Carrier unlock policies for repair and buyback shops
Each carrier's own rules as published in 2026, for reference: the waiting clock, paid in full, how to check lock status and the free route for the owner. Each page also lists our services for that carrier, live from The STACKS App. The full menu is on the services page.
T-Mobile and Metro
40 days postpaid, 365 days prepaid, paid in full, two unlocks a line a year, auto unlock within two business days.
AT&T
60 days, zero installment balance, the public unlock portal, 12 months for AT&T Prepaid.
Verizon
The FCC's January 2026 waiver: unlock when paid off, 35 days on a gift card payoff, 365 days prepaid.
Cricket, Boost, Straight Talk, Tracfone
Cricket 365 days of paid service, Boost one year or paid off, the Verizon Value brands 365 days from January 20, 2026.
Then see what the lock is worth: locked vs unlocked value, the calculator, and financed and blacklisted phones.