Unlock for Telstra Smart Essential 4 Prepaid

Jackson on 16/10/2024 - 08:55
Last edited 18/10/2024 - 18:37 by 1 other user

Hoping someone can point me to a cheap and reliable service for unlocking one of these phones, preferably with a code. Looked on eBay and can't seem to find anything which I thought was strange.

I don't have any Telstra plan atm so without an account to point to I don't think I can convince anyone there to unlock it for me.

Update: I had to tell them I bought the phones ages ago, but in the end they only unlocked one, it seemed that that one was older than the other, they wanted 25 bucks for the other one, or said I can wait until May when it reaches 2 years old

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Comments

  • sumyungguy on 16/10/2024 - 09:41
    +1

    Their policy may have changed but a couple of years ago they unlocked a 4G ZTE MF91 (free of charge) and I wasn't an account holder at the time

  • 87percent on 16/10/2024 - 09:49

    did you ever have a service with Telstra (as in, did you buy this phone as part of a prepaid start up pack or something like that?)

    • Jackson on 16/10/2024 - 13:02

      Yes it's a prepaid starter pack, but I haven't activated anything or ever been a telstra customer

  • trustnoone on 16/10/2024 - 10:09
    +1

    I don't know if things are still the same now. But before (and hopefully now) android never locks their phone, its the customisation from Telstra on the ROM that does it. So people would just flash it with the normal official rom and get both unlock and app debloat.

    • Jackson on 18/10/2024 - 18:39

      It's already on android go, so probably not much bloat apart from the obligatory telstra app that installed on boot up. I'd probably pay $5 to unlock it over spending a long time tracking down an upgrade and working out how to run it on my old windows xp machine (which is what happened the last time I needed to unlock a phone :-))

  • TALL1one on 16/10/2024 - 11:39

    How much does it cost to unlock a Telstra prepaid phone?
    If your service has been active for over two years, we don't charge an unlocking fee, but if your service has been active for less than two years, we charge: $80 for devices that have never been activated, or active for six months or less. $25 for devices activated for six months to two years.

    • Jackson on 16/10/2024 - 13:03

      Yeah it's not worth paying 80 bucks and I need it unlocked straight away

      • sumyungguy on 16/10/2024 - 13:06

        Assume you've checked their instructions?  Once you’ve located your phone’s IMEI number, you’ll need to contact us so we can provide instructions on how to unlock your device, and if an unlocking fee will apply. Call 13 22 00 and say, ‘unlock device option’ when prompted. You can call Monday to Friday 9am - 8pm AEST

        • Jackson on 18/10/2024 - 18:39
          +1

          I called them, they did do one for free for me in the end, but not the other

  • Colin2905 on 16/10/2024 - 13:47

    Do you know for certain that once unlocked, it'll actually work with the intended provider?

    • Jackson on 16/10/2024 - 13:51

      I can't imagine why not? Only expecting an unlock code to be about 5 bucks, there's used to be people on here all the time that would run one for you, I was expecting an offer by now

      • Colin2905 on 16/10/2024 - 13:57

        I can't imagine why not?

        Oh, I can. Have you been watching the s***show unfold with the impending closure of Telstra's and Optus' 3G networks? Save me covering all possibilities, which provider do you want to use it with?

        • Jackson on 16/10/2024 - 22:41

          Currently on ezysim for the next 9 months at least. No, I saw someone post about it but haven't had time to read it yet

          • Colin2905 on 17/10/2024 - 08:08
            +1

            @Jackson:

            Currently on ezysim

            EzySim uses the Vodafone / TPG network, so it'd need to be capable of VoLTE on that. As best as I can figure from my searches, it lacks LTE band 5 (4G850). That's a key band for Vodafone / TPG and without it you're going to have considerably reduced coverage, possibly none, depending on your location.

            On top of that, there's soon going to be a requirement to be able to call 000 using VoLTE on all networks.

            In short, I'd be on the lookout for a new handset that meets all of the above requirements.

            • Jackson on 18/10/2024 - 18:41

              @Colin2905: It's capable of VoLTE, it's got an icon up the top now that I've unlocked it. I'll test it out when I get the chance

  • CurlCurl on 16/10/2024 - 16:11

    Have you spoken to a kiosk mobile phone repair place?

    • Jackson on 16/10/2024 - 22:39

      No, do they often do unlocks?

      • CurlCurl on 17/10/2024 - 09:10

        No, do they often do unlocks?

        The ones I've spoken to do.

  • websterp on 16/10/2024 - 19:59

    I will be able to help but it would be next week as I'm currently away. You can PM me to discuss.

    • Jackson on 16/10/2024 - 22:39

      Awesome mate, will do

      • wazbiz on 14/11/2024 - 11:56

        Did you get it unlocked? I need it done.

        • Jackson on 15/11/2024 - 00:51

          Actually once I called telstra they gave me an unlock code for one of the handsets I bought because it was older stock and the pay period had lapsed so I got it unlocked for free. I had another that I wasn't so lucky with, but I think in March it will also lapse and I can wait until then if need be

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