How to Unlock a T-Mobile Phone with or Without Permission
According to network providers, they lock phones in order to prevent fraud. With locking phones, they sell on contract, they, such as T-Mobile, are able to keep customers on their network so they can continue paying their monthly bills. However, it seems just a way to create additional friction for average people switching carriers. This guide tells you how to unlock a phone from T-Mobile without data loss.
In this article:
Part 1: Requirements of Unlocking T-Mobile Phone
T-Mobile won't unlock your phone automatically. To check your device status, log in to your account on the T-Mobile website, select your line on the Accounts page, and click Check device unlock status. If your phone is still locked, check T-Mobile's unlock policy before you start the process.
General Eligibility
1. Your phone has not been reported stolen, blocked, or lost.
2. Your T-Mobile account is in good standing.
3. Your device must be purchased from T-Mobile.
Additional Eligibility for a Postpaid Phone
1. Your phone must have been active for over 40 days.
2. The device payment must be fully paid off.
3. Your account must have a zero balance if you have canceled it.
Additional Eligibility for a Prepaid Phone
1. Your phone must have been active for over a year.
2. If it has been active for less than a year, your phone must have had more than $100 in refills.
3. You cannot unlock more than two devices within a year.
If you can meet the conditions, move on to unlock your phone from T-Mobile. Bear in mind that T-Mobile may ask you to provide proof of purchase or other information about your device.
Part 2: Official Ways to Unlock T-Mobile Phone
Official ways of unlocking T-Mobile phones are typically free and secure. You can request unlock on your Android phone by contacting customer support or using the T-Mobile Unlock app.
How to Unlock an iPhone from T-Mobile
Go to the Settings app, choose General, and tap About phone to check your IMEI number.
Once you meet all the requirements, contact T-Mobile customer service(877-453-1304) or make a live chat, submit your IMEI number and other phone information to request device unlock.
How to Unlock an Android Phone from T-Mobile
Run the Settings app from your app screen.
On the Samsung phone, go to Connections, choose More Connection Settings, and select Network Unlock.
On the Motorola phone, choose About Phone, and select Device Unlock.
On the LG phone, go to Network & Internet, choose Mobile Networks, select Network Unlock, and tap Continue.
On the OnePlus phone, navigate to Wi-Fi & Internet, SIM & network, and Advanced or Network Unlock.
Tap the Permanent Unlock button to unlock your T-Mobile phone yourself. It may take a while to complete the process.
How to Unlock a Phone Using T-Mobile Unlock
Visit the T-Mobile Devices page in your browser, and check if your phone is supported by the T-Mobile Device Unlock app.
Then download the app and install it on your phone.
Open the app, sign in with your T-Mobile account, and choose your phone.
Tap the CONTINUE button when you are prompted that your device is network-locked at this time. Then tap the Permanent Unlock button.
If prompted, tap OK to confirm your action, and wait for the process to finish. When you see a message saying Device is Permanently Unlocked, your T-Mobile phone is unlocked. If it fails, you will get an alert, too.
Part 3: How to Unlock T-Mobile Phone with Third-party Software
As you can see, it is not very complicated to unlock a T-Mobile phone with an account. If you intend to unlock a second-hand device without the original account, there are a few third-party T-Mobile unlock code generators online. After you submit the indispensable information and pay the bill, you will get a T-Mobile international unlock code. We use UnlockBase as an example to demonstrate how it works.
Visit the phone unlock service in your browser.
Choose your device brand, then select your device model, and click Confirm.
Enter your IMEI number and email address, and select your country and carrier: T-Mobile. Read the terms and conditions, and check the box.
Click the PROCEED TO CHECKOUT NOW button. Then pay the bill. The price varies depending on your device brand, model, and network provider. The service accepts credit cards, Google Pay, PayPal, and CryptoCurrencies via Coinbase.
After checkout, you will receive the confirmation email. You can find additional instructions from the email, too. Follow them to complete the process.
Note: Third-party unlock services won't work for all locked T-Mobile devices.
Extended reading:
Part 4: FAQs about T-Mobile Unlock Phone
FAQs.
-
Does T-Mobile sell unlocked phones?
T-Mobile does offer unlocked phones, but not all devices sold by T-Mobile are unlocked by default. The good news is you have multiple ways to unlock your T-Mobile phone. Moreover, T-Mobile supports unlocked phones that were originally locked by other carriers.
-
Can I temporarily unlock my phone on T-Mobile?
Yes, you can temporarily unlock your phone from T-Mobile if you intend to travel internationally and use the local carrier's SIM card. You can request by contacting T-Mobile customer service or using the T-Mobile Device Unlock app.
-
How much to unlock a T-Mobile phone?
If you unlock a T-Mobile phone using the official ways, it is completely free after you fully paid the contract. With a third-party unlock service, you have to pay the bill. The price ranges from a few to hundreds of dollars.
Conclusion
This guide has discussed how to unlock T-Mobile device. Before that, you'd better learn the eligibility requirements for your device, and make sure you meet all the conditions. Then you can unlock your SIM carrier in your Settings, by contacting customer service or using the T-Mobile Device Unlock app. If you have other questions about this topic, please write them down below this post.
Hot Solutions
-
Unlock Android
-
Unlock iOS
-
Password Tips
-
iOS Tips