How To Unlock a Verizon Cell Phone

If you have a Verizon phone or tablet and want to use it with another carrier, you're likely wondering about how to get the device unlocked so that it works with your new provider. Every major carrier in the US, including Verizon, lets their customers unlock their devices if they meet some simple conditions. If you obtained your device from Verizon, you'll be happy to hear that the company doesn't actually lock most of their smartphones to begin with.

Requirements for Unlocking a Verizon Mobile Device

Every 4G LTE device provided by Verizon is already unlocked, right out of the box. This means that you just need to fulfill some very basic requirements if you want to cancel your Verizon account and switch to a competing provider.

If you had a two-year term contract, you must have made all payments and have an account that is in good standing. The same goes for financing through Verizon Edge or another device payment plan. All monthly payments must have been made and there must be no overdue amount on your Verizon account. The device that is being taken to another carrier must not have been reported as being lost or stolen, or flagged as associated with fraudulent activity.

How To Unlock a Verizon Phone by IMEI

​You can also use the tool below to unlock your Verizon phone using the IMEI code through our partner, DoctorSIM.

Prepaid Devices and Exceptional Cases

Verizon's line of prepaid phones (also called “Phone-in-the-Box) can be unlocked twelve months after they've been activated. On most devices you can use either “000000” or “123456” as an unlock code. If these don't work, you can call Verizon's customer support department for assistance. The company will also unlock prepaid mobile devices within the first twelve months for military personnel who are deployed abroad.

Global Ready 3G devices (except the iPhone) activated on a postpaid plan are an exception to Verizon's regular unlocking policy. They may be unlocked right away by using “000000” or “123456” as an unlock code.

What to Consider Before Unlocking Your Device

If you're thinking of keeping your existing device and using it with a different carrier, you should first make sure that it will be compatible with your new provider's network. Verizon uses CDMA technology for its mobile network, which is different from its main competitors in the US, AT&T and T-Mobile. However, 4G LTE devices offered by Verizon and unlocked should be compatible with their LTE networks.

Sprint is another major competitor to Verizon and also operates a CDMA network. Unfortunately, they use different frequency bands, which makes it difficult to use a non-Sprint mobile phone on their network. The exception would be some 4G LTE devices, such as the most recent iPhones, which can be used on Sprint's network when activated on a BYOD plan. If you're considering moving your mobile service over to Sprint, you should first contact the company to see if your existing Verizon device will be compatible with their network. Jump to top