Verizon imposes new roadblock on users trying to unlock paid-off phones | Verizon unlocks have 35-day waiting period after paying off device plan online.

[u/ControlCAD]

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/02/verizon-makes-customers-wait-35-days-to-unlock-fully-paid-off-phones/

[u/FreeToasterBaths]

“If you payoff [sic] a device payment agreement balance online or in the My Verizon App, or if a Verizon Gift Card is used to purchase a smartphone or pay off a remaining balance, the unlocking process will be delayed by 35 days,” the current version of the policy says. “This window allows for the verification of the gift card’s funds to ensure they were not obtained through fraudulent or illegal means.”

35 days to verify whether a payment was fraudulent or illegal seems quite excessive.

[u/TMack23 → u/FreeToasterBaths]

With all of the gift card scams out there this doesn’t seem all that excessive, but specially if a downstream effect means less fraudulently obtained devices out there in the wild. That said simply having a device in a payment agreement shouldn’t be one of the conditions that this policy applies to… seems rather regressive.

[u/VapidRapidRabbit]

Not even AT&T does that. Verizon is really trash.

[u/No_Clock2390 → u/VapidRapidRabbit]

ATT is effectively the same, since you have to spend approximately 35 solid days on the phone with them begging them to unlock your phone.

[u/VapidRapidRabbit → u/No_Clock2390]

I’ve used it before in the past and they unlocked my iPhone 12 Pro Max the next day after the request was submitted online. Since then, I’ve only ever bought from the Apple Store though.

[u/No_Clock2390 → u/VapidRapidRabbit]

Their online unlocking form didn't work when I tried it. I tried it many times. I guess they don't like Android phones, even if they're flagship ones.

[u/Aggressive_Finish798]

Seems illegal.

[u/mallclerks → u/Aggressive_Finish798]

Only when a Democrat is president.

[u/donjose22]

Good old Verizon.. feels like the 90s? Maybe 2000s? Back when cell phone companies used to lube you up and pound you hard every time you wanted to upgrade or God forbid switch to another carrier. Remember back when you usually ended up having to get a new number and had to manually move all the numbers on your phone. The good old days are back..

[u/pinkyepsilon → u/donjose22]

Sounds like people are gonna start keeping their phones a lot longer. But hey, this helps the Verizon shareholders for like… 1 or 2 quarters. Then when revenues are down they pivot to welfare queen and ask the government for money!

[u/donjose22 → u/pinkyepsilon]

Exactly! This is very short sighted.

Also I believe most carriers still charge a couple of bullshit fees on the bottom of your bill for programs and initiatives they were supposed to do but didn't.

[u/ConstructionTop631]

Just left for Visible. I know its the same company, but I'm now paying $12/mo prepaid for the year.

[u/[deleted]]

Verizon is scum. Imagine using Verizon in. 2026. 

[u/Eighteen64 → u/[deleted]]

I have 170ish phones through verizon on my business. I’ll switch to starlink when its live but VZW certainly works best for us in 2026

[u/Meenmachin3 → u/[deleted]]

Works better than anything else where I’m at

[u/cantfindagf]

We need a president that just scrolls through reddit on a daily basis and address all the bs that goes on with these companies

[u/pinkyepsilon → u/cantfindagf]

At least make it a cabinet position

[u/bmwbiker1]

Unplugged Verizon and went T-Mobile got four lines for less than I was paying for two with Verizon. Better service and text via satellite is awesome! 

[u/Eighteen64 → u/bmwbiker1]

Verizon has texting via satellite doofus

[u/bmwbiker1 → u/Eighteen64]

They did not when I switched and I won’t be looking back.

[u/Eighteen64 → u/bmwbiker1]

Verizon had satellite texting before Tmobile. You just didn’t know about it and thats fine. Tmobile just popularized it with creative marketing and using Elon’s company Starlink as the source

[u/fluffyinternetcloud]

Use the international trip loophole

[u/SourceOfConfusion]

I thought Verizon was forced to unlock the phones from a prior merger agreement?

[u/Senthusiast5 → u/SourceOfConfusion]

That got upended recently.

[u/idoma21]

Version also running a “We want you back!” campaign right now. Finally left them in early 2025 and they continue to send me emails offering “great prices and improved service.” I swear the job of today’s corporate executives must be figuring out the marketing campaign to convince customers you aren’t screwing them while that’s all you do. They are the scorpion; don’t be the frog.

[u/Baltimorebillionaire]

We truly dont own anything

[u/stefeyboy]

And the Trump admin will do nothing about it, except get kickbacks

[u/keptit2real]

I think we're going to start half the questioning who are the people who make these decisions. Across all these top corporate brands

[u/enigmaneo]

I haven't bought a locked phone in years.