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Patrick Stoner
Original Poster
Dec 29, 2021

My new Google Pixel 6 IMEI is stating it is not compatible with Cricket Wireless

This is a brand new phone. I just received it the other day and when I enter my SIM card for Cricket Wireless, the phone will work to text and call for ~5 minutes and then I will receive a text message from Cricket Wireless stating the device is not compatible, and then I can no longer successfully text or call with it. Cricket Wireless has a list of "Bring-Your-Own-Device" HD Voice Capable phone compatibility online here: https://www.cricketwireless.com/support/great-big-network/compatible-phones.html where the Pixel 6 is included. However, when I enter the IMEI of my device at this link https://www.cricketwireless.com/cell-phones/bring-your-phone, I get this error message: "Sorry, your device isn’t compatible with Cricket’s Network. Double check that you entered the correct digits."
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Recommended Answer
User 5949360678229385560
Jan 5, 2022
**Update** I've been checking daily on Cricket Wireless the IME of my Pixel 6 to see if Cricket has updated their IME's.  Today I checked and......... "Yay, your GB7N6 is compatible!".  You guys having the same problem might check your IME today, if its still not compatible just check it often before you have to return the phone, here is their link.   https://www.cricketwireless.com/cell-phones/bring-your-phone  My next step is change over my sim and see how it goes, I'll update if I have any issues, if not then all is good.  Good luck to everyone else
Last edited Jan 5, 2022
Diamond Product Expert Lilybell2 recommended this
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All Replies (29)
User 14940917321716476759
Dec 30, 2021
I have the same problem 🤣. I contacted Cricket customer service. They said they cannot activate the phone because they were unable to find the device in their system based on the IMEI of my Pixel 6.
Last edited Dec 30, 2021
PackRev
Jan 5, 2022
I had the exact same "Cricket won't take the IMEI and then locked my account".

When I check this Google operated site (g.co/pixel/networkinfo), I note I see DIFFERENT model numbers for the Pixel 6.  If I select T-Mobile, it says GB7N6 (the one I received from the Google Store).  If I select Cricket (my network), it gives a different model number of G959B.  This is the same as the one above that Vladimir said worked.

So I think the unlocked Pixel 6's we're getting from the Google Store are the wrong model for Cricket.  

Now, Google customer service said it shouldn't matter.  And truthfully, it shouldn't.  But clearly Cricket hasn't entered all the (secretly different) models of the Pixel 6 into their IMEI list.

I asked Google to replace my GB7N6 with a G959B.  They said they would send a new one but can't control the model number.  I expect that will have the same issue.

In short, Cricket isn't entering the IMEI's quickly enough and there's no telling how long it will take them.
User 6046654424212823761
Jan 5, 2022
We received one of our pixel 6 phones on New Years Eve. We can not get it hooked up through US Cellular. They told us they can not add the IMEI numbers and that is something Google has to do. I'm working with the technical support for pixel and keeping my fingers crossed that they can get it fixed. I have been jumping thru hoops with them so far. I don't know how many times I have been asked to check the compatibility list for carriers and non stop getting asked what kind of error US Cellular gets on their screen when they type in the number. I don't feel like this is our phone providers fault, but instead Googles fault for not getting the numbers out to the carriers before they sold the phones.
Patrick Stoner
Original Poster
Jan 5, 2022
Update since I'm the original poster. The day I submitted this was the day I was in and out of my local Cricket rep's store 3 times back-to-back simply to end up leaving still using my old phone (which thankfully still worked but has microphone and other nuisance issues). During this process, I was allotted a new SIM card and my plan upgraded to now include WiFi calling.

One day after this post, I entered the new SIM card into my new Google Pixel 6 again and thought all was well... Until I disconnected from WiFi and recognized the symptoms that my line was suspended yet again (just outside of Cricket's support hours). The next morning, as soon as their support hours were open, I got on Cricket's website https://www.cricketwireless.com/ and started a chat with the (?) bubble on the lower right side of the screen. I typed in "Unsuspend my account" a few times and had to click that the automated bot wasn't answering my questions to get assigned a support technician. They were able to unsuspend my account after quite a few minutes of telling me my phone was unsupported and I explained everything I had already been through to this point once again. Side tangent: thinking I may write up a rough draft on Google Docs to copy/paste if this continues to be a frequent occurrence- HA! After roughly 1 hour of online chatting, my Pixel 6 was working as intended. 

Several hours later in the day, I got the bright idea that I wanted to enable WiFi calling since I've not been familiar with this feature. Upon attempting to enable it - bam, my account was suspended again. Another 30-45 minutes online chatting explaining my debacle to get my line unsuspended and then I mistakenly closed out of the chat and couldn't get reconnected. Since then, I've had uninterrupted service for the last 5 days. I guess I just can't attempt to make any changes to my account as long as my IMEI is not recognized in Cricket's system... It hasn't been a fun time, but I'm just glad the phone is working. At least for now.
Last edited Jan 5, 2022
User 5949360678229385560
Recommended Answer
Jan 5, 2022
**Update** I've been checking daily on Cricket Wireless the IME of my Pixel 6 to see if Cricket has updated their IME's.  Today I checked and......... "Yay, your GB7N6 is compatible!".  You guys having the same problem might check your IME today, if its still not compatible just check it often before you have to return the phone, here is their link.   https://www.cricketwireless.com/cell-phones/bring-your-phone  My next step is change over my sim and see how it goes, I'll update if I have any issues, if not then all is good.  Good luck to everyone else
Last edited Jan 5, 2022
Diamond Product Expert Lilybell2 recommended this
Lilybell2
Diamond Product Expert
Jan 5, 2022
User 5949360678229385560,
 
It's definitely a good idea to check again.  Just for the heck of it, after seeing your post, I rechecked the IMEI of my Pixel 6 Pro model G8V0U and the IMEI is now compatible, whereas it was incompatible a couple of days ago.  
 
Chris 9897
Jan 5, 2022
yup, I just rechecked my IMEI on the cricket BYOP "imei checker' page, and as of today it's says my Pixel6 is supported.  Haven't actually moved the sim over yet, but will try that soon.
User 6046654424212823761
Jan 5, 2022
Still not up for US Cellular. Does everyone having this issue have the Pixel 6 or does anyone have the Pixel  6 pro and having the same issue? When I talked to Pixel tech support they assured me that my 6 pro would not have the issue with the IMEI  as our Pixel 6 is having. So I thought I would ask here.
Lilybell2
Diamond Product Expert
Jan 5, 2022
Hello User 6046654424212823761,
 
As I noted above, my Pixel 6 Pro, model G8V0U, that previously showed as incompatible on Cricket's IMEI checker now shows as compatible on the same IMEI checker.  
 
I just used the BYOD compatibility checker on US Cellular and it says my Pixel 6 Pro is compatible with US Cellular's network.  However, that could be due to US Cellular inputting IMEI numbers.  You might want to wait a day or two to see if the status of your Pixel 6 changes to compatible.    
 
Best,
Lilybell2  
sleephess
Jan 5, 2022
I already returned my phone to Google. I wonder if they would 'flag' me of I bought another already or if I should just wait.  Normally I'm not that efficient in getting returns packed and mailed (as I'm currently sitting on 4 returns to Amazon since Christmas).

Glad to see more phones are now working.

Thanks for updating this post!
PackRev
Jan 5, 2022
As with others, when I type in both of my IMEI numbers on the Cricket IMEI site check, it shows that my GB7N6 model now WILL WORK on Cricket.

This is very different from about a week ago.  My advice, if you can and have a new Pixel 6 for Cricket, is to give it a few days.  Apparently, there is some delay in the IMEI's getting entered into the Cricket system.

Now, after the disaster of me moving my SIM over last time, I may go into the store to have them handle it.  I'll report back.
Chad_S
Feb 1, 2022
I am having the exact same issue with Straight Talk not showing compatibility for my Pixel 6 IMEI.  A SIM swap from my old phone worked for a couple hours but then stopped working.  Has anyone figured out if this a Google issue with the IMEIs not being released to the carriers quickly enough or with the carriers not putting them in their databases?
Adamwg80
Mar 3, 2022
Does anyone know if this issue has been fixed with Cricket? I have seen reports that they would be finished entering the IMEI numbers at the end of January. Decided to go Pixel 6 instead of S22 and now I'm uncertain and concerned it will turn into a debacle. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
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