How to Unlock a Verizon iPhone

Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: December 22, 2021 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to carrier-unlock an iPhone that's on the Verizon network. Doing so will allow you to use your iPhone with a different carrier as long as the carrier in question has a SIM card that will work with your iPhone's hardware.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Preparing to Unlock

1
See if your iPhone is already unlocked. Verizon does not carrier-lock the bulk of their iPhones, though the criteria for what is locked and what isn't is generally unclear. If you paid for your iPhone in full when you bought it, it should not be locked; similarly, if your iPhone is on a payment plan that you've completed, it shouldn't be locked.^{[1]
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- Just because your iPhone shouldn't be locked doesn't mean that it isn't locked.
- There are a few other ways in which you can determine whether or not your iPhone is locked.
2
Make sure that your account is in good standing. This just means that you don't have any overdue payments or flags on your account. If you have any such problems, resolve them before attempting to unlock your iPhone.
- Many carriers have policies regarding stolen or lost iPhones in which you can't unlock the iPhone in question until it is found or recovered by the proper account owner.
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3
Make sure that you're listed as an account owner. In order to make significant account changes such as unlocking an iPhone, you must be registered as the head of your account.
- For example, if you're on a plan wherein a family member is the account owner, they will have to make the call to unlock your iPhone.
4
Have your account information on-hand. This generally includes your Verizon login details (your email address or phone number, your PIN, etc.), the iPhone model, and your iPhone's IMEI number.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Retrieving Your IMEI Number

1
Open your iPhone's
Settings. Tap the Settings app icon, which resembles a grey box with gears on it.
2
Scroll down and tap
General. It's near the top of the Settings page.
3
Tap About. This option is at the top of the General page.
4
Scroll down to the "IMEI" section. It's near the bottom of the page.
5
Note the IMEI number. Write down the number to the right of the "IMEI" heading here.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Unlocking Your iPhone

1
Open your iPhone's Phone app. Tap the Phone app icon, which resembles a white phone receiver on a green background.
2
Tap Keypad. It's a tab at the bottom of the screen. This will bring up the dial pad video.
3
Enter the customer service line number. Type *611 into your iPhone. This number allows you to reach Verizon customer support.
4
Tap the "Call" button. It's the green circle at the bottom of the screen. Doing so will call the customer service line, at which point you'll be greeted by an automated voice.
5
Say "carrier unlock" when prompted. The voice will ask you to state your problem, which is where you should answer with "Carrier unlock."
6
Explain your situation to the Verizon representative. When an employee answers, briefly explain that you would like to have your iPhone carrier-unlocked.
- You may be on hold for several minutes to several hours depending on when you make this call.
7
Provide the requested information. The employee will ask for several different things, including your login information, your iPhone's IMEI number, and so on.
8
Wait for an unlock confirmation. Once the employee confirms that your iPhone has been unlocked (or that an unlock has been requested), wait for a confirmation email or text.
- Verizon will usually have this confirmation back to you within 7 business days.
9
Insert another carrier's SIM card. Once your iPhone is unlocked, you can proceed with putting it on another carrier's network by placing a SIM card from said carrier in your iPhone.
- You must confirm that the SIM card will work with your iPhone's internal hardware, as some carriers cannot support carrier-specific models of other carriers' phones.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I unlock my Verizon iPhone after I've put too many wrong codes in?

Sarah Montalvo

Community Answer

Sometimes if you put too many codes in, the phone will automatically lock you out for a pre-set period of time. Wait until the time is up and try unlocking it again. If you still cannot access your phone, seek help from the Verizon team or Apple to help you unlock it.

Warnings

When connecting your iPhone to iTunes, iTunes will not provide you with an unlock confirmation message. The SIM unlock through Verizon is intended for international use only, and is not considered a factory-applied unlock on behalf of Apple.

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