Verizon carriers start switching to 365-day device unlock policy, up from 60 days

After the FCC lifted a restriction on how soon carriers need to unlock devices, Verizon has extended its device unlock policy to a whopping 365 days.

Effective starting today, January 20, 2026, Verizon’s device unlock policy requires a device to have been activated and on paid service for 365 days before being unlocked for use on other carriers.

The policy is not yet live on Verizon’s main service, but has kicked in for all of its “Verizon Value” brands including Visible, Total Wireless, StraightTalk, Total Wireless, and more as first spotted by Droid-Life.

Verizon’s new policy reads in part:

For all cellphones Activated on or after January 20, 2026, the cellphone will be unlocked upon request after 365 days of paid and active service.

Previously, buying a smartphone from any of these Verizon carriers would see your phone unlocked for use on other carriers automatically after 60 days, where the new policy is not only far longer, but only by request rather than being automatic. Visible’s policy is also listed, saying that the carrier “locks any smartphone you purchase through Visible for 365 days,” and also mentions that it will deny unlocking requests “if a member abuses the policies or systems,” or if the device has been reported as lost or stolen.

Visible locks any smartphone you purchase through Visible for 365 days. Your smartphone will unlock upon request after 365 days if you meet the following conditions:

1. You purchased the smartphone on or after the 1/20/2026 (Effective Date). 
2. You activated the smartphone more than 365 days ago.
   1. Note: This means you have an active plan on your phone, whether it’s an upgrade or a new line. 
3. The device has at least 365 days of paid service.
   1. Note: If you stop paying for service, your progress toward the 365-day requirement pauses. It will resume once you reactivate your account and continue until you reach a total of 365 paid days of service. 
4. There was ordinary usage of the smartphone in compliance with our Terms of Service
5. Nobody reported the smartphone as lost or stolen.
6. There are no signs of fraud with your account or the smartphone. 

Note:

• Visible denies unlocking requests if a member abuses the policies or systems, including the unlocking policy.
  • Visible’s Unlocking Policy is subject to change at any time, without advance notice

T-Mobile, notably, also has a 365-day unlock policy for devices sold through prepaid.

More on Verizon:

• Verizon offers customers a $20 credit after 10-hour outage
• Verizon no longer needs to unlock phones after 60 days, thanks to FCC
• Verizon is shutting down its car accessory that doubled as a Google Assistant speaker and hotspot

Follow Ben: Twitter/X, Threads, Bluesky, and Instagram

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.