Is the used phone locked to Verizon? How to check

What Verizon says about locked phones

From Verizon's own device locking FAQ:

• Phones bought on a standard monthly plan before January 27, 2026 had the lock removed automatically after 60 days. The same applied to Verizon Prepaid phones activated before that date.
• Since January 27, 2026, a phone on a device payment agreement stays locked until it's paid in full. Verizon then removes the lock automatically.
• Since January 27, 2026, Verizon Prepaid phones are locked. Verizon removes the lock on request after 365 days from purchase or 12 months of paid service. Suspended days don't count.
• Verizon doesn't remove the lock from a phone reported lost or stolen, or flagged for fraud, even if it's paid in full.

How to tell if it's locked

• iPhone: go to Settings > General > About and look at Carrier Lock. "No SIM restrictions" means it isn't locked to a carrier.
• Any phone: put in a SIM from another carrier. Verizon says a locked phone will show "SIM Not Supported" (the wording varies by maker).
• Before you meet: an IMEI check can show the carrier lock on iPhones. LegitPhone's report includes it for iPhone. For Android phones, use the SIM test in person.

What a Verizon lock tells you about the seller

A locked phone isn't a stolen phone. But since 2026, a Verizon phone on a payment plan stays locked until it's paid off, so a lock is a good reason to ask whether the seller still owes money on it. If they say it's paid off, ask them to show it in the My Verizon app.

A phone that's reported lost or stolen won't work on Verizon or other major US carriers, and Verizon won't remove its lock. Always check the lost/stolen list too.

If you're on Verizon

A phone locked to Verizon can work fine on your Verizon line, as long as it isn't reported lost or stolen and isn't tied to an unpaid account. Check those before you pay.