Can I use an AT&T phone on Verizon? If you have an old phone from your old provider, chances are you must be enquiring this. After all, leaving your old provider does not necessarily mean that you have to abandon your phone that you used while being with them.
So, to answer your question: yes, and no. The details can be tricky.
There is a high chance that you would not be able to use your AT&T phone for a Verizon subscription.
However, there are also ways that you can have it carry over to your new provider.
If you would be able to use your AT&T phone at all in moving to Verizon, it would mostly involve you unlocking your old AT&T phone before anything else.
There are a number of requirements and several steps that you can take. Most of them are fairly easy to accomplish.
Can I Use An AT&T Phone on Verizon?
The answer to this question would mostly rely on whether the phone that you have has support for the network type that Verizon is using.
Usually, most phones used by AT&T only support their own type of network. However, this is not the case for all, so you still have a chance.
So, you’re asking: can I use an AT&T phone on Verizon network? Sure, you can.
However, your phone may not have full compatibility when it comes to the Verizon networks of Verizon. Usually, the AT&T versions of mobile devices do not have CDMA radio receivers.
This means that most AT&T phones may not be compatible with the CDMA networks of Verizon.
On the other hand, the good news is that carriers like AT&T now have smartphone plans that both have LTE and CDMA support.
Is Your AT&T Phone Unlocked?
Apart from the concern about different network capabilities, one more thing that should concern you–in fact, the things that should concern you more–is your phone’s unlock status.
Most of the time, mobile devices that came from network provider plans are locked to that specific provider.
AT&T phones are no different. So, before thinking about the question of can I use an AT&T iPhone on Verizon, make sure to have your phone unlocked first.
Unlocking your phone can be done in two different ways: either by AT&T themselves or by having it worked on by a third-party technician.
For your safety and security, it is always the best choice to go to your provider.
Preparing to Unlock Your AT&T Phone
Can I use an unlocked AT&T phone on Verizon? Yes, you can.
This is why it is important that you make sure your phone is already unlocked before even trying to apply to a new provider.
Here are some of the things you need to include in your “checklist” before bringing in your phone to AT&T for unlocking.
Make Sure It Is An AT&T Phone
Although AT&T unlocks phones for free, they prefer to unlock devices that were issued by them.
To make sure it is a device issued by them, look for the AT&T branding on the phone.
Meet the Minimum Subscription Requirement
For prepaid subscribers, you need to be with the network for a minimum of six months. For postpaid plans, you only need to wait for at least 60 days before being eligible for phone unlocking.
You and Your Device Need to Have A Clean Record
The phone that you will request to unlock should not be flagged as a lost or stolen device before.
In addition to that, it should not have any record of being involved in any reported cases of fraud.
If your device has been reported to be lost or stolen, or if you have been involved in any reports of fraud, the chances of your request getting approved are very unlikely.
It Is Fully Paid
If your phone was acquired through an installment plan financed by your network, you have to have finished the payment already.
After that, you can now then request for device unlocking.
You have a good record standing
Although any history of late payments may not be the cause of you getting denied for unlocking, it would help a lot to have a good record.
Make sure that you don’t have any outstanding balance, too.
You Have Fulfilled All Other Terms Under Your Contract
Aside from balances and length in the contract, there may be other details in your original contract that you need to fulfil before getting eligible for phone unlocking.
With this, it is recommended that you revisit your contract and check for any fine print that you could have missed before.
How to Unlock Your AT&T Phone?
If you have determined that you are eligible for a phone unlocking by AT&T, the next thing is to request for the unlocking itself. Here are the steps on how you can do it.
Step1 – Submit A Request to Unlock A Device
The first step in unlocking your phone is submitting the request to AT&T. Simply got to their device unlocking portal. On the page, select Unlock your device and proceed.
Step 2 – Fulfill All Information and Wait for Approval
You would be prompted to input some information regarding your request. After that, hit Submit to submit your request for review.
Usually, it would take several hours to have a request approved. At most, it can take up to 48 hours.
Step 3 – Get Approved or Try Again
If you get approved, you would receive an email and text message containing the next instructions on how you can unlock your phone.
This includes a special code that you must use in the unlocking process.
On the other hand, in the worst-case scenario that you get denied, you can check again for eligibility to see if there is something that you did not meet.
If you are asking can I use an AT&T iPhone on Verizon, after unlocking, you are now able to do so.
Benefits of Unlocking An AT&T Phone
Before you start to get worried, you have to understand that there is no harm in unlocking your device. In fact, there are only benefits to it. Here are some of them:
Use for International Travel
Most of the time, you would not need to have your phone unlocked as AT&T as well as other carriers are offering roaming services whenever you are outside of the United States.
However, if you wish to save on additional (and often expensive) roaming fees, unlocking your phone is the key.
If you have your phone unlocked, you can then use SIM cards from the country that you are going to while you are there.
Freedom to Choose Any Carrier
The top benefit of having an unlocked phone is that you are now free to use your phone with any SIM card from any provider–both for postpaid and prepaid services.
Most providers now accept new applications through a BYOD or bring your own device scheme.
In this system, you can have a reduced plan amount, since you are not getting a new phone from them.
How to Check If Your AT&T Phone Is Already Unlocked
Between Android devices and an iPhone, there are different ways to check device unlock status through the Settings app of your phone.
However, there is an easy way to know if your device is already unlocked, regardless of the platform you are using.
Simply get a prepaid SIM card that is not your original provider and try to use it on the phone.
If the SIM worked and it has service, then your device is unlocked. If it doesn’t get any service, it is most likely that your phone is still locked.
Conclusion
So, if you are still asking, “can I use an AT&T phone on Verizon,” you already know the answer–chances are you don’t.
However, there are still ways to make things work and carry over your old phone to your new provider.
All you have to do is make sure that your phone meets all requirements for unlocked, and have AT&T unlock it. It is usually free and does not take too long of a time.
Read Next: Learn how to transfer a Verizon Line without much effort.
Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites.