After our recent report that Verizon customers were facing a 35-day delay for phone unlocks post-payment of device installment plans, Verizon is now reportedly making efforts to eliminate this inconvenience. However, Verizon has yet to confirm any specific plans with Ars, and a recent statement issued to Android Authority did not specify when the change might be implemented.
To recap, Verizon had previously updated its device unlocking policy for postpaid customers, which enforces a 35-day wait when customers settle the remaining balance of their device installment plan online, via the Verizon app, or using a Verizon gift card. This waiting period also applies when paying off a plan over the phone or at a Verizon Authorized Retailer.
Verizon claims that these restrictions are necessary to prevent fraud and will only allow immediate unlocking when payments are made at a Verizon corporate store or when plans are paid off on time through automatic payments. Currently, if a customer is in the middle of a 36-month device installment plan and pays off the remainder early without visiting a corporate store, they must endure the 35-day wait to unlock the device for use with another carrier.
Verizon reportedly stated it intends to address this issue 'really soon,' yet did not announce any specific or estimated timeline for its rollout. As reported by Android Authority, Verizon acknowledged the inconvenience, stating, 'We've already rolled out immediate unlocking for payments made at our corporate stores or through automated methods, since those systems can validate transactions in real-time. For channels like our app or authorized retailers, the 35-day window is strictly for fraud prevention, ensuring payments are fully processed. However, we recognize this as a pain point for our customers, and our goal is to enable immediate device unlocks across all payment methods soon. Our teams are diligently working on this, and we’ll update our website/policy when possible.'