What is AT&T Unlock Status? How to Check or Troubleshoot?

Unlocking your AT&T device will give you the freedom to switch to other carriers and help you save money on your phone bill. AT&T makes it easy to unlock your device, but there are certain requirements you must meet first.

If you submitted an unlock request but haven't heard back from AT&T, this guide will explain how to check your unlock status and find your unlock code. I will also discuss why AT&T might reject your unlock request and what to do if that happens.

What is AT&T Unlock Status?

AT&T sim-locks their devices so you can't use them with other carriers. This practice is common among the major US cellular providers. While AT&T claims it's to reduce fraud and prevent theft, we all know the real reason – to prevent competition.

Even though the wireless industry entered into an agreement with the FCC to unlock devices upon request, AT&T still locks phones by default. If you don't submit an unlock request, it will remain locked indefinitely.

In addition, according to AT&T's unlock policy, they have several requirements you must meet before it will unlock your phone:

• If you paid for your phone in full when you bought it, you must wait 60 days from the purchase date before you can unlock it. The 60-day rule is designed to encourage customers to sign up for an AT&T contract, as you probably don't want to wait two months to use your new phone.
• If you paid off your phone in monthly installments, you can submit an unlock request upon the start of your next billing agreement.
• If you were paying off your phone in monthly installments and decided to pay it off early, it must have been active on an AT&T plan for at least 60 days before you can unlock it.
• If it's an AT&T Prepaid® phone, you must use it with AT&T for six months before unlocking it, and you can only use the AT&T Device Unlock app to unlock it.
• There can be no outstanding balance on your AT&T plan, and the phone must not be active on another AT&T account or blacklisted (reported as lost or stolen_.

Once you submit an AT&T unlock request, you will receive a confirmation of your request via email or SMS with a confirmation number. 

This confirmation number doesn't mean AT&T has already unlocked your device. Instead, you will be using it to check your device unlock status.

How to Check AT&T Unlock Status?

Go to Check Status on AT&T's website and enter your phone's IMEI number and the confirmation number you received in your email or SMS to check your phone's unlock status.

If you don't know your IMEI number, you can find it by using one of the following methods:

1. Dial *#06# on your phone's keypad.
2. Go to your phone's settings and click on "About Phone."
3. Check the unlock request confirmation email or SMS you received from AT&T. It should also contain your IMEI number.

If your unlock status is pending, be patient. AT&T sometimes unlocks phones in just a few minutes, but it could take up to 48 hours.

AT&T Unlock Status Approved, No Code Sent?

Once AT&T approves your unlock request, it will email you an unlock code.

What if you checked your unlock status, and it has been approved, but you never received an email with an unlock code? I know that can be frustrating, but here are some solutions that can help.

First, know that if you have an iPhone, AT&T will unlock your phone remotely without sending you a code.

If you have an Android, I recommend resubmitting your request here, as you may have entered the wrong email address the first time.

Make sure you enter it correctly when you resubmit your request – AT&T's unlock page is case-sensitive.

There is a limit to how many times you can resubmit your request, so if you already resubmitted your request and still haven't received a code, contact AT&T support for guidance. You can also reach out to ATTHelp on the AT&T forums.

Finally, if nothing else works, contact DirectUnlocks. AT&T's customer service can be incredibly slow and ineffective, but DirectUnlocks will process your request quickly and without delay.

Can't Meet AT&T's Unlock Requirements?

If AT&T rejected your unlock request, it's probably because you didn't meet the requirements listed above. Don't worry, though – you can still unlock your device!

Waiting 60 days is frustrating and unnecessary. Instead, use DirectUnlocks to unlock your phone and start using it on other networks immediately.

DirectUnlocks is a trusted phone unlocking service that has been around for many years and helped countless AT&T customers unlock their devices. We will unlock your device within six hours – sometimes in just a few minutes!

Here's how you can use DirectUnlocks' AT&T unlock service:

Unlock Your AT&T Phone Now

1. Select AT&T as your network.
2. Enter your IMEI code into the above unlocking form
3. Click on "Unlock For Any Sim Card" and follow the instructions.

Again, to find your IMEI number, dial *#06# or go to your phone's settings.

We will process your request within six hours and send you an unlock code. When inserting a sim card from another carrier into your device, you will have to enter this unlock code to unlock your phone.

If you have an iPhone, we will unlock it over the air; you won't have to enter a code.

Because of our connections within AT&T and the mobile telecommunications industry, we can bypass AT&T's official restrictions and unlock your device before your 60 days are up or even if you fail to meet AT&T's other requirements.

Conclusion

While you can unlock an AT&T phone yourself, it can sometimes be slow and frustrating. If you didn't receive an unlock code or AT&T rejected your request, using DirectUnlocks is a simpler and more effective solution. It will eliminate the stress of unlocking your device and allow you to start using your phone with other cellular companies immediately.

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