Verizon Just Changed THIS Rule – And Your Phone Could Be Locked For A YEAR
Verizon customers face a dramatic shift in how long they must wait before unlocking their devices. The wireless giant has implemented a sweeping policy change that extends device unlock periods from 60 days to a full year for prepaid customers. This move comes as the company battles to stop customers from fleeing to competitors offering better deals and lower prices.
The Federal Communications Commission approved Verizon’s request to waive the 60-day automatic unlock requirement just weeks ago. Now the carrier has wasted no time rolling out the new 365-day lock period across its prepaid brands including Total Wireless, Visible, StraightTalk, and Tracfone.
Why Verizon Changed Its Unlock Policy
Verizon argued that device fraud has skyrocketed under the old 60-day rule. The FCC sided with the carrier after reviewing evidence showing a 55% surge in fraud following Verizon’s 2021 TracFone acquisition. Stolen handsets have ended up on the dark web, particularly in Russia, China, and Cuba, according to the FCC.
“By waiving a regulation that incentivized bad actors to target one particular carrier’s handsets for theft, we now have a uniform industry standard that can help stem the flow of handsets into the black market,” FCC Chair Brendan Carr stated in a press release.
But critics see this differently. Consumer advocacy groups have labeled the change as anti-consumer behavior designed to trap customers in long-term commitments. Social media platforms erupted with frustrated users complaining that the move eliminates one of the last affordable ways for low-income customers to obtain unlocked phones.
What The New Rules Mean For Customers
Devices purchased on or after January 20 from Verizon prepaid brands will only unlock after 365 days of paid and active service. The company has set strict conditions that customers must meet before receiving an unlock.
Customers must maintain an active plan throughout the entire year. Pausing payments will freeze progress toward the 365-day requirement. The device cannot have been reported stolen or lost. Any signs of fraud disqualify a phone from unlocking. Usage must comply with Verizon’s Terms of Service.
Postpaid customers dodge this bullet for now. Their devices continue to unlock after the standard 60-day period. However, many wonder how long this exception will last.
Verizon Hemorrhages Customers Despite Changes
The timing of this policy shift reveals Verizon’s desperation to retain subscribers. The carrier lost 7,000 postpaid phone customers during the third quarter of 2025. This follows a pattern of subscriber losses throughout the year.
CEO Dan Schulman has acknowledged that price increases drove customers away. The company raised rates earlier in 2025, triggering a wave of cancellations. Schulman admitted during an earnings call that relying on price hikes creates an unsustainable business model.
“For the past few years, our financial growth has relied too heavily on price increases,” Schulman explained during a Q4 2025 earnings call. “A strategic approach that relies too much on price without subscriber growth is not a sustainable strategy.”
Consumer dissatisfaction runs deep across multiple fronts. Survey data from Market Force Information shows that 23% of Verizon customers consider switching carriers within the next two years. Better pricing, promotions, and coverage top their list of reasons for leaving.
How Verizon Plans To Win Customers Back
Verizon has unveiled an ambitious transformation strategy centered on improving customer experience. The company plans to deploy advanced technology at scale to reduce complexity, anticipate pain points, and personalize interactions.
Schulman promises to use data capabilities to deliver hyper-personalized experiences. “Eventually, every individual customer will have a tailored proposition,” he announced. The carrier has already launched initiatives targeting key friction points in onboarding, billing, and customer service.
The company laid off 13,000 employees in November to fund these improvements. Management framed the cuts as removing underperformance, eliminating redundant structures, and reducing hierarchy. The layoffs contribute to a broader $5 billion operating expense reduction.
“The first thing is to stop doing things customers hate,” Schulman said. “That’s not rocket science. Fix the end-to-end experience. Again, not rocket science, but it’s hard to do.”
Despite these grand promises, Verizon faces stiff competition from smaller carriers delivering superior customer experiences. Consumer Cellular scored 73% in overall brand performance compared to Verizon’s 40%. Mint Mobile achieved 65.8% while offering significantly lower monthly bills.
The Competitive Landscape Shifts
Traditional carriers face mounting pressure as consumers seek value-focused alternatives. Approximately 65% of Americans still use the “Big 3” carriers – Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T. However, spending patterns reveal growing dissatisfaction.
Verizon customers pay more than $150 monthly on average for wireless services. This positions them at the higher end of the market while smaller carriers offer comparable coverage at fraction of the cost.
J.D. Power survey data confirms that T-Mobile leads in consumer satisfaction for both postpaid and prepaid plans. T-Mobile scored 636 for postpaid and 617 for prepaid on a 1,000-point scale. Verizon trails with scores of 583 and 595 respectively.
“The findings show that value is the most important driver of the overall experience, followed closely by service quality,” said Carl Lepper, senior director at J.D. Power. “As the market expands with a wide variety of brands designed to meet diverse customer needs, expectations are rising.”
A massive service outage lasting 10 hours and affecting 1.5 million customers last week further damaged Verizon’s reputation. The company now must convince skeptical consumers that it can deliver on promises of improved service while implementing policies that many view as customer-hostile.
The wireless industry stands at a crossroads. Consumers demand better value and superior experiences. Verizon bets that technology and operational changes will reverse subscriber losses. Meanwhile, the new 365-day unlock policy demonstrates the company’s willingness to impose restrictions that limit customer freedom in the name of fraud prevention.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Verizon lock prepaid phones now?
Verizon locks prepaid phones for 365 days starting January 20, 2026. This applies to devices purchased from Total Wireless, Visible, StraightTalk, and Tracfone. Customers must maintain active paid service throughout the entire year before requesting an unlock. The previous policy allowed unlocking after just 60 days.
Can Verizon postpaid customers still unlock phones after 60 days?
Yes, Verizon postpaid customers continue to unlock their devices after 60 days. The new 365-day lock period only affects prepaid brand customers. However, many industry observers question whether Verizon will eventually extend the longer lock period to postpaid plans as well.
Why did Verizon change its phone unlocking policy?
Verizon claims device fraud increased 55% after the company had to follow a 60-day unlock rule when it acquired TracFone in 2021. The FCC approved Verizon’s request to waive the rule, citing evidence that stolen phones were being resold on the dark web in countries like Russia, China, and Cuba. Critics argue the change primarily serves to trap customers.
What happens if I stop paying during the 365-day period?
Stopping payments freezes your progress toward the 365-day unlock requirement. You must have 365 days of paid and active service before Verizon will unlock your device. Any gaps in payment extend the total time before you can request an unlock. The device must also comply with Terms of Service and cannot be reported as stolen or lost.
