Tracfone's iPhone SE 3rd Gen

[Mobile1212]

Anyone tried TracFone online chat?
Virtual assistant can't connect to a live agent.

[ChristInMe]

TF is having system issues today.
Try again tomorrow.

[jet1000]

TF is having system issues today.
Try again tomorrow.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to Spin The Wheel today.

[hpham]

TF is having system issues today.
Try again tomorrow.

The self-service side must be working OK. This afternoon (2:30PM to 3PM CDT) I helped a person activating her HSN phone with a transfer from her current phone. She was on her computer and I talked her through the process over her landline phone.

[bryanus]

Data Point:

I'd purchased a Straight Talk SE3 from Walmart that arrived August 8. That day I went on a TF chat to get the ST device "rebranded" as a TF device so that it would be unlockable 60 days after activation on TF. Chat rep reported that the "rebranding" was successful, and the initial/soon thereafter showing of the SE3 picture and the IMEI on my account web page seemingly verified that the device was being treated as a native TF phone.

For whatever reason, although the chat rep could accomplish what I would view as the more difficult task -- the rebranding -- the chat rep claimed to be unable to activate the device and scheduled a callback (which never happened). So I took a chance and tried an activation with transfer of my number and service amounts (from then-current SE2) the next day (8/9) via the website. That worked just fine.

Today, at or close to the 60 day mark, I texted "unlock" to 611611. TF replied that "it's records indicate that [I am] using [my] own device." But I went to "About" under settings and "Carrier Lock" shows "No SIM Restrictions." I also went to www.IMEICheck.com and that site reflects "Carrier: This device is UNLOCKED" and "Sim-Lock: Unlocked"

So, it appears that the unlock magic occurred, no matter what 611611 has to say. 611611 lies.

I'll go test further by trying the phone with either my FreedomPop GSMA or GSMT SIM. I expect they will work. If not I will report back...

[Edit to add: FP GSMA SIM works fine.]

Glad to find this experience as it's similar to mine so far. I picked up one of the ST iPhone SE3 deals recently and it came with a 1-month ST service plan. My intention was to 'save' the ST plan to use in another device at some point, so I wanted to activate the iPhone on my existing TF plan. I went though the wizard to activate a new device and 'keep my number' and selected eSIM, to hopefully avoid a BYOD flag if using a TF sim kit. Everything went fine, but at the end of the process, the iPhone did not receive the notification to activate the TF eSIM even though my old TF phone service cut off immediately. After waiting a few hours and a few calls to TF, the callback rep was able to send a 'refresh signal' to my iPhone, and it was received immediately this time and the service was activated.

Texting UNLOCK returns the "Great news! Your phone is already unlocked!" message, possibly indicating TF sees it as a BYOD. But my account shows the IMEI (no picture), so hopefully that is a positive sign that the unlock clock has started successfully. I'll try to report back in 60 days on the outcome. Fingers crossed.

[sillyette]

...
Texting UNLOCK returns the "Great news! Your phone is already unlocked!" message, possibly indicating TF sees it as a BYOD. But my account shows the IMEI (no picture), so hopefully that is a positive sign that the unlock clock has started successfully. I'll try to report back in 60 days on the outcome. Fingers crossed.

Maybe it is already unlocked. I remember reading hpham got an unlocked iPhone (refurb).

[kaZZoo]

Settings, general, about, scroll down to carrier lock.

Your answer is there.

[Crazy8SD]

I picked up one of the ST iPhone SE3 deals recently and it came with a 1-month ST service plan. My intention was to 'save' the ST plan to use in another device at some point, so I wanted to activate the iPhone on my existing TF plan. I went though the wizard to activate a new device and 'keep my number' and selected eSIM, to hopefully avoid a BYOD flag if using a TF sim kit. Everything went fine, but at the end of the process, the iPhone did not receive the notification to activate the TF eSIM even though my old TF phone service cut off immediately.

Texting UNLOCK returns the "Great news! Your phone is already unlocked!" message, possibly indicating TF sees it as a BYOD. But my account shows the IMEI (no picture), so hopefully that is a positive sign that the unlock clock has started successfully. I'll try to report back in 60 days on the outcome. Fingers crossed.

Don’t know how you could ‘save’ the ST plan to use in another device unless the 1-month service was not attached to the iPhone.

Your phone should be automatically unlocked in 60 days. Because you did a service transfer, the unlocked status was very likely based on your previous device.