Unlocking a Tablet for Use on Another Network (as a gift)

I paid off and upgraded my iPad 9.7 Pro. I want to give my older iPad to my brother for his use but he uses a different provider. I know the IMEI is clean and clear but I can't determine if the tablet is locked to Verizon. I've seen several posts that tablets are not locked but these are more recent posts and this iPad is now 2 years old.

So, the first question, is there an easy way, without stopping off at stores or making long phone calls, to determine if the tablet is actually locked to Verizon?

Next, if it is locked, does anyone know the process for unlocking so my brother can use this tablet with his particular provider?

Thanks.

Accepted answers

Verizon_Support

tk3765,

Sorry about any confusion with the unlocking procedures. It will be unlocked if you used it on a regular monthly billing account for a couple years. Whether or not it will work on another carrier will depend on the technical specs required for that service provider's network. You can learn more about our unlocking policy here: http://vz.to/28YvYZo

Eric_VZW
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All comments

veryfrustrated0118

Verizon does not SIM lock LTE devices.

If it makes you feel better, I purchased an iPhone 5 in early 2013 (the phone was released in 2012) and traveled to Slovakia in Summer 2014. I was able to purchase a SIM in Slovakia and insert it into my phone and connect with no problem. He had an iPhone 5S on AT&T and was NOT able to use the SIM card from Slovakia because AT&T SIM locks their devices.

I can't imagine that iPads would be any different. I also can't imagine that a phone released in 2012 was SIM unlocked and an iPad released in 2015 or 2016 isn't.

To truly tell if it is unlocked, your best bet is to take it to the carrier that you wish to use it on and get a SIM from them.

Ann154

That appears to be changing. Older LTE devices purchased before this spring should already be unlocked.

Ann154

Verizon will start locking phones to its network to prevent armed robberies | Ars Technica

Verizon_Support

tk3765,

tk3765

Thanks all :smileyhappy:. I was in the area so stopped by my favorite Verizon store. They indicated that even if it was locked at first purchase, once paid off it is automatically unlocked.

veryfrustrated0118

That isn't good. I like Verizon because they DON'T lock the phones. It is great for when we travel internationally. I don't have any issues.

tk3765

That was the sticking point because I paid the iPad off early, about 3 months ahead of schedule so there wasn't two years worth of payments on it. Afer paying it off I had run the IMEI to make sure the system had it cleared but wasn't willing to pay a fee to determine if the tablet was truly unlocked.

The way the CS rep at the store described it was just what I posted..once paid off the device is automatically unlocked. I did go to the main carrier sites, AT&T and SPRINT, and ran the IMEI and those sites indicated the tablet was eligible for activation.

I know Verizon indicated they were locking phones and tablets for a few months for security at first purchase but I had purchased the iPad before that kicked in and I couldn't get clarification as to whether or not the tablet was unlocked just as a standard 4G device.

Either way, it isn't a simple process to make the determination without spending time on a phone trying to avoid the inevitable questions of, are you leaving, why do you need the device unlocked etc. Why it has to be such a hidden secret I have no idea.