My Verizon Services App Makes Phone Unusable on Other Network

Katie2Common

I have a completely paid off s21 that was originally bought at verizon years ago. I just switched to Spectrum this weekend. When they put the new SIM card in my phone reverted back to the original software version and won't let me update. My phone still thinks it is a verizon phone (verizon splashscreen, verizon apps that I had to disable to get data to work, and the carrier software version is showing VZW and not CHA for Spectrum. The one verizon app that I cannot disable is called my verizon services. The disable button is grayed out and you can't uninstall either.

Spectrum cant help me and verizon support hasn't been helpful either. My husband had the exact same phone purchased at verizon at the exact same time and his verizon apps disappeared and his phone is fine so I know it has something to do with these apps blocking the phone from getting the right software info for spectrum.

Please help with any info to kill this app.

SynthpopAddict

If your phone is a Verizon carrier model, it will forever be a Verizon phone with Verizon software on it, even if it's been unlocked in order to work on another carrier, and it will always show the Verizon splashscreen when booting up. You cannot install a different carrier's software to replace the Verizon software. Unlocking the phone simply allows you to use some other company's network on the phone and update apps you've downloaded from whichever app store you use. Samsung is still supporting the S21 with quarterly security updates until January or February 2026; you ought be prompted when those updates are available and should be able to download them either via your new carrier's cellular service or over WiFi.

What you're describing with the phone refusing to update anything and going back to some old Android version (?) makes me wonder if the phone is locked to Verizon somehow. Spectrum Mobile uses Verizon's network for service, so you may be able to get something to work, but it would explain why you're having to manually disable some apps to get things to happen.