can't unlock my Lumia 640

[onysi]

im with tmobile. i am switching to a prepaid that uses tmobile network/towers. i thought that inserting a sim on a Lumia will let me have a way to unlock my phone with a code given by Tmobile, but for some reason it's not letting me. their is no pop up to put in the code when i switched the sims.

https://youtu.be/2v66QRRn4a8?t=148
from this video, a guy was able to do so from AT&T to tmobile, but this prepaid im switching to uses Tmobile towers, so I'm wondering if that is an issue.

 

[ven07]

You turned off the phone completely when switching the SIM?

 

[onysi]

I figured it out. the prepaid i got uses Tmobile network, so it wouldnt unlock my Lumia thats locked to tmobile. i tried an AT&T Sim, and it gave me the unlock pop up. i put the code in and it worked, but for some reason i still cannot get the data working. Seems like the prepaid service im using is very iffy

 

[ven07]

the prepaid i got uses Tmobile network

Ah so basically the phone thought you were still using a SIM for the same provider, so there was no reason to give the option for unlocking.. nifty lol

 

[onysi]

Ah so basically the phone thought you were still using a SIM for the same provider, so there was no reason to give the option for unlocking.. nifty lol

yes and i also figured out that under cellular connection options on my lumia and my other android phone, i had to pick "4G" a drop down below "LTE" to get the data working. Between you and me, after years of advertising it on this site windowscentral, i finally looked into it and gave it a shot. I got Mint Mobile.

i was tired of paying $100+month on family plan. I rarely use data, I have wifi at home and at work. calling and texting are also rare for me, i clock about 100+ min and 100+ text and 200mb data (only when im driving or going someplace).

With mint mobile, its $15/month for unlimited calls/text and 3gb data. thats more than enough to get me through each month. thats $15 a month versus tmobile: $100+ family a month. for a year thats about $1200/year. with mint, its $180/year. im saving over $1000/year. thats a lot of money. I am usually skeptical about prepaid MVNO style, but so far i havent had any issue, data wise. I live in a city so connectivity is everywhere. Malls, banks, grocery stores, campus, work and theirs a starbucks in every corner, so thats a lot of free wifi.

only downside is i cannot paydown a phone and i have to buy them unlocked in the future.

 

[ven07]

I like when people get really honest and start picking deals that are actually cheaper, but better for the situation.

Happy you solved it! I moved this to the lumia 640 section. I also want it in the T-Mo section :/

 

[Ryujingt3]

It's great that you solved this - well done!