How to unlock your phone for free

Official 2026 rules for AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Metro and Cricket · Updated October 2026

A carrier-locked phone only works with the carrier that sold it. The good news: every major US carrier unlocks eligible phones for free. You usually don't need to pay an unlock service. You just need to meet the carrier's rules.

First, check if it's already unlocked

• iPhone: Settings → General → About → Carrier Lock. "No SIM restrictions" means it's unlocked.
• Any phone: put in a SIM card from a different carrier. If you can make a call, it's unlocked.

What every carrier requires

• The phone is paid off (no payment plan or lease balance).
• It's not reported lost or stolen, and not tied to fraud.
• It has been active for long enough on that carrier (see below).

Rules by carrier

AT&T

• Monthly (postpaid): paid off, active for at least 60 days, and the account isn't past due.
• Prepaid: at least 6 months of active service.
• How: request it at att.com/deviceunlock. You don't have to be an AT&T customer to submit a request. Most iPhones, Samsungs and Pixels unlock on their own once approved.

T-Mobile

• Monthly (postpaid): paid off and active on T-Mobile for at least 40 days.
• Prepaid: 365 days since activation, or more than $100 in refills if it's been less than a year (and at least 14 days since purchase).
• T-Mobile allows no more than 2 unlocks per line every 12 months.
• How: many eligible phones unlock automatically. If yours doesn't, contact T-Mobile. T-Mobile's unlock policy

Metro by T-Mobile

• 365 days since the phone was bought from Metro.
• How: Metro unlocks eligible phones automatically within about 2 business days. Some models get a notification with next steps instead. Metro's unlock policy

Verizon

• Monthly phones bought on or after January 20, 2026: stay locked until the phone is paid off.
• Monthly phones bought before that: the old rule applies, and they unlock automatically after 60 days.
• Prepaid: unlock automatically after 365 days of paid, active service.
• Verizon's unlock policy

Cricket Wireless

• At least 365 days of paid service on that phone.
• How: request it through Cricket's app or customer support. Cricket's unlock policy

Watch out for paid "unlock any phone" services

Some websites promise to unlock phones that aren't paid off, are blacklisted, or still owe the carrier money. Those unlocks often fail or get reversed, and phones that need them are frequently stolen or fraud-financed. If a phone can't be unlocked through its carrier, treat that as a warning sign, especially when you're buying it used.

Buying a used phone that's locked?

Ask the seller which carrier it's locked to and whether it's paid off, then check the IMEI. A locked phone is fine if it's locked to your carrier. If not, only buy it if the seller can get it unlocked before you pay.