If I am on the device payment plan with an iPhone 6, can I use an international SIM card when traveling?

[hvu]

Hi,

   I plan to switch to Verizon Egde with Iphone 6, but i just want to make sure if i can buy SIM to use with it when i travel outside the USA? Do i need to unlock the phone?

thanks.

[Weth · Accepted solution]

Yes, you can just put in foreign sim.  The phone is unlocked from day 1, you do not need to do anything.

[Khines5705]

Hey Weth, I have a friend that just went to Australia. Does this only pertain to iPhones or can someone with an Android phone do the same. I'm really not sure what phone she has but this has piqued my curiosity and I want to find out more. Thanks.

[Weth]

All newer Verizon phones with LTE are sold unlocked, which is all phones sold in the last 3 years or so. In fact Verizon unlocked all phones just recently. 

[Khines5705]

Thank you. I better find out what phone she has. I believe she simply had her phone service suspended for while she is in Australia. (she is in the military) If there is a way for her to use her phone I know she would be very happy.

[Weth]

Australia - sweet deployment!   If you gotta be away, that is a great place. 

[hvu]

i chatted with the rep, and i was told that unless iphone 6 paid off ( i was asking about Verizon Edge), the phone is Locked! And if i have to use it outside the USA, i have to call the the customer care..not sure what for.

I just want a phone and put new SIM in to use. No more, no less. I think Verizon makes thing more complicated for the customers (i've been with Verizon since 2005).

If thing is so complicated, i'd better look for another solution then.

[Weth]

Just not true. Rep is completely wrong. 

You you just stick the SIM in.  If you defaulted on a contract or payments the IMEI will be reported, but as long as you are in good standing the rep is talking out his or her butt. 

[JCK64]

Hi--

For anyone seeing this answer, I'd go to the Verizon.com page "Important Wireless Issues" https://www.verizon.com/about/consumer-safety/overview#acc-item-531 where you will see that Verizon does NOT unlock iPhones "from Day 1" but requires at least a 60 day lock from purchase from them or 60 days from activation if bought from another retail partner like Apple. Additionally, there seems to be quite a bit of debate over what counts as "purchased." Purchased may well be when you have paid all 24 monthly payments. It does not make this remotely clear on the the "Important Wireless Issues" page, so don't race out and buy a SIMM. Pretty clear this is left ambiguous on purpose. If not, they'd say, "60 days into your payment contract, the phone is unlocked." They say, "after purchase, ie, after you pay the whole $900 bucks over 24 months.

[KH-Michael]

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