If you buy an iPhone from AT&T, it is locked to the carrier by default. But it can be unlocked once you meet certain requirements that AT&T spells out.
While your iPhone is locked to AT&T, you will be unable to use it with a SIM card from another carrier. This is because the carrier has used a software lock to restricts it to only work with their network. Also, you cannot use a local SIM card if you travel to another country.
Before you can unlock an iPhone on AT&T, the carrier has a list of requirements that must be met. The first one is that 60 days must have elapsed since the purchase of the device. Let’s look at the full list in detail.
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Requirements to unlock an iPhone on AT&T
- Your AT&T iPhone must have been purchased at 60 days ago. AT&T requires you to have used the device for no less than 60 days. The exception to this requirement are military personnel being deployed for active duty.
- Your AT&T Wireless iPhone must not be active on another AT&T account. And your AT&T account must be up-to-date, i.e., no outstanding or overdue payments.
- Your AT&T iPhone must have been paid for in full, whether you paid for it one-off or you bought it on an installment plan. If you have not paid it off, your iPhone does not qualify yet for unlocking.
- Your iPhone must not have been reported lost, stolen, or involved in fraud.
Steps to unlock an iPhone on AT&T
If you have gone through the above requirements and meet all of them, your iPhone is eligible for an unlock on AT&T.
What you need to do is submit an unlocking request to AT&T at att.com/deviceunlock. On that page, select Start an unlock request and follow the prompts to complete the process.
After your AT&T iPhone has been unlocked
After your iPhone has been unlocked, you will now be able to use it with any compatible carrier in the United States or in any other country in the world, without any issues. True mobile freedom at last. All the best.