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The difference between locked and unlocked
I already have a mobile plan/carrier
I don't have a mobile plan/carrier
How to activate my phone after purchase
How US service providers work
In the US, the 3 major carriers are AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile (Sprint is now part of T-Mobile). These are also known as Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). They own and control all the wireless network infrastructure needed to get wireless service to our devices. These are typically postpaid contracts.
All other carriers, (Mint, Straight Talk, US Mobile, etc.), are called Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs). These are typically prepaid contracts. Through contracts and business agreements, they use the wireless network infrastructure of the 3 major carriers (MNOs). They don't own any of the wireless network infrastructure and, in a way, are “renting space” from the 3 carriers.
There are some great benefits to using an MVNO: they’re budget-friendly and have no complicated contracts. However, they also have some potential drawbacks: coverage can be limited and service can be subject to data limits.
See which network your MVNO carrier uses
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MVNO |
Network |
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T-Mobile |
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T-Mobile, AT&T |
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Verizon |
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AT&T |
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AT&T |
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T-Mobile |
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AT&T |
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T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular |
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Verizon |
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AT&T |
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AT&T |
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T-Mobile |
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T-Mobile |
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T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T |
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Verizon |
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T-Mobile, AT&T |
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AT&T |
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Verizon, AT&T |
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T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T |
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T-Mobile |
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AT&T |
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T-Mobile |
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Verizon |
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T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T |
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T-Mobile |
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T-Mobile |
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T-Mobile |
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Verizon |
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T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T |
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T-Mobile |
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Verizon |
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U.S. Cellular |
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T-Mobile |
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T-Mobile, Verizon |
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T-Mobile |
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Verizon |
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T-Mobile, AT&T |
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Verizon |
The difference between locked and unlocked
When buying a refurbished phone, there can be pros and cons to both locked and unlocked models. The good news is that Back Market sells both. Let’s look at the differences.
Unlocked phones can work with any carrier, while locked phones can only work with specific carriers. To get the best service from your carrier, consider getting a model that’s totally compatible with your carrier.
Devices from a specific carrier may work with others, but the service might not be the best. For example, an AT&T-locked Galaxy S10e may work with a T-Mobile plan, but won't be able to send messages.
If you’re a customer with Sprint or one of its MVNOs, we encourage you to purchase an unlocked device. We can’t guarantee that Sprint-compatible devices will work on T-Mobile.
When you look at any phone on Back Market, you can see right away if it’s locked or unlocked. Just go to the product page of the model you’re interested in, scroll to “Technical specifications” and click on it to see the item’s “Carrier compatibility”.
I already have a mobile plan/carrier
Filter listings by carrier
On our app, a filter button will appear when you search for a phone. Click “Carrier compatibility” and decide whether you’d like a locked or unlocked phone.
On the “cell phones” category page of our desktop website, you can filter by “carrier compatibility” on the left side of the page. Just check the boxes to choose locked or unlocked.
Pro tip: if you already have a contract with a carrier, buying a phone locked to that carrier may cost you less.
I don’t have a mobile plan/carrier
Check the listing for carrier compatibility
Once you’ve spotted a phone that interests you from the filter results, click into its product page to see more details. In the item’s title, it will say if the phone is unlocked, or the carrier’s name if it’s locked to one.
Also near the top of this page, you’ll see “Works with the following carriers”, if it’s a locked phone; or “Works with all carriers” if it’s an unlocked phone.
How to activate my phone after purchase
1. Find the IMEI
After receiving your phone, it’s time to connect it to your desired carrier. To do this, you’ll need to find your phone’s International Mobile Equipment Identity numbers (IMEI). Every cellphone is tagged with a unique IMEI. Here’s how you find yours:
- For iPhone: go to “Settings” > “General” > “About”
- For Android: go to “Settings” > “About Device” > “Status”
- For all phones: dial #06# then press call, and your IMEI number will appear.
2. Find your carrier’s BYOD page
Next, find your carrier’s Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) page — we’ve listed some of them below for you. (Good news — some carriers offer discounts or credits to customers who bring their own devices. That’s you!)
Typically, you’ll need to enter your IMEI number here so the carrier can ensure your device is legitimate and compatible. You’ll then be asked to insert your SIM card and call a number.
Find other carrier BYOD pages
AT&T |
(800) 331-0500 |
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Boost Mobile |
(833) 502-6678 |
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Cricket |
(800) 274-2538 |
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Google Fi |
(844) TALK-2-FI |
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H2O Wireless |
(800) 643-4926 |
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Metro |
(888) 8-METRO-8 |
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Mint |
(800) 683-7392 |
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Spectrum |
(877) 463-0677 |
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Straight Talk |
(877) 430-2355 |
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T-Mobile |
(800) 937-8997 |
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US Cellular |
(888) 944-9400 |
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Verizon |
(800) 922-0204 |
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Xfinity |
(800) XFINITY |
Don’t see your carrier?
It might be an MVNO — they're lesser-known carriers that use the networks of the major carriers. You'll probably spot yours in the list below.
Check out this huge list of carriers/MVNOs
Carrier |
Network |
Bring Your Own Device |
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Access Wireless |
T-Mobile | |
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Affinity Cellular |
Verizon | |
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Airvoice Wireless |
AT&T | |
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Allvoi Wireless |
AT&T | |
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Armed Forces Wireless |
T-Mobile | |
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Assist Wireless |
T-Mobile | |
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Assurance Wireless |
T-Mobile | |
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Best Cellular |
T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T | |
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Black Wireless |
AT&T | |
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Boost Mobile |
T-Mobile | |
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Consumer Cellular |
T-Mobile, AT&T | |
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CREDO Mobile |
Verizon | |
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Cricket Wireless |
AT&T | |
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easyGO Wireless |
AT&T | |
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EcoMobile |
T-Mobile, Verizon | |
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EXTREMEConnect.me |
T-Mobile, AT&T | |
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enTouch Wireless |
Verizon | |
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Flash Wireless |
Verizon | |
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FreedomPop |
AT&T | |
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FreeUP Mobile |
AT&T | |
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Gen Mobile |
T-Mobile | |
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Good2Go Mobile |
AT&T | |
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Google Fi |
T-Mobile | |
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h2o Wireless |
AT&T | |
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Hello Mobile |
T-Mobile | |
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Jethro Mobile |
T-Mobile | |
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Jolt Mobile |
AT&T | |
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Kroger Wireless |
T-Mobile | |
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Liberty Wireless |
T-Mobile | |
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Lycamobile |
T-Mobile | |
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Madstar Mobile |
T-Mobile | |
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Metro by T-Mobile |
T-Mobile | |
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Mint Mobile |
T-Mobile | |
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Net10 Wireless |
T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T | |
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Optimum Mobile |
T-Mobile | |
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Patriot Mobile |
T-Mobile | |
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Pix Wireless |
T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T | |
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Pulse Cellular |
T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T | |
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Puppy Wireless |
Verizon | |
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Pure TalkUSA |
AT&T | |
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Q Link Wireless |
T-Mobile | |
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Reach Mobile |
Verizon, AT&T | |
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Red Pocket Mobile |
T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T | |
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Republic Wireless |
T-Mobile | |
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Seawolf Wireless |
T-Mobile | |
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Selectel Wireless |
Verizon | |
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Simple Mobile |
T-Mobile | |
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Spectrum Mobile |
Verizon | |
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SpeedTalk Mobile |
T-Mobile | |
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StandUp Wireless |
T-Mobile | |
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Straight Talk |
T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T | |
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TAG Mobile |
T-Mobile, Verizon | |
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Tello Mobile |
T-Mobile | |
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TerraCom Wireless |
T-Mobile | |
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TextNow |
T-Mobile | |
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Ting |
T-Mobile, Verizon | |
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Total Wireless |
Verizon | |
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Tracfone |
T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T | |
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Twigby |
Verizon | |
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Ultra Mobile |
T-Mobile | |
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Unreal Mobile |
AT&T | |
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US Mobile |
T-Mobile, Verizon | |
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Visible |
Verizon | |
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Walmart Family Mobile |
T-Mobile | |
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Wing |
T-Mobile, AT&T | |
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Xfinity Mobile |
Verizon |