Few things are as frustrating as having a new smartphone you want to move from your Metro PCS (Metro by T-Mobile) plan to a new carrier only to have the device tell you it’s ineligible to unlock.
This is, after all, a smartphone that you have bought and paid for with your hard-earned money – a smartphone that you should be able to use anywhere (and with any carrier) you like.
Being told that a device unlock is impossible is maddening.
Luckily, though, getting that unlock code – and using the MetroPCS device unlock app – even if you aren’t technically eligible is a lot easier than most people realize.
We walk you through the unlocking process from start to finish below!
Let’s get right into it, getting you the permanent unlock you deserve!
Why is My Phone Not Eligible for an Unlock?
There are a couple of reasons that you might be getting the “Unlock Failed” unlock code every time you fire up the MetroPCS device unlock app.
For starters, your MetroPCS device is technically tied to a 180-day agreement between you and Metro by T-Mobile.
This agreement says that your Metro PCS phone has to be used on their services for at least 180 days before it can go through the unlock MetroPCS process.
As we highlighted a moment ago, though, it is possible to go through the unlocking process before the 180 days. If you want to skip to that section, just click here.
Another reason that you might be having trouble with unlocked phones (trouble getting the Metro unlock codes or unlock service) could have to do with your phone’s unique identifying serial number – the IMEI.
This number, sometimes called your phone’s IMEI address, is hardcoded directly into your device. It’s like a digital fingerprint and exists on all Apple iPhones as well as all Android smart phones and other Android devices.
If your phone has ever been reported as missing or stolen it may not be able to go through the traditional carrier unlock process from your service provider because of the IMEI number getting added to a blacklist.
This is done to protect criminals from being able to unlock your phone without your permission and then use or sell it to anyone else.
At the same time, though, it also makes it really challenging to unlock your phone all on your own – especially if that number has been added to a blacklist in error.
Believe us, that happens a whole lot more often than most people think!
Finally, you might be having a tough time attempting to permanently unlock your Metro by T Mobile device simply because the MetroPCS device unlock app is acting up or misbehaving for one reason or another.
If you believe this to be the culprit of your troubles, though, the solution to fix the device unlock app is pretty simple.
Just reboot your MetroPCS phone, restart the device unlock app, and have another try at going through the unlock MetroPCS phone process.
If it works, you’re good to go!
If not, you’ll want to check out the device unlock information we highlight in the rest of this detailed guide!
Can I Bypass a MetroPCS Unlock on My Own?
A lot of folks (understandably) are under the impression that they will not be able to go through the device unlock process on a MetroPCS phone all on their own – and the folks at T Mobile and MetroPCS like it that way!
The last thing they want their customers to know is that almost all MetroPCS device hardware can go through the device unlock procedure without having to first get a hold of customer service or support.
Sure, the process can be a little more complex and convoluted when trying to unlock a mobile device on your own than reaching out to MetroPCS customer service for help.
But it can be done – and with our help, it’s going to be a lot easier than it would have been otherwise.
Let’s jump right in!
Step by Step Instructions for Unlocking a MetroPCS Phone
Try MetroPCS Customer Service First
It might sound like a waste of time, especially if other MetroPCS customers have told you that they weren’t able to get their unlock approved via this method.
We still say it’s worth a shot all the same!
All you have to do is call customer support at 1-888-863-8768 or visit a local retail spot in your area and ask for them to go through the MetroPCS unlock process for you.
If they can help you with your MetroPCS unlock procedure they are going to need your first name, your last name, your email address on file, your current phone number, the PIN number for your account, and information about the kind of phone that you are looking to have a lot in the first place.
If you do not meet the eligibility requirements, though, the odds are pretty good you’ll end up with a phone that cannot be unlocked via Metro directly. You’ll need to do this on your own or use a third-party service to get on different carriers.
Get a SIM Card From Another GSM Cell Carrier
Let’s say that you’re going to unlock MetroPCS phone hardware all on your own.
The first piece of the puzzle is getting a SIM card from different carrier networks – ideally, the carrier that you want to do business with and use your phone on in the future.
You are (of course) going to want to confirm that you can use your phone on this new network provider.
Metro is a GSM carrier and that means unlocking the device to go on other GSM network carriers is a whole lot easier. Unlocking the device to go on a CDMA network, though, is a little more challenging.
Confirm compatibility before you go through the unlocking process and you’ll save yourself a lot of time, energy, hassle, and headache.
Boot Up the MetroPCS Unlock App
The next piece of the puzzle here is to fire up the MetroPCS device unlock app.
This app is available 100% free of charge and should be already downloaded directly on your device. If you don’t have the MetroPCS device unlock app already downloaded you want to grab it from the App Store or Google Play before moving on.
After booting up the device unlock app you’re going to be provided with a bunch of information about the eligibility of your unlock, why your unlock failed in the past, and step-by-step instructions on how to unlock MetroPCS devices using this built-in.
All you really have to do is follow along with the on-screen instructions to get your device permanently unlocked through the official unlocking procedure.
Sometimes, though, the app suffers from a communication error with the unlocking servers or has to go through an app service restart. This usually happens automatically, though the restart process can be found within the app settings as well.
If you get a system maintenance error during the MetroPCS unlock it’s a good idea to restart your phone and begin all over from scratch.
Use the “Permanent Unlock Option”
One of the options you’ll find available when going through the process to unlock MetroPCS phone devices – especially certain Android smartphones – is the ability to unlock the device forever.
This is highly recommended, especially since this option of unlocking your phone lets you use it on MetroPCS still as well as any other carrier you’re interested in.
It’s total freedom for your mobile device!
Go Through the Phone Reboot Process
The only thing really left to do here with mobile device unlocking directly is to reboot the phone and allow it to connect to the new network via the SIM card that you have stuck inside.
Now you’re off to the races with a phone that can be used on pretty much any carrier you like, including the MetroPCS network if you want to stay!
Alternative Options for Unlocking a MetroPCS Phone
Easiest Method: Metro Priority Unlock
If you’re having trouble unlocking your Metro device through the Metro or the unlock app — there is still hope. The easiest and fastest option is requesting a Priority Unlock for Metro from PriorityUnlock.
This premium service will steamroll your unlocking request through MetroPCS to acquire you the right unlock code(s) for your Android, or automatically unlock your Metro iPhone, regardless of eligibility or contract status.
This process can take 24-48 hours and uses the official unlocking method used by T-Mobile. This means it doesn’t require technical skills, and can be done completely online with your just your IMEI number.
Technical Method: Remote Unlock Services
Let’s say, for a moment, that the unlock app on your mobile device isn’t working.
That doesn’t mean you aren’t eligible for unlock – it just means you’re going to have to go through a remote unlock instead.
There are a lot of third-party unlock services online (most of them require you to have an active internet connection as well as a SIM card for a GSM network) that can remotely unlock you through their proprietary tools.
If you are going to go in this direction, though, you have to be 100% sure that you’re using trusted and reputable providers.
Do your research and due diligence. You don’t want to hand over your IMEI number to just anyone. And you definitely don’t want to give remote control (including the ability for a factory reset) to just anyone, either.
Read reviews, research your options, and leverage the right service and you won’t have much to worry about.
Is It Legal to Unlock a Non-Eligible Phone?
A lot of folks question the legality of unlocking phone devices from companies like Metro (as well as other carrier networks), not wanting to get in trouble taking their smartphone from one cellular service they had an agreement with to a different option.
Luckily, though, you don’t have anything to worry about in that department!
It’s important to remember that this device is your device – you own it – and recent legislation in the United States guarantees you have access to an unlock code that allows you to move your phone to any provider you wish.
Sometimes you’ll be able to get that unlock code directly from your carrier and they’ll make the process pretty simple and straightforward.
Other times, though, you’re going to need to use the inside information we highlighted above to create your unlock code on your own – unlocking the freedom you deserve to choose your wireless carrier without any strings attached!
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