4 Steps to Unlock Your Boost Mobile Phone

All of Boost Mobile’s cell phones are sold locked to their network which means it won’t work with another carrier until you unlock it. Unlocking your phone through Boost Mobile is free, while third party unlock companies will charge you. This guide will walk you through how to unlock your Boost Mobile phone step by step, so you can take your phone wherever you want.

Boost Mobile’s Unlocking Policy

Boost Mobile has a relatively straightforward unlocking policy for current customers, so have no fear, you will be able to boost off to another carrier. You simply need to meet some eligibility requirements then contact Boost customer service for unlocking instructions.

Once your phone is unlocked, it is important to know that your phone may not be compatible with your preferred carrier. So before you make the jump, check to make sure it’s possible to BYOP (bring your own phone).

When CDMA and GSM technology was first created, phones on either platform couldn’t switch to the other. But with new updates, MOST phones can now be used on all networks regardless of their GSM or CDMA tech.

In general, most newer phones are cross-compatible across all carriers, so you probably won’t run into any problems. However, older phones from Sprint and Verizon only work with each other because they use the same CDMA technology. Older phones on AT&T or T-Mobile are only compatible with each other because they use GSM technology.

Switch Carriers and Bring Your Own Phone

Let’s Talk Tip: Carriers like Boost Mobile have an online phone compatibility checker that makes it easy for you to check if your phone will work on their network.

Boost Eligibility Requirements to Unlock a Phone

If you want to unlock your phone, be ready to do some work because Boost Mobile does not, and will not, notify you when you’re eligible—you have to be aware of the eligibility requirements and figure them out yourself. Luckily, we’re here to help and found the criteria for you:

• Make sure you’ve used your phone for at least 12 months with Boost Mobile.
• Make sure a payment has been made within the last 90 days of that 12-month activation anniversary.
• Your phone needs to be SIM unlock capable (most phones are).
• Your phone can’t be reported lost or stolen.
• Your Boost Mobile account is in good standing (i.e., no unpaid bills).
• Your phone is from Boost Mobile (Boost can only unlock their own phones/devices).

The most important requirement is that you’ve used your phone for at least 12 months with Boost Mobile

Unlocking Your Phone – Military Requirements

If you’re in the military, Boost Mobile will unlock your phone at your request with proof of deployment. The only eligibility requirement you don’t need to meet is the minimum amount of time you need to use your phone with Boost. Each number associated with your military account can unlock up to two devices per year.

Unlocking Your Phone – Current Boost Customers

If you’re a current Boost Mobile customer and meet the requirements above, the unlocking process is simple:

1. Call Boost customer service
2. Get the unlock code
3. Input said code.

The whole process shouldn’t take more than one day if you’re on a BoostUP! installment plan. If not, unlocking your phone could take up to two days. To help the process go smoothly, there are a few things you can do:

• Keep your SIM card in the phone (removing or replacing the SIM card will cause the unlock request to fail).
• Make sure your phone is turned on and connected to the Boost Mobile network, or connected to a WiFi network the whole time.

If you’re a former customer, or a person who bought a Boost Mobile phone from a previous customer, the process can be a little more confusing and Boost requires a few extra steps.

Unlocking Your Phone – Non-Boost Customers

It’s important to note you CAN unlock a Boost Mobile phone even if you’re not currently (or have never been) a Boost customer, but the process to get there is a little tedious. To unlock your Boost Mobile phone you’ll need:

• The Boost Mobile phone number or account number last associated with the phone.

OR

• If you don’t have that, you will need to contact the person whom you bought the phone from and get that info from them.

If you can’t do either of these things, then Boost will not unlock your device and you’ll have to use it on Boost Mobile’s network for the required amount of time before you try unlocking it again.

Let’s Talk Tip: Check with Boost Mobile before you buy a Boost phone from a third party. They will be able to tell you if the phone is unlocked, or if it’s eligible. If you do this, you won’t have to worry about eligibility requirements or be shocked if the phone can’t be unlocked.