted my sim card from Consumer Cellular and was up and running. However, I read that T-Mobile can and have blacklisted the IMEI of phones that don't comply with their terms of service. Since I didn't read the fine print when I bought the phone and service, I decided it would be prudent to go ahead and meet the 40 service requirement to get an unlock code (although the phone is already unlocked) rather than take a chance and have some T-Mobile manager with a Napoleonic complex blacklist the phone. Then I would be out of $800.00. I asked the customer care representative about blacklisting the phone if I didn't meet the 40 day requirement and she said it was possible. I wasn't willing to take that chance. I will pony up an additional $80.00 + dollars to have peace of mind.
cartertucker said:
I bought the phone outright. Paid $30 or so to cellunlocker to get an unlock code. Popped in AT&T sim and off I went. Still need to cancel Tmo service.
Click to expand...
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Thanks
I preordered, got phone Monday the 13th.
I unlocked with cellunlocker.net 4 days later.
Been using it on AT&T since last friday. Called and canceled tmobile same day.
Easy as that.
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app
bigmase23 said:
When you purchase the phone outright you now it and can unlock it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right but you make it sound like every T-Mobile store or reseller will sell you a phone outright with absolutely zero commitment of any kind like you walked in to buy a pack of gum or bought a nexus from google play store. There are conflicting reports about zero commitment purchases. The safer bet seems to be walking in with the understanding that you may have to agree to a month-to-month or prepaid contract that you can cancel a day or more later.
The best way i can think to explain it is as follows:
A few people have reported that they were able to buy it outright without service. Though many have been denied that option.
Some have implied that Tmobile then unlocked it.
A moderately safe assumption is that you can buy it with service, unlock it via third party service, and cancel your tmobile service the second u get your unlock code. This comes with the gray area of region locking and having to activate it on tmobile first to remove the region lock pior to unlocking. This can be a lengthy discussion, you might not care about region locking, I'll leave it at that, but read into it. I went this route, activated on tmobile for 4 days, then unlocked and cancelled. I say assumption because people are worried about blacklisting and T.O.S.
The most cautious method would be to wait out your 40 days per Tmobile T.O.S., in addition to the time it takes for them to send your unlock code, pay applicable fees, then cancel.
Hope this clears up the options a bit.
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app
T-Mobile has the IMEI of phone they sell you in their records. I confirmed it when I called them and they read it to me for confirmation purposes. They sold the phone to you and they know everything about it. Guaranteed. If their records show the phone being used on another carrier without it being activated with them or unlocked by them then they can blacklist the IMEI of the phone. That phone will then be an $800.00 paperweight. They have done it before and a quick Google search will prove it. I'm not saying they will since that seems to be an unknown, but they can and the owner of the phone will have no recourse. I sure don't want to wake up one day and find out that my $800.00 phone is dead. I might very well be wrong, but I am not willing to take that chance after paying $800.00 for the phone. I'll pay for the 40 days of service.
I just bought my Note 4 full price from AT&T after calling about 30 stores in my area and finding one store with one black model in stock. I ended up paying less than full price because of some computer error that rung up the phone $749.99 instead of $825.99. They charged me the difference so I only paid $825 outright, after taxes. All in all, I saved almost $50 (difference in tax from $750 to $825). I still feel like it is ridiculous though that the AT&T model is $80 more expensive than TMo. Is it worth buying a TMO Note 4 with their baseball discount ($30 off) and trying to unlock it to use it on AT&T? Sorry for my long comment/question.
Bought mine from swappa in a sealed pack. Opened the phone, went to Cellunlocker.com and within 10 min had my unlock code. Works great on ATT

How to unlock SIM?

I'm in peculiar situation: I bought my T-mo S8 direct from Samsung, paid in full, so now whom do I go to unlock my SIM? People from Canada received unlock code together with copy of bill, but I can't find anything on mine, any suggestions? Of course I want to do it as painless as possible and I want to ask here before calling customer service and waste few hours.
pete4k said:
I'm in peculiar situation: I bought my T-mo S8 direct from Samsung, paid in full, so now whom do I go to unlock my SIM? People from Canada received unlock code together with copy of bill, but I can't find anything on mine, any suggestions? Of course I want to do it as painless as possible and I want to ask here before calling customer service and waste few hours.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in the same boat as you
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
pete4k said:
I'm in peculiar situation: I bought my T-mo S8 direct from Samsung, paid in full, so now whom do I go to unlock my SIM? People from Canada received unlock code together with copy of bill, but I can't find anything on mine, any suggestions? Of course I want to do it as painless as possible and I want to ask here before calling customer service and waste few hours.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am in the same situation. From my understanding of past and present TMo devices, the account has to be in good standing (EIP/equipment paid off) AND your device needs to have 40 or 45 days (someone correct me) of continuous usage on TMo network before you can request the Device App unlock = carrier unlock.
So just wait until then
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
As I suspected, I called Samsung to unlock my phone, they told me to call T-mo, called T-mo, they told me to call Samsung, wasted already 1 hour on this.
escabar said:
I am in the same situation. From my understanding of past and present TMo devices, the account has to be in good standing (EIP/equipment paid off) AND your device needs to have 40 or 45 days (someone correct me) of continuous usage on TMo network before you can request the Device App unlock = carrier unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's 40 days, that is I was told by CS. After that you use "Device unlock" app on your phone and choose permanent unlock.
Same techniques for S6 and S7 and it worked for me.
First of all I'm leaving on a trip in 20 days, second, the phone is paid in full now, not in 40, third I didn't buy it from T-mo so most likely they wont have any record of it. It's total BS and should be illegal, in Canada Samsung sends unlock code with the phone., but I guess here consumers have no protection. Last time I'm buying carrier phone. This whole locking of the phones is leftover from carrier subsidies and should not exist outside of those plans, if they still taking place. And a funny thing is I have no intention of leaving T-mo anyway and there are services to unlock phone for money. I remember some law about phone getting unlocked when paid I read about few years ago, but can't get any details now.
pete4k said:
First of all I'm leaving on a trip in 20 days, second, the phone is paid in full now, not in 40, third I didn't buy it from T-mo so most likely they wont have any record of it. It's total BS and should be illegal, in Canada Samsung sends unlock code with the phone., but I guess here consumers have no protection. Last time I'm buying carrier phone. This whole locking of the phones is leftover from carrier subsidies and should not exist outside of those plans, if they still taking place. And a funny thing is I have no intention of leaving T-mo anyway and there are services to unlock phone for money. I remember some law about phone getting unlocked when paid I read about few years ago, but can't get any details now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is T-Mobile branded phone, and that is their rules, sorry for that. What you can do, before going on the trip, on that app/ choose Temporary unlock, it's good for 30 days and you can have it up to 5 times in a year.
pete4k said:
First of all I'm leaving on a trip in 20 days, second, the phone is paid in full now, not in 40, third I didn't buy it from T-mo so most likely they wont have any record of it. It's total BS and should be illegal, in Canada Samsung sends unlock code with the phone., but I guess here consumers have no protection. Last time I'm buying carrier phone. This whole locking of the phones is leftover from carrier subsidies and should not exist outside of those plans, if they still taking place. And a funny thing is I have no intention of leaving T-mo anyway and there are services to unlock phone for money. I remember some law about phone getting unlocked when paid I read about few years ago, but can't get any details now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can call T-Mobile and let them know that you are travelling out of the country on ___ date and ask for an unlock code for a long time customer. It has worked for me in the past if you get the right rep.
mrbear01 said:
You can call T-Mobile and let them know that you are travelling out of the country on ___ date and ask for an unlock code for a long time customer. It has worked for me in the past if you get the right rep.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same problem, I bought the phone from Samsung.com and there was no option to purchase an unlocked phone. I am traveling in two days for a few weeks and I called Tmobile several times trying to at least get a temporary unlock and even that cannot be done. They said it has to be on their network for 40 days. I even called Samsung and they said all the unlock codes are sent to Tmobile and only they can unlock it due to the stupid Device Unlock app. You cannot unlock it even if you have the code, only the app can unlock it. If I didn't like the S8 so much I would have switched to the iPhone 7. Absolutely ridiculous!!!
I still don't understand how T-mo will know the phone you purchased direct from Samsung is paid for and should not have SIM locked to begin with.
I have the same problem with my S8. Bough it directly from Samsung. I contacted Samsung and they told me that I need contact tmobile; contact tmobile and they told me that my phone does not show in their system as a tmobile phone because I did not buy it from them. I need my phone unlock so when I travel overseas I can use a local sime card. I don't want to wait until 40-45 days go able to unlock my phone and then not be able to return it to Samsung. There some unlock services charging $50.00 plus to unlock it. I don't want to expend more money, since this phone is already very expensive.
kindongo said:
I have the same problem with my S8. Bough it directly from Samsung. I contacted Samsung and they told me that I need contact tmobile; contact tmobile and they told me that my phone does not show in their system as a tmobile phone because I did not buy it from them. I need my phone unlock so when I travel overseas I can use a local sime card. I don't want to wait until 40-45 days go able to unlock my phone and then not be able to return it to Samsung. There some unlock services charging $50.00 plus to unlock it. I don't want to expend more money, since this phone is already very expensive.
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It's not even about money, this should be illegal. This whole business of locking the SIM card is left over from contract subsidized phones and I could perfectly understand that phone belonged to phone company and you just leased it until end of contract. Now I praise T-mo for getting rid of this practice and changing whole industry, so now at least you know what are you paying for and how much. But now SIM locking shouldn't even happen anymore: if phone is stolen/unpaid for, blacklist IMEI and also you can unlock SIM for the fee, even if it is stolen, so what purpose this SIM locking serves? Canada gets unlock code with the phone.
Anybody had any luck getting the phone unlock.?I waited too long to return the phone, now I'm stuck with it.
http://www.cellunlocker.net/t-mobile-device-unlock-app.php
the service is expensive $130 dls for the unlock
kindongo said:
Anybody had any luck getting the phone unlock.?I waited too long to return the phone, now I'm stuck with it.
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I was in the same boat as you. Went through T-Force on Twitter and seemed to have gotten a rep on the first go who understood the situation and submitted my IMEI number to the right place. Your IMEI number needs to be added to their "device distribution inventory system" and needs to be submitted to their highest level tech support, this allows the Device Unlock app think your phone came from T-mobile's inventory and will let the app unlock your phone.
There may be hope for everyone in the future, this one of the final responses I got from them:
"I am right there with you. It definitely makes things harder on both sides since the phone isn't technically bought from us, even though it is branded a T-Mobile phone and our system rejects any IMEI that didn't come from our inventory. None the less, we're all about giving you full access to what is yours. Teams are currently working on a process update that'll make things a lot more seamless, but in the meantime we've got this work around! I really appreciate you taking the time to reach out to us today!"
14 hours later I tried the Unlock Device app and requested the permanent unlock and was greeted with "Unlock Approved: Mobile Device is permanently unlocked"
Device is fully unlocked, tested with an AT&T SIM card and everything worked fine. After 2 reboots the Device Unlock app even disappeared from my phone. I'm so happy with how fast T-Mobile dealt with this. The more people that make a stink about this issue on social media hopefully T-Mobile will find a permanent fix for people buying a SIM locked at full price and have it easily unlocked under their standard procedure.
INGHUGO said:
http://www.cellunlocker.net/t-mobile-device-unlock-app.php
the service is expensive $130 dls for the unlock
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Click to collapse
Did this work for you and were you able to successfully unlock ?
no,unfortunately it couldn't be unlocked because cellunlock no longer have access to their server ,I had to have a contract and wait the 40 days that are the requirement so I can release it
I dont think anybody has now. nearly all the sites i checked unlocking tmobile does not seems to be available.
fragg3d said:
I was in the same boat as you. Went through T-Force on Twitter and seemed to have gotten a rep on the first go who understood the situation and submitted my IMEI number to the right place. Your IMEI number needs to be added to their "device distribution inventory system" and needs to be submitted to their highest level tech support, this allows the Device Unlock app think your phone came from T-mobile's inventory and will let the app unlock your phone.
There may be hope for everyone in the future, this one of the final responses I got from them:
"I am right there with you. It definitely makes things harder on both sides since the phone isn't technically bought from us, even though it is branded a T-Mobile phone and our system rejects any IMEI that didn't come from our inventory. None the less, we're all about giving you full access to what is yours. Teams are currently working on a process update that'll make things a lot more seamless, but in the meantime we've got this work around! I really appreciate you taking the time to reach out to us today!"
14 hours later I tried the Unlock Device app and requested the permanent unlock and was greeted with "Unlock Approved: Mobile Device is permanently unlocked"
Device is fully unlocked, tested with an AT&T SIM card and everything worked fine. After 2 reboots the Device Unlock app even disappeared from my phone. I'm so happy with how fast T-Mobile dealt with this. The more people that make a stink about this issue on social media hopefully T-Mobile will find a permanent fix for people buying a SIM locked at full price and have it easily unlocked under their standard procedure.
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Thanks, I will try that

Can Anyone do aa network unlock for my T-Mobile pixel 4a 5g?

Just curious if anyone can network my T-Mobile 4a 5g?
I haven't paid off my EIP but there was a fellow in the OnePlus 8 forum who unlocked my device.
Just curious if anyone can help it would be a huge favor?
Try asking tmobile, you might get lucky and have a person perform a permanent sim unlock for you.
NikoZBK said:
Try asking tmobile, you might get lucky and have a person perform a permanent sim unlock for you.
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I already had them unlock my OnePlus 8 and pixel 3a xl about three months apart before my EIP is up.
They said that there is a maximum of 2 device unlocks before the EIP is fully paid off.
Whether or not that's true is anyone's guess.
I used T-Mobile T-force support team on Facebook to have the others unlocked.
CaptainBrownTee said:
I already had them unlock my OnePlus 8 and pixel 3a xl about three months apart before my EIP is up.
They said that there is a maximum of 2 device unlocks before the EIP is fully paid off.
Whether or not that's true is anyone's guess.
I used T-Mobile T-force support team on Facebook to have the others unlocked.
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Click to collapse
That's interesting, haven't heard of that before. I had success in the tmobile app and just told them I would like to root my phone to use my "tool" (viper4android/adaway) and that I have to switch between phones to have access to my tools.
How long have you been a customer? I just had mine unlocked through the chat feature in rhe tmobile app. However Ive been a customer for 14 years 7 of which have been post paid with EIP devices.
Back story...I purchased the device through EIP with Tmobile on Nov. 25th. I was aware of the carrier lock blocking OEM unlocking but tbh i forgot. So when I recieved the device last week i was more angry with myself for not choosing google store.
Anyway on to how i received my carrier unlock....
It took me 3-4hrs of back and forth with the chat rep. 1st rep told me policy says no.
me: "i am looking to unlock my Pixel 4a 5G device. I was under the impression that the device, like most ALL other Google devices, came with the ability to unlock the bootloader but, i am unable to perform the action without the device being SIM unlocked. I could lie and say Im planning a trip but im going to try and be honest and hopefully get this resolved without issue."
Rep 1: "Thank you for your patience, I checked and due to the balance on your device I see it only qualifies for a temp unlock. That will last 30 days. and due to fact the phone has not been in use for 40 days."
I had to become Karen at this point...
me: "So loyalty means nothing? i wouldnt have got the phone had i known i NEEDED to SIM unlock it to use it how i intended. in 14years of being a customer ive NEVER had to do that on ANY of the dozen devices ive purchased through tmobile. i would have purchased it through Google and been able to do everything i want and still be on the tmobile network. its deceptive."
rep 1: "Of course loyalty means alot, this is just our unlock policy."
me: "but the policy is for use of the device on another network. i dont want to use it on another network i dont even WANT the sim unlock its being forced on me by tmobile in order to be able to use the device in the way the device was marketed to developers. And policy says 40days so even if i paid it off or purchased in full tmobile is shipping devices sim locked, which is preventing me from bootloader unlocking, when i could have ordered from google and it would have been able to unlock the bootloader out of the box wether financed or paid in full. and policy is bs i know its a simple approval from a supervisor to move my imei from ineligible to eligible so its a human decision. these will be the LAST devices i ever purchase through tmobile. its outrageous that this is the first and only time ive experienced this."
This is when Rep 2 came in...
Rep 2: "Oh no! I am so sorry you are having an issue with unlocking that Pixel device. I know how important being able to do what you want with your phones is. Let's work together to make sure there isn't any options we missed on our side. I want to make sure you can feel confident purchasing and using those phones with us!"
Rep 2: "So I did reach out here to my support teams and they said with the low time frame of having the device and only one payment in there wouldn't be a way to override a full unlock. I did confirm that a temporary unlock can be done 5 times a year and you can get the bootloading done on a temporary unlock as well."
me: "thats disappointing. i could have purchased the device from google at a discount and been able to do everything i want out of the box but ive been a loyal tmobile customer so i went with you guys. Next time ill be purchasing directly from google. thank you though."
Rep 2: "I totally get that. When you are wanting to do things like bootloading that honestly would be my recommendation as it does give you way more freedom when you purchase a device that is directly unlocked. All of our devices are meant for our network so they all come locked until full paid and used a little bit at least. I appreciate you letting me try to help out best I could though. Was there anything else at all?"
Temporary unlock DOES NOT WORK!!!! for OEM unlocking MUST BE PERMANENT! I stated thos to the rep. Tried to make it seem like a user error...
Rep 2: "Gotcha! I did reach back out to them to see if they can provide any other insight. Did you go through the fastboot menu and everything after enabling developer mode?"
me: "i did it stated that OEM unlocking must be enabled but as u can see in settings it cant be enabled unless its sim unlocked and the temporary unlock didnt change that."
me: "i guess i just have to live with it. now i just know that whether i finance or pay in full NEVER buy a phone from T-Mobile"
HERES WHERE THINGS TURN AROUND
Rep 2: "Let me try something else here.,"
Rep 2: "Would you be able to make 2 additional monthly payments on the phone? If you could do that I could get the override for the permanent unlock."
I hadnt paid anything on the device at this point aside from taxes nd shipping....
me: "i would be able to that. so pay $42 today or would it be added to my bill next month?"
Rep 2: "Yes! If you go in there it will let you type in how much you want to pay. Just pay the $42."
$42 paid 2 minutes later....
Rep 2: "OK! Now try to go do the permanent unlock in the app. If it doesn't work restart your phone super quick."
SUCCESS!!!
me: "it worked!! thank you very much!"
Rep 2: "No problem! Had to go to bat for you with my supervisor, but you have been an amazing customer for over 7 years so we wanted to help. Was there anything else I might be able to do"
So, with ALL of that said....if you've been a good standing customer just try and use your merit to pursuade a rep. and if the first one denys you just threaten to leave. if the swcond rep denys you swear that you're leaving lol customer is always right. I still owe $457 on the device and i havent had it for just about 9 days lol don't let them tell you *policy says no" theres always wiggle room.
Edit: he stated 2 additional monthly payments however i had to go into my account and pay $42 off of the balance of my device so it didnt actually cost me anything more and my monthly payments are lower because of it.
It's a complete lottery, customer for 3 years and got an unlock hassle free first rep. Back with my 6T had no luck, spoke to many different reps until found the right one
i can network unlock any pixel with android 11. Pm and i will help
eugenodk said:
i can network unlock any pixel with android 11. Pm and i will help
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Does this offer still stand?
So for anyone who might end up in this thread looking for a way to sim unlock their T-Mobile Pixel 4a 5G.
I contacted T-Mobile Help through Twitter ( @TMobileHelp ) and they did a permanent unlock for me on a brand new Pixel 4a 5G.
They used to be called T-Force and are a much more helpful dept of customer service.
Anyway after following the Twitter account I started talking to one of their reps by Direct Message. I told them about my long account history and how I thought this phone wouldn't be locked. Since my phone was still in the return period the rep told me to wait until the return period was over and he'd get back to me.
Anyway he did get back as promised and now my phone is sim unlocked as of today.
So definitely try through T-Mobile Help on Twitter.

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