Struggling to Unlock My New iPhone: Apple vs. AT&T
Asked by
CuriousReader42
I'm in a tough spot with a brand new iPhone 17 Pro that I purchased from Walmart USA. I paid for it upfront with no carrier contract. When I turned it on for the first time, it activated automatically with a temporary AT&T line that I've since canceled. Now, my phone is stuck showing it's locked due to the "US Reseller Flex Policy" somehow linked to AT&T, but AT&T says my IMEI isn't in their system, so they can't unlock it. Apple insists that only the carrier can unlock it. I've restored the phone and waited over 48 hours, but it remains locked. What can I do?
Answers
If I were you, I'd return the phone to Walmart and consider buying an unlocked version directly from Apple next time. It seems like it’s a hassle buying from retailers that mainly sell carrier-specific versions. They often don’t make it clear what you’re getting.
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I went through something similar last year! If you can, make an appointment at an Apple Store and talk to a 'genius'. Also, call AT&T while you're there and let them know what's happening. If Apple can't help you, they might just swap the phone for you. That worked for me after about an hour of back and forth!
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I feel for you! Just a heads-up: Apple doesn't have access to the IMEI allocation tool—only carriers do. It's puzzling how your phone activated with AT&T if you bought it outright. You might want to check if it’s possible to buy a phone without any carrier connection added in the first place.
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You should definitely take it back to Walmart. It sounds like the original activation with AT&T isn't clear. It's a tricky situation since it's not directly an Apple or AT&T problem right now—it seems like the ball is in Walmart's court here.
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