Lindsey DesmetShort Answer: Walmart will accept prepaid cell phone returns within 14 days of purchase at any Walmart store location, and you have 30 days to return postpaid (contract) cell phones to the store where you originally purchased the phone. The receipt, original packaging, and the accessories that came with the phone must accompany all cell phone returns. For more details on the Walmart phone return policy, see below.
Walmart Phone Return Policy Explained
Walmart’s mobile phone return policy varies depending on the type of phone you purchased. You can return a prepaid phone within 14 days of purchase to any Walmart store location.[1]
For postpaid cell phones — also known as contract phones from major carriers, with monthly billing cycles — you have 30 days to make the return, but you must return the phone to the store from which you purchased it.[1][2]
Keep in mind, postpaid/contract phones may be subject to further requirements depending on the carrier and the contract. For prepaid phone purchases, all minutes, phone cards, and PINs are final sale and not eligible for returns or refunds.
You’ll need your original receipt to return any type of phone. Walmart accepts returns for some items without a receipt (as previously reported), but both prepaid and postpaid phone returns require a receipt. You can return a phone if the box is open (as previously reported), as long as you still have the original packaging and all accessories.
You’ll be refunded to your original form of payment, or you can choose to receive your refund in the form of store credit.
Online Phone Returns
If you purchased a prepaid or postpaid phone online, you can bring the phone to a store or mail in the return. We confirmed this information with Walmart’s corporate customer service department and several store associates. To mail in your return, you can look up your order online, then print the prepaid return shipping label. The return time limits remain the same for online phone returns.
Return Condition
You should return a phone in the same condition it was in when you purchased it. Walmart will process returns for items that arrive damaged or defective, but the company does not accept returns for items damaged by the customer after purchase (as previously reported). The only exception is for customers who purchased a Walmart Protection Plan; the mobile phone plan covers cracked screens and liquid damage.[3]
Cathy Desmet
Kait Scirri
Katie Spence
William Lipovsky
Erika Crawford
Loren Eaton
Joseph Cho
Maria R. Riegger, Esq.
Will Walmart refund your money back on an unused prepaid straight talk phone card with receipt?
Hello, Shayla! Unfortunately, prepaid phone cards/minutes are a final sale item at Walmart, meaning you cannot return or exchange them. We detail this in our full overview of Walmart’s return policy.