https://www.tfwunlockpo
"For all cellphones Activated on the Verizon network on or after November 23, 2021, the cellphone will be remotely unlocked automatically 60 days after paid Activation and 60 days of paid active service."
Nothing in that page mentioned anything about 60 days of "continuous" service. Just "60 days of paid active service" is required.
UPDATE: New FCC Ruling on 1/12/26 waived the 60 days requirement.
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attac...6-43A1.pdf
The new Verizon unlock policy has yet to publish and unknown. Any phone activated after 1/12/26 may potentially be affected.
Effective Date: January 20, 2026
- The cellphone was activated with Verizon Value service by purchasing and redeeming an airtime plan on that specific phone ("Activation")
- For all cellphones Activated on the T-Mobile or AT&T networks on or before January 19, 2026, the cellphone will be remotely unlocked upon customer request after 365 days of paid and active service.
- For all cellphones Activated on the Verizon network on or before January 19, 2026, the cellphone will be remotely unlocked automatically 60 days after paid Activation and 60 days of paid active service.
- 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.
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But unless you plan on using visible or straight talk or whatever for 12 months these deals are basically dead in the water now. Or unless you plan on using them as a Wi-Fi only device which I suppose could be practical for these Motorola phones since they have headphone jacks and SD cards.
So I mean you could do worse than a Moto G stylus 2025 as a music player but. ... Just terrible he depressing anti-consumer news again from the current FCC
But boy I mean I bought that maybe 80 days ago. I don't know what happens to people that bought a phone a week ago or yesterday. I don't know if the grandfathering in of the 60 day is the date of purchase or the date of activation or the date of delivery.
The worst part is the FCC didn't give them any restrictions at all so far as I could tell in the judgment. It wasn't like 60 days isn't going to work but no more than 180 days or no more than 120 days. Just a complete placating to the telecom industry.
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It says:
As of January 27, 2026, the updated device unlocking policy is officially in effect.
This strategic move will help Verizon prevent device fraud, recoup device payment costs, and reduce customer complaints by making the unlock process smoother and more transparent. With this new policy, postpaid devices become eligible for unlocking when they are paid in full through a full retail purchase, early device payment plan payoffs, or full device payment plan payoffs. When the payment is complete, devices will unlock automatically without requiring manual action
Important considerations for postpaid devices include:
- New device sales and upgrades will have the SIM, ESIM, and Dual SIM Dual Standby locked at the time of purchase.
- Devices sold prior to January 27, 2026, will remain under the old policy and will unlock sixty days from the purchase date, regardless of the date they were activated.
It says:
As of January 27, 2026, the updated device unlocking policy is officially in effect.
This strategic move will help Verizon prevent device fraud, recoup device payment costs, and reduce customer complaints by making the unlock process smoother and more transparent. With this new policy, postpaid devices become eligible for unlocking when they are paid in full through a full retail purchase, early device payment plan payoffs, or full device payment plan payoffs. When the payment is complete, devices will unlock automatically without requiring manual action
Important considerations for postpaid devices include:
- New device sales and upgrades will have the SIM, ESIM, and Dual SIM Dual Standby locked at the time of purchase.
- Devices sold prior to January 27, 2026, will remain under the old policy and will unlock sixty days from the purchase date, regardless of the date they were activated.
1) Must request for unlock
2) 365 days paid service - no more cheap annual plans
3) 365 days active service - no more harvesting annual service / phone bundles and still have harvested phone unlock.
https://www.tfwunlockpo
For all cellphones Activated on the Verizon network on or before January 19, 2026, the cellphone will be remotely unlocked automatically 60 days after paid Activation and 60 days of paid active service.
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.
1) Must request for unlock
2) 365 days paid service - no more cheap annual plans
3) 365 days active service - no more harvesting annual service / phone bundles and still have harvested phone unlock.
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The new unlock policy is the strictest one ever for Tracfone, worst than the pre-Verizon buyout 365 days policy. Now, it's:
1) Must request for unlock
2) 365 days paid service - no more cheap annual plans
3) 365 days active service - no more harvesting annual service / phone bundles and still have harvested phone unlock.
We're just going back to the unlock policy of 4 yrs ago. I've still got several cheapie bundles to use for harvesting TF service but after that it's time to find another provider.
The days of decent cheap phone deals are gone unless you want to stay for a year.
So if I call and get this phone rebranded as Tracfone, then xfer my current active Tracfone line from that old phone to this one, will the 2 years of ongoing Tracfone service I already have prepaid count towards unlocking of this phone?
Or is there a better way to do it, such as not activating on Straight Talk, but trying to activate on Tracfone? The specs on this phone are much, much better than the ones my wife and I are currently using on Tracfone. I just don't know how easy it is to rebrand from Straight Talk to Tracfone, or if it is worth trying at all.
Anyone have any experience with this? Thanks so much.
** Ugh, never mind, price is now $199 for a single phone **
Just to be safe, double check your account dashboard, there should have the activation date listed.
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It says:
As of January 27, 2026, the updated device unlocking policy is officially in effect.
This strategic move will help Verizon prevent device fraud, recoup device payment costs, and reduce customer complaints by making the unlock process smoother and more transparent. With this new policy, postpaid devices become eligible for unlocking when they are paid in full through a full retail purchase, early device payment plan payoffs, or full device payment plan payoffs. When the payment is complete, devices will unlock automatically without requiring manual action
Important considerations for postpaid devices include:
- New device sales and upgrades will have the SIM, ESIM, and Dual SIM Dual Standby locked at the time of purchase.
- Devices sold prior to January 27, 2026, will remain under the old policy and will unlock sixty days from the purchase date, regardless of the date they were activated.
If it was a Straight Talk rep that sent you that, that's wild.
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