When it comes to choosing a new smartphone, Verizon is often a top contender thanks to its reputation for extensive coverage and fast data speeds. But one important factor that can influence your buying decision is whether Verizon phones come unlocked.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about Verizon‘s phone unlocking policies in 2022. We‘ll explain when and how Verizon phones get unlocked, how Verizon‘s policies compare to other carriers, and the pros and cons of locked vs. unlocked devices.
By the end, you‘ll be equipped with the knowledge to make an informed choice on your next Verizon phone purchase. Let‘s dive in!
Verizon‘s Phone Locking Policy Explained
All phones purchased directly from Verizon, whether on a payment plan or at full retail price, will be locked to the carrier for 60 days after purchase. This means the phone cannot be used with any other carrier‘s SIM card during the initial 60 day period.
Verizon says they implement this 60-day lock as a fraud prevention measure to ensure phones are not purchased on stolen identities or with fraudulent payment methods. It also guarantees that phones are being used as intended on Verizon‘s network.
After the 60-day locked period, Verizon automatically unlocks the device in their system. At that point, you are free to use the phone with any compatible carrier domestically or internationally.
It‘s important to note that paying off your phone in full does not override the 60-day lock policy. Even if you pay off your device early, it will remain locked until the 60 days have elapsed.
There is one exception to the 60-day rule. Military personnel who are being deployed outside of Verizon‘s coverage area can request to have their phone unlocked sooner by providing proof of deployment orders.
How Verizon‘s Policy Compares to Other Carriers
To put Verizon‘s policy into context, let‘s see how it stacks up against the other major carriers:
| Carrier | Unlocking Policy |
|---|---|
| Verizon | 60 days after purchase |
| AT&T | Phones can be unlocked after 60 days if device is paid in full |
| T-Mobile | Phones can be unlocked after 40 days if device is paid in full |
| Sprint | Phones can be unlocked after 50 days if device is paid in full |
As you can see, Verizon‘s 60-day lock is fairly standard, with AT&T matching that timeframe. T-Mobile and Sprint both have slightly shorter unlocking periods at 40 and 50 days respectively.
The key difference is that Verizon unlocks phones regardless of their payment status, while the other carriers require devices to be paid off before unlocking.
Benefits of Unlocked vs. Locked Phones
So what are the actual benefits of having an unlocked phone? And are there any advantages to buying a carrier-locked device? Here‘s a quick summary:
Benefits of an unlocked phone:
- Freedom to switch carriers anytime without being tied to one network
- Ability to use international SIM cards while traveling to avoid roaming fees
- Option to resell device to a wider pool of buyers
Benefits of a locked phone:
- Potentially lower device cost through carrier subsidies or payment plans
- Better chance of getting approved for financing through carrier
- Carrier tech support is more streamlined for troubleshooting issues
For most consumers, the flexibility of an unlocked device outweighs the financing perks of a locked phone. A study by NPD Connected Intelligence found that in 2021, 37% of smartphones purchased were unlocked, up from just 12% in 2014.
And the trend towards unlocked phones shows no signs of slowing. Gartner predicts that by 2025, 45-50% of all smartphones sold globally will be unlocked devices as consumers prioritize freedom and flexibility.
How to Check if Your Verizon Phone is Unlocked
If you currently have a Verizon phone and want to confirm whether it‘s unlocked, there are a few ways to check:
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*Dial `#06#`**: This will display your phone‘s IMEI number. If the IMEI is followed by a "U", that means the phone is unlocked.
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Insert a different carrier‘s SIM card: Power down your phone, remove the Verizon SIM and insert one from another carrier like AT&T or T-Mobile. If you can make a call and access data, your phone is unlocked.
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Check your phone‘s settings: On most Verizon phones, you can go to Settings > System > About phone > Network unlock status. It should say "No SIM restrictions" if the device is unlocked.
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Contact Verizon: If you‘re still unsure, you can always reach out to Verizon customer service and they can look up the unlock status for you.
Best Verizon Phones for Unlocked Compatibility
While most Verizon phones released in the past few years should have broad compatibility thanks to the inclusion of GSM network bands, some models are better choices than others if you plan to use them with other carriers.
Here are some of the best recent Verizon phones for unlocked flexibility:
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Apple iPhone 12 and 13 series: All iPhone models sold by Verizon are universally unlocked and can be used with any carrier after the 60-day lock period. They have extensive band support for the best global compatibility.
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Samsung Galaxy S21 and S22 series: Verizon‘s Galaxy S phones are factory unlocked with a temporary 60-day lock. Once unlocked, they have excellent GSM and CDMA support for use on any U.S. network.
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Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro: The Pixel 6 series sold by Verizon is unlocked and certified to work on all major U.S. carriers. They also have broad international band support for traveling.
When shopping for an unlocked Verizon phone, look for models that specify they are "universally unlocked" or have both CDMA and GSM network compatibility. You can also focus on phones featuring Verizon‘s dual SIM technology, which allows you to have multiple carrier SIM cards active at once.
Unlocking Verizon Prepaid Phones
Verizon‘s prepaid phones follow a slightly different unlocking procedure than their postpaid counterparts. Because prepaid phones are often sold at a discount, Verizon keeps them locked to ensure they are used as intended on the prepaid service.
To unlock a Verizon prepaid phone, it must meet these criteria:
- The phone must have been active on Verizon prepaid for at least 12 months
- The phone must not have been reported lost, stolen, or associated with fraudulent activity
If those conditions are met, you can request a prepaid unlock code by contacting Verizon customer service. Once you receive the code, you can enter it in the phone‘s settings to unlock it for use with other carriers.
Some newer Verizon prepaid phones, like recent iPhones and Samsung Galaxy models, now come universally unlocked out of the box. But it‘s still best to confirm with Verizon before purchasing if you plan to use it with another carrier.
Using Unlocked Verizon Phones While Traveling Abroad
One of the biggest perks of having an unlocked Verizon phone is the ability to use it internationally with local SIM cards to avoid costly roaming charges.
Most recent Verizon smartphones have built-in GSM radios with extensive band support for global networks. For example, all iPhone models after the iPhone 6 and Samsung Galaxy phones after the S7 have bands like 800, 900, 1800, 2100, and 2600 MHz for widespread compatibility.
Before you travel, it‘s always a good idea to check your specific phone model‘s supported bands and compare them to the networks in your destination country. You can usually find this info on Verizon‘s website or by contacting customer service.
It‘s also worth noting that Verizon offers a few different international travel plans that let you use your existing phone and number abroad for a daily fee. For infrequent travelers, this may be more convenient than constantly swapping physical SIM cards.
But for longer trips or frequent international travel, using local SIMs in your unlocked Verizon phone will give you the most flexibility and cost savings. Just make sure to disable any Verizon travel passes on your account to avoid double charges.
Verizon Number Lock
If you do end up using your unlocked Verizon phone with another carrier, there‘s one final feature to be aware of called Number Lock.
Number Lock is an account-level setting that prevents your phone number from being ported out to another carrier without your express consent. It‘s designed to protect you from unauthorized number porting and SIM swap fraud.
While Number Lock is an important security tool, it can cause some hassle when trying to switch carriers with your unlocked Verizon phone. If you have Number Lock enabled, you‘ll need to disable it before you can take your number to a new provider.
You can manage your Number Lock settings through the My Verizon online portal or by contacting customer service. It‘s a good idea to disable it a few days before you plan to make the switch to avoid any last-minute delays.
The Future of Phone Unlocking
The topic of phone unlocking has been an evolving issue in the wireless industry over the past decade. In 2014, President Obama signed the Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act, which made it legal for consumers to unlock their phones and switch carriers.
However, the act didn‘t mandate that carriers had to unlock devices for free or within a certain timeframe. As a result, carriers still have a fair amount of leeway in their unlocking policies and procedures.
There have been ongoing efforts by the FCC and consumer advocates to standardize and streamline phone unlocking across the industry. In 2017, the CRTC (Canada‘s telecom regulator) implemented new rules requiring carriers to unlock devices for free upon request. Some experts predict the U.S. may follow suit in the coming years.
For now, the best approach is to thoroughly research each carrier‘s unlocking policies before you buy to avoid any surprises down the road. You can also consider purchasing a phone directly from the manufacturer that comes unlocked out of the box.
Key Takeaways
To recap, here are the key points you should know about Verizon phone unlocking in 2022:
- Verizon locks newly purchased phones for 60 days to prevent fraud and ensure devices are used on their network.
- After 60 days, Verizon automatically unlocks phones regardless of their payment status. The only exception is for deployed military personnel who can request an early unlock.
- Unlocked Verizon phones can be used with any compatible carrier in the U.S. or abroad. Most recent models have broad GSM and CDMA network support.
- To check if your Verizon phone is unlocked, you can dial
*#06#, insert another carrier‘s SIM, check your settings, or contact customer service. - Newer iPhones, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel models tend to have the best compatibility for use with other networks when unlocked.
- Verizon prepaid phones have different unlocking requirements and must be active for 12 months before they can be unlocked.
- Using unlocked Verizon phones while traveling internationally is a great way to save money on roaming fees. Just make sure your phone has the necessary GSM bands for your destination.
- If you plan to switch carriers with your unlocked Verizon phone, you may need to disable the Number Lock feature first to port out your number.
- Phone unlocking regulations in the U.S. are an ongoing conversation and may evolve in the coming years to favor consumers.
As you can see, there‘s a lot more to Verizon phone unlocking than you might expect! But armed with this knowledge, you can make a more informed decision on your next device purchase and leverage the flexibility of an unlocked phone to suit your unique needs.
