Did you recently purchase a Verizon phone, and realize it was locked? Do you want to know what the Verizon Unlock Policy is, such as whether you can unlock before 60 days?
Well, keep reading, because I’m going to explain all of the details below so that you know the Verizon Unlock Policy details!
What Is the Verizon Unlock Policy In [currentyear]?
The Verizon Unlock Policy states that you have to wait 60 days after the purchase and activation of your phone to get it unlocked in [currentyear]. However, there is an exception to this rule if you’re on active duty in the military, and will be relocating to an area outside of the Verizon coverage area.
Do you want to know more about the Verizon Unlock Policy, such as if you can unlock the phone yourself? Well, continue reading below to learn more!
How Do I Get My Verizon Phone Unlocked?
If you’d like to get your Verizon phone unlocked, you first must wait 60 days after the date of purchase and activation.
Also, you’ll need to ensure that your phone stays in good standing for those 60 days, which includes paying your bill on time, and ensuring the phone isn’t flagged for theft or other reasons.
You won’t need to do anything to unlock your device, since the unlock process is automatic and will happen once you’ve reached the 60-day threshold.
Can I Unlock a Verizon Phone Myself?
You cannot unlock your Verizon phone yourself, as it’s done automatically through Verizon on the company’s end, and you have no capabilities to go around the system.
Will Verizon Unlock My Phone Before 60 Days?
Verizon can unlock your phone before 60 days, but only if you’re active military and are going to be relocated to an area outside of where Verizon has coverage.
However, if you’re active military, and need the phone unlocked before the 60 days, you may have to show additional documentation if possible to prove you’ll be outside of the coverage zone.
You can dial *611 from your Verizon phone to contact Verizon Customer Service and make this request, or call them from any phone at 1-800-922-0204.
What Does the Verizon Unlocking Policy Mean?
The Verizon Unlock Policy means that Verizon will unlock your device and the associated software that prevents someone from activating the device on another carrier.
Why Would Verizon Lock a Phone?
Verizon locks phones for the first 60 days because it’s part of the effort to curb or stop fraud and thefts that are becoming increasingly associated with cell phones.
Further, there are scammers out there that will try to do things such as port a number away from the carrier, so the lock is in place to ensure that the phone cannot be tampered with.
Does Verizon Prepaid Lock Its Phones?
Verizon Prepaid does lock phones, just like postpaid phones, which means your prepaid phone also cannot be unlocked before 60 days.
However, if you’ve purchased the prepaid Verizon 4G phone from an authorized retailer, you’ll need to refer to the phone box for specific details on the lock period.
What Verizon Phones Are Locked?
All Verizon phones are locked for the initial 60 days, including phones that were purchased at a Verizon authorized retailer.
How Can I Tell If My Verizon Phone Is Unlocked?
The easiest way to tell if your Verizon phone is unlocked is to call Verizon Customer Service by dialing *611, or by calling 1-800-922-0204.
Additionally, you can also check if your Verizon phone is unlocked from the Settings menu on your device, regardless of whether you have iOS or Android.
If you have an Android device, go into “Settings,” and then select “Connections,” and you should see “Mobile Networks.”
Select “Network Operators,” and “Search Now,” and if you see other carrier names on the device, then it’s unlocked.
Likewise, if you have an iOS device, you can go into “Settings,” select “Cellular,” and look for “Cellular Data.”
If “Cellular Data Network” is listed, then you can assume that your Verizon phone is unlocked.
How Do I Check If My Verizon Phone Is Unlocked By IMEI?
It’s simple to check to see if your Verizon device is unlocked using the IMEI number by going to the IMEI Compatibility page and entering the number into the website.
Furthermore, if you’re a Verizon customer, it’s easy to find your IMEI number by logging into the My Verizon app or website, and going into “My Devices,” then selecting “Manage Device.”
Look for “Device Information,” and you’ll see that your IMEI and Device ID are found in this section.
Additionally, it’s simple to find your IMEI number if you’re not a Verizon customer by going into “Settings” and selecting “About Phone” if you have an Android device.
For an iOS device, go into “Settings,” and select “General,” and then choose “About” to see the IMEI number.
Additionally, the IMEI number is also found underneath the battery of your phone if you have a removable battery within the device.
What Is the Network Unlock Code for Verizon?
If you need the Verizon network unlock code for your 3G World Device, you can use unlock code 000000. You must wait 12 months to unlock these specific devices.
However, Verizon is ending support for 3G devices at the end of [currentyear], so if you have a 3G device, you’ll need to upgrade before 2023 to continue Verizon’s service.
If you are looking to learn more, you can also read our posts on whether or not Verizon offers unlimited data, does Verizon unlock phones, and do Verizon phones have sim cards.
Conclusion
Verizon Unlock Policy states that you cannot unlock your phone until your phone has been activated on the Verizon network, and is in good standing for 60 days.
However, an exception is made for active military personnel that will be located outside of the Verizon coverage area, although you must contact customer service.
