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Verizon iPhone 4S SIM UNLOCK Tutorial

Have to say , this is the most confusing unlock situation I have yet heard of. AT&T at least we know there isn't one, Verizon it's this continually back and forth. It's such a simple thing, yet we can't get a clear yes or no with confirmed people unlocked on Verizon
 
WannaGoMac said:
Have to say , this is the most confusing unlock situation I have yet heard of. AT&T at least we know there isn't one, Verizon it's this continually back and forth. It's such a simple thing, yet we can't get a clear yes or no with confirmed people unlocked on Verizon
Click to expand...

Verizon's unlocking policy is very clear.

As long as you meet the requirements listed in the first post, they will do the unlock over the phone and you will be able to use any foreign SIM. AT&T/T-Mobile SIMs will not work even with the Verizon unlock due to an MNC/MCC restriction. Several people have done this successfully (see post #64.)

What are you confused about?
 
WannaGoMac said:
It's such a simple thing, yet we can't get a clear yes or no with confirmed people unlocked on Verizon
Click to expand...
SGMD1 provided links in this very thread. Try reading the thread again, carefully. Start with the OP and don't make assumptions.
 
SGMD1 said:
Verizon's unlocking policy is very clear.

As long as you meet the requirements listed in the first post, they will do the unlock over the phone and you will be able to use any foreign SIM. AT&T/T-Mobile SIMs will not work even with the Verizon unlock due to an MNC/MCC restriction. Several people have done this successfully (see post #64.)

What are you confused about?
Click to expand...

takeshi74 said:
SGMD1 provided links in this very thread. Try reading the thread again, carefully. Start with the OP and don't make assumptions.
Click to expand...

It seems like a mixed bag as to whether or how Verizon unlocks. Perhaps I mis-read but no one has said specifically said they're using foreign sims in the verizon phone.

For example, this one https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1246693/


iPhoneBX said:
That is what they tell you although Ive been intouch with the VZW IT department and they have stated it shouldn't matter the unlock should be in completed status and not pending. He said they have escalated the issue and are working with Apple to see what the problem is.

My iPhone shows pending, put the foreign sim card in the phone and still get an error message, "SIM NOT VALID."
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Does anyone know the circumstances on an unlocked phone that isn't on Verizon network? Basically I used a line to unlock an iPhone yesterday but then took the iPhone right off the line. Will there be any problems if it's not on the verizon network at the time of international travel?
 
Great thread, OP! Was able to call the number provided, achieved SIM unlock status with Verizon (who btw said that this device will be unlocked indefinitely!), popped in foreign SIM from SingTel, restarted phone, activated through Wi-FI (one-time occurrence), and now roaming on AT&T! Received texts from SingTel about roaming options, etc. Great work! :D
 
GoGoGadget1 said:
Is this a fact? I remember Sprint saying they would apply the lock again...or are they full of it and just trying to scare us?
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Yes it is a fact. I have no idea about Sprint's policy but it has no bearing on what Verizon does.
 
Quick/dumb question as I don't have a paperclip handy to eject my SIM slot.

Does the Verizon 4S ship with a SIM card?
 
SGMD1 said:
Nope. If you order from Verizon with the global roaming package, it will ship with a Vodafone SIM.
Click to expand...

So when I want to leave the country with my 4S and pay Verizon's astronomical roaming fees, I have to first call Verizon and wait for them to send me a SIM card? That seems dumb. I wish they'd have included one from the get go. I wonder if the local Verizon store could also provide one?

Alternatively, I guess I can always buy a local SIM after having Verizon unlock my phone, but there's no easy way to do that and not inform everyone that you're using a different phone number is there? I'm not willing to tell all of my coworkers, friends, etc to contact me on a different number for a week.
 
jkozlow3 said:
So when I want to leave the country with my 4S and pay Verizon's astronomical roaming fees, I have to first call Verizon and wait for them to send me a SIM card? That seems dumb. I wish they'd have included one from the get go. I wonder if the local Verizon store could also provide one?
Click to expand...
So sorry, disregard my previous post...I was totally wrong. Just checked and yes it does come with a VZW SIM (I edited my post to reflect that.)

Here's a pic:

XQpeY.jpg
 
WannaGoMac said:
Is this just once in a lifetime of the 4s or once per trip?
Click to expand...

Basically when you use Verizon, the phone gets locked again. When you insert a foreign SIM, it asks for wifi, once it connects, the phone gets unlocked again. And that should work fine as long as you don't connect to Verizon again (i.e. you can swap 2 foreign SIMs without having to unlock again)

It's a bit frustrating especially when you land overseas and plug the SIM in there....
I wonder why it's supposed to work like this instead of a factory unlocked iPhone which never asks for iTunes or wifi...
 
Enrico said:
Basically when you use Verizon, the phone gets locked again. When you insert a foreign SIM, it asks for wifi, once it connects, the phone gets unlocked again. And that should work fine as long as you don't connect to Verizon again (i.e. you can swap 2 foreign SIMs without having to unlock again)

It's a bit frustrating especially when you land overseas and plug the SIM in there....
I wonder why it's supposed to work like this instead of a factory unlocked iPhone which never asks for iTunes or wifi...
Click to expand...

Wow, that's crazy. Why is it such an awful unlock?
 
Enrico said:
Good question! I tried for the first couple of days and then gave up... I have a trip coming in 2 months so I'm not worrying too much now!
Click to expand...

I still don't understand why does it need wifi and why would it relock?
 
Enrico said:
Basically when you use Verizon, the phone gets locked again. When you insert a foreign SIM, it asks for wifi, once it connects, the phone gets unlocked again. And that should work fine as long as you don't connect to Verizon again
Click to expand...
Has anyone else had this experience?
 
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