Device Unlocking Policies
Devices purchased from UScellular®, including its authorized agents and resellers (collectively “UScellular”), must be activated and used with UScellular service. To mitigate theft and other fraudulent activity, devices sold by UScellular are locked to the UScellular network for a period of time as specified below.
UScellular as a participating carrier in the CTIA's Consumer Code for Wireless Service , has voluntarily agreed to unlock phones and tablets (hereinafter referred to as "devices") under certain circumstances described below. Unlocking devices describes the disabling of any software on a device that would prevent a device from being used on any compatible network. Some devices are not eligible to be unlocked because of the age of the device or because there is not technology readily available to permit the device to be used on any other compatible network.
It is important for consumers to know that an unlocked device is not an assurance that such device will:
- Operate on any other carrier's network due to technical differences between carrier networks.
- Or, if it does operate on another network, that it will perform all the functions that it performed on the UScellular network.
- Be accepted by any carrier for use on their network even if the device is compatible with that network to some degree.
Postpaid Device Unlocking Policy
| Locking Period for Postpaid Device Activations Prior to 11/01/2022 | Locking Period for Postpaid Device Activations On or After 11/01/2022 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase Type | Regular Price/Paid In Full | Subsidy Contract | Retail Installment Contract (RIC) | Regular Price/Paid In Full | Subsidy Contract | Retail Installment Contract (RIC) |
| Apple iPhones | 120 Days | 120 Days | 120 Days | 120 Days | Contract Term Completed | RIC Paid Off, or at 36 Month |
| Android Phones | 120 Days | 120 Days | 120 Days | 120 Days | Contract Term Completed | RIC Paid Off, or at 36 Months |
As soon as is practical after the locking period is completed, UScellular will automatically unlock your postpaid device if your account is in good standing - no action is required on your part provided that your device has been active for at least 120 days. If your device has not been active for at least 120 days or your account is not in good standing, please contact UScellular Customer Service for assistance.
During the locking period, UScellular will unlock your postpaid device upon request if:
- You are a UScellular customer on military duty, you present deployment papers for a location outside of the UScellular coverage area, and your postpaid account is in good standing.
- You are a UScellular customer who has paid for your device in full and your postpaid account is in good standing.
- You are a former UScellular postpaid customer who has fulfilled all financial obligations to UScellular.
Prepaid Device Unlocking Policy
| Locking Period for Prepaid Device Activations Prior to 11/01/2022 | Locking Period for Prepaid Device Activations On or After 11/01/2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhones | 120 Days | 120 Days |
| Android Phones | 120 Days | 180 Days |
As soon as is practical after the locking period is completed, UScellular will automatically unlock your prepaid device provided that it is active on the UScellular network - no action is required on your part.
During the locking period, UScellular will unlock your prepaid device upon request if you are a UScellular customer on military duty and you present deployment papers for a location outside of the UScellular coverage area.
Things We Want You to Know
- UScellular will not unlock devices that are lost, stolen or obtained fraudulently.
- UScellular cannot unlock devices that have been sold by other carriers.
- UScellular locked 4G LTE devices that were launched before February 1, 2016; some of these devices can be unlocked via a software update.
- UScellular locked 1X and 3G devices that were launched before February 1, 2016; some of these devices may be unlocked upon request. Please contact Customer Service for assistance with these devices.
- UScellular may not be able to unlock a device due to technology obsolescence.