Are you interested in purchasing a new smartphone and are looking at Verizon because it has excellent coverage? Do you have questions about Verizon, such as are Verizon phones unlocked?
I’ll tell you all you need to know about Verizon phones, including whether Verizon phones are unlocked, so keep reading to check out everything I discovered throughout my research!
Key Takeaways
Are Verizon Phones Unlocked In 2022?
Verizon phones are not unlocked when you purchase them, but they will be locked for 60 days after purchase until Verizon unlocks the phone as of 2022. Verizon phones will be locked for this time regardless of whether you’re on a plan or have purchased a prepaid phone, and there’s nothing you can do to get around this 60-day policy.
Do you want to know more about how to unlock your Verizon smartphone and if all Verizon phones are locked initially? Read below to find out additional details!
How Do I Know If My Verizon Phone Is Unlocked?
If you want to know if your Verizon phone is unlocked, simply try to use a SIM card from the previous carrier.
Further, it’s easy to tell if the SIM card doesn’t work when you put it into the phone since you’ll likely see an error message.
Also, there will be no way you can send texts or use the data if the SIM card isn’t working.
Are Verizon Phones Unlocked When You Pay Them Off?
Unfortunately, Verizon phones are not automatically unlocked the day you pay off your phone, which is different from most other cell phone carriers.
Once you’ve paid off your phone, the device will remain locked for 60 days as the Verizon policy dictates, and you cannot call Verizon to have it unlocked any sooner.
How Do I Get Verizon To Unlock My Phone?
The most important step to take to get Verizon to unlock your phone is to activate your cell phone and keep your account in good standing over the next 60 days.
Then, if your account is in good standing and everything is fine after those 60 days, the process of unlocking your phone is done automatically through Verizon.
However, if it’s been over 60-days and your device is still not unlocked, then you’ll need to contact Verizon customer service.
Why Would Verizon Not Automatically Unlock My Phone?
There are certain situations where Verizon won’t automatically unlock the phone after 60 days, including:
- If the device was lost or reported as stolen
- If your account has been flagged
- Fraudulent activity has been suspected
- Balance was not paid in full
So, the first step is to check whether you paid your previous balance in full since sometimes it can be easy to forget to make a payment, especially if you pay with your debit or credit card.
But, if none of the other reasons for your phone remaining locked apply to you, then it’s best to call customer service.
Are There Exceptions To Get A Verizon Phone Unlocked Quicker?
The only exception that Verizon has to the phone lock policy is if you’re in the military and get relocated to a place outside of the Verizon coverage area.
In this case, you’ll need to call Verizon and explain that you’re being deployed and need the phone unlocked to switch carriers.
However, you will likely need to provide Verizon with proof of your military service as well as proof of the relocation, as much as you can share, before Verizon unlocks the device.
Are Verizon Phones Unlocked Internationally?
Verizon phones can be unlocked for international use because Verizon has both a slot for CDMA and a slot for GSM, whereas most carriers just use GSM.
Further, GSM is where you’ll need to place the SIM card if you want to use the phone internationally, and if you have problems, you can contact *611 for additional support.
Can You Put Any SIM Card In A Verizon Phone?
If your phone is unlocked, you can put any SIM card into a Verizon phone as long as the SIM card comes from a carrier on the same network.
After your phone has been unlocked, it would be a good idea to set up a Verizon number lock (see below).
What’s A Verizon Number Lock?
If your phone has been unlocked and can be transferred to another carrier, you can set up a Verizon number lock, which prevents an unauthorized number transfer.
Further, this means that the phone number cannot be moved to another carrier unless you go in and remove the number lock.
Additionally, it’s easy to set up a number lock on your Verizon phone by going to the Verizon website, using the app, or calling the *611 customer service number.
To know more, you can also read our posts about whether or not Verizon can change phone numbers, if Verizon is CDMA or GSM, and why is Verizon so expensive.
Conclusion
Verizon phones aren’t unlocked until 60 days have passed since you purchased the phone, and then after that time, the phone will automatically be unlocked by Verizon.
Additionally, the only exception to this policy is military personnel deployed outside the Verizon network.
However, if your account is suspected of fraud or you didn’t pay your account balance in full, your phone won’t unlock until you resolve the situation.