Verizon prepaid services add a 365-day wait to unlock phones

It’s only been a week since Verizon got permission to lift its 60-day phone unlock period, and the carrier is already making changes to its policy. now, Verizon says Customers who activate a phone on one of its sub-brands, including Visible, TracFone, Straight Talk and Total Wireless, will have to pay for the service for 365 days before switching their phone to a different network. Spotted earlier before Robot life.

In addition to the longer lockout period, Verizon will also require customers to request their phones to be unlocked, rather than doing so automatically. Visible’s policy states: “If you stop paying for the service, your progress toward the 365-day requirement will be paused.” It adds that your progress “will resume once you reactivate your account and continue” until you pay for one year of service.

Last week, the FCC approved Verizon’s request to lift the 60-day unlock requirement stemming from its purchase of spectrum licenses and its deal to acquire TracFone, which had a one-year unlock policy prior to Verizon’s purchase. As he pointed out Ars Technica. As a result of the waiver, Verizon must now follow the more flexible requirements set by the wireless trade group CTIA until the FCC creates an “industry-wide approach” to phone unlocking.

The new unlock period will take effect for phones activated on or after January 20, 2026. If you purchased a phone through one of these services on an earlier date, Verizon will still automatically unlock your phone after 60 days. Verizon says it still won’t unlock your phone if it’s reported lost or stolen, or if your account shows “signs of fraud.” The policy also applies to Net10 Wireless, Clearway, Simple Mobile, SafeLink Wireless, and Walmart FamilyMobile, although it has not yet been implemented for Verizon customers.