How to Unlock a Cricket Wireless iPhone
Quick answer: Cricket Wireless will unlock your iPhone for free if it's fully paid off, been active on a Cricket line for at least 6 consecutive months, and isn't reported lost, stolen, or tied to fraud. You request it through Cricket's online unlock form — there's no special code to dial, and no need to visit a store.
Why Cricket Locks iPhones in the First Place
Cricket Wireless is owned by AT&T, but it runs its own separate lock policy. When you buy an iPhone from Cricket — especially on a payment plan — the phone is locked to Cricket's network. This stops the phone from being resold on another carrier before it's paid off. It's not a punishment; it's how prepaid carriers protect themselves from losing money on subsidized phones. Once you've held up your end (paid the phone off, kept the line active), Cricket is required by FCC rules to unlock it if you ask.
Step-by-Step: How to Unlock a Cricket iPhone
- Check eligibility first. Dial
*USE#(*873#) from the Cricket iPhone to see device and account details, or log into your My Cricket account. - Go to the Cricket unlock request page. Search "Cricket device unlock request" or find the link under Cricket's support section — you don't need a store visit.
- Enter your IMEI number. Find it by dialing
*#06#or checking Settings > General > About. - Submit and wait. Cricket typically reviews requests in 2 to 5 business days. You'll get an email once it's approved.
- Insert a new SIM and restart. Once approved, put in a SIM from another carrier, connect to Wi-Fi, and restart the iPhone. It should unlock automatically over the network — no unlock code required, unlike some Android unlock processes.
Cricket's Unlock Eligibility Rules
Cricket checks a short list of requirements before approving any request. Missing even one will get your request denied automatically:
- The line must have been active for at least 6 months (consecutive, on the same account)
- The device must be paid in full if bought on an installment plan
- The phone must not be reported lost, stolen, or involved in fraud
- The account must be in good standing, with no unpaid balance
| Requirement | Cricket iPhone | Prepaid Rivals |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum active time | 6 months | MetroPCS: 6 months • Boost Mobile: varies by plan |
| Unlock fee | Free | Free at most prepaid carriers |
| Processing time | 2-5 business days | Similar, 1-7 days typical |
| Store visit needed? | No, online only | Usually no |
How Long Does It Actually Take?
Most Cricket unlock requests clear within a few business days, but the timeline shifts depending on why you're unlocking. The chart below shows typical wait times for common situations.
Common Reasons Cricket Denies an Unlock Request
If your request comes back denied, it's almost always one of these:
- Device financing isn't finished. Even one missed payment resets your eligibility clock.
- The line was recently ported in or reactivated. Cricket restarts the 6-month timer when service is interrupted.
- The IMEI was flagged for a lost or stolen report, even from a previous owner.
Bought It Used? Check the History First
If you bought a used Cricket iPhone, run the IMEI through Cricket's status checker before assuming anything is wrong on your end. A phone can look "locked" simply because the previous owner never finished paying it off — that's not something Cricket support can override for you.
Tip: If you're switching networks entirely rather than staying prepaid, compare this process against unlocking a postpaid device — the steps for an AT&T iPhone or a Verizon iPhone follow similar 6-month and paid-in-full rules, just through a different carrier portal.
After the Unlock: What Changes
Once Cricket confirms the unlock, the iPhone works with any GSM carrier's SIM — including T-Mobile or international SIMs for travel. Nothing changes about how the phone looks or runs; the unlock only removes the network restriction, not any Apple ID or passcode lock. If you're also dealing with an activation lock, that's a separate Apple process and has nothing to do with Cricket's carrier unlock.
Cricket vs. Switching From a Different Prepaid Carrier
If you're coming from another prepaid brand and want to compare how painless the process is elsewhere, Xfinity Mobile and EE (for UK-purchased phones) use broadly similar online-only unlock forms, so the Cricket steps above will feel familiar if you've unlocked a phone before.
Frequently asked questions
Does Cricket charge a fee to unlock an iPhone?
No. Cricket Wireless unlocks eligible iPhones for free through its online request form. You never need to pay a third party or visit a store.
How long do I have to be a Cricket customer before I can unlock my iPhone?
Your line needs to have been active for at least 6 consecutive months. If you paused service or ported your number out and back in, that timer restarts.
Can I unlock a Cricket iPhone that's still on a payment plan?
No. The device has to be paid off in full first. Cricket's system checks your account balance automatically when you submit a request.
Do I need an unlock code for a Cricket iPhone?
No code is needed. Once Cricket approves the request, you just insert a SIM from another carrier, connect to Wi-Fi, and restart the phone — it unlocks itself over the network.
I bought my iPhone used and it says it's locked to Cricket. What do I do?
Check the phone's IMEI status before contacting support. If the previous owner still owes payments on it, Cricket cannot unlock it until that balance is settled, since the unlock eligibility follows the device, not the current owner.