What is the minimum credit score to get a cell phone?

Asked by: Eldridge Jakubowski PhD  |  Last update: September 14, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (44 votes)

There's no minimum credit score to get a mobile phone contract. But your contract provider will look at your credit report to make a decision on whether they will accept you as a customer. This decision will be based on the details of your credit report and the specifics of the deal they're offering.

What credit score do I need to get a phone?

What credit score do you need to get a phone contract? Networks will be more interested in your credit history – unpaid loans, late payments, etc – than they will about a particular credit score. So there's no minimum score you'll need to achieve.

What credit score do I need to get a cell phone contract?

There's no minimum credit score to get a phone contract. Every network operator scores you differently—so even if one network won't give you a contract, you might have more luck elsewhere. Having bad credit doesn't stop you from getting a phone contract, but it might make it harder.

Can I get a cell phone with a 600 credit score?

Anything above 750 is considered excellent credit. You're still in the clear if you have a credit rating of at least 600 though. This will qualify you for most cell phone plans. You might encounter situations where the negative factors on your credit report impact your ability to qualify for a mobile phone contract.

What credit score do you need to get a new phone?

Is there a minimum credit score needed to purchase a cell phone? While there is no minimum credit score that will ensure a cell phone contract approval, providers may use your score to assess creditworthiness. A higher score may help you secure more preferable options.

Minimum Credit Score For Mobile Phones

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Do they run your credit to get a cell phone?

Since getting a cell phone may hinge on your credit health: Check your credit. If you're considering getting a new phone, check your credit first. If you plan to apply for financing, the retailer may check your credit.

What is a good credit score?

There are some differences around how the various data elements on a credit report factor into the score calculations. Although credit scoring models vary, generally, credit scores from 660 to 724 are considered good; 725 to 759 are considered very good; and 760 and up are considered excellent.

What carrier does not check credit?

Smartphone Equality is a program that helps our T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile prepaid customer move to our postpaid service and you get our best available pricing on new smartphones, devices, and additional lines—that means $0 down on select devices and no credit check.

Does T-Mobile require a credit check?

We run a credit check to verify your identify and determine eligibility for service financing. Your security is our priority. We have enhanced our processes to protect your identity when running a credit check.

What credit score do you need for AT&T?

AT&T may require a deposit for credit scores below 600. Options for getting a phone line with bad credit include prepaid plans, buy now pay later plans, joining a family plan, or using a cosigner. Prepaid plans offer advantages such as no deposit, lower monthly bills, flexibility, and affordability.

What phone company is the easiest to get a contract with?

What is the easiest phone carrier to get approved with? The likes of giffgaff, Lebara Mobile, VOXI, SMARTY, EE and Asda Mobile all allow you to take out a SIM only contract without a credit check. But the other networks will still likely accept you too.

What is a credit score of 520?

Your score falls within the range of scores, from 300 to 579, considered Very Poor. A 520 FICO® Score is significantly below the average credit score. Many lenders choose not to do business with borrowers whose scores fall in the Very Poor range, on grounds they have unfavorable credit.

Can you get a cellphone contract under debt review?

Being under debt review will restrict you from buying a cell phone under contract because it falls under a credit agreement which is prohibited completely when you are under debt review. This means that if you can't afford to buy a cell phone cash, you will not be able to buy a cell phone at all.

Can I finance a phone with 500 credit score?

A low credit rating suggests a history of late payments, high indebtedness or default, making lenders cautious about granting loans. With a credit score of 500, you would be able to get approved for some cell phones plans and maybe a free phone, but the phone would not be a flagship brand like the latest iPhone.

What do I need to qualify for a cellphone contract?

To open a contract, approach a service provider of your choice, select your deal, and provide them with details, like:
  1. your ID number.
  2. proof of address.
  3. a three-month bank statement or recent paycheck(s), to prove you can afford the deal.
  4. your bank details (to set up a debit order).

Is there a credit check for cell phones?

Most cell phone companies want to avoid customers skipping out on their bills, so many carriers will check your credit to evaluate how you manage your finances and your ability to pay your bill each month. If you're a savvy shopper, you don't have to go without a cell phone if your credit history is questionable.

What credit score do you need for a cell phone?

There's no minimum credit score to get a mobile phone contract. But your contract provider will look at your credit report to make a decision on whether they will accept you as a customer. This decision will be based on the details of your credit report and the specifics of the deal they're offering.

What phone carriers don't require a credit check?

Some cell phone companies that don't require credit checks or offer no-credit phones are:
  • AT&T.
  • Boost Mobile.
  • Cricket Wireless.
  • Metro by T-Mobile.
  • Mint Mobile.
  • T-Mobile.
  • Tello.
  • Verizon.

What credit score does Verizon use?

However in my experience with Verizon they typically check Equifax first.

What credit score is needed for T-Mobile?

T-Mobile does a hard credit check on new customers for many of their products and services. T-Mobile does not specify a minimum qualifying credit score, but generally, you need to have a credit score above 600 to qualify for a monthly plan with any phone carrier.

Does State Farm check credit?

Most major car insurance companies like GEICO, Progressive and State Farm factor in your credit score when giving you a quote. Some smaller, regional insurers skip credit checks, though their coverage options (and available online information) can be limited.

What makes you fail a credit check?

Common reasons for failing a credit check

Missed or late payments on financial obligations such as mortgages, loans, or credit cards can raise red flags for potential lenders. Defaults on loans signal a serious financial faux pas, indicating a history of unfulfilled commitments.

What is the average person's credit score?

The average FICO credit score in the US is 717, according to the latest FICO data. The average VantageScore is 701 as of January 2024.

Does anyone have a 900 credit score?

While older models of credit scores used to go as high as 900, you can no longer achieve a 900 credit score. The highest score you can receive today is 850. Anything above 800 is considered an excellent credit score.

What is a realistic credit score?

For a score with a range of 300 to 850, a credit score of 670 to 739 is considered good. Credit scores of 740 and above are very good while 800 and higher are excellent.