Verizon has recently started allowing customers to bring non-Verizon devices its network and will activate them. The program officially began this week and Verizon confirmed to 9to5Mac that it applies to the iPhone, as well as Google’s Nexus 6. Verizon notes, however, that the devices must be unlocked prior to being activated on its network.
Potential customers can see if their Nexus 6 or iPhone is compatible with the program by heading to this webpage. First you must enter your device ID, such as an ESN, IMEI, or MEID, and then you will be taken to a webpage that prompts you to input your SIM ID number or to purchase a new SIM card from a Verizon store. Once you do that, Verizon will show you the plans for which your device is eligible and allow you to activate it.
Verizon’s likely end-goal by allowing other carrier’s devices to be activated on its network is to get users onto its network and ensure that all of their future device purchases are of Verizon-branded variants. Not having to buy a new device obviously makes the idea of switching to Verizon a lot more appealing to most users.
Earlier this month, Verizon killed device subsidies and launched a new, simpler line of data plans. Instead of having the cost of their device subsidized, Verizon users now must pay for their smartphones in monthly installments or purchase them outright. If you were to bring a non-Verizon device to the carrier as part of this new program, you would fall into the latter category and would only have to pay for service every month.
You can check to see if your device is eligible to be activated on Verizon’s network here.
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Or maybe users should just be able to buy unlocked phones, slap in a SIM and use them on their network. Nah, too much work.
No luck with my Sprint iPhone 5s. . . which was to be expected.
This article is misleading. It should read “non-Verizon CDMA” phones. My wife’s AT&T iPhone is not compatible for obvious reasons. I thought this piece sounded too good to be true. There is no mention of compatible must include the same network technology.
It’s pretty clear to those of us with brains what compatible means.
The article may be a little incomplete, but not misleading, in my opinion. Yes, the device must include the same network technology, but many non-Verizon phones contain technology for multiple carriers (including Verizon’s CDMA) now. My wife’s iPhone 6, originally bought as an “ATT/GSM” phone in late 2014 and my iPhone 6+ (bought from Apple in Jan 2015 as a SIM-free phone) both will work on Verizon’s network according to Verizon’s online device check tool. Both of these iPhones contain GSM and CDMA technology, in addition to LTE, of course. Older iPhones might not work, but most newer iPhones do.
In recent years Apple has managed to include multi-carrier technology in all of its iPhones. This is a very good thing, as it thwarts carriers’ ability to capture and lock in customers and to lock out non-Verizon phones (steering you to buy Verizon-only phones).
For your next phone purchase, I recommend avoiding carrier-specific phones.
Contrary to snarky comments (posted nearby), it is not readily apparent which iPhones might be compatible with multiple carriers. Most recent iPhones are (even non-Verizon iPhones).
my T-Mobile iPhone 6 is compatible. but they’d have to pay me to switch and drop their prices by about half.
Two factors contribute to this. First, the industry is moving to LTE. Eventually this will make the CDMA vs. GSM incompatibility moot, although Verizon’s and Sprint’s backup voice capability will be an issue for a limited time. Second, Apple has sufficient marketing clout to mandate that the carriers (particularly Verizon) accept phones that have all capabilities – CDMA, GSM and LTE with all the necessary frequency bands. In the past, Verizon would not allow “non-Verizon” phones on its network, even if the phones were technically capable of supporting the CDMA technology. Regrettably, Sprint apparently continues to lock phones to its network.
For many years it was possible for Verizon to effectively capture customers by requiring certain technology (CDMA) and by not allowing other phones on its network. Now that plan is falling apart. Eventually we should all be able to buy our phones anywhere we want and freely move between carriers. It should have been this way all along. Better late than never.
There are other negative consequences of these old carrier-specific hardware requirements. Verizon’s entire line of Android phones quickly became obsolete because the phone manufacturers could not freely update the Android software and firmware for the phones without Verizon’s consent and input. Contrast this with Apple’s ability to freely update IOS.
I would discourage anyone from buying a phone that is, or could be, locked to a specific carrier and to avoid any carrier that locks in customers’ phones. Don’t buy a carrier-branded phone.
I did the switch from at&t to verizon with my iphone 6 plus, everything is working great except, that I can not use voice and data at the same time, I called customer service and they said that because I have a “Non Verizon iPhone” I cant not use voice and data at the same time, I wish they would of said that before hand, well this phone is going to be for my wife after the 6s come out and she doesn’t multitask enough to notice the difference, so I guess is ok.
Simultaneous voice and data is supposed to be supported by properly-implemented VoLTE, Voice over LTE. VoLTE is supported on the iPhone 6 and 6+. If that has been enabled by Verizon in your area, you should be able to have simultaneous voice and data. In your iPhone settings under , enable Cellular Data. Under make sure that is selected.
It could be that VoLTE has not been activated by Verizon in your area yet. AT&T, TMobile and Verizon all have announced support for VoLTE, so it’s only a matter of time until this is widely available.
I would be skeptical of the Verizon’s rep’s simplistic answer. In the meantime, be glad that your iPhone 6 can be used on multiple networks. If you avoid carrier contracts, you can switch networks whenever you want.
ok so I have some good news, I talked to customer service again and I got the same answer, but I went online to my account and try to add the Advance calling feature, it says in red letters”equipment conflict” but it did let me add it to my account and is all working now :)
@ Delvi – replying to your comment that the service works now despite Verizon’s earlier refusal ..
I’m not surprised. For many years Verizon has managed to lock out “non-Verizon” phones and to lock in customers with carrier-specific phones and contracts, so it’s no surprise that Verizon reps would automatically revert to the old “you have to have a Verizon phone” response. With the worldwide deployment of LTE (and other factors such as Apple and Google making near-universal phones), Verizon will no longer be able to do this. Be very glad that you bought an iPhone and not a carrier-specific phone.
Finally. Verizon has a problem with core values and veracity.