How to Unlock Cricket Phone [iPhone/Android]

by Lorena Hill

Updated on 2025-08-13

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5min read

Cricket Wireless is very strict when it comes to removing carrier lock from your phone. However, their 6-month policy is not set in stone. In some situations, you can ask for an unlock earlier and still get it approved. And of course, if 6 months have passed, the unlocking is simple. So, we will discuss how to unlock a Cricket phone, whether the 6-month rule has passed or not. iPhone and Android users are both covered.

Sometimes contacting Cricket isn’t possible. So, we will also share you modern alternatives like Passixer iPhone Unlocker, which can remove the Cricket lock from your iPhone and allow you to use a new SIM in just about 30 minutes.

unlock SIM | Unlock Cricket Phone

FAQs About Unlocking Cricket Phone

Whether you’re using an iPhone or Android, here are answers to some of the most common questions related to removing carrier restrictions from Cricket-locked phones.

Can You Unlock Cricket Phone Without Account for Free?

No. If you don’t have access to the Cricket account under some cases, such as buying a second-hand Cricket phone, you can’t unlock the device for free.

In case you don’t have account details, you’ll need to pay for a third-party service or software to unlock the Cricket phone without original account or carrier. 

Can I Unlock My Cricket Phone Myself?

Yes, you can.

When you meet Cricket’s requirements, you can unlock it through any process you prefer. For example, in the U.S., the 2014 Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act allows you to legally unlock your phone. 

Simply put, the device should be fully paid off and not reported as stolen or missing. Plus, make sure you use a legitimate unlocking method and we will discuss these shortly.

How Much Does It Cost to Unlock a Cricket Phone?

Well, it depends. If you qualify under Cricket’s Unlock Eligibility Policy and contact Cricket for unlocking phone, the cost is exactly US$0.00. You’ll just need to make a quick call to their customer support at most.

Then there are third-party unlocking services. The price here depends entirely on the method you choose:

  • Software tools like Passixer could charge as little as US$30.
  • Online IMEI services can charge anywhere between US$10 and US$200.

How to Unlock Cricket Phone Before 6 Months

Here, “before 6 months” means you want to unlock your Cricket phone  before you have completed the usual service time required by Cricket’s policy – generally six months of paid use.

Normally, Cricket Wireless will not unlock a device that hasn’t met this period. Still, there are legitimate ways to remove carrier lock from Cricket phone and use the SIM of your choice.

Requirements

Before attempting the early unlock, make sure the following conditions are met. These are general requirements that apply regardless of which method you choose in this guide.

  • Ownership and payment — You own the phone outright. It’s not on a lease or an unpaid installment plan.
  • Good standing and active device — If you have a Cricket account, it should be active and in good standing with no overdue bills. If you bought the phone second-hand, check that it isn’t still tied to someone else’s Cricket account.
  • Clean phone — The Android or iPhone device has not been reported as lost or stolen.

Legal note: The 2014 Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act gives you the right to unlock your paid-off phone (or pay someone to unlock it) after you purchase it, even if carrier policies would normally make you wait. The only condition is that you meet the basic requirements above: you own the device, it’s paid off, and it isn’t blacklisted.

unlock policy | Unlock Cricket Phone

If that’s the case, you’re within your rights to unlock it before 6 months of use. Now, here are the ways to get your Cricket phone unlocked early.

Way 1. Unlock Cricket Phone as a Military Member

unlock as military members | Unlock Cricket Phone

Cricket offers special accommodations for active-duty U.S. military personnel. The standard 6-month active service requirement doesn’t apply for military members.

So, if you’re in this situation, you can request an expedited unlock from Cricket.

To do this:  

  • Contact Cricket customer support (call 1-800-CRICKET or from your Cricket iPhone, dial 611) and request a “military deployment unlock.” Or visit your local Cricket Store.
  • You will typically be asked to provide proof of active deployment: deployment orders or a letter from your commanding officer.
  • provide proof | Unlock Cricket Phone

  • Cricket will approve the unlock without making you wait through the usual period.

After the lock is removed, you’ll be free to use your iPhone with local carriers while deployed abroad and switch networks as needed without delays.

Way 2. Unlock Cricket Phone Using Carrier Unlocker – Passixer

If contacting Cricket directly isn’t an option or you can’t wait for the Cricket to respond, a carrier-independent unlocking method can be a real lifesaver. One of the fastest solutions in such cases is a desktop tool like Passixer iPhone Unlocker.

Passixer removes the SIM lock from your Cricket iPhone with ease. The phone unlocking process is quick, usually taking about 30–40 minutes. Also, no data loss will happen during the SIM lock removal. Once finished, your iPhone can work with SIM cards from networks, including Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, or even an international provider when you’re abroad.

Steps to Use Passixer to Remove SIM Lock from Cricket iPhone

Step 1. Open Passixer iPhone Unlocker and choose Remove SIM Lock.

choose Remove SIM Lock | Unlock Cricket Phone

Step 2. Connect the Cricket iPhone to the computer and click Start.

click Start | Unlock Cricket Phone

Step 3. Select iOS Jailbreak Tutorial and follow the on-screen instructions. When finished, click Next.

select iOS Jailbreak Tutorial | Unlock Cricket Phone

Step 4. Passixer will display your iPhone’s details. Confirm they are correct. Then, click Start SIM Lock Removal.

click Start SIM Lock Removal | Unlock Cricket Phone

Step 5. Remove SIM card from your iPhone. Then, go to Settings, remove all saved Wi-Fi networks and turn off Wi-Fi completely. Next, place the SIM card back to the SIM tray. 

Wi-Fi off | Unlock Cricket Phone

Step 6. After a few moments, you’ll see a SIM Lock Removed Successfully message. And the iPhone will instantly work with the new inserted SIM.

removed SIM lock | Unlock Cricket Phone

Way 3. Unlock Cricket Phone with IMEI

There’s another method worth considering: online IMEI unlocking service. When you want to unlock a Cricket Android phone without carrier code or unlock a Cricket iPhone without account, these services can be an alternative.

They only need your device’s unique 15-digit IMEI number to start the process remotely. The trade-off is the low success rate and the high prices often involved. Some services charge as much as US$80 and even then, the outcome is not guaranteed.

Unlock Cricket Phone Using Online IMEI Services

Step 1. Visit an IMEI unlocking site of your choice: DirectUnlocks, DoctorSIM, CellUnlocker.net, MobileUnlocked, or any other.

Step 2. On the site’s main page: choose your device type (iPhone or Android) and select the exact model.

Step 3. Under the “Original Carrier” or “Network” field, select Cricket Wireless as your locked carrier.

select Cricket Wireless | Unlock Cricket Phone

Step 4. Find your phone’s 15-digit IMEI number (dial *#06#) and enter it into the webform. Type in the email address.

find IMEI number | Unlock Cricket Phone

Step 5. Review the unlock details shown on the next screen, including the estimated success rate and delivery time. Then proceed to payment.

estimated success rate | Unlock Cricket Phone

Step 6. Once payment is processed, the service will try to unlock your iPhone or Android device remotely. You’ll be notified by email if the unlock is successful.

unlock phone remotely | Unlock Cricket Phone

How to Unlock Cricket Phone for Free After 6 months

When your Cricket phone has been active for 6 months or more, you are usually qualified for a free device unlock through Cricket.

There are conditions you’ll need to meet.

Requirements:

  • Your device has been on an active paid Cricket plan for at least six months.
  • You’ve passed the minimum active service time in your contract.
  • No outstanding payments on your account.
  • Your device must not be blacklisted, like it should not be reported as lost, stolen, or flagged for fraud in Cricket’s system.

How to Unlock Cricket Android Phone with MyCricket App

Cricket Android devices can be unlocked through the myCricket app. For Motorola or Cricket branded device(2025 or later),you can use Cricket Device Unlock app instead.

Step 1. Open the myCricket app on your Android device. Sign out of the app if you’re currently signed in.

Step 2. From the main screen, tap Unlock Device. On the sign-in screen, tap Unlock at the bottom.

Step 3. Once you see the unlock confirmation, restart your phone to complete the process.

tap Unlock Device | Unlock Cricket Phone

Tip: To unlock your Cricket iPhone, you can dial 611 or follow this device unlock link.

Conclusion

As you see, the 6-month mark is not always a strict rule. If you qualify, the best option is to let Cricket remove the carrier restriction for you.

When you can’t wait for 6 months or when you have a second-hand Cricket phone, other methods come into play. In such cases, the fastest and most reliable is the Passixer iPhone Unlocker. It removes the SIM lock directly  and gets your phone working with a new SIM in about 30 minutes.

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