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schetst 30.4K Views
Sep 11, 2026 7:26 PM

Walmart in Store $40+Tax Cricket Wireless moto g power 2026 128GB, 8GB RAM (Prepaid), PANTONE Evening Blue

$40

$99

59% off
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Deal Details
Walmart has the Cricket Wireless moto g power 2026 128GB, 8GB RAM (Prepaid), PANTONE Evening Blue free with instore activation of $40 cricket plan or higher.

Details

Sharp, durable 6.8" 120Hz FHD+ display. Enjoy stunning views with twice the detail of HD+ and 2x better drop and scratch protection thanks to Corning® Gorilla® Glass 7i. IP68 and IP69 rated protection. MIL-STD-810H certified meeting tough military standards for durability.


TurboPower™ charging and 42-hour (Target) battery. Get hours of power in just minutes of charging, and nearly two full days of battery life.

Capture sharper low-light photos and smoother videos with a 50MP ai-powered camera system featuring Optical Image Stabilization

5G speeds and fast multitasking with RAM Boost. Experience unimaginably fast 5G speeds, a faster MediaTek processor, and up to 24GB of RAM

https://www.walmart.com/ip/183243...5C0B3F176A
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Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Walmart has the Cricket Wireless moto g power 2026 128GB, 8GB RAM (Prepaid), PANTONE Evening Blue free with instore activation of $40 cricket plan or higher.

Details

Sharp, durable 6.8" 120Hz FHD+ display. Enjoy stunning views with twice the detail of HD+ and 2x better drop and scratch protection thanks to Corning® Gorilla® Glass 7i. IP68 and IP69 rated protection. MIL-STD-810H certified meeting tough military standards for durability.


TurboPower™ charging and 42-hour (Target) battery. Get hours of power in just minutes of charging, and nearly two full days of battery life.

Capture sharper low-light photos and smoother videos with a 50MP ai-powered camera system featuring Optical Image Stabilization

5G speeds and fast multitasking with RAM Boost. Experience unimaginably fast 5G speeds, a faster MediaTek processor, and up to 24GB of RAM

https://www.walmart.com/ip/183243...5C0B3F176A

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Community Reviews

This Moto G Power 2026 is drawing attention as a low cost prepaid phone with 128GB storage and 8GB RAM, and the strongest upside is that some units can be used as a surprisingly capable backup or Wi Fi device. A few setups also show carrier unlocked in settings and accept non Cricket physical SIMs, including Mint, Tracfone, and Boost in some cases. The main catch is Cricket's lock and PAKS software, which can trigger an unauthorized SIM splash screen, grey out developer options, and block other carriers or Wi Fi use. Activation and pricing also vary by store, so the deal depends heavily on the location and setup path.

Common Questions (6)

  • It can work with some non-Cricket SIMs, including Mint and Tracfone in reported tests, but other active SIMs can trigger a Cricket lock overlay or block normal use. For Wi‑Fi-only use, some units stayed usable when kept off the network, while connecting to the internet could trigger Cricket lock software.

    schetstmonkeybizdacrazyndnschetst

  • Some units boot with Network Lock showing "Unlocked" and can accept another carrier SIM, but others still trigger a Cricket unauthorized-SIM overlay or device-lock app. The practical result is YMMV: the settings screen may say unlocked while carrier restrictions still appear when a non-Cricket SIM is used.

    schetstSLRdacrazyndnpurpledime18

  • The reported Cricket unlock policy is 365 days of paid service, and another comment states the phone needs 12 continuous months of use before it unlocks. That means a quick activate-and-cancel approach is not enough for a normal unlock.

    ahhhhnooooSavingsDude40ibanezY

  • A common setup path is to power it on with no SIM, reach the setup screen, insert the SIM, reboot, and finish setup without Wi‑Fi. That sequence was reported to leave the phone showing unlocked and working with a Mint SIM afterward.

    schetstschetst

  • No. It does not support USB-C video out or DisplayPort Alt Mode, so wired display output requires a DisplayLink adapter instead.

    CamoKing88pcgeekpcgeek

  • No. This 2026 version does not include wireless charging, unlike some previous Moto G Power models.

    Art-X2

AI-generated summary based on comments from the community. Updated ago

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105 Comments

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Sep 14, 2026 8:31 PM
5 Comments
Joined May 2020
SmartBelieve252Sep 14, 2026 8:31 PM
5 Comments
At my location, San Diego, the price with tax was $108. When I show them the Walmart website. They said we don't activate Cricket in store. So YMMV.
Sep 15, 2026 12:47 AM
176 Comments
Joined Aug 2020
renz23Sep 15, 2026 12:47 AM
176 Comments
Quote from SmartBelieve252 View quoted comment :
At my location, San Diego, the price with tax was $108. When I show them the Walmart website. They said we don't activate Cricket in store. So YMMV.
True not all stores have inhouse activation service like premium or trex who activate these, call each Walmart and ask if they have activation service at mobile unit
Sep 15, 2026 2:05 AM
206 Comments
Joined May 2014
Iron.HeadSep 15, 2026 2:05 AM
206 Comments
It seems all this needs is flashing a Generic/US unlocked firmware on the device
Sep 15, 2026 11:35 AM
19 Comments
Joined Feb 2014
SLRSep 15, 2026 11:35 AM
19 Comments
Quote from Iron.Head View quoted comment :
It seems all this needs is flashing a Generic/US unlocked firmware on the device
Do you have a trusted way to install the generic version? I searched internet but I couldn't find one that showed how to relock bootloader after the generic version is installed. Without locking the bootloader I read that some security or GooglePay etc may not work. Pls share any trusted links for this process. Thank you.
Last edited by SLR September 15, 2026 at 06:34 AM.
Sep 15, 2026 11:55 AM
313 Comments
Joined Mar 2018
Cozypanda007Sep 15, 2026 11:55 AM
313 Comments
Quote from Iron.Head View quoted comment :
It seems all this needs is flashing a Generic/US unlocked firmware on the device
Motorola or its Chinese overlord won't provide the bootloader unlocking code for att/cricket, Verizon/its mvnos branded phones. Same can be said for pixel phones
1
Sep 15, 2026 12:44 PM
1.6K Comments
Joined Jul 2007
YoManWhatSep 15, 2026 12:44 PM
1.6K Comments
Quote from schetst View quoted comment :
Just for testing I took the sim out of my 2nd phone and just going to leave it on WiFi to see if any cricket lock screen pops up, been a day and nothing so far. Will report back.Has anyone had success with buying this from Walmart (not cricket store) and having it work similarly to my experience? 1. Carrier unlocked in settings2. Able to access developer options after clicking build number 7 times 3. Able to use active sim from another carrier with no issues Just curious if it's just a big fluke or if anyone else had success, thank you
When you say "took the sim out of my 2nd phone" was that first time boot or had you already gone through Cricket sim activation on the device? What would happen if this phone bought at Walmart was initially set up with a non-cricket Sim? Would it remain unlocked if it's not able to set up service with Cricket?
Sep 16, 2026 8:58 PM
19 Comments
Joined Feb 2014
SLRSep 16, 2026 8:58 PM
19 Comments
Today I inserted an active non-Cricket sim and I was able to make and receive a call but very quickly the Cricket message popped up and with some message that it is installing something. I quickly powered off the phone.
When I restarted it the Developer Options, USB debugging etc were not available. I couldn't reenable Developer options.

I used the Motorola SoftWare Fix application using a laptop to reinstall the latest firmware/software and now it's back to the previous status I.e. I am able to enable Developer options and USB debugging.

I probably shouldn't have powered off the phone...may be should have waited to see what happens or what gets installed and whether the non-Cricket sim still works or not after a while.
Last edited by SLR September 16, 2026 at 02:05 PM.

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Sep 16, 2026 10:27 PM
313 Comments
Joined Mar 2018
Cozypanda007Sep 16, 2026 10:27 PM
313 Comments
Quote from SLR View quoted comment :
Today I inserted an active non-Cricket sim and I was able to make and receive a call but very quickly the Cricket message popped up and with some message that it is installing something. I quickly powered off the phone. When I restarted it the Developer Options, USB debugging etc were not available. I couldn't reenable Developer options. I used the Motorola SoftWare Fix application using a laptop to reinstall the latest firmware/software and now it's back to the previous status I.e. I am able to enable Developer options and USB debugging. I probably shouldn't have powered off the phone...may be should have waited to see what happens or what gets installed and whether the non-Cricket sim still works or not after a while.
If you goal is to use it on another carrier, it seems that you can use Netguard to block Mycricket app's internet access, so it won't download device locking software, according to reply #17 from here:https://xdaforums.com/t/fix-found...s.4742662/
Sep 17, 2026 1:47 PM
1.6K Comments
Joined Jul 2007
YoManWhatSep 17, 2026 1:47 PM
1.6K Comments
Looking for guidance here. Still have this phone in box, unopened. Would like to use as wifi device at least, even if SIM unlock doesn't prove a possibility. No desire to pay Cricket for additional service, no reason to use the first month of prepaid either. Read through the xda posts about unlocking bootloader. People keep saying something about waiting for a 6-month window to pass, but not sure that applies in this case. If bootloader unlock is successful, that should be enough to freeze or delete these paks apps that essentially disable usage of the phone, right? Any advice is greatly appreciated
Last edited by YoManWhat September 17, 2026 at 06:49 AM.
Sep 18, 2026 7:52 PM
16 Comments
Joined Dec 2020
aRT-xSep 18, 2026 7:52 PM
16 Comments
Quote from YoManWhat View quoted comment :
Looking for guidance here. Still have this phone in box, unopened. Would like to use as wifi device at least, even if SIM unlock doesn't prove a possibility. No desire to pay Cricket for additional service, no reason to use the first month of prepaid either. Read through the xda posts about unlocking bootloader. People keep saying something about waiting for a 6-month window to pass, but not sure that applies in this case. If bootloader unlock is successful, that should be enough to freeze or delete these paks apps that essentially disable usage of the phone, right? Any advice is greatly appreciated
In most cases Motorola (Lenovo) will not provide bootloader unlock codes for carrier-branded phones. So the chances are very slim
Sep 19, 2026 12:26 PM
2.3K Comments
Joined Apr 2008
626OGSep 19, 2026 12:26 PM
2.3K Comments
Quote from SLR View quoted comment :
Do you have a trusted way to install the generic version? I searched internet but I couldn't find one that showed how to relock bootloader after the generic version is installed. Without locking the bootloader I read that some security or GooglePay etc may not work. Pls share any trusted links for this process. Thank you.
Once the generic version is installed, relocking the bootloader is a simple fastboot command.
Sep 19, 2026 4:34 PM
276 Comments
Joined Dec 2018
MaaaaaSep 19, 2026 4:34 PM
276 Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank

Used the netguard app to blocked all cricket and carriers related apps and able to see the "oem unlocking" is not greyed out anymore. Boot into fastboot mode, and get the unlock data, however, moto webiste stated:

Your device does not qualify for bootloader unlocking.
Last edited by Maaaaa September 19, 2026 at 09:43 AM.
5
Sep 20, 2026 4:31 AM
186 Comments
Joined Jun 2006
monkiiiSep 20, 2026 4:31 AM
186 Comments
Quote from YoManWhat View quoted comment :
Looking for guidance here. Still have this phone in box, unopened. Would like to use as wifi device at least, even if SIM unlock doesn't prove a possibility. No desire to pay Cricket for additional service, no reason to use the first month of prepaid either. Read through the xda posts about unlocking bootloader. People keep saying something about waiting for a 6-month window to pass, but not sure that applies in this case. If bootloader unlock is successful, that should be enough to freeze or delete these paks apps that essentially disable usage of the phone, right? Any advice is greatly appreciated
As long as you have an active or expired Cricket SIM in, you should be fine for using as a WIFI device. As soon as you pop in a competitor's SIM, the overlay message prevents you from going further. Without unlocking boot loader, you can't do anything. Motorola won't allow you to unlock it. The device is on high lock down with Motorola PAKS package. PAKS can't be disabled or uninstalled via adb or package disabler. There are two generic firmware versions available (mirrors.lolinet #com/firmware/lenomola/2026/vegas26/official/). It's impossible to inject one file over another, i.e. vendor_boot. Each file has security hash checks, so you can't really do anything via Motorola Software Fix.
Last edited by monkiii September 19, 2026 at 09:36 PM.
2
Sep 22, 2026 1:00 AM
1.6K Comments
Joined Jul 2007
YoManWhatSep 22, 2026 1:00 AM
1.6K Comments
Quote from monkiii View quoted comment :
As long as you have an active or expired Cricket SIM in, you should be fine for using as a WIFI device. As soon as you pop in a competitor's SIM, the overlay message prevents you from going further. Without unlocking boot loader, you can't do anything. Motorola won't allow you to unlock it. The device is on high lock down with Motorola PAKS package. PAKS can't be disabled or uninstalled via adb or package disabler. There are two generic firmware versions available (mirrors.lolinet #com/firmware/lenomola/2026/vegas26/official/). It's impossible to inject one file over another, i.e. vendor_boot. Each file has security hash checks, so you can't really do anything via Motorola Software Fix.
Thanks very much for the helpful reply. Saw on Reddit (2 yrs ago) that someone was able to disable PAKS by going into the apps settings, special app access, then disable. Not sure if it's relevant/possible, but FYI: Gemini says this:

Deactivate PAKS Device Administrator
  1. Open your phone Settings.
  2. Tap Apps.
  3. Tap Special app access.
  4. Tap Device admin apps (or Device administrators).
  5. Find PAKS in the list.
  6. Tap it and select Deactivate this device admin app

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Pro
Sep 22, 2026 6:16 AM
220 Comments
Joined Oct 2024
SlickShoe966
Pro
Sep 22, 2026 6:16 AM
220 Comments
Quote from YoManWhat View quoted comment :
Thanks very much for the helpful reply. Saw on Reddit (2 yrs ago) that someone was able to disable PAKS by going into the apps settings, special app access, then disable. Not sure if it's relevant/possible, but FYI: Gemini says this:

Deactivate PAKS Device Administrator
  1. Open your phone Settings.
  2. Tap Apps.
  3. Tap Special app access.
  4. Tap Device admin apps (or Device administrators).
  5. Find PAKS in the list.
  6. Tap it and select Deactivate this device admin app
This doesn't work. I suspected paks role is higher than admin. This used to be a loophole that was closed. Paks app is not listed there.

Current Admin Apps Path for this Moto G Power 2026 with Android 16:
Settings -> Apps -> Special app access -> Device admin
Settings -> Security & Privacy -> More security & privacy -> Device admin

Telecoms Client (Cricket Wireless SIM Locking App) is listed there. But attempting to uninstalling it results in "Uninstalling Telecoms Client unsuccessful."

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