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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
Community Notes
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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.

  • The phone can reportedly be used as a Wi‑Fi-only backup when a Cricket SIM is present and PAKS does not download and activate.

    monkeybizapeape

  • The phone can reportedly show as unlocked and accept a Mint Mobile physical SIM after setup using a Cricket SIM workflow.

    schetstschetst

  • The Cricket SIM setup process can reportedly be completed without using Wi‑Fi during initial activation.

    schetstschetst

  • A workaround using Tracker Control reportedly enabled the phone to work with a different SIM after about a day.

    monkiii

  • Cricket can reportedly use software locking that still restricts other-carrier SIM usage even when Network Lock status shows unlocked.

    ThriftyMoon5572SavingsDude40dacrazyndn

  • Motorola PAKS can reportedly block Wi‑Fi-only usage and can prevent disabling or uninstalling the Telecoms Client and PAKS packages.

    YAWWNSlickShoe966SlickShoe966

  • The phone reportedly lacks USB-C video out support and also lacks DisplayPort Alt Mode for direct display output.

    CamoKing88pcgeekpcgeek

  • Using a non-Cricket active SIM can reportedly trigger a Cricket message and install process that removes Developer Options and USB debugging until firmware is reinstalled.

    SLR

Common Questions (6)

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

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105 Comments

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Pro
Sep 22, 2026 6:17 AM
220 Comments
Joined Oct 2024
SlickShoe966
Pro
Sep 22, 2026 6:17 AM
220 Comments
I am putting all the information I found here so that someone can find use for it.

MOTOROLA PAKS DETAILS

com.motorola.paks.notification
uid:10369
Path: package:/system_ext/priv-app/PaksFinanceNotification/PaksFinanceNotification.apk

com.motorola.paks
uid:10370
Path: package:/system_ext/priv-app/PAKSFinance/PAKSFinance.apk
version 05.01.022 (my version)

Trustonic Telecoms Client (Cricket Wireless Locking App)
com.trustonic.telecoms.standard.dlc

Flow: As soon as it detects internet access, paks.notification wakes Telecoms Client and initiates paks download.

NetGuard blocks paks download by paks.notification, but Telecoms Client still installed.

Telecoms Client blocks different SIM usage.

Paks blocks device usage via WiFi.

Using NetGuard, I was able to use the device via WiFi since paks was never downloaded and installed properly. But I can't use different SIM (active TracFone SIM) due to blocking by Telecoms Client.

I can't disable them.
Code:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.motorola.paks
Exception occurred while executing 'disable-user':
java.lang.SecurityException: Cannot disable a protected package: com.motorola.paks
I can't suspend them.
Code:
adb shell pm suspend --user 0 com.motorola.paks
Package com.motorola.paks new suspended state: false
I can't freeze them.
NOTE: I used Hail + Shizuku, and it shows permission denied.

I can't uninstall them.
Code:
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.motorola.paks
Failure [DELETE_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR]
NOTE: I also used Canta + Shizuku via wireless debugging. Although Canta says it successfully uninstalled them, they are still there. You can check yourself.

They have all the admin permissions
Code:
install permissions:
      com.android.permission.INSTALL_EXISTING_PACKAGES: granted=true
      android.permission.CONTROL_ALWAYS_ON_VPN: granted=true
      com.motorola.permission.PAKS_BIND_PERMISSION: granted=true
      com.motorola.actions.provider.permission.READ_MODES: granted=true
      android.permission.INSTALL_PACKAGES: granted=true
      android.permission.MANAGE_DEVICE_POLICY_LOCK_TASK: granted=true, flags=[ GRANTED_BY_ROLE]
      com.motorola.paks.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION: granted=true
      android.permission.CHANGE_NETWORK_STATE: granted=true
      android.permission.MASTER_CLEAR: granted=true
      android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED: granted=true
      com.motorola.actions.provider.permission.WRITE_MODES: granted=true
      android.permission.MANAGE_ROLE_HOLDERS: granted=true
      android.permission.DEVICE_POWER: granted=true
      android.permission.MANAGE_PROFILE_AND_DEVICE_OWNERS: granted=true
      android.permission.INTERNET: granted=true
      android.permission.CONTROL_VPN: granted=true
      android.permission.INTERACT_ACROSS_USERS_FULL: granted=true
      android.permission.READ_PRIVILEGED_PHONE_STATE: granted=true
      android.permission.MANAGE_DEVICE_POLICY_APPS_CONTROL: granted=true, flags=[ GRANTED_BY_ROLE]
      android.permission.ACCESS_KEYGUARD_SECURE_STORAGE: granted=true
      android.permission.CHANGE_WIFI_STATE: granted=true
      android.permission.MANAGE_USERS: granted=true
      android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE: granted=true
      android.permission.INTERACT_ACROSS_USERS: granted=true
      android.permission.CONNECTIVITY_USE_RESTRICTED_NETWORKS: granted=true
      android.permission.REBOOT: granted=true
      android.permission.OEM_UNLOCK_STATE: granted=true
      android.permission.MANAGE_DEVICE_ADMINS: granted=true
      com.motorola.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS: granted=true
      android.permission.MANAGE_NETWORK_POLICY: granted=true
      com.motorola.permission.ACCESS_PRODUCT_PERSIST: granted=true
      android.permission.START_ACTIVITIES_FROM_BACKGROUND: granted=true
      android.permission.MANAGE_APP_OPS_MODES: granted=true
      android.permission.QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES: granted=true
      android.permission.DELETE_PACKAGES: granted=true
Note this permission: android.permission.MANAGE_DEVICE_ADMINS: granted=true

They are above device admins.
Last edited by SlickShoe966 September 21, 2026 at 11:22 PM.
1
Sep 25, 2026 9:39 PM
186 Comments
Joined Jun 2006
monkiiiSep 25, 2026 9:39 PM
186 Comments

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

Quote from SlickShoe966 View quoted comment :
I am putting all the information I found here so that someone can find use for it.

MOTOROLA PAKS ...

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: ...
I finally got mine to work. Tracker Control (TC GitHub) did the trick for me. It's been a day with different SIM card in it.
Last edited by monkiii September 25, 2026 at 03:10 PM.
1
Pro
Sep 25, 2026 10:06 PM
220 Comments
Joined Oct 2024
SlickShoe966
Pro
Sep 25, 2026 10:06 PM
220 Comments
Quote from monkiii View quoted comment :




I finally got mine to work. Tracker Control (TC GitHub) did the trick for me. It's been a day with different SIM card in it.
Thanks for the info.

Were you able to delete or disable the PAKS apps and telecom clients app?

Is your Developer Options still available or greyed out?

According to Tracker Control:
"It uses Android's VPN functionality to analyse network traffic locally on the device "

This is similar to NetGuard.

The PAKS apps can control the VPN. Perhaps the Tracker Control's block lists work here.

PAKS permission
android.permission.CONTROL_VPN: granted=true
android.permission.CONTROL_ALWAYS_ON_VPN: granted=true
Sep 25, 2026 10:52 PM
186 Comments
Joined Jun 2006
monkiiiSep 25, 2026 10:52 PM
186 Comments
Quote from SlickShoe966 View quoted comment :
Thanks for the info.

Were you able to delete or disable the PAKS apps and telecom clients app?

Is your Developer Options still available or greyed out?

According to Tracker Control:
"It uses Android's VPN functionality to analyse network traffic locally on the device "

This is similar to NetGuard.

The PAKS apps can control the VPN. Perhaps the Tracker Control's block lists work here.

PAKS permission
android.permission.CONTROL_VPN: granted=true
android.permission.CONTROL_ALWAYS_ON_VPN: granted=true
It's weird, NetGuard "leaks" internet through but not TC. With TC, I could control individual app behaviors (I didn't play with NetGuard long enough to locate this feature. I gave up when it leaked). PAKS and Telecoms Client can't be disabled/frozen. Once a network has been detected, PAKS provision screen will load. This is when you lose Developer options. So freeze bloatware first before proceeding. Allow PAKS to download and install Telecoms Client then block both in TC. I have not seen Telecoms Client pop up yet.
1
Pro
Sep 26, 2026 3:38 AM
220 Comments
Joined Oct 2024
SlickShoe966
Pro
Sep 26, 2026 3:38 AM
220 Comments
Quote from monkiii View quoted comment :
It's weird, NetGuard "leaks" internet through but not TC. With TC, I could control individual app behaviors (I didn't play with NetGuard long enough to locate this feature. I gave up when it leaked). PAKS and Telecoms Client can't be disabled/frozen. Once a network has been detected, PAKS provision screen will load. This is when you lose Developer options. So freeze bloatware first before proceeding. Allow PAKS to download and install Telecoms Client then block both in TC. I have not seen Telecoms Client pop up yet.
I guess the mechanism is different for the 2 apps even though the approach is the same. NetGuard can block each app individually too. You just need to enable showing of system apps and go through the policy for each app.

But this is beyond my goal. I was just playing around with the phone and different apps and adb commands to see if I can remove or disable those PAKS apps.

These PAKS apps are a real privacy risk. If they get pervasive enough, somebody is going to find a way to sue whoever implemented them.

By the way, by using NetGuard or Tracker Control, we are trading one privacy risk for another.
1
Sep 27, 2026 3:25 AM
19 Comments
Joined Feb 2014
SLRSep 27, 2026 3:25 AM
19 Comments
What happens to NetGuard or TC when the next version of Android is installed/updated in the future? Do we need to repeat the steps?
Pro
Sep 27, 2026 8:45 PM
220 Comments
Joined Oct 2024
SlickShoe966
Pro
Sep 27, 2026 8:45 PM
220 Comments
Quote from SLR View quoted comment :
What happens to NetGuard or TC when the next version of Android is installed/updated in the future? Do we need to repeat the steps?
NG and TC shouldn't be affected with Android updates.

However, PAKS can be updated to prevent NG and TC from working against it. Both of them use local VPN to filter Internet access. TC actually uses NG firewall for its traffic analysis. There is a vulnerability for both of these apps, and Motorola knows it, I think. There can only be 1 app using Android Local VPN.
1

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Sep 28, 2026 11:15 PM
1.6K Comments
Joined Jul 2007
YoManWhatSep 28, 2026 11:15 PM
1.6K Comments
Quote from monkiii View quoted comment :




I finally got mine to work. Tracker Control (TC GitHub) did the trick for me. It's been a day with different SIM card in it.
Thanks for reporting your success using a different SIM card with TC enabled. What were the steps you used to set up your phone? I still have mine in the box, and am unsure how I should most 'safely' proceed to get through setup without tripping the PAKS or Telecoms Client installation. I plan to take the phone out of the US, and am wondering if simply connecting to WiFi will be enough for the device to 'phone home' and set up these bastids. Thx in advance for any advice
Oct 3, 2026 1:28 AM
10.6K Comments
Joined Oct 2011
jimx200Oct 3, 2026 1:28 AM
10.6K Comments
I just bought the Power from WM and it loaded the app. Ok, since I use T-Mo's satellite I checked and it passed the IMEI checker. Note that it's a different esim IMEI than the sim IMEI
Oct 11, 2026 5:27 AM
349 Comments
Joined Jan 2022
obijeewhyenOct 11, 2026 5:27 AM
349 Comments
I just bought two of these from Walmart, how do you set it up? Do you use the physical SIM provided with the phone?
Oct 11, 2026 11:19 PM
3.2K Comments
Joined Aug 2008
celeritiniOct 11, 2026 11:19 PM
3.2K Comments
Quote from Cozypanda007 View quoted comment :
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
Following on your comment, Metro-branded moto phones can still get OEM unlocking and root, at least once the phone is unlocked from Metro, right? That's what I've read recently and also my goal to get a Moto phone from Metro. Thanks
Oct 11, 2026 11:22 PM
313 Comments
Joined Mar 2018
Cozypanda007Oct 11, 2026 11:22 PM
313 Comments
Quote from celeritini View quoted comment :
Following on your comment, Metro-branded moto phones can still get OEM unlocking and root, at least once the phone is unlocked from Metro, right? That's what I've read recently and also my goal to get a Moto phone from Metro. Thanks
Yes for T-Mobile/metro version
Oct 12, 2026 12:16 AM
3.2K Comments
Joined Aug 2008
celeritiniOct 12, 2026 12:16 AM
3.2K 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 settings
2. 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
Boot up and setup the phone without wifi or any SIM inside; then
1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Put in an active Tracfone SIM and it worked for a few seconds; then got blocked by Cricket (forgot the details). Then I pulled out Tracfone SIM, no wifi. and verified "Network Lock" still reading "Unlocked", but Dev Options is greyed out.
Last edited by celeritini October 11, 2026 at 05:18 PM.
1
Oct 14, 2026 8:58 PM
1.6K Comments
Joined Jul 2007
YoManWhatOct 14, 2026 8:58 PM
1.6K Comments
Mine is still in the box, waiting for any advice re: best practices to open and not get this Cricket block BS - would be find if the phone works only on WiFi and is never able to have a 'true' unlocked SIM status. Any/all help is most appreciated

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Oct 18, 2026 4:28 PM
4 Comments
Joined Dec 2023
Pi_NiteOct 18, 2026 4:28 PM
4 Comments
weird, both my nearest walmart said they don't activate phones anymore. so couldn't get the deal. sad..

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