Note: This is a rehash of the original UNLOCK tutorial created by member SGMD1. All credit will go to him. Please thank him for his hard work. 
DISCLAIMER: This guide applies to ONLY VERIZON IPHONES. Sprint has a different policy regarding this issue.
Verizon has a policy that they will unlock the SIM on any world phones on their network as long as they meet the requirements. This also includes the iPhone 4S.
This official unlock allows the use of foreign SIM cards while traveling abroad, or for use of foreign SIM cards roaming on GSM networks in the United States.
This is different than the jailbreak or Gevey SIM unlocking method; SIM unlocking through Verizon is permanent, free, and will not affect your warranty in any way. There will be no jailbreaking involved!
1. Meet the following requirements:
* Must be a Verizon Wireless customer.
* The iPhone 4S being unlocked must be active on the Verizon Wireless line of service.
* The line of service must be active at least 60 days.
* The line of service must be in good standing for the past 60 days.
* Only one SIM Unlock per line every 10 months.
If you don't meet one or more of the above requirements, call anyway. You may still get lucky.
2. If you have the requirements then Call 1-800-711-8300 (Verizon Global Support), select option 2, and ask the representative for a SIM unlock. Say something simple such as, Hi, I would like to request a SIM unlock so I can use third party SIMs on my iPhone while I'm traveling abroad. The representative will then most likely transfer you to their unlocking department. (really the same department just staff that specialize in the unlocking process)
Occassionally a representative may not know exactly what you are referring to; make sure you are not transferred to a different department. You are in the right place. Explain that they should have a walkthrough on how to do this, and that it allows for the use of local, non-Verizon SIM cards while traveling abroad.
3. Get confirmation from the rep that the unlock has been applied to your account, usually the rep will either have you make an agreement over the phone or shoot you an email stating that Verizon will not be held responsible for any use or charges brought on by third party SIMs that you use.
4. Verizon has done everything they had to on their side. The next step will be on your side. To complete the activation you will have to insert a foreign SIM card and NOT a USA AT&T or T-Mobile SIM as this is a unlock meant for use outside the USA. At the time of inserting your SIM card make sure you have access to either Wi-Fi or a computer with iTunes and internet. The phone will contact the Apple servers and then your unlock should be complete. The phone should show that it is roaming on AT&T.
(if you do not have access to a foreign SIM, you can always get one when you visit another country and complete the unlock then)
5. Your iPhone is officially and permanently unlocked for international use.
DISCLAIMER: You will NOT see an unlock confirmation in iTunes as that is for a factory-applied unlock only
----------
FAQs
under construction
How will this unlock benefit me? Why can't I just roam internationally on Verizon?
You can check out Verizon's outrageous international roaming fees
DATA plans:http://b2b.vzw.com/international/GlobalData/rates_coverage.html
VOICE plans: http://b2b.vzw.com/international/Global_Phone/plans_coverage.html#gsm
I thought Verizon iPhones don't have SIM slots?
That is true for the iPhone 4. However, with the new 4S that has changed. Apple has consolidated the GSM and CDMA technologies in the new hardware using a QualComm Quad Band chip. This saves production costs, and allows the iPhone 4S to be a true world phone. The 4S comes with a Verizon branded Vodaphone Micro-SIM.
Will I be able to use my phone on AT&T and T-Mobile after unlocking?
No, this unlock still does not allow use with any other USA carriers but it will with any other GSM carriers outside the states.
What does one SIM unlock per line every 10 months mean?
This means that for every phone line that you have, you can request one permanent phone unlock. So if you have a family plan with 5 phones and meet the requirements for at least 60 days in good standing for all lines you may request 5 unlocks. From the date a unlock is used you will have to wait 10 months before using that same phone line to unlock another phone. So in 10 months you may request unlocks for 5 more phones.
Why is there a 10 month limit?
This is to prevent people from unlocking too many phones for resale.
So can I request an unlock even if I don't travel much and really don't need it?
Yes, even if there is a slim chance you might need an unlock for third party SIMs while traveling I would recommend on doing the unlock. You will have to wait 10 months for another unlock from the day of the unlock so why not do it sooner?
Will this affect my plan in any way? such as unlimited data?
Nope, nothing on your plan or phone will be affected other than available use of third party SIMs.
I do not have an international SIM. Is there any way to safely verify that my phone is SIM unlocked before traveling?
Unfortunately there are no other methods other than inserting a foreign SIM to verify unlock. If you do happen to bump into any problems you can still contact Verizon Global Support airtime free using your Verizon SIM when roaming. This will force them to pay high roaming charges to fix your problem.
Do I really need to have to connect to iTunes after inserting foreign SIM for the unlock to complete?
The alternative is to have a wifi access in which your phone can contact Apple servers to confirm unlock. The use for iTunes is the same idea since iTunes will use the internet to contact Apple servers.
How long do I have to wait after I have gone through the process with Verizon to be able to use third party SIMs?
The Unlock should be immediate after the rep has confirmed the process.
Would Verizon relock my phone anytime?
No, this unlock is permanent and Verizon will not reinstate a lock on your phone.
Does the phone have to be currently active on Verizon's network to be able to use with international SIMs?
Other than at the time of the Unlock the phone does NOT have to be on the network at any time or for any amount of time. I have personally borrowed a friend's line for an unlock and it has been fine. I put the phone on his phone line, went through unlocking process, and put his phone back on his line. Then I sold the 16GB phone to someone I know in China for $1000 and it is working fine.
Will I have to perform the unlock procedure with Wi-Fi/iTunes every time I plan to use third party SIMs?
No, other than the first time you insert a third party SIM, you will not have to repeat the procedure. The phone is now permanently unlock and you can freely use SIMs from then on. So the second time you leave the states just pop in the SIM and you are ready to go.
Is the unlocked indefinitely once in a lifetime or once per trip?
Once again, this unlock will be permanent and you will not ever need to call Verizon every time you leave the states. (other than to suspend your current service while you aren't here)
Will reconnecting my phone to Verizon relock it?
NO!
Will restoring my phone reverse the unlock?
No, the unlock is server sided. Apple whitelists your phone so it will not be relocked.
If I get a O2 sim card in the UK will it always show up as AT&T on the phone?
The phone will only roam on AT&T network while in the USA. In the UK it will properly show O2 as your network.
Will I be able to unlock similarly like this with AT&T and Sprint?
This is strictly Verizon's own unlock policy. You will have to contact your provider as to what their policy is. Right now Sprint is still vague on theirs and I don't think AT&T even has an unlock policy.
DISCLAIMER: This guide applies to ONLY VERIZON IPHONES. Sprint has a different policy regarding this issue.
Verizon has a policy that they will unlock the SIM on any world phones on their network as long as they meet the requirements. This also includes the iPhone 4S.
This official unlock allows the use of foreign SIM cards while traveling abroad, or for use of foreign SIM cards roaming on GSM networks in the United States.
This is different than the jailbreak or Gevey SIM unlocking method; SIM unlocking through Verizon is permanent, free, and will not affect your warranty in any way. There will be no jailbreaking involved!
1. Meet the following requirements:
* Must be a Verizon Wireless customer.
* The iPhone 4S being unlocked must be active on the Verizon Wireless line of service.
* The line of service must be active at least 60 days.
* The line of service must be in good standing for the past 60 days.
* Only one SIM Unlock per line every 10 months.
If you don't meet one or more of the above requirements, call anyway. You may still get lucky.
2. If you have the requirements then Call 1-800-711-8300 (Verizon Global Support), select option 2, and ask the representative for a SIM unlock. Say something simple such as, Hi, I would like to request a SIM unlock so I can use third party SIMs on my iPhone while I'm traveling abroad. The representative will then most likely transfer you to their unlocking department. (really the same department just staff that specialize in the unlocking process)
Occassionally a representative may not know exactly what you are referring to; make sure you are not transferred to a different department. You are in the right place. Explain that they should have a walkthrough on how to do this, and that it allows for the use of local, non-Verizon SIM cards while traveling abroad.
3. Get confirmation from the rep that the unlock has been applied to your account, usually the rep will either have you make an agreement over the phone or shoot you an email stating that Verizon will not be held responsible for any use or charges brought on by third party SIMs that you use.
4. Verizon has done everything they had to on their side. The next step will be on your side. To complete the activation you will have to insert a foreign SIM card and NOT a USA AT&T or T-Mobile SIM as this is a unlock meant for use outside the USA. At the time of inserting your SIM card make sure you have access to either Wi-Fi or a computer with iTunes and internet. The phone will contact the Apple servers and then your unlock should be complete. The phone should show that it is roaming on AT&T.
(if you do not have access to a foreign SIM, you can always get one when you visit another country and complete the unlock then)
5. Your iPhone is officially and permanently unlocked for international use.
DISCLAIMER: You will NOT see an unlock confirmation in iTunes as that is for a factory-applied unlock only
----------
FAQs
under construction
How will this unlock benefit me? Why can't I just roam internationally on Verizon?
You can check out Verizon's outrageous international roaming fees
DATA plans:http://b2b.vzw.com/international/GlobalData/rates_coverage.html
VOICE plans: http://b2b.vzw.com/international/Global_Phone/plans_coverage.html#gsm
I thought Verizon iPhones don't have SIM slots?
That is true for the iPhone 4. However, with the new 4S that has changed. Apple has consolidated the GSM and CDMA technologies in the new hardware using a QualComm Quad Band chip. This saves production costs, and allows the iPhone 4S to be a true world phone. The 4S comes with a Verizon branded Vodaphone Micro-SIM.
Will I be able to use my phone on AT&T and T-Mobile after unlocking?
No, this unlock still does not allow use with any other USA carriers but it will with any other GSM carriers outside the states.
What does one SIM unlock per line every 10 months mean?
This means that for every phone line that you have, you can request one permanent phone unlock. So if you have a family plan with 5 phones and meet the requirements for at least 60 days in good standing for all lines you may request 5 unlocks. From the date a unlock is used you will have to wait 10 months before using that same phone line to unlock another phone. So in 10 months you may request unlocks for 5 more phones.
Why is there a 10 month limit?
This is to prevent people from unlocking too many phones for resale.
So can I request an unlock even if I don't travel much and really don't need it?
Yes, even if there is a slim chance you might need an unlock for third party SIMs while traveling I would recommend on doing the unlock. You will have to wait 10 months for another unlock from the day of the unlock so why not do it sooner?
Will this affect my plan in any way? such as unlimited data?
Nope, nothing on your plan or phone will be affected other than available use of third party SIMs.
I do not have an international SIM. Is there any way to safely verify that my phone is SIM unlocked before traveling?
Unfortunately there are no other methods other than inserting a foreign SIM to verify unlock. If you do happen to bump into any problems you can still contact Verizon Global Support airtime free using your Verizon SIM when roaming. This will force them to pay high roaming charges to fix your problem.
Do I really need to have to connect to iTunes after inserting foreign SIM for the unlock to complete?
The alternative is to have a wifi access in which your phone can contact Apple servers to confirm unlock. The use for iTunes is the same idea since iTunes will use the internet to contact Apple servers.
How long do I have to wait after I have gone through the process with Verizon to be able to use third party SIMs?
The Unlock should be immediate after the rep has confirmed the process.
Would Verizon relock my phone anytime?
No, this unlock is permanent and Verizon will not reinstate a lock on your phone.
Does the phone have to be currently active on Verizon's network to be able to use with international SIMs?
Other than at the time of the Unlock the phone does NOT have to be on the network at any time or for any amount of time. I have personally borrowed a friend's line for an unlock and it has been fine. I put the phone on his phone line, went through unlocking process, and put his phone back on his line. Then I sold the 16GB phone to someone I know in China for $1000 and it is working fine.
Will I have to perform the unlock procedure with Wi-Fi/iTunes every time I plan to use third party SIMs?
No, other than the first time you insert a third party SIM, you will not have to repeat the procedure. The phone is now permanently unlock and you can freely use SIMs from then on. So the second time you leave the states just pop in the SIM and you are ready to go.
Is the unlocked indefinitely once in a lifetime or once per trip?
Once again, this unlock will be permanent and you will not ever need to call Verizon every time you leave the states. (other than to suspend your current service while you aren't here)
Will reconnecting my phone to Verizon relock it?
NO!
Will restoring my phone reverse the unlock?
No, the unlock is server sided. Apple whitelists your phone so it will not be relocked.
If I get a O2 sim card in the UK will it always show up as AT&T on the phone?
The phone will only roam on AT&T network while in the USA. In the UK it will properly show O2 as your network.
Will I be able to unlock similarly like this with AT&T and Sprint?
This is strictly Verizon's own unlock policy. You will have to contact your provider as to what their policy is. Right now Sprint is still vague on theirs and I don't think AT&T even has an unlock policy.
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