Cricket USA IMEI unlock and eligibility check
78,000+ orders completed · rejected orders are refunded automatically
Cricket unlocks a phone only after it has met the carrier's tenure rule and is free of blocks, so the fastest route is to check first and unlock second. The instant Cricket eligibility check returns the model, whether the device is Cricket-compatible and authorised, eSIM support, current and future block flags, SIM-lock state and the unlock verdict: "Eligible for unlock", "Device unlock pending tenure" with the days still needed, or "Device Requires MyCricket app" for Android units that only unlock through the app.
Once the device is eligible, the Cricket clean & eligible unlock handles iPhone (all models) and generic non-Apple devices automatically and reports back when done. IMEIs that Cricket has blocked as lost or stolen go through the Cricket unbarring service, which clears the report at the carrier and in the GSMA database (separate services for models up to the 14 Pro Max and for the iPhone 16/17 series).
Orders are processed automatically around the clock, bulk submission is supported, resellers can use the API, and a rejected order is refunded to your balance in full.
Services on this page
Typical time is the median of completed orders over the last 30 days; “—” means too few recent orders to measure.
Requirements
- The IMEI of the device (dial *#06#).
- Locked to Cricket USA; the Apple activation policy names the carrier.
- For the unlock: device active on Cricket for at least 6 months (devices activated after 1 July 2026 need 12 months, per Cricket's tenure rule), not reported lost or stolen and not otherwise blocked. Android units that unlock only through the MyCricket app are not supported.
- Not already unlocked: an already unlocked IMEI still consumes the order.
How it works
- Run the Cricket Eligibility Check [INSTANT] — the answer arrives in seconds.
- If the verdict is "Eligible for unlock", order the Cricket clean & eligible unlock.
- If it says "pending tenure", wait the number of days shown, then re-check.
- If the IMEI is blocked, order Cricket unbarring first, allow up to 24 hours for GSMA to show clean, then unlock. Rejected orders are refunded automatically.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Cricket phone have to be active before it can be unlocked?
Cricket's tenure rule requires at least 6 months of active service; devices activated after 1 July 2026 need 12 months. The eligibility check shows how many days are still needed when the device is pending tenure.
What does "Device unlock pending tenure" mean?
The phone is otherwise fine but has not yet met the tenure rule. The response includes the days still needed; order the unlock after that date.
What does "Device Requires MyCricket app" mean?
It is an Android unit that Cricket unlocks only through the MyCricket app on the phone itself. Such devices are not supported by the IMEI unlock.
Is there a difference between the instant check and the standard eligibility check?
The standard check is processed by the source in batches and can take up to a day; the [INSTANT] variant answers in seconds. Both are reports only and do not change the device.
Can a Cricket iPhone that is reported lost or stolen be unlocked?
Not directly. Cricket unbarring removes the lost-or-stolen report so the IMEI reads clean at the carrier and in GSMA; it does not SIM-unlock the device and does not clear unpaid balances. After unbarring, allow up to 24 hours and then order the clean & eligible unlock.
How long does the Cricket unlock take?
The eligibility check is instant; the unlock itself is processed automatically and typically completes within a couple of days. The service page shows the current median time measured on real orders.
What if I submit the wrong carrier or an already unlocked phone?
The order is still consumed. Submitting the wrong carrier, an unsupported model or an already unlocked IMEI is not refunded, which is why we recommend the eligibility check first. A rejection by the source, on the other hand, is refunded automatically and in full.
Can I cancel after submitting?
No. Once submitted the order is processed automatically and cannot be cancelled.
The official route
Cricket unlocks phones itself, free of charge, once the device has been active on Cricket service for the tenure period (6 months; 12 months for devices activated after 1 July 2026, as reported by our source), is not reported lost or stolen and is not otherwise blocked: Android phones through the MyCricket app, iPhones by request to Cricket support. If your phone meets those conditions, the official route costs nothing. The services here are for checking eligibility instantly and in bulk, for unlocking by IMEI when you have no access to the Cricket account or the handset, and for clearing lost-or-stolen reports that Cricket itself will not lift.
Other carriers and checks
Create a free account, top up the balance and submit the IMEI. Orders are processed automatically; rejected orders are refunded in full.