Can a carrier-locked iPhone be traded in at an Apple Store?

Actually, yes. It doesn't matter if it's carrier locked or not, so long as it's not activation locked.

If it's at all possible, you'd be much better off trying to sell it to someone else who wants to use it on Cricket.

No. Apple has no use for a phone they would have to pay the release fee on.

KiltedTim wrote:

Actually, yes. It doesn't matter if it's carrier locked or not, so long as it's not activation locked.

If it's at all possible, you'd be much better off trying to sell it to someone else who wants to use it on Cricket.

I think you missed the fact they clearly owe money on the contract for the phone.

lobsterghost1 wrote:

KiltedTim wrote:

Actually, yes. It doesn't matter if it's carrier locked or not, so long as it's not activation locked.

If it's at all possible, you'd be much better off trying to sell it to someone else who wants to use it on Cricket.

I think you missed the fact they clearly owe money on the contract for the phone.

Actually, no. That is not what the OP said.

They paid for the phone up front. They don't owe anything on the device.

"They charge you for the phone and 2 months of service up front. In order to carrier unlock the phone you must have service for 6 months."

KiltedTim wrote:

lobsterghost1 wrote:

KiltedTim wrote:

Actually, yes. It doesn't matter if it's carrier locked or not, so long as it's not activation locked.

If it's at all possible, you'd be much better off trying to sell it to someone else who wants to use it on Cricket.

I think you missed the fact they clearly owe money on the contract for the phone.

Actually, no. That is not what the OP said.

They paid for the phone up front. They don't owe anything on the device.

"They charge you for the phone and 2 months of service up front. In order to carrier unlock the phone you must have service for 6 months."

Perhaps, but if I were them, I'd read the fine print to be sure they don't owe beyond the first two months.

Is it possible for me to trade in a carrier locked device at the Apple Store?

No

Apple – Legal – Apple Trade-In: Terms and Conditions for Apple Trade In program

"There are no leases, contractual commitments, or other third-party interests attached to your trade-in device."

The requirement is that Find My iPhone must be turned off before Apple accepts it. This means that the iPhone will then be Activation unlocked.

If the phone is financed (not fully paid off), Apple will reject it, But you mentioned that Cricket’s promo requires you to pay upfront, so you’re fine.

Axel F.

Yes that is possible. To your point, the language in the agreement is the key. The other side of this coin can be that different terms may apply to the phone and service.

Axel F.

The amount that Cricket’s promotion requires one to pay up front is nowhere near the iPhone 16e’s normal price, so I suspect that the true purchase cost is buried in a contract somewhere.