Thinking about switching phone carriers, or traveling abroad? These are two reasons why you might be anxious to make sure your phone is unlocked. If you are with Visible, and your Visible-purchased phone has been activated for more than 60 days, you are in luck. Your phone should already be unlocked, according to the carrier's policy.
Theoretically, once your phone meets the eligibility requirements, you don't need to take any additional steps. But things don't always go as planned. Keep reading to learn all about Visible's unlocking policy and what you can do to get the carrier to unlock your phone.
What is Visible's unlocking policy?
Visible's unlocking policy is very simple. Any phone purchased from Visible will be locked before and during its first 60 days of activation on the account it was purchased from (this part is important… we’ve got more details below). After 60 days, Visible will automatically unlock the device.
Visible will not unlock phones that have been reported lost or stolen. This is a standard policy for most carriers to prevent fraudulent activity with lost or stolen devices.
How to unlock a Visible phone that isn’t automatically unlocked?
In the rare case that your device is not automatically unlocked after 60 days, you will need to contact Visible's customer service team for assistance. Be prepared to provide your IMEI.
What does a “locked phone” or “unlocked phone” mean?
A “locked phone” refers to a mobile device that is tied to a specific carrier, meaning it can only be used with that carrier’s network. In contrast, an “unlocked phone” is not restricted to a particular network, allowing you the flexibility to switch between different carriers without needing a new phone.
Military exemptions
Visible will unlock devices for military members who receive relocation orders before the 60-day period is up. You will need to contact Visible's online customer service team for assistance in getting your phone unlocked.
Before you buy that Visible phone as a gift…
Visible’s unlocking policy is pretty straightforward, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t issues involving the carrier and locked devices. A somewhat commonly reported problem is that Visible will not unlock Visible phones purchased as gifts. This stems back to the aforementioned requirement that the phone was activated for at least 60 days on the account it was purchased through.
If the recipient of the gifted phone uses their own Visible SIM card in the new device, it is thus being activated on their own account… not the account of the person who purchased it for them. Once that phone has been on Visible’s network for over 60 days, it won’t be eligible for unlocking, since it wasn’t activated on the correct account.
If you intend to purchase a Visible phone as a gift for someone who already has a Visible account of their own, contact Visible first to ensure that the carrier knows that the device is meant to be on their account and not yours.
How to check if your Visible phone is locked or unlocked
The first place to check if your phone is unlocked is in your phone's settings.
On an iPhone:
- Open Settings.
- Go to General then tap About.
- Scroll down to find Carrier Lock.
If your iPhone says "No SIM restrictions" or "Unlocked," your phone is unlocked.
The process is not quite as uniform on Android phones. You might be able to find a locked status in the About or Connections settings. However, more often than not, this information isn’t readily available on Android phones. Our team checked three different Android devices and couldn’t find the status (and we know these phones are all unlocked).
If you can't find the locked status in your phone's settings, you can contact your current carrier to ask if they have your phone locked.
You can also try inserting a different carrier's SIM card into your phone (if you have one) and seeing if it works. If it does, your phone is unlocked. If you don’t have a spare SIM on hand, you can find cheap SIM cards (as low as $2) at your local grocery store or retail stores like Target or Walmart.
Why does Visible lock phones?
Visible and other carriers lock phones to help prevent fraud. Because carriers often subsidize phones, they need to protect that investment from resellers who might immediately buy and sell the phones at a profit.
The locking period allows the carrier to ensure the phone is used as intended on their network, thereby reducing the risk of subsidized phones being flipped for a quick profit. This practice, while inconvenient for some, is a necessary measure to maintain the carrier's ability to offer devices at reduced rates to their customers.
“But,” you may protest, “Visible doesn't offer many phone deals.”
True, but there are some Visible phone deals available on the latest devices, as well as its Payback Program that helps subsidize a new phone if your current one is incompatible with Visible’s network.
The benefits of unlocking your Visible phone
The biggest benefit of unlocking your phone is the freedom it gives you. With your phone unlocked you can choose from the many options out there for affordable phone service.
Visible already offers some of the best plans for value, but there are actually cheaper options out there if you are looking to save money. Since Visible's standard plan is a low $25/month, take a look at some options that are even more affordable.
Twigby’s bite-sized plan stands out, starting at just $5/month for the first three months ($15/month after) for 2GB of data.
US Mobile also has a great option, offering up 2GB of data for just $10/month.
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Twigby Mobile
Unlimited Talk, Text and 2GB Data
$5.00/mo
for the first 3 months then $15.00/month
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US Mobile
2GB By the Gig Plan
$10.00/mo
Taxes and fees included
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Then again, price may not be your main factor for switching to another carrier. Perhaps Verizon’s network, which Visible uses, isn't great in your area. With phone compatibility across various networks being less of a concern than it has been in the past, it's easier now to switch to different carriers than ever before.
You might be better off on T-Mobile's network, especially if you are looking to get 5G coverage. Mint Mobile works on the T-Mobile network and has some of the best plans around, including an unlimited plan that starts at just $30/month for the first three months. Here is a look at all of Mint's plans:
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Mint Mobile
5GB Data Plan
$10.00/mo
$30.00 upfront payment for 3 months (equals to $10.00/month). Intro pricing for new customers only.
|
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Mint Mobile
15GB Data Plan
$15.00/mo
$45.00 upfront payment for 3 months (equals to $15.00/month). Intro pricing for new customers only.
|
|
Mint Mobile
Mint Kids Plan
$15.00/mo
$45.00 upfront payment for 3 months <br>(equals to $15.00/month). <br>Intro pricing for new customers only.
|
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Mint Mobile
20GB Data Plan
$20.00/mo
$60.00 upfront payment for 3 months (equals to $20.00/month). Intro pricing for new customers only.
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Another benefit of unlocking your phone is that it allows you to use international SIMs when traveling abroad. This can save you money on international roaming fees and give you better coverage in certain areas. With an unlocked phone, you have the freedom to choose the best option for your needs.
What if I need to travel before my phone is unlocked?
If you want to travel out of the country, you will have trouble using an international SIM in your Visible phone if your phone is still locked. Before you leave, try contacting Visible's customer service to see if they can work with you to get your phone temporarily unlocked while you are on your trip. Keep in mind that there is no guarantee that this will work.
If you can't get Visible to unlock your phone for your trip, you are not completely out of options. Visible includes some limited international benefits in its higher-tier unlimited plan, and it also has an international roaming add-on called Global Pass that you can access on both of its plans. Global Pass includes unlimited talk, unlimited text, and 2GB of high-speed data in over 140 countries (once you reach 2GB, your speeds slow down to 3G).
On the basic Visible plan, coverage in Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands costs $5/day with Global Pass. In the other 140+ countries, Global Pass costs $10/day.
If you are on the Visible+ plan, coverage in Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands is included at no extra cost. You also get one free day of Global Pass in the other 140+ destinations. After that complimentary day of Global Pass, Visible will charge you the standard $10/day to continue to access roaming networks.
We've got a full guide on Visible's international roaming benefits for more detail.
Angelo Ilumba
Senior Writer
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