Dear Verizon Customer Support,
I hope this message finds you well.
I recently purchased an iPhone from a retailer in Pakistan, believing it to be factory unlocked. Unfortunately, I have since discovered that the device is locked to Verizon's network. Upon further investigation, I found that the device has a clean status and is not blacklisted.
Here are the device details:
I understand that Verizon's policy typically involves a 60-day lock period after purchase, after which devices are automatically unlocked, provided they haven't been reported lost, stolen, or involved in fraud. However, since I am not the original purchaser and the phone was acquired through a third-party retailer, I am uncertain about the specific procedures applicable in this situation.
I am scheduled to travel abroad soon and urgently need to use this device with local carriers during my trip. Could you please guide me through the process to unlock this device? If any additional information is required from my end, I am more than willing to provide it.
Thank you for your time and assistance. I look forward to your prompt response.
Hey, King1211, we hope you're getting excited for your trip, and know how important it is to stay connected, especially abroad. If you haven't yet, please reset the phone to factory settings as that can help clear the lock. Do you know if the phone was previously owned before it went to the retailer you purchased it from?
-Cait
Hey, Cait, I have tried factory resetting many time but it still didn't worked. I don't know who owned the phone previously. i bought it from a retainer without knowing its locked to Verizon.
-Harry
Hey, Cait, I have tried factory resetting many time but it still didn't worked. I don't know who owned the phone previously. i bought it from a retainer without knowing its locked to Verizon.
Unfortunately, there is no way to unlock this phone. The unlocking policy states that you must use the phone on Verizon's network for 60 days and then it unlocks, but because you are outside of the US, that can't be done. If the phone is still showing as locked even though someone bought it in the US back in 2020, I suspect there was some kind of tampering done to make the phone look like it was OK, but it's actually not. You ought to try to get a refund from whomever sold you the phone.
Thank you for your prompt response and for outlining Verizon's unlocking policy. I understand that the standard procedure requires the device to be active on Verizon's network for 60 days to facilitate unlocking. Unfortunately, as I am located outside the United States, activating the device on Verizon's network is not feasible. I have attempted to seek a refund from the retailer; however, they have refused to accommodate my request. Given these circumstances, I am in a challenging position with a device that remains locked and unusable on local networks. I kindly request any alternative solutions or assistance that Verizon might offer in such situations. Is there a possibility for Verizon to unlock the device remotely? I am willing to provide any necessary documentation to support this request.
Thank you for taking the time to try those routes to get the phone connected. I'm afraid that we do not have a way to unlock a device purchased through a third-party or retailer. Do you have any service with Verizon that we can try connecting the phone to, to try unlocking it that way?
-Cait
I understand that unlocking a device purchased through a third-party retailer can be challenging. You mentioned trying to connect the phone to a Verizon service to attempt unlocking. Could you please specify which service or steps I should follow? I am willing to cooperate and try any possible solution to get the phone unlocked.
You would need to contact the retailer and see if they can unlock the device or reach out to the person who had it before to get them to unlock the device.
-Harry
You're welcome. That's too bad the retailer will not refund your money. Sadly, this is a common problem with buying pre-owned phones. Verizon will not unlock the device remotely because there isn't a way to verify that there hasn't been something shady in the past. Also, there are ways to make a phone look as if it's unlocked, but sometime later after using it for a while - the carrier software will kick in and permanently lock the phone so then it's a brick. In a nutshell, your phone is probably not "clean", even though the IMEI isn't showing as blacklisted.
I understand that verifying the phoneโs history remotely can be challenging, especially when there are potential risks involved with devices that appear to be unlocked but may face issues later. However, I have verified that the device has a clean IMEI and is not blacklisted. While I understand the potential risks, I would appreciate any additional steps or suggestions that may help resolve this issue.
Short of coming to the US and buying service with Verizon where you use the phone in the US on Verizon in the hopes that the phone will unlock, there isn't anything that can be done. I have also read of instances where people bought phones through a third party retailer and the phone never unlocks, so even if you were to buy Verizon service and use the phone in the US, it may still not work.
We understand needing an unlocked phone and in order to get your device unlocked, it would need to be done through the account and account owner where it was purchased from. We can help and look into other phone options for you. Please send us a Private Message.
-Bryan
@vzw_customer_support wrote:We understand needing an unlocked phone and in order to get your device unlocked, it would need to be done through the account and account owner where it was purchased from. We can help and look into other phone options for you. Please send us i have sent you a Private Message bryan.
HI dude could you unlock your phone? i stay right now in the same situation bug 16 with box and all stuff with clean esn an clean imei i cannot used because stay out side of united states
Thank you for reaching out. In order to get the phone unlocked you would need to contact the person who sold the phone to you.
-Harry
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