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Unlock an AT&T iPhone by submitting a request at att.com/deviceunlock once the phone is paid in full, has been active on an AT&T account for the required period and is not reported lost, stolen or linked to fraud. AT&T's published policy sets a 60-day active period for postpaid devices and a 6-month period of paid service for AT&T Prepaid devices. Former AT&T customers can also request an unlock. An unlocked iPhone earns the full offer, while a locked iPhone earns a lower locked offer. Compare both numbers with Sell Locked iPhone for Cash.
- Where to request: att.com/deviceunlock, for current and former customers.
- Postpaid rule: paid in full and active for at least 60 days.
- Prepaid rule: at least 6 months of paid service.
- Result check: Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock shows "No SIM restrictions".
What are AT&T's unlock requirements?
AT&T's unlock requirements, as published on its device unlock page, cover 4 conditions. The table summarizes them.
| Requirement | Postpaid devices | AT&T Prepaid devices |
|---|---|---|
| Payment | Device paid in full, including any installment plan | Device bought outright with the prepaid service |
| Active period | At least 60 days on an AT&T account | At least 6 months of paid service |
| Status | Not reported lost or stolen, not linked to fraud | Not reported lost or stolen, not linked to fraud |
| Account | Account in good standing, or closed with no balance | Account in good standing |
Business accounts may also need approval from the account administrator. AT&T's device unlock page is the authoritative source for current terms, and policies can change.
How do I request an AT&T unlock?
Request an AT&T unlock in 6 steps:
- Find the iPhone's IMEI in Settings > General > About, or dial *#06#.
- Visit att.com/deviceunlock and choose to unlock a device.
- Enter the AT&T wireless number, or the IMEI for a former customer.
- Enter the account holder's details and an email address.
- Confirm the request in the email AT&T sends.
- Wait for the approval email, then complete the unlock on the iPhone.
The approval email states the next step. For iPhones, the unlock usually completes when the phone connects to Wi-Fi or when a SIM or eSIM from another carrier is activated.
How long does an AT&T unlock take?
An AT&T unlock request is usually reviewed within about 2 business days, according to AT&T's unlock page, and the approval or denial arrives by email. After approval, the iPhone unlock takes effect within minutes of connecting to Wi-Fi or activating another carrier's SIM. A request submitted before the 60-day period ends is denied, and a new request is needed after the period passes.
Can I sell it locked instead?
An AT&T iPhone can be sold locked instead of unlocked. Locked phones earn a lower locked offer, because fewer buyers can use them. The choice depends on 3 factors:
| Situation | Better choice |
|---|---|
| Phone paid off and active 60 days or more | Unlock first; the request is free |
| Phone paid off but active fewer than 60 days | Wait for the period to pass, then unlock |
| Installment balance remaining | Compare the unlocked offer minus the payoff with the reduced offer |
| Cash needed now | Sell locked at the locked offer |
Can You Sell a Carrier-Locked iPhone? Yes, Here Is How explains locked offers in detail.
How do I check whether my AT&T iPhone is unlocked?
Check whether an AT&T iPhone is unlocked in Settings > General > About. The Carrier Lock line shows "No SIM restrictions" on an unlocked phone. A locked phone shows "SIM locked" or a similar message. iOS 14 and later display this line. How to Tell If Your iPhone Is Unlocked Before Selling explains other checks.
Why was my AT&T unlock request denied?
An AT&T unlock request is usually denied for 1 of 5 reasons:
- The device still has an installment balance.
- The device has been active for fewer than 60 days, or fewer than 6 months on prepaid.
- The IMEI is reported lost or stolen.
- The account has a past-due balance.
- The request is for a business device without administrator approval.
The denial email states the reason. Resolve it and submit a new request.
Can former AT&T customers unlock their iPhone?
Former AT&T customers can request an unlock at att.com/deviceunlock using the IMEI, when the device was paid in full, met the active period while on AT&T and is not reported lost or stolen. The account must be closed without a past-due balance. This route also applies to someone who bought a used AT&T iPhone from a former customer, when the device meets the same conditions.
How does an installment balance affect the unlock?
An installment balance blocks the unlock until it is paid. Pay the remaining balance through the AT&T account, wait for the payment to post, then submit the unlock request. Leaving AT&T with an installment balance usually makes the remaining balance due on the final bill. How to Sell an iPhone That Is Not Paid Off explains the options.
Does an AT&T unlock affect my trade-in credits?
An unlock request for an old phone does not affect promotional credits on a new AT&T phone. Paying off a new phone early to unlock it can end promotional credits on that phone, depending on the offer terms. Read the promotion terms before paying off a phone that receives monthly credits. AT&T Trade-In for iPhone: Credits, Rules and Alternatives explains AT&T credits.
Do Cricket iPhones use AT&T's unlock policy?
Cricket Wireless, a prepaid brand owned by AT&T, publishes its own unlock policy, separate from AT&T's, with its own active-period rule. Check Cricket's device unlock page for current terms. Prepaid Carrier iPhones (Cricket, Metro, Straight Talk): Can You Sell Them? covers prepaid phones.
What should I do after the unlock?
After the unlock, complete 5 steps before selling:
- Confirm "No SIM restrictions" in Settings > General > About.
- Request a quote and select unlocked as the carrier status.
- Back up the phone and transfer data to the new phone.
- Turn off Find My, sign out of the Apple Account and erase the phone.
- Ship with the free prepaid tracked label within the quote's 14-day validity.
How to Prepare Your iPhone to Sell: 9-Step Checklist covers each step.
How much more is an unlocked AT&T iPhone worth?
An unlocked AT&T iPhone is worth more than a locked one because it works with any compatible carrier, which widens the pool of buyers. The exact difference depends on model, storage and condition. Request 2 quotes, one locked and one unlocked, to see the dollar difference for a specific phone. When the unlock is free and the phone qualifies, unlocking first is the simple way to raise the offer.
Can I unlock an AT&T iPhone with a third-party service?
Third-party unlock services cannot change AT&T's records reliably, and some are scams that take payment without results. The carrier's own unlock is free for eligible phones. A phone that does not yet qualify can be sold locked, or the owner can wait until it qualifies.
Does unlocking erase my iPhone?
Unlocking does not erase the iPhone or change its data. The unlock is a change in carrier records linked to the IMEI, and the phone applies it when it connects to Wi-Fi or a new SIM. Erasing is a separate step before the sale.
What information do I need for the request?
An AT&T unlock request uses 5 pieces of information. The table lists each and where to find it.
| Information | Where to find it |
|---|---|
| IMEI | Settings > General > About, or dial *#06# |
| AT&T wireless number | The number on the line, or the bill |
| Account holder name | The AT&T bill or myAT&T account |
| Account verification details | Requested by the form for current customers; known to the account holder |
| Email address | Any address that receives the confirmation and result |
Line users on a family account may need the account holder to confirm the request. Selling an iPhone on a Family or Business Carrier Plan covers family accounts.
What is the timeline from purchase to unlock?
The timeline from purchase to unlock depends on how the phone was bought. The table shows typical paths for postpaid phones.
| Purchase type | Earliest unlock |
|---|---|
| Bought outright, full price | After 60 days active on the account |
| Installment plan, paid off early | After the payoff posts and the phone has 60 days active |
| Installment plan, paid to term | After the final installment posts |
| AT&T Prepaid | After 6 months of paid service |
Does an unlocked AT&T iPhone work on Verizon and T-Mobile?
An unlocked AT&T iPhone works on Verizon, T-Mobile and other U.S. carriers, because U.S. iPhone models support the bands used by all 3 major networks. Activate the new carrier's eSIM, or insert its SIM card on models with a tray. The phone then shows the new carrier's name in the status bar.
What should I do if the unlock does not apply?
When an approved unlock does not appear on the iPhone, complete 4 checks: connect the phone to Wi-Fi and restart it, update iOS, insert or activate a SIM from another carrier and check Settings > General > About again. When the Carrier Lock line still shows a lock after 24 hours, contact AT&T with the approval email and the IMEI. AT&T can confirm the status in its records.
Is unlocking worth it before selling?
Unlocking is worth it before selling whenever the phone already qualifies, because the request is free and the unlocked offer is higher. The only cost is time, usually about 2 business days for the review. A quote stays valid for 14 days, which covers the request and the shipping.
Can I request unlocks for several AT&T iPhones?
Several AT&T iPhones on one account can be unlocked with a separate request for each IMEI. Families upgrading several lines should submit each request after each phone meets the payment and active-period rules. Business accounts with many lines can work through the account's business support team. Sell iPhones in Bulk covers groups of 10 or more phones.
What happens to the phone number after the unlock?
The phone number stays on the AT&T account after the unlock, because unlocking changes only the device's carrier restriction. Moving the number to another carrier is a separate step, called porting, started by the new carrier. Keep the AT&T account active until the port completes.
Does AT&T charge for unlocking?
AT&T does not charge a fee to unlock an eligible device. Any cost comes from paying off a remaining installment balance first.
Frequently asked questions about unlocking an AT&T iPhone
How do I unlock my AT&T iPhone for free?
Submit a free unlock request at att.com/deviceunlock with the wireless number or IMEI once the iPhone is paid in full, has been active on an AT&T account for at least 60 days, or 6 months on AT&T Prepaid, and is not reported lost or stolen. AT&T emails the approval, and the phone unlocks on Wi-Fi.
How long does it take AT&T to unlock an iPhone?
AT&T usually reviews unlock requests within about 2 business days and sends the result by email. After approval, the iPhone unlocks within minutes of connecting to Wi-Fi or activating a SIM or eSIM from another carrier. Check Settings > General > About for "No SIM restrictions" to confirm the unlock.
Can I unlock an AT&T iPhone that is not paid off?
AT&T does not unlock postpaid iPhones with an installment balance. Pay off the balance, wait for the payment to post and then submit the unlock request. Alternatively, the account holder can sell the phone at a reduced offer, with the remaining balance staying on the AT&T account. A free quote with these details shows the exact offer, which stays valid for 14 days.
Can I sell a locked AT&T iPhone?
A locked AT&T iPhone can be sold at a locked offer, which is lower than the unlocked offer for the same model and condition. When the phone is paid off and has been active for at least 60 days, request the free unlock first. When it is not eligible yet, selling locked avoids waiting.
Can I unlock an AT&T iPhone if I am no longer a customer?
Former AT&T customers can request an unlock at att.com/deviceunlock with the IMEI, when the phone was paid in full, met the active period while on AT&T, is not reported lost or stolen and the closed account has no past-due balance. The result arrives by email. Testing within 1–2 business days of arrival confirms the result before any payment is sent.
Sources and references
- AT&T: Unlock an AT&T device.
- AT&T Support: unlock eligibility requirements.
- Apple Support: how to unlock your iPhone for use with a different carrier.