How to Unlock Your Verizon Phone

Your Verizon phone may or may not be compatible with the new carrier. Check with your new service provider to make sure your current device will work with the service plan. Until January 1st, 2020, Verizon phones are CDMA compatible and can be traded between other CDMA carriers like Sprint and US Cellular. After January 1st, Verizon CDMA phones will no longer be available for network swapping.

Most Verizon phones are unlocked automatically after 60 days of purchasing. If yours isn't, you can use an unlock code to use the SIM card from your new carrier.

If you're not sure which unlock code to use, try using one of these default codes:

• 000000
• 123456

In every other case, contact Verizon to request an unlock code.

The way you enter the unlock code varies between phone manufacturers. Here are the most popular manufacturers and how to enter the carrier unlock code on their devices.

Samsung

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Remove the case and battery.
3. Remove the current SIM card and put the new one in its place.
4. When you turn on the phone again, you will be prompted for the unlock code.

Apple

1. Contact Verizon to request an unlock.
2. Turn off the iPhone.
3. Remove the current SIM card and put the new one in its place.
4. Power on the iPhone.
5. Your phone will need to be set up again for the first time.

Huawei

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Remove the case.
3. Remove the battery.
4. Remove current SIM card and put the new one in its place.
5. Put the battery and case back on the phone.
6. You will be prompted for the unlock code when your phone turns on.

Lenovo

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Remove the SIM card from the side slot.
3. Insert the new SIM card.
4. Turn the phone on.
5. You will be prompted for the unlock code.

LG

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Remove the case and battery from the phone.
3. Remove the Verizon SIM card.
4. Insert the new SIM card.
5. Turn on the phone.
6. Enter the unlock code.

Make sure your Verizon device isn't held within a 60-day lock period. Verizon will put a lock on newly purchased devices or newly activated pre-paid devices. After the 60-day window has passed, Verizon will automatically remove the lock.

If your phone is locked within the 60-day window, you may be able to request an unlock. Deployed military personnel with orders to relocate outside of the Verizon network can contact Verizon to have the device unlocked.

If you still have trouble unlocking your Verizon device, you may need additional support. Contact Verizon for help unlocking the device. Your new carrier can help troubleshoot any activation issues after the phone is unlocked.

Next, learn how to enable Verizon call forwarding.