Phones purchased from Consumer Cellular must remain on our service for a designated period of time before they can be unlocked. After that, customers may request that the phone be unlocked so long as the device has been paid in full, and the account in question is not past due.

For the switch to work properly, you’ll need to have what’s called “an unlocked GSM phone.” Consumer Cellular’s service operates via GSM network technology. It’s the same type of network used by AT&T and T-Mobile, so you’ll have the best chance of successfully switching if your phone is from one of those carriers.

However, the good news is that in many cases it is possible to switch your current phone to Consumer Cellular. For the switch to work properly, you’ll need to have what’s called “an unlocked GSM phone,” along with one of our free SIM cards. Here’s what that means: Consumer Cellular operates on what’s called a GSM network.

Consumer cellular phones are often locked to a specific carrier. This means you cannot easily switch to another carrier with your phone. Locked phones can be unlocked by the carrier or through third-party services.

Are Consumer Cellular Phones Unlocked? No, Consumer Cellular Phones are not unlocked by default. The unlocking process must follow the strict guidelines set by Consumer Cellular, which includes a mandatory 6-month waiting