Verizon does not carrier-lock the bulk of their i. Phones, though the criteria for what is locked and what isn’t is generally unclear. If you paid for your i. Phone in full when you bought it, it should not be locked; similarly, if your i. Phone is on a payment plan that you’ve completed, it shouldn’t be locked.
Unfortunately, Verizon has gone away from its older unlocking policy where the carrier unlocked all phones within 24 hours starting several months back. According to Verizon, they now require 60-days after phone is purchased before they unlock the device. To quote them directly:.
Can I unlock my Verizon iPhone?
That means that any i. Phone that was bought with Verizon or any of its retailing partners such as Best Buy, Target, or Walmart will be locked. However, Verizon does not require the device to be fully paid off before requesting an unlock, which is great for those who are on an installment.
According to Verizon, they do not lock most of their phones. To quote them directly: “We do not lock our 4G LTE devices and no code is needed to program them for use with another carrier.”. That means that any i. Phone 5 or higher that was bought with Verizon should already be unlocked.
How do I know if my Verizon phone is locked?
If you bought a phone from Verizon after July 2019, then it is likely locked. However, it is only locked for 60 days from purchase, so your phone may be unlocked already. The best way to find out is to pop in a SIM card and check for yourself right now!
What is Verizon’s device locking policy?
Beginning on 7/23/2019, devices purchased from Verizon are locked for 60 days from the date of purchase. This policy applies to new and existing customers, postpaid and prepaid plans and customers porting their service to another carrier.
How long are Verizon phones locked after purchase?
Devices that you purchase from Verizon are locked for 60 days after purchase. Devices that you purchase from one of our authorized retailers are locked for 60 days after activation. After 60 days, we will automatically remove the lock unless the device is deemed stolen or purchased fraudulently.
Can I use an unlocked Verizon phone on another carrier?
Due to differing technologies, an unlocked Verizon Wireless device may not work – or may experience limited functionality – on another carrier’s network. Devices that you purchase from Verizon are locked for 60 days after purchase. Devices that you purchase from our retail partners are locked for 60 days after activation.
Another frequent inquiry is “Can I use my locked Verizon phone internationally?”.
If you are travelling internationally and your device is locked , you can sign up for one of Verizon’s international services to stay connected. To use your device on another carrier’s SIM card and network, you must meet our device unlocking requirements.