is Verizon Locking S10+?

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jhous3s

Member
Mar 8, 2019
16
3
Just received my S10+ a few hours ago. Purchased online through Verizon with device payments. This is probably my 8th Smart Phone purchase with device payments and never had one carrier lock before. My last 3 phones (Pixel 2 XL, iPhone XR, Note 9) have not been carrier locked what so ever even if they are financed.

Today shortly after activating and setting up the device, I pulled my Verizon SIM out and inserted my T-Mobile SIM like I've done many times before. I instantly got a message that said "Sorry, your device cant be activated on another carriers network right now."

Could this be Verizon Carrier locking the phone or is there an issue server side at Samsung?

The phone activated with no issues on Verizon's end, calls, messages, data all working fine.
 
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jhous3s

Member
Mar 8, 2019
16
3
I called Verizon. They say there should be no carrier lock regardless of how it was purchased. Guess I'll have to chat with Samsung.
 

Wenbinbin2010

Member
Jan 7, 2014
12
0
I'm having the same exact issue on my new Verizon S10. Wanted to finish off my month of Google Fi before switching back to Verizon, but I get the same pop-up "Sorry, your device cant be activated on another carriers network right now." I've been on the phone for hours with multiple Verizon, Samsung, and Google Fi reps about this issue and no one has an answer.

Verizon has triple checked and confirmed that there are no carrier locks on my phone. Google Fi just pretends like the issue is that their service isn't "officially compatible" with the new S10 yet. And Samsung keeps telling me that Verizon needs to unlock my phone (even though it's unlocked and paid off). Verizon suggested that maybe it was a Google Fi issue too, so I tried my wife's AT&T and I get the same pop-up restricting other carriers. I even tried activating the phone on Verizon first with a brand new line, and then switching SIMs, but still the same pop-up.

I'm onto my last resort right now, which is to exchange my Verizon S10 for a completely unlocked S10. That isn't ideal since my intentions were to switch back to Verizon eventually, and I would be losing Verizon-specific features. I've never had this issue before, and Verizon tech support has never seen this issue before either. I have no idea what Samsung is doing on their end with these carrier-specific S10s. I'm even currently using a Verizon Note 9 on Google Fi, with absolutely no issues. Not sure if there is new software with these new phones, but it is extremely frustrating.
 

jhous3s

Member
Mar 8, 2019
16
3
Same. Nobody knows whats going on.

I will use my S10+ on Verizon for a few days and try to swap the sim again maybe next week. See if somehow it updates on its own.
 

Jplumb

Member
Sep 4, 2018
6
1
S10 plus Verizon

Well I just purchased a Verizon branded s10 plus. Popped in my tmobile sim and LTE works.
 
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jhous3s

Member
Mar 8, 2019
16
3
The very first power ON was on Thursday around Noon with a T Moible SIM. The phone quickly rejected it and I installed the sim it came with. I messed around with it for a few hours until I gave up and just left the Verizon sim in it.

Today (sunday) I decided to try the T Mobile SIM around 4PM and noticed it was working so I posted an update.
 
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chetly968

Senior Member
Jul 15, 2014
464
105
Paradise Valley
I'm having the same exact issue on my new Verizon S10. Wanted to finish off my month of Google Fi before switching back to Verizon, but I get the same pop-up "Sorry, your device cant be activated on another carriers network right now." I've been on the phone for hours with multiple Verizon, Samsung, and Google Fi reps about this issue and no one has an answer.

Verizon has triple checked and confirmed that there are no carrier locks on my phone. Google Fi just pretends like the issue is that their service isn't "officially compatible" with the new S10 yet. And Samsung keeps telling me that Verizon needs to unlock my phone (even though it's unlocked and paid off). Verizon suggested that maybe it was a Google Fi issue too, so I tried my wife's AT&T and I get the same pop-up restricting other carriers. I even tried activating the phone on Verizon first with a brand new line, and then switching SIMs, but still the same pop-up.

I'm onto my last resort right now, which is to exchange my Verizon S10 for a completely unlocked S10. That isn't ideal since my intentions were to switch back to Verizon eventually, and I would be losing Verizon-specific features. I've never had this issue before, and Verizon tech support has never seen this issue before either. I have no idea what Samsung is doing on their end with these carrier-specific S10s. I'm even currently using a Verizon Note 9 on Google Fi, with absolutely no issues. Not sure if there is new software with these new phones, but it is extremely frustrating.

How is your Note 9 on Google Fi? Was considering switching from T-Mobile to Find. Do you still get WiFi calling? What kinda of data speeds so you get? Sorry, off topic, but don't know anyone personally on Google Fi that doesn't have a pixel.
 

S10Plus

Member
Mar 11, 2019
21
1
As an FYI... I purchased an S10+ in full, no payments on Friday morning from the Verizon store. I put my tmobile sim in later that afternoon and got the same message. I talked to tech support and they said it takes 48 hours from activation. He mentioned that they are doing this to prevent theft from store and from people buying/stealing them with out activating them and trying to sell them.

He unlocked it immediately while I was on the phone and I got a text message saying "when I insert a non-verizon sim in the phone it will be unlocked". I put in my tmobile sim and worked fine.
 

Wenbinbin2010

Member
Jan 7, 2014
12
0
As an FYI... I purchased an S10+ in full, no payments on Friday morning from the Verizon store. I put my tmobile sim in later that afternoon and got the same message. I talked to tech support and they said it takes 48 hours from activation. He mentioned that they are doing this to prevent theft from store and from people buying/stealing them with out activating them and trying to sell them.

He unlocked it immediately while I was on the phone and I got a text message saying "when I insert a non-verizon sim in the phone it will be unlocked". I put in my tmobile sim and worked fine.

I talked to 3 different tech supports and they repeated told me all of the possible locks on my phone were unlocked...did you activate the phone first in the Verizon store, or did you go straight to a T-Mobile SIM?
 

S10Plus

Member
Mar 11, 2019
21
1
I talked to 3 different tech supports and they repeated told me all of the possible locks on my phone were unlocked...did you activate the phone first in the Verizon store, or did you go straight to a T-Mobile SIM?

Most of them don't know what they are talking about. I talked to many of them who said the phones were not locked, some said the phones are always locked which I clearly disputed as they don't know their own employers policies/information and read from scripts. The 333rd person I spoke with knew exactly what I was talking about lol.

I didn't activate it in the store, I did when I got home using the verizon sim. After, I put in my tmobile sim and got the message. I didn't want to wait 48 hours (what the first tech told me) so I kept calling until I finally got someone knowledgeable enough to know what I was talking about and he unlocked it while I was on the phone in 10 seconds.
 

Wenbinbin2010

Member
Jan 7, 2014
12
0
Most of them don't know what they are talking about. I talked to many of them who said the phones were not locked, some said the phones are always locked which I clearly disputed as they don't know their own employers policies/information and read from scripts. The 333rd person I spoke with knew exactly what I was talking about lol.

I didn't activate it in the store, I did when I got home using the verizon sim. After, I put in my tmobile sim and got the message. I didn't want to wait 48 hours (what the first tech told me) so I kept calling until I finally got someone knowledgeable enough to know what I was talking about and he unlocked it while I was on the phone in 10 seconds.

Hmm thanks for the info. Guess I'll keep trying different tech supports. I wonder if they'll be able to unlock without activation at all. Otherwise I'll be paying $50 for a pointless line.
 

sd_N

Senior Member
Oct 14, 2010
725
112
Hollister
Yes. Verizon now sim locks phones for 24 hours after initial activation. iPhones included. Sometimes the older stock androids or iPhones will immediately accept another sim, but most times now, you have to wait a day. This has been going on since January as far as I've seen.
 

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    Just received my S10+ a few hours ago. Purchased online through Verizon with device payments. This is probably my 8th Smart Phone purchase with device payments and never had one carrier lock before. My last 3 phones (Pixel 2 XL, iPhone XR, Note 9) have not been carrier locked what so ever even if they are financed.

    Today shortly after activating and setting up the device, I pulled my Verizon SIM out and inserted my T-Mobile SIM like I've done many times before. I instantly got a message that said "Sorry, your device cant be activated on another carriers network right now."

    Could this be Verizon Carrier locking the phone or is there an issue server side at Samsung?

    The phone activated with no issues on Verizon's end, calls, messages, data all working fine.
    1
    The very first power ON was on Thursday around Noon with a T Moible SIM. The phone quickly rejected it and I installed the sim it came with. I messed around with it for a few hours until I gave up and just left the Verizon sim in it.

    Today (sunday) I decided to try the T Mobile SIM around 4PM and noticed it was working so I posted an update.
    1
    This is why I've been buying unlocked straight from Samsung for several years. I learned to live without certain services but now everything works on S10+ (WiFi Calling, VoLTE, etc.), so I couldn't be happier. Verizon sucks ass as far as customer service and draconian rules but they still rule as far as service goes.
    1
    FYI.. The reason Verizon phones have been unlocked in recent years is because of a deal between them and the FCC when they acquired lowband spectrum. The deal of having the phones unlocked expired last year as far as I know because I remember there being articles mentioning that. That may be the reason why if you buy directly from Verizon the phones are locked.

    Phones off of Samsung website are unlocked phones running carrier software so that's why those are unlocked by default.

    Sent from my SM-G975U1 using Tapatalk

    ---------- Post added at 02:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:12 PM ----------

    Link: https://arstechnica.com/information...s-for-60-days-to-prevent-black-market-resale/

    Sent from my SM-G975U1 using Tapatalk
    1
    Same issue in Mexico. I received my device today, try with Movistar (Mexico) and the Horror message showed "Sorry, your device can´t be activated on another carrier´s network right now..." So based on recommendations I will wait 48 hours, does the chip needs to be inside?
    Thanks!

    VZW sim card, yes. But I wouldn't waste my time if I were you. Just flash the AT&T firmware and get on with your life.