The Easy Way to Unlock a Verizon Phone

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Find out how to unlock your Verizon phone for use on other networks
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Most major wireless service providers, including Verizon, now allow customers to unlock their mobile phones to use on other wireless networks. As of July 2019, Verizon phones are only locked to the network for 60 days from purchase. [1] As long as your Verizon phone has not been flagged as lost or stolen, it will automatically unlock after the 60-day period. This wikiHow article teaches you how to unlock your Verizon phone.

Quick Steps

  1. Have the phone from Verizon for 60 days.
  2. It will automatically unlock after those 60 days if it isn't reported as lost, stolen, or fraudulent.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Unlocking Most Verizon Phones

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  1. As long as you bought your phone after July 2019, it will automatically unlock 60 days after the date of purchase. This is true for both pre- and post-paid plans. [2] Verizon will never re-lock your phone, even if you are not current on your account.
    • If you purchased a "4G Phone-in-a-Box" from an authorized Verizon retailer, check the back of the box to find out if there's a different unlock period.
    • If you bought your phone before July 2019, it may still be unlocked. If it isn't, you'll just need to contact Verizon and ask them to unlock it for you.
    • If you have an older 3G World or Global Ready phone from Verizon, see this method .
  2. You will need to get a SIM card from your new mobile provider to start using their network. Once you have your new non-Verizon SIM, shut your phone down, remove your Verizon SIM, and insert the new one . Once you switch the phone back on, it should automatically connect to your new provider's network.
    • Before signing up for another provider, check their website for a "Bring Your Own Device" page (or something similar) so you can make sure your Verizon phone is supported by their network.
    • If the SIM is an eSIM that doesn't have a physical card to insert, simply go to Settings > Mobile Data/Cellular/Network & Internet to select the eSIM as your SIM and scan the QR code that was emailed or mailed to you. [3]
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  3. If, after inserting the new SIM, you see a message that says something like, "SIM Not Supported," your Verizon phone is not unlocked. It could be because it's been fewer than 60 days since purchase, or that your phone was flagged as lost or stolen. To unlock your phone, you'll need to contact Verizon customer support at 888-294-6804, or by dialing *611 from your Verizon phone.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Unlocking a Verizon 3G World Phone

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  1. If you have an older Verizon 3G World phone, you can unlock it using a special code once you insert your new SIM card. Start by powering your Verizon phone down, removing its SIM , and inserting the SIM from the new provider. Turn your phone back on once the new SIM is in place.
    • Before signing up for another provider, check their website for a "Bring Your Own Device" page (or something similar) so you can make sure your Verizon phone is supported by their network.
  2. Once you start your phone back up, you'll be prompted to enter a code to unlock the phone. One of these universal codes will unlock your Verizon Global Ready or World 3G phone. After your phone has been unlocked, you can use your phone on any other compatible wireless network.
    • If you are not able to unlock your phone this way, contact Verizon Wireless support at 888-294-6804.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    What if I don't have a sim card?
    Community Answer
    You need to buy one; a phone won't work without one.
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  • Question
    How do I unlock a Samsung phone if I have a Verizon SIM card?
    Community Answer
    Either insert another SIM card and you will get a message prompting you to enter a NUC (network unlock code) or you will need to Google your carrier/manufacturer's USSD hash codes to display the NUC request prompt. Be sure to do your research first.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    Do I need to have WiFi to unlock a Verizon phone?
    Community Answer
    No you should not need WiFi. If any sort of connections would be needed it would probably be an OTA (Over The Air) connection, so keep mobile data turned on even though you may not have service for the moment.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      Tips

      • If you're traveling overseas with an unlocked Verizon phone, you can use a non-Verizon SIM as long as that carrier is compatible with your phone. If it's locked, Verizon offers SIMs for international travelers. [4]
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      • Contact your new wireless service provider prior to unlocking your Verizon phone to verify that the unlocked phone will work on that provider’s network. Although Verizon’s 4G LTE devices are compatible with most other wireless networks, service isn’t always guaranteed.
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      • Verizon will unlock phones early for military personnel who are deployed prior to the 60-day period. If you are deployed and need to unlock your phone or cancel your service, dial *611 from your phone to speak with customer service.
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      Warnings

      • Unlocked Verizon phones may not be compatible with Sprint’s wireless network. Like Verizon, Sprint also runs on a CDMA network; however, the carrier operates on different bands of spectrum than Verizon, and may not activate your Verizon phone for use on its network.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.verizon.com/support/device-locking-faqs/
      2. ↑ https://www.verizon.com/support/device-unlocking-policy/
      3. ↑ https://www.simoptions.com/switch-esim-providers/
      4. ↑ https://www.verizon.com/support/device-locking-faqs/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Verizon phones now unlock automatically 60 days after the date of purchase. If your phone was purchased prior to July 2019, you will need to call Verizon to unlock your phone—dial *611 from your handset, or call 1-888-294-6804 from any phone to do so.

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