AT&T Violates Federal Law By NOT Network Unlocking AT&T Device
That is a screenshot showing the AT&T Device Unlock App FAILING on my cellular phone. Almost two years ago, I purchased (fully paid for) a Samsung cellular phone that was carrier locked to AT&T. Since that purchase date, with my AT&T account always in good standing (no balance due), I have made several requests to AT&T, to network unlock my device, and they have NOT done so, in VIOLATION of Federal Law (see References section below).
Each network unlock request that I made received the same worded automated AT&T email reply:
"Use the device unlock app" "Your AT&T PREPAIDSM phone comes with a device unlock app on it. Please use this app to make your request." "This is an automated email. If you reply to this address, we won't get it."
Each time I used the AT&T Device Unlock App on the phone, it FAILED. The first time that happened, I contacted AT&T customer service, and they told me the phone had to be active on their network for 60 days before it could be network unlocked.
A few months later, my AT&T account information showed that my cell phone was "Unlock Eligible", so I made another request to AT&T, to network unlock my device. I received the same worded email reply, did what it said, and the AT&T Device Unlock App FAILED.
I contacted AT&T customer service. This time they told me the phone had to be active on their network for 180 days before it could be network unlocked. When I asked why my account showed my device was "Unlock Eligible", they said that must be a "technical issue" and to ignore that.
Recently I learned that per Federal Law, ALL carriers, including, but not limited to, AT&T, are REQUIRED to unlock prepaid devices "no later than one year after initial activation". And "Carriers that lock devices" are REQUIRED to "clearly notify customers that their devices are eligible for unlocking at the time when their devices are eligible for unlocking".
So MORE THAN A YEAR AGO, when my AT&T account information showed that my cell phone was "Unlock Eligible", AT&T either LIED to me that it was NOT eligible, or they violated Federal Law by FALSELY showing that it was eligible when AT&T customer service told me it was not.
I filed a complaint with the FCC against AT&T, and in response to that, AT&T has chosen to engage in deceptive actions instead of complying with Federal Law.
References:
Per Federal Law:
"Prepaid Unlocking Policy. Carriers, upon request, will unlock mobile wireless devices no later than one year after initial activation, consistent with reasonable time, payment, or usage requirements."
"Carriers that lock devices will clearly notify customers that their devices are eligible for unlocking at the time when their devices are eligible for unlocking or automatically unlock devices remotely when devices are eligible for unlocking, without additional fee."
"Within two business days after receiving a request, carriers will unlock eligible mobile wireless devices or initiate a request to the OEM [Original Equipment Manufacturer] to unlock the eligible device."
https://www.fcc.gov/general/cell-phone-unlocking
Note 1 (18 May 2026 4:15PM): The FCC stated, with regard to my complaint against AT&T, that: "Your provider is required to submit to the FCC a written response regarding your issue no later than 30 days from today." Based on AT&T’s deceptive actions so far, including writing "I'll wait for your reply for 2 business days. After that, I’ll close the case" when they had NOT NETWORK UNLOCKED my cell phone, I have ZERO EXPECTATION of AT&T complying with Federal Law.
As of today, 18 May 2026, AT&T is in violation of this Federal Law: "Within two business days after receiving a request, carriers will unlock eligible mobile wireless devices or initiate a request to the OEM [Original Equipment Manufacturer] to unlock the eligible device."
I will make another blog post about this flagrant violation of Federal Law by AT&T when the 30 days has passed.
