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Prepaid carrier iPhones from brands such as Cricket Wireless, Metro by T-Mobile, Straight Talk, Total Wireless and Visible can be sold for cash, but they usually stay locked longer than postpaid phones, so many are sold at a locked offer. Prepaid brands sell phones at a discount and recover the cost through months of service, which is why their lock periods run from about 6 months to 1 year. Verizon's prepaid brands moved to a 365-day lock in 2026, according to reports. Once the period passes, the phone can be unlocked and sold at the full offer. Compare both numbers on Sell Locked iPhone for Cash.
- Typical prepaid lock: about 6 to 12 months of active, paid service.
- Verizon prepaid brands: 365 days, according to reports on the 2026 policy.
- Sale options: sell locked now, or unlock after the period and sell unlocked.
- Not bought: phones reported lost or stolen.
Are prepaid iPhones locked longer?
Prepaid iPhones are locked longer than most postpaid iPhones, because prepaid brands often sell phones below their own cost and need several months of service to recover it. The table compares typical lock periods by brand family, based on each brand's published policy or reports. Check each brand's current unlock page before planning a sale.
| Brand | Network owner | Typical lock period |
|---|---|---|
| Cricket Wireless | AT&T | About 6 months of active service |
| AT&T Prepaid | AT&T | 6 months of paid service |
| Metro by T-Mobile | T-Mobile | A set number of days of active service, listed in Metro's policy |
| T-Mobile Prepaid | T-Mobile | 365 days active |
| Straight Talk, Total Wireless, TracFone, Walmart Family Mobile | Verizon | 365 days, according to reports on the 2026 policy |
| Visible | Verizon | Affected by Verizon's 2026 change, according to reports; check Visible's terms |
Postpaid phones that are paid off usually unlock after 40–60 days, depending on the carrier, which is much shorter than most prepaid periods.
How do prepaid unlock rules work?
Prepaid unlock rules work by counting days of active, paid service on the brand. Most brands share 4 conditions:
- The phone has been active on the brand for the full lock period.
- The service has been paid for each month in that period, with no long gaps.
- The phone is not reported lost, stolen or linked to fraud.
- The account is in good standing.
Some brands unlock automatically at the end of the period, and others require a request through the brand's app, website or customer care. Gaps in service can extend the period, because only active days count.
How are prepaid-locked iPhones priced?
Prepaid-locked iPhones are priced at the locked offer for the model, storage and condition, which is lower than the unlocked offer because fewer buyers can use a locked phone. The price does not depend on the specific prepaid brand once the phone is unlocked. The table shows how status changes the result.
| Status | Offer |
|---|---|
| Unlocked after the prepaid period | Full unlocked offer |
| Still locked to the prepaid brand | Locked offer |
| Bought on a financing plan with a balance remaining | Reduced offer from the account holder |
| Reported lost or stolen | Not bought |
Can You Sell a Carrier-Locked iPhone? Yes, Here Is How explains locked offers in detail.
Should I wait for the prepaid lock to end?
Waiting for the prepaid lock to end is worth it when the period ends soon and the phone is still in use. Selling locked now is better when the end date is months away or the phone sits unused, because each month reduces the phone's value and Apple's September launches lower prices for recent models. Compare the locked offer today with the expected unlocked offer at the end date. How Fast Do iPhones Lose Value? Depreciation by Year shows the pattern.
How do I check whether a prepaid iPhone is unlocked?
Check whether a prepaid iPhone is unlocked in Settings > General > About. The Carrier Lock line reads "No SIM restrictions" on an unlocked phone. A locked phone shows a SIM lock message. Prepaid phones bought years ago and used past the lock period are often already unlocked, but confirm before requesting a quote. How to Tell If Your iPhone Is Unlocked Before Selling explains the check.
How do I request a prepaid unlock?
Request a prepaid unlock in 5 steps:
- Confirm the phone has completed the brand's lock period.
- Find the IMEI in Settings > General > About, or dial *#06#.
- Visit the brand's unlock page or contact its customer care.
- Submit the IMEI and the account details.
- Connect the iPhone to Wi-Fi after approval, restart it and check Settings.
Brands that unlock automatically need no request, but checking the Carrier Lock line confirms the result.
Do prepaid iPhones work on other carriers after unlocking?
Prepaid iPhones work on other U.S. carriers after unlocking, because U.S. iPhone models support the bands used by AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile networks. The phone is the same hardware as a postpaid iPhone of the same model. Activate the new carrier's eSIM, or insert its SIM card on models with a tray.
Are prepaid iPhones different hardware?
Prepaid iPhones are the same hardware as postpaid and Apple-sold iPhones of the same model. Apple sells the same U.S. model to every carrier. The only difference is the carrier lock record linked to the IMEI. After unlocking, a prepaid iPhone is valued the same as any other unlocked iPhone in the same condition.
Can I sell a prepaid iPhone bought on a payment plan?
Some prepaid brands and retailers sell iPhones on financing or lease-to-own plans. A phone with a remaining balance can be sold by the account holder at a reduced offer, and the balance stays with the seller. Lease-to-own phones may belong to the leasing company until the lease is complete, so complete the lease before selling. How to Sell an iPhone That Is Not Paid Off explains balances.
What if my prepaid service lapsed?
A lapsed prepaid service usually pauses the count toward the lock period, because only active, paid days count. Restarting service continues the count. A phone whose service lapsed long ago may need a check with the brand's customer care to confirm its current lock status and the days remaining.
How do I prepare a prepaid iPhone for sale?
Prepare a prepaid iPhone for sale in 6 steps:
- Check the carrier lock status and request an unlock if eligible.
- Back up the phone and transfer data to the new phone.
- Move the number to the new phone, or cancel the prepaid plan.
- Turn off Find My and sign out of the Apple Account.
- Erase all content and settings.
- Request a quote with the correct carrier status and ship within the 14-day validity.
How to Prepare Your iPhone to Sell: 9-Step Checklist covers each step.
Which prepaid iPhones are most common?
Prepaid brands most often sell recent standard and older iPhone models, such as the iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15 and iPhone 16, along with the iPhone SE. Pro and Pro Max models are less common on prepaid. All of these models are bought for cash in working and damaged condition. Sell iPhone: Every Model and Condition We Buy lists the models.
What should I select in the quote form for a prepaid phone?
Select the carrier status that matches the phone today. Choose unlocked only when the Carrier Lock line shows "No SIM restrictions". Choose the prepaid brand's network carrier when the phone is still locked, for example AT&T for a locked Cricket phone or Verizon for a locked Straight Talk phone. An accurate answer avoids a revised offer after testing.
How do prepaid and postpaid iPhones compare when selling?
Prepaid and postpaid iPhones differ on 5 attributes that affect a sale:
| Attribute | Prepaid iPhone | Postpaid iPhone |
|---|---|---|
| Typical lock period | About 6–12 months | 40–60 days after payoff, or until paid off on Verizon after January 2026 |
| Usual purchase method | Bought outright, often discounted | Installment plan or outright |
| Balance owed | Rare | Common |
| Hardware | Same U.S. model | Same U.S. model |
| Value once unlocked | Full unlocked offer | Full unlocked offer |
Can I switch prepaid brands with a locked iPhone?
A locked prepaid iPhone can sometimes move to another brand on the same network, but most brands restrict their phones to their own service during the lock period. For example, a locked phone from a Verizon prepaid brand is not guaranteed to work on another Verizon prepaid brand. Check the new brand's compatibility tool with the IMEI before switching. A phone that cannot switch can still be sold at a locked offer.
What records help when selling a prepaid iPhone?
Three records help when selling a prepaid iPhone: the purchase receipt showing the date and IMEI, the brand's account history showing months of paid service and a screenshot of the Carrier Lock line. These records confirm when the lock period ends and support an unlock request. They also help answer the carrier question in the quote form accurately.
Do prepaid iPhones bought at Walmart or Best Buy follow the brand rules?
Prepaid iPhones bought at retailers such as Walmart, Target or Best Buy follow the lock rules of the prepaid brand on the box, not the store. A Straight Talk iPhone bought at Walmart follows Straight Talk's rules. An unlocked iPhone bought from a retailer without carrier service has no lock and earns the full offer.
Is a prepaid iPhone a good choice to buy and resell later?
A prepaid iPhone holds the same long-term value as any iPhone of the same model once its lock period ends. Its resale value during the lock period is lower. Buyers who plan to resell within a year usually get more back from an unlocked phone.
What if I do not know which prepaid brand sold the phone?
When the prepaid brand is unknown, check 3 sources: the original box or receipt, the carrier name shown in the status bar with the old SIM, and the IMEI in a carrier compatibility tool. A used phone bought from a private seller may also be identified by the seller. Select the network carrier in the quote form when the brand is unclear, and the phone's lock status is confirmed during testing.
Does a prepaid brand charge to unlock?
Prepaid brands generally do not charge to unlock an eligible phone. The cost is time, measured in months of active, paid service before the lock period ends.
Frequently asked questions about selling prepaid carrier iPhones
Can I sell a Cricket iPhone?
A Cricket iPhone can be sold for cash. When it has completed Cricket's lock period of about 6 months of active service and is unlocked, it earns the full unlocked offer. When it is still locked, it earns a locked offer. Check the Carrier Lock line in Settings > General > About before requesting a quote.
How long do prepaid iPhones stay locked?
Prepaid iPhones usually stay locked for about 6 to 12 months of active, paid service, depending on the brand. Verizon's prepaid brands, including Straight Talk, Total Wireless, TracFone and Walmart Family Mobile, use a 365-day lock, according to reports on Verizon's 2026 policy. Check each brand's current unlock page. A free quote with these details shows the exact offer, which stays valid for 14 days.
Are prepaid iPhones worth less than postpaid iPhones?
Prepaid iPhones are worth the same as postpaid iPhones once unlocked, because they are identical hardware. While still locked, they earn a locked offer, which is lower than the unlocked offer for the same model, storage and condition. The difference comes from the lock, not from the prepaid brand. Testing within 1–2 business days of arrival confirms the result before any payment is sent.
Can I sell a Straight Talk iPhone that is still locked?
A Straight Talk iPhone that is still locked can be sold at a locked offer. Straight Talk is a Verizon prepaid brand, so a locked phone is listed under Verizon in the quote form. After the 365-day lock period reported for Verizon prepaid brands, the phone can be unlocked and sold at the full offer.
Do prepaid iPhones work on other carriers after unlocking?
Prepaid iPhones work on other U.S. carriers after unlocking, because they are the same U.S. models Apple sells to every carrier and support the bands used by all major networks. Activate the new carrier's eSIM, or insert its SIM card on models with a SIM tray, and the phone connects normally.
Sources and references
- Cricket Wireless, Metro by T-Mobile, Straight Talk and Total Wireless: device unlock policy pages.
- Tom's Guide: Verizon's new unlock policy explained, including prepaid brands.
- CTIA: consumer code for wireless service and device unlocking principles.