Back in April, AT&T started unlocking off-contract iPhones.
The process to get the off-contract iPhone unlocked was fairly simply. All you had to do was call AT&T’s toll-free number and request for your iPhone to be unlocked.
If you’re eligible for the unlock, then your unlock request was processed and you got an email after 5-7 days with instructions on how to complete the unlock.
AT&T has now made the process even simpler by launching a new web form where customers can request for the unlock online. It also gives clarity on the eligibility requirements.
They’re as follows:
- You have to be a current AT&T customer or a former AT&T customer who can provide the phone number or account number for the account.
- You need to fully satisfy all contract obligations, including any term commitment, associated with the device and it should not be reported stolen or lost.
- AT&T will unlock 5 iPhones per account, per year as long as their account is in good standing with no past-due amount or unpaid balance and has been active for at least sixty (60) days and in case of a former customer, they do not owe AT&T Early Termination Fee or other unpaid balance.
- AT&T will also unlock an iPhone for an active and deployed member of the military who is a current AT&T customer in good standing and is able to provide AT&T with deployment verification.
- AT&T will also unlock an iPhone purchased from an authorized location at the “no commitment” price and can provide proof of purchase.
If you meet these requirements, you can submit the unlock request using the web form here. You also need to enter the IMEI number, which you can get by navigating to Settings -> General -> About, or by connecting your iPhone to iTunes and checking it from there. (You have to click on the Phone number field twice to see the IMEI number.) Alternatively, you could get this number from the SIM tray.
After submitting the request, AT&T will take 5 to 7 days to complete your unlock request.
Interestingly, ArsTechnica reports that according to this forum thread, AT&T has unlocked some under contract iPhones as well after users submitted the request using the web form. Some of them had a lot of time left on their contract. So you could try your luck, though AT&T has clarified that there has been no policy change.
If you’re planning to sell or trade-in your off-contract iPhone to buy iPhone 5, then it may be a good idea to unlock your iPhone as you will be able to demand a better price for it.
Don’t forget to let us know how it goes if you use the new web form in the comments below.
Thanks George for the tip!
