Home / Business and Economy / Verizon Extends TracFone Phone Lock to 365 Days
Verizon Extends TracFone Phone Lock to 365 Days
21 Jan
Summary
- TracFone now requires 365 days of paid service for phone unlocks.
- This change follows an FCC waiver for Verizon's handset unlocking.
- Consumer groups dispute Verizon's fraud deterrence justification.
Verizon has begun enforcing a 365-day lock period on phones purchased through its TracFone division. This policy update affects new phones activated on or after January 20, 2026, requiring a full year of paid and active service before an unlock can be requested.
This stringent policy shift follows the Federal Communications Commission's recent waiver, which eased Verizon's previous obligation to unlock handsets 60 days after activation. The extended lock is a return to TracFone's pre-Verizon acquisition policy and applies to several of its prepaid brands, including Straight Talk and Simple Mobile.
Consumer advocacy groups have criticized the longer lock period, arguing that Verizon has not provided sufficient evidence of fraud deterrence. They contend that shorter unlock periods facilitate device resale, reduce electronic waste, and foster competition among smaller carriers.
The FCC, citing fraud concerns, granted Verizon's waiver, allowing longer lock periods until an industry-wide standard is established. This contrasts with the Biden-era FCC's proposed 60-day requirement for all carriers, suggesting a potential shift towards policies favored by large mobile carriers.
