Last Updated on January 9, 2023 by Ron D. Morgan
When a device is locked to a network, such a device can’t be used on any other network without unlocking the device. To unlock a device on any network, the device has to meet certain requirements. These requirements are provided for in the network’s unlock policy.
Each network has its unique requirements for unlocking a device. This post provides a breakdown of the unlock policy requirements for all major networks in the United States.
Before then, let’s talk about the general unlock requirements for all networks.
General Device Unlock Requirements For All Networks
In addition to having unique unlock requirements, there are some unlock requirements most of the networks have in common. I prefer to refer to them as the general device unlocking policy requirements.
a. Good Standing:
All networks have a general requirement that a device must be in good standing to qualify for unlocking. Good standing here means that bills are paid on or before the due dates.
b. Account Active:
Most networks require that the account the device is linked to must be active and not suspended. This doesn’t apply to all networks though because some networks will unlock your device even if the account linked to the device is no longer active.
c. Not Reported As Stolen:
Devices are locked to prefer fraud. So, most networks take the issue of fraud seriously. That being said, all networks require that for a device to be unlocked, the device must not be reported as stolen, lost or blocked.
In addition to that, no fraudulent activity must be linked to the account connected to the device or the device itself.
d. Device In Working Condition
It is advisable to ensure that any device that you want to unlock is in good working condition. There is no need to unlock a device that is damaged.
e. Complete Terms of Contract
Each network has unique terms of contracts for issuing out a locked device. For the device to qualify for unlock, the terms of unlock must be met. One common term of contract that all networks have is that the device must be paid in full.
Unlock Policy For All Networks
Assurance Wireless Unlock Policy
These are the requirements a device has to meet for it to be unlocked on the Assurance Wireless network:
. The device must be active on the network for at least 12 months.
. The device must be issued by Assurance Wireless.
. Other general unlock requirements must have been met.
AT&T Unlock Policy
AT&T has different unlock requirements for personal devices and business devices.
AT&T Unlock Policy For Personal Device
. For a device on a prepaid plan, the device must be active on the network for at least 6 months.
. The device on a Postpaid plan, the device must be paid in full to qualify for immediate unlock.
. The device on a Postpaid ‘installment plan’, you must have paid off the installment plan. Also, the device must be active for 60 days on the network. Finally, you have to wait for 48 hours after making the final payment for the device to qualify for unlocking.
AT&T Unlock Policy For Business Device
. The Company or business must permit to unlock the device.
. The device must have met all contract agreements.
. For a device on a 2-year contract that was upgraded early, there is a 30-day waiting period for the device to qualify for unlock.
Boost Mobile Unlock Policy
The Boost Mobile’s unlock policy for prepaid devices is slightly different from the postpaid unlock requirements.
Boost Mobile Unlock Policy For Prepaid Device
. The device must be active on the network for at least a year.
. The account the device is linked to must be active for the period.
. Any outstanding prepaid balance or payment installments on the device must be paid in full.
Boost Mobile Unlock Policy For Postpaid Device
. Fulfill any postpaid service contract on the device.
. The device financing plan must be paid in full or have paid the early termination fee.
Cricket Wireless Unlock Policy
Cricket Wireless has a general unlock policy for all its devices. Here is the breakdown of the requirements:
. The device must be active on the Cricket Wireless network for at least six months.
. Every other general unlocking requirement must be met.
Consumer Cellular Unlock Policy
According to the information on their site, Consumer Cellular will unlock any device locked to their network once it meets the following requirements:
. The device must be active on the network for at least 180 days.
. The device’s installment payments must be paid in full.
H2O Wireless Unlock Policy
The H2O wireless network uses the AT$T towers to offer its service to subscribers. These are the requirements any device locked to the H2O wireless network must meet to qualify for free unlock:
. The device must be active on the network for at least 1 year.
. The device’s installment payments must be paid in full.
Metro PCS Unlock Policy
To unlock any device on the MetroPCS network, the device must meet these requirements:
. The device must be purchased from MetroPCS
. The device must be active on the MetroPCS network for at least 180 days.
. Other general devices unlock requirements must be met.
Mint Mobile PCS Unlock Policy
According to the information on Mint Mobile’s site, here is a breakdown of the requirements a device locked on the network must meet to qualify for unlocking:
. The device must be active on the Mint Mobile network for at least 12 months.
. The account must be active and all bills paid as when due.
. You must complete the installment payment or one-time full payment on the device.
Net10 Unlock Policy
Unlocking your Net10-locked device is a must if you want to use the device on another network. Here is the breakdown of the Net10 device unlock policy requirements:
. The device must be active on the network for at least 12 months.
. The device must meet other general unlock requirements.
Optimum Mobile Unlock Policy
Any device locked to the Optimum Mobile (Formerly Altice Mobile) network has to meet these requirements to qualify for free unlock.
. The device must be purchased from Optimum Mobile or financed by Optimum.
. The device must be active on the network for at least 60 days.
Red Pocket Mobile Unlock Policy
Red Pocket Mobile network will unlock any device that meets the following requirements:
. The device must be active on the network for at least 12 months.
. Your unlock request must be reviewed and approved by the network.
. The account must be active and all bills paid for the duration.
Simple Mobile Unlock Policy
Simple Mobile has an easy unlock policy for its locked device. It is based on the time frame the device has been active and the general unlock requirements. Here is a breakdown of the requirements:
. The device must be active on the Simple Mobile network for at least 12 months.
. The device must have met all the general unlock policies listed above.
Spectrum Mobile Unlock Policy
Spectrum Mobile will unlock any device locked to their network that meets the following requirements:
. The device must be active on the Spectrum Mobile network for at least 60 days.
. All outstanding payments on the device must be paid in full.
. The device must be purchased from Spectrum Mobile.
Straight Talk Unlock Policy
The Straight Talk unlocking policy requirements will depend on when you activated your device on the network. Here is a breakdown of the unlock policy:
. A device activated on the network after November 23, 2021, must be active for 60 days.
. A device activated on the network before November 23, 2021, must be active for 12 months.
. The device must meet other general unlock requirements listed above.
T-Mobile Unlock Policy
T-Mobile’s unlock policy requirements for a device on prepaid plans are different from a device on postpaid plans. Here is a summary of the unlock requirements:
T-Mobile Unlock Policy For Prepaid Device Plan
. The device must be active on the network for at least 365 days.
. The prepaid account must be at least $100 paid for the period the device has been active.
. It must be a device purchased from T-Mobile.
T-Mobile Unlock Policy For Postpaid Device Plan
. The device must be active on the network for at least 40 days.
. If T-Mobile financed the device, it must be paid in full.
. The account balance must be zero for a canceled account.
Total (Verizon) Wireless Unlock Policy
Here is a summary of the requirements to unlock any device locked to the Total Wireless (now Total by Verizon) network:
. A device activated on the network before November 23, 2021, must be active for 12 months.
. A device activated on the Total network after November 23, 2021, must be active for 60 days.
. You must contact Total’s customer support and place a request to unlock your device.
Tracfone Unlock Policy
. A device activated on the Tracfone network before November 23, 2021, must be active for 12 months.
. A device activated on the Tracfone network after November 23, 2021, must be active for 60 days.
. You must contact Total’s customer support and place a request to unlock your device.
US Cellular Unlock Policy
US Cellular network unlocking requirements depend on when the device was activated and the type of device. Here is a breakdown of the unlock policy requirements:
. Apple postpaid devices activated before January 11th, 2022, must be active for 120 days.
. Apple postpaid devices activated after January 11th, 2022, must be active for 120 days.
. Apple devices on prepaid plans activated before January 11th, 2022, must be active for 120 days.
. Finally, Apple devices on prepaid plans activated after January 11th, 2022, must be active for 120 days.
. Other devices on postpaid plans activated before January 11th, 2022, must be active for 120 days.
. Other devices on postpaid plans activated after January 11th, 2022, must complete the terms of contract.
. Other devices on prepaid plans activated before January 11th, 2022, must be active for 120 days.
. Other devices on prepaid plans activated after January 11th, 2022, must be active for 365 days.
Verizon Wireless Unlock Policy
According to the information on their site, Verizon will unlock any device locked to their network that meets the following requirements:
. The device must be active for at least 60 days on the Verizon network.
. The device must meet other general unlock requirements.
. Also, the device must be purchased from Verizon or any of Verizon’s retail partners.
Visible Mobile Unlock Policy
Here is a breakdown of what it takes to unlock a device locked to the Visible Mobile network:
. The device must be purchased from Visible.
. The device must be active on the network for at least 60 days.
. Also, the device must be fully paid for.
Xfinity Mobile Unlock Policy
. The device must be active on the network for at least 60 days.
. The device must be fully paid for.
. Also, the device must meet other general unlock requirements.
Hi, I’m Ron D. Morgan. TECODY IS MY BRAINCHILD. I’ve worked in a tech startup in the last 7 years. I decided to branch out and start TECODY as a side project to provide tech troubleshooting tips for readers.
Got my two friends who are Nerd Heads too and here we are. The aim here is to provide readers with accurate info to help them resolve basic troubleshooting issues with Network and devices. You can always reach out to us via our Contact Us Page.