Unlock AT&T Devices in 2025: Carrier Unlock + Screen Unlock Guide

Struggling to unlock your AT&T device? Your phone might be locked by the carrier for a variety of reasons. Fortunately, it can be unlocked just as easily, and for free.

Continue reading to find out about the possibility of unlocking your AT&T device in 2025 and the steps you should take to do it for free.

Part 1: Can You Unlock Your AT&T Device Yourself in 2025?

AT&T devices have certain eligibility criteria that need to be met before they can be unlocked. Primarily, you must be on their device for about 60 days, regardless of the plan, and your phone must be paid off.

Now, you might be asking yourself why you need to unlock your device in the first place. The fact of the matter is that an unlocked device serves a variety of uses. Firstly, it lets you switch carriers without any hindrance. Next, it lets you travel without having to worry about connectivity. And lastly, it makes it much easier to sell your device on the used market.

There are three main types of AT&T devices that you might be dealing with:

1. Prepaid
2. Postpaid
3. Business

Each of these plans has a different unlock requirement alongside their billing methods. Below, you will find a separate method for each of the three plans.

Part 2: How to Unlock an AT&T Phone for Free (Official Method)

2.1 AT&T’s Official Unlock Requirements

Here, let’s take a look at the steps you should take for each of the three AT&T plans.

✅ For Postpaid Users

1. No dues: You must clear all your postpaid bills to be eligible for a carrier unlock.
2. Active account in good standing: You must have been active on AT&T for the last 60 days with no dues.
3. No reported loss or fraud: The device must not have a lost or stolen report.

✅ For Prepaid Devices

1. Paid off device: The device must be bought outright or fully paid for.
2. Activity period: Unlike the postpaid plan, prepaid devices need to be on the network for at least six months.
3. No reported loss or fraud: The device can’t be reported as lost or stolen.

✅ For Business Accounts

1. Device paid off: The phone in question must be paid off before unlocking.
2. Activity period: The phone must be active on the AT&T network for at least 60 days.
3. No outstanding balances: There should be no unpaid dues for the device or account being used on the device.

2.2 Step-by-Step Guide: Unlock Through the AT&T Website

Now, let’s take a look at the steps you should take to unlock your device through the official AT&T website:

Step 1:Ensure your device is eligible for unlocking. You must have fulfilled all contractual obligations, including completing the installment plan and not reporting the phone as lost or stolen.

Step 2: Locate your phone’s IMEI number. Dial *#06# or go to Settings > About Phone to find it.

Step 3: Visit the AT&T Device Unlock Portal, log in to your AT&T account, and submit your unlock request with the required details (IMEI, phone number, etc.).

Step 4: Wait for AT&T to process your request. This usually takes 1–2 business days. You’ll receive an email with your unlock confirmation and detailed instructions.

Step 5: Insert a SIM card from a different carrier. If prompted, enter the unlock code AT&T provided. Your phone should now be successfully unlocked and ready to use with other networks.

2.3 Common Issues with the Official Method

While the steps mentioned above may sound easy to execute, there is a chance that you might run into some recurring issues that other users face. Here are some of them:

1. Delayed responses or rejections: The most prominent issue you might run into is the company delaying its response or outright rejecting your request.
2. Locked devices from resellers: If you’re buying a second-hand device, there is a chance it might be carrier-locked already. In such a scenario, it becomes very difficult to unlock the device without support from the original owner.
3. Account verification challenges: A change in your credentials or an internal glitch in the AT&T system might prevent the account from being verified. Not to mention, if your device is lost, it might become even more challenging.

Part 3: Alternative Solutions – If You Can’t Use the AT&T Portal

If you’re running into issues with the official methods to unlock your AT&T device discussed above, here are some other ways you could try to recover your device:

3.1 Option 1: Use a Third-Party Carrier Unlock Service (For Network Lock Only)

One way you can quickly unlock your device without the official method is to use a third-party carrier unlock service. Using such a service is best for devices that are blacklisted, unpaid or eligible as per AT&T’s rules. Regardless of the reason, third-party apps can implement remote IMEI unlocks or deliver the unlock code to you.

However, you must be careful and only choose a reputable provider. Otherwise, you run the risk of compromising your device. In addition, remember that these services only unlock the network lock on your device. They do not remove screen locks or the Google FRP lock that requests your credentials after a factory reset. There is a totally different fix if you’re facing one of these issues.

3.2 Option 2: Use Passixer Android Unlocker (For Screen Lock & FRP Lock)

If you’ve been locked out of your AT&T phone and forgotten your PIN, pattern, or Google account credentials, Passixer Android Unlocker can help.

What Passixer Can Do:

1. Bypass your phone’s lock screen, even if it is protected by a PIN, password, pattern, or fingerprint.
2. Bypass Google FRP lock for brands including Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, and LG without Google or AT&T credentials.
3. Supports devices running Android 5.0 to Android 14.

Recover your phone without having any technical knowledge, in just two to five minutes.

3.3 How to Use Passixer to Unlock Your AT&T Device

In this section, let’s look at the steps you should follow to use Passixer Android Unlocker to recover your AT&T device if you have been locked out:

Step 1: Install and open Passixer Android Unlocker, then choose Remove Screen Password.

Step 2:Choose the brand of your AT&T device and connect it to the computer with a USB cable.

Step 3: Once you see the Remove Screen Password message, click on Remove Now.

Step 4:Follow the instructions on the screen to make your phone enter recovery mode, and then click Next.

Step 5: Continue following the instructions to clear the phone settings and cache.

Step 6:Confirm that you have completed all the steps in the given order after entering recovery mode.

Step 7:Now, the software will start removing the lock from your device. It’ll show you a Removed Successfully message once the process is complete.

You can now use your AT&T device normally, without the lock screen.

3.4 Comparison Table: Passixer vs. Third-Party Sites

Part 4: FAQs

Can I use Passixer on a blacklisted device?

Yes, you can use Passixer Android Unlocker on a blacklisted device since it only removes the screen lock or Google FRP restrictions. Since it isn’t directly affected by the carrier restrictions, you shouldn’t have a problem running it.

Is it legal to unlock AT&T phones without the portal?

It is legal to unlock your AT&T phone without the portal, provided you don’t have a reported phone or pending dues with the company. If you simply cannot get the portal to work, you might be able to legally unlock the phone with a third-party app.

What if my device is both carrier-locked and screen-locked?

To solve this issue, you need Passixer Android Unlocker to get past the screen lock. On the other hand, to get past the carrier lock, you need to use another third-party app that unlocks the AT&T device.

Conclusion

Now you have a clear idea of how to use AT&T’s portal to unlock your phone. Note that it is always better to use the official portal if your phone is eligible. If, for some reason, it isn’t, use reliable third-party apps for trusted IMEI unlocking services for your carrier. For screen locks and FRP, you can’t go wrong with Passixer, as it is easy to use, fast, and safe.