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This article will explain how to Activate an Unlocked Phone. Activating a phone that is already unlocked is easy, and anyone can do it if they know how. Most of the time, all you have to do is put in a SIM card, set up the device, and you can start making calls, sending texts, and going on the internet.
This piece will give you a general idea of how to turn on a phone that has already been unlocked. Depending on the make and type of your phone and the carrier you’re using, the steps you need to take may be different. But almost all types and carriers use the same basic steps.
Verizon is one of the largest phone companies in the United States. As you may know, the company was the first to bring us a 5G network, but other networks have since joined in. No matter what, this piece will show you how to activate an unlocked phone with Verizon at home so you don’t have to go to a local dealer.
How to Activate an Unlocked Phone
Check the Device’s Eligibility
The first thing you have to do is make sure that the item you want to bring in is eligible. You should never skip this step, because it’s the one that tells you if your open phone will work on the Verizon network or not. Here’s how you can check if your phone is eligible:
- Go to Verizon Device Details Page.
- Enter the make and model of your device (e.g. iPhone 14)
- After that, you’ll be asked where you purchased the device.
- Then, enter the IMEI of your device.
- Lastly, hit on Continue and wait for the system to detect its eligibility.
Finding IMEI on Phones
- To get the IMEI of your iPhone, go to Settings > General > About. Scroll down and you’ll see IMEI information.
- To get the IMEI of your Android device, go to Settings > About Phone > Status. Locate the subject line labeled as IMEI Information.
Prepaid or Postpaid Plan
From here, you can choose what kind of Verizon plan you want. You can sign up for either a prepaid plan or a postpaid plan. Prepaid plans don’t have yearly or long-term contracts. No matter what you choose, your price will be less than when you buy a device from Verizon.
Get a Verizon SIM Card
After that, you’ll need to get a Verizon SIM card and put it in your device. You can order a SIM card online or buy one in a store.
Purchasing a SIM Card Online
If you buy a SIM card online, after you click Continue on the device availability page, Verizon will send you a SIM card in the mail. After that, you’ll have to fill out an application for credit so that they can get your information and start working on your account.
Purchasing a SIM Card In-Store
On the other hand, you can choose to buy the SIM card in person by going to a store. You’ll have to go through the same steps, but you’ll have to fill out the credit application in-store instead of online. Also, after the deal, you will be able to get the SIM card.
Install the New SIM Card to the Phone
When you have the SIM card, you need to put it in the phone you already have.
- Turn the smartphone off. Make sure that it doesn’t have power.
- You might need a SIM card pin to reach the mechanism of the tray.
- If it has an old SIM card, take it out and replace it with the new one.
- Otherwise, just insert the new SIM card on the tray.
- Once done, turn the device on and wait for it to reinitialize.
Continue the Process and Follow On-Screen Instructions
After you turn it on, it might ask for your phone’s IMEI. Just put it in and you can start using your open phone on Verizon. After taking these steps, you’ll be able to use your open phone on the Verizon network in no time!