Got a new or used smartphone that’s still locked to a certain carrier? Having trouble with a phone that prompts a “Phone Not Allowed MM#6 Error” after inserting a new SIM card? If your answer is yes, then this article is for you.
The Smartphone market is one of the biggest industry in the world. To a point, that majority believes that Smartphones has replaced the PC as the most important smart connected device. As a matter of fact, Smartphones has become integrated into our daily lives and that includes work, relation, and businesses.
So it is only natural that such a market will bear a fruitful one for “Used Phones,” “Refurbished Phones,” or “Second-Hand Phones” (whichever you call it). Due to this, various companies and businesses have come up with different ways to offer Smartphones at an affordable price. One well-known method that these companies do is by selling used phones that they got from trade-in and are refurbished ones.
Because of this, consumers tend to purchase refurbished or used phones to save money for high-end model ones. Unwarily, they find their self suffering from the “MM#6 Error” issue later on. If you’re suffering from this issue, then here are a few things that you can do to remove it and fix it permanently.
Must Read: What’s the difference between locked and unlocked smartphone?
What is the MM#6 Error?
The MM#6 Error is an error that appears when you try to send a message or call from a phone that is still tethered or locked to a specific carrier while using a SIM card that doesn’t belong to that carrier.
How to Remove Phone Not Allowed MM#6 Error
When you do get your phone, switch the SIM card, and make a call. You will get the error “Phone Not Allowed: MM#6 Error”.
This error means that you are trying to use a phone that is still tethered to another carrier. There are several ways you can fix this problem.
Mostly, the options are going to be different depending on your carrier. However, the easiest and most effective way is to ensure that you have a truly unlocked phone.
This will mitigate the chances of you running into this problem. There are 4 ways you can work around this Error:
Contact the Carrier
The fastest and simplest fix for the MM#6 error is by calling the customer service of that carrier and request for them to unlock the phone. In most cases, that should work. However, there are some cases that it won’t be as simple as that. Especially for the following cases:
- If the phone is reported stolen or blacklisted, then they may require you to do certain things before giving your request.
- The carrier where the phone is tethered may charge a fee. It’s called “Equipment Switch.”
- In some cases, there are phones that come with a built-in or linked phone number. It will be difficult to request to unlock this kind of phones.
Use Operation Menu
On certain carriers, you can fix this issue by dialing *#78#. This will bring you to an operation menu. From there, you can disengage from the carrier so your device becomes unlocked. If successful, you may switch to a different SIM card to use with your phone.
Not all carriers have this choice, so a bit of internet research will be needed for you to be able to use the device. Searching for your specific carrier, phone brand, and options for unlocking your phone is easy.
Research the Internet
If the first 2 methods that we mentioned doesn’t fix the MM#6 error, then your last resort is to search the internet. Try searching for your specific carrier, phone brand, and options for unlocking your phone.
One of the common result that you may find is unlocking your phone by means of rooting. You can learn more about Android phone rooting here.
If All Else Fails…
If none of our methods work for you, the best thing you can do to fix this error message is to request the assistance of the carrier. Requesting the assistance of the carrier is the most practical way to do it since they will ensure that you abide by U.S. laws as well as state laws. They will also give you the fastest, easiest, and the legal way to fix the problem.
FAQs
How to fix “Phone Not Allowed MM#6 Error” if I got my phone from a shady deal?
- The JoyOfAndroid Team doesn’t condone any kind of shady dealings. However, if you’re suffering the MM#6 error and you got your phone from either someone who stole it or is a blacklisted phone, then the best thing you can do is to call the customer service of the carrier.
I have an iPhone that has the “Phone Not Allowed MM#6 Error,” what can I do to fix it?
If you have an iPhone that suffers from the MM#6 error, the best thing to do is to call the carrier of your iPhone. Alternatively, you could buy a SIM Unlocker from Amazon to fix this problem. Learn more about the SIM Unlocker below.
Is the MM#6 Error universal?
- The MM#6 error only occurs with smartphones that are locked to certain carriers. Otherwise, this won’t be a problem with unlocked phones. Learn more about locked and unlocked phones here.
SIM Unlocker
Do you happen to have an iPhone? Do you want to unlock it and use a different carrier? Don’t want to spend more than a hundred for it? Look no further with this SIM Unlocker.
iPhone SIM Unlocker
Use your iPhone with any GSM carrier with this SIM card. However, we highly recommend checking the compatibility first before purchasing.
Final Thoughts…
Ultimately, we hope that we have aided you in fixing this problem. If not, then we strongly suggest for method 4.
To prevent yourself from suffering from this issue, we like to remind our readers, when buying a used phone, always buy from a reputable source. Ensure that the phone is not tethered or locked to any carrier.
If you have any comments, request, suggestions, or violent reaction, do let us know in the comment section below!
Natnael zelalem on
my at&t note phone is not working in saying (phone not allowed mm#6) what shall i do?
megan on
Hi Natnael! Did you try these methods?
Dianne on
Hello I have a note 9. I have not touched or taken out my sim to do anything for more than a year now. Its error is of a triangle shape with mm in the middle???
Please I cannot use my phone. It’s very important for me to get working. Please could this request be treated with urgency.
amrit on
same problem in my s8 with metro pcs
but when i put at&t sim card it start working but the phone is from version can amybody help me
i also try *#78# but it showing not register on network
megan on
Hi Amrit. You’ll need to have Verizon unlock your phone for usage with other carriers. Depending on where you live, they may be required to do this with no questions asked. If not, it’s easiest to just tell them that you’ll be traveling abroad and want your S8 unlocked for use with a foreign provider.
Gary on
Hi how can I do that please some as my phone I bought it 2days ago S8 plus but what is the Verizon unlock please
Mike on
Brilliant, Megan! I’ll have to try that before getting a broken donor phone and making the (un)necessary swap
Daniel on
I just recently bought an S8 from ebay that said GSM unlocked. I inserted a MetroPCS sim card and the phone said “phone not allowed along with a Warning sign above two capital M
Awais on
There is any way to know network by which phone is threaded?
merissa on
hello I was using my s9 no problem and then all of sudden it stopped working and saying phone not allowed voice. What does that mean?
Daniel on
Hi Merissa, that error means that you are trying to use a phone that is still tethered to another carrier. Does your phone come with a SIM card? If so, did you replaced it?
Rozanne Khumalo on
Hi I am still struggling
bryan on
i have a galaxy s8 for att my cousin found at a airport. i wanted it for metro pcs so i got a carrier unlock code from att, it said it was successful when i swithed the sim card and restarted the phone but it also said (Phone not allowed MM#6) and when i tried to make a call it says emergency calls only.. should i take it to metro now? or did the process even work??
Dianne on
Hello I have a note 9. I have not touched or taken out my sim to do anything for more than a year now. Its error is of a triangle shape with mm in the middle???
Please I cannot use my phone. It’s very important for me to get working. Please could this request be treated with urgency.
Dani on
Hi Dianne, could you please email us the picture please. Use contact us form. This error is something new for us.
Thai on
After getting the unlock permission from at&t, I put my sim card from a previous service into the smartphone I want to use; however, when I boot up my new phone, I get the phone not allowed error. At&t said in the unlock permission statement that when I boot up the phone, I should be able to put in the unlock code they gave me. The phone boots up without asking for an unlock code. Why?
olayiwola on
Great job thanks
Henock tamete on
Mm#6 my s8 s locked what’s shall i do?
Paul on
How can I find out which carrier my S8 is tethered to?
I have searched in the ‘about phone’s section and all through the settings but am unable to see the carrier.
Daniel on
Hi Paul, you may want to check all the labels found on your phone. There should be a carrier brand somewhere written in it. Additionally, you may want to further check phone settings. It should be there.