Verizon might drop its annoying 35-day wait for unlocking paid-off phones

Verizon is reportedly considering an end to its controversial 35-day waiting period for unlocking phones that have been fully paid off. This comes on the heels of customer feedback regarding the inconvenience caused by the current policy. Currently, Verizon mandates a 35-day delay for unlocking devices after customers settle their installments through various methods, including online payments, the Verizon app, or authorized retailers. The only exceptions to this policy are payments made directly at Verizon corporate stores or through automatic payments, which allow for immediate unlocking. The telecom giant cites fraud prevention as the reason behind this extended waiting period. Customers who pay off their 36-month installment plans early without visiting a corporate store face the frustrating wait before being able to switch their devices to another carrier. Although Verizon has expressed intentions to expedite the unlocking process, no specific timeline has been provided. In a recent statement, Verizon acknowledged the concerns, highlighting that immediate unlocking has already been implemented for transactions at corporate locations and through automated payment methods. The company is actively working to extend this convenience to all payment channels, aiming to alleviate customer frustrations soon, although no definitive rollout date has been announced yet. Verizon reassured that updates will be shared once the changes are finalized.