Register a foreign phone/IMEI in the USA

[Dippydocus]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, but  I can't see where else to put it. I will soon be returning to the USA after living abroad. I have a Galaxy A5 dual SIM phone, which is unlocked. I want to move to Verizon when I am back in the USA. But when I was back a few months ago, the sales guy said I can't use a foreign phone in the USA because the phone/IMEI number isn't registered, so I'll have to buy a new phone. 

I  don't want to have to buy a new phone right now. Is it really not possible to register a foreign-bought phone in the USA?

[SynthpopAddict · Accepted solution]

Did you mean a Samsung Galaxy A54? The international version of this phone may or may not work with Verizon, just because Verizon is the one CDMA-based network, while everybody else uses GSM-based technology.  Non-US versions of a phone might only have GSM compatibility.  You could check the device compatibility here:

https://www.verizon.com/support/bring-your-own-device-faqs/

Hopefully there's a thing in there somewhere to run your IMEI as that's the fastest way to figure out if it'll work.

[SynthpopAddict · Accepted solution]

Did you mean a Samsung Galaxy A54? The international version of this phone may or may not work with Verizon, just because Verizon is the one CDMA-based network, while everybody else uses GSM-based technology.  Non-US versions of a phone might only have GSM compatibility.  You could check the device compatibility here:

https://www.verizon.com/support/bring-your-own-device-faqs/

Hopefully there's a thing in there somewhere to run your IMEI as that's the fastest way to figure out if it'll work.

[vzw_customer_support · Accepted solution]

It is always good to know your options when starting off your service, we'll be happy to lend a hand. In this case, you can check if your phone is compatible with our network from the following link: http://spr.ly/66049kN9y Let us know if you need additional assistance.

~Freddy