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PSA: 60 unlock policy may come to an end on Verizon and its MVNO
January 12, 2026 at
02:50 PM
Deal Details
https://www.reuters.com/business/...026-01-12/
"The FCC said Verizon is the only major provider that the FCC requires to unlock its mobile phones 60 days after activation, which is earlier than standard industry practice. Verizon said that it "saw a spike in fraud of approximately 55% after TracFone moved from its earlier policy of a one-year lock to Verizon's 60-day lock" as a condition of the FCC's approval of the transaction.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr said that sophisticated criminal networks have exploited the FCC's handset unlocking policies to carry out criminal acts—including drug running and human smuggling."
So FCC is hinting that Verizon no need to do the 60 day unlock policy anymore. It may mean that the currently 60-day unlock policy applied by Verizon, Total Wireless and some Tracfone may all end. Go get a Total wireless phone deal while it's still available.
"The FCC said Verizon is the only major provider that the FCC requires to unlock its mobile phones 60 days after activation, which is earlier than standard industry practice. Verizon said that it "saw a spike in fraud of approximately 55% after TracFone moved from its earlier policy of a one-year lock to Verizon's 60-day lock" as a condition of the FCC's approval of the transaction.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr said that sophisticated criminal networks have exploited the FCC's handset unlocking policies to carry out criminal acts—including drug running and human smuggling."
So FCC is hinting that Verizon no need to do the 60 day unlock policy anymore. It may mean that the currently 60-day unlock policy applied by Verizon, Total Wireless and some Tracfone may all end. Go get a Total wireless phone deal while it's still available.
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on the other hand my iPhone 12 mini from ST may be affected. Won't be unlocked until 25 Jan. Stay tuned
I would take a screenshot if I had any pending phones, just to try to argue with them if/when they do that.
Not a guarantee, but potential chargeback evidence, if they won't agree to the terms you signed up for.
AND the hammer has fallen. Looks like not retroactive at least. See this post:
https://slickdeals.net/forums/showpost.php?p=
Repped!
When you abuse the system good things go away. It's just a fact of life.
force companies get better.... it's just as fact of life
THEY ARE HONORING THE 60 DAY UNLOCK FOR ALL VERIZON DEVICES ACTIVATED BEFORE JANUARY 19TH, 2026.
https://www.tfwunlockpo
It also appears customers need to request an unlock, if activated after 1/20/26....However for those grandfathered into the 60 day unlock, the old verbage of "60 days activation and 60 days paid service will auto unlock" still applies (they give more explanation when you type in your device info and "check eligibility")....
The cellphone must be in working condition and turned ON.
The cellphone has not been reported stolen or lost and there are no indicators of fraud.
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.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-poli...ck-phones/