How can I get my old iPhone 5 (Verizon) unlocked for use with another carrier?

[mwcorg]

I have an iPhone 5 that was purchased with a Verizon Wireless account.  It is more than two years old and I have since upgraded it to a newer iPhone.  I want to give this phone to a friend in Germany.  His service will provide a new sim, if the phone is unlocked.  How can I get it unlocked so that it is no longer limited only to Verizon Wireless?

[Weth · Accepted solution]

iPhone 5 was never locked and will work by putting in a new SIM. All LTE iPhones were sold unlocked by Verizon, which includes the 5, 5S, 5C, 6 and 6 Plus.

[47seijar]

Yup. Unlocked from the factory. I just sent my daughter to Europe for a semester with my old Verizon iPhone 5s. She popped in a SIM card from EE and was up and running immediately.

[vzw_customer_support]

Good afternoon Weth!  That is completely correct. All 4G phones are already unlocked for global use. If you contact your international carrier and insert their sim card, it will be ready to activate on the international network. If you have any questions regarding the compatibility of the international network, please reach out to them directly. If you have any further questions, please let us know. Thanks so much and safe travels to you!

-KristieQ_VZW

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