Chosen Solution
I have a pair of LG Phoenix 5 (AT&T locked) I bought some time back as spare phones. These use the Device Unlock app. I tried once, and the first company I tried earlier this year couldn’t get it done. At this point, I blame these phones since they are being so difficult. At the time I got them, I was still using AT&T so it was a non-issue. My new issue with these is I am now on T-Mobile since I am done with the AT&T pricing. Has anyone found a company that can reliably handle these Device Unlock phones? I mean worst case scenario I can sell them and I think I have a potential candidate if it can’t be done. These have been nothing but a nightmare as nobody does Device Unlock phones, and the company I tried couldn’t do it.
I tested one with a company who said they could do it… IT’S DONE ON ONE OF THE TWO. Time to unlock #2 and the Moto trapped by AT&T. Anyone who was around when I asked probably knows how happy I was to see the screen I wanted for a while. That said, I stand behind my sentiment against carrier locked phones. Pay cash or wait until you can pay cash. I just wanted to free them from AT&T.
I’m taking one of these phones to a nearby repair shop, and trying my luck today. If I can’t get it done, they’re going on eBay because apparently nobody can get the Device Unlock phones done. Nope -_-… AT&T is forcing their hand even on 3rd party unlocking. I’m done with AT&T phones; just as bad as T-Mobile locked phones now. If this is their new scam, I’m done with these carrier devices. This issue is only going to get worse, especially with the fact you’re now going to have to wait 3.5 years(!!!) to unlock them if that’s a condition of the installments. At least with AT&T postpaid, the only advantage is they’re blocked immediately unless someone pays the balance off but you’re at the whim of the previous owner for that and their eligibility, which is now handled by computers and a human no longer looks at your request. I used to do this to save a few bucks on phones, but I had to cut T-Mobile out after the Un-carrier phase - they don’t block the phone’s IMEI# right away so for all you know on day 61 it’s shot and you have no recourse. Because AT&T says pay or get blacklisted, they got a save there. Now with Device Unlock, they’re just as bad as T-Mobile without the side issue of having a brick 60-90 days in. You finally win, carriers - just admit you hate unlocking phones for once. My issue with all of this nonsense is I’m old school - I own my phone, not the carrier and I do not accept subsidy locks. Yes, even if it means paying $1,000 all at once. Seeing as the current post “Un-carrier” model is a pay now, or pay $XX/24-36 months, I’m just going to buy the thing from Best Buy or the manufacturer directly and tell the carrier to put it on my plan. By no means am I asking for a free unlock here - I just wish AT&T let me buy one for a reasonable price even if I had to go to a store. The phone clearly isn’t 100% there but to not try and help out with a PAID unlock even if it costs more? That’s completely unreasonable. I get it they make their money on wireless but to charge a reasonable price to get it done should be a fair compromise. At least I know the older phones are still viable, even with the Device Unlock app but even with how old the Phoenix 5, it SOMEHOW still doesn’t qualify. Good riddance, AT&T. When I get my discounted iPhone 12, I’m starting out with a phone that was never SIM locked. However, as the network sunsets occur, the golden era of AT&T phones you can actually unlock will fade out over time. Same as T-Mobile.
