Unlocking an AT&T Refurbished Gamestop 3GS

[ja5219]

Would I be asking for too much in hoping this would be a somewhat simple process?

My sister (16) just started working and wants to pay for her own phone, at the moment she can only afford the Refurb 3GS but would like to use it on T-Mobile (Or maybe down the road on Straight Talk AT&T SIM) fully knowing she will only get EDGE for speeds.

I heard there were cases where AT&T can unlock an iPhone after its contract period, but what about for a case like this?

If that first method doesn't work is there a specific method that will work sucessfully?
I ran into this topic http://www.howardforums.com/showthre...king-iPhone-3G
but it is from 2008.. Not sure if things have changed since then.


Thank you for any help.

[eliechart]

I unlocked my iPhone from AT&T for the hell of it just in case if i want to sell it it would be worth more or if i want to switch to T-Mobile. Now in order for AT&T to unlock your iPhone your gonna need an AT&T acount. For me I have AT&T gophone which is prepaid for my iPhone. Whatever it is your gonna need an account to unlock it. I tried unlocking my iPhone before I had AT&T to try to use it with T-Mobile but they denied it cuz they needed an account.

[veriztd]

OP, is your sister buying the refurb. from At&t or from another source? If she buys it from At&t at a subsidized price, they will require her to sign a contract with At&t.

[eliechart]

She said GameStop?

[veriztd]

She said GameStop?

I was wondering the same thing. I have never heard of a Gamestop phone.

There is a Gamestop that sells video games, gaming systems, computer programs, etc. but I never heard of one that sells cellular phones.

[ja5219]

I unlocked my iPhone from AT&T for the hell of it just in case if i want to sell it it would be worth more or if i want to switch to T-Mobile. Now in order for AT&T to unlock your iPhone your gonna need an AT&T acount. For me I have AT&T gophone which is prepaid for my iPhone. Whatever it is your gonna need an account to unlock it. I tried unlocking my iPhone before I had AT&T to try to use it with T-Mobile but they denied it cuz they needed an account.

That may be a problem, I Don't suppose they would accept our Home Phone/Internet account we have through them eh?
We haven't had mobile service with them in ages.

Thanks for your help, this is really good finding these things out before a purchase.

----

Edit to posts above: Yes it is Gamestop, already called them to confirm they have them for sale.
http://www.gamestop.com/gamestop-ref...hone-ipad-ipod

[eliechart]

U could try that out. Don't call them though. Go on AT&T.com and find wireless then technical service with wireless log. Log in and try to chat with them online. Say u need an iPhone unlocked and see where it goes from there.

[efparri]

How will the Original Poster log in to AT&T Mobility when there is no wireless account? The website will only allow you to log in to the services you have.

[ja5219]

AT&T certainly isn't making this easy (Not that I expected them to).
They are asking for the previous owner/account info before any progress can be done on unlocking.


Edit: I will go ahead and have her use this phone on GoPhone. We'll see later if she still wants to try getting it unlocked. For now.. the $25 250 voice/unlimited text + 5 $50 will almost be like the Virgin Mobile 300 plan she used to have on the Optimus V. She'll have to rely on Wifi mainly for now.

[pryncearif]

GameStop sells apple devices that people trade in iPods, iPads, and iPhones