Confirmed: Verizon iPhone 5 is Unlocked, Works on GSM 3G Networks

Posted by iPhoneHacks on Sep 21, 2012 | Comments (23)

Verizon iPhone 5

Here’s some good news if you’ve just bought a Verizon iPhone 5 and travel abroad frequently.

iDownloadBlog confirms that the Verizon iPhone 5 under contract is unlocked on GSM 3G networks, which means that users will be able to use a nano-SIM card from a GSM carriers like AT&T.

Jeff Benjamin of iDownloadBlog reports:

I can confirm that the Verizon iPhone 5 is indeed GSM unlocked. Even though I bought an iPhone 5 from Verizon under contract, I was able to cut down my AT&T Micro SIM, and use it in my Verizon iPhone 5 to pick up an AT&T signal. By doing so, I was able to hop onto AT&T’s HPSA+ network, or “4G” as they so ridiculously name it.

As iDB points out that Verizon iPhone 5 users will not be able to use AT&T’s LTE network as it is incompatible with LTE frequency bands 4 and 17 used by AT&T and Canadian carriers.

However, this is good news for Verizon customers who travel abroad frequently, as they can put a nano-SIM card  from the international carrier to avoid the exorbitant international roaming charges.

Update:

Reader Jay confirms that he has managed to use iPhone 5 on Straight Talk’s prepaid service by trimming the micro-SIM. Thanks Jay for the tip!

[via iDB]

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  • Jay

    Would like to be the first to say I have successfully cut my straight talk micro sim to a nano sim and yes I have service so for every one u can use prepaid with iPhone five

    • http://twitter.com/unbeliever008 Jae. Just J. ©

      Does everything work? I thought it had to be Jailbroken to use MMS and data? No? Thx.

  • MBZGLK

    Would the AT&T version also allow usage of their Under Contract iPhone5 overseas with say China Telecom micro sim???

  • RIP Android

    How bout for the iPhone 5 for the Sprint? Would it be unlocked also????

    • http://www.iphonehacks.com iPhoneHacks

      Most likely, we’ll let you know when we get a confirmation on that one.

    • Guest

      Thank you iphonehacks! I will be posted.

  • http://www.facebook.com/leo.m.toussaint Leo Murciélago Toussaint

    So is it better to buy the verizon iPhone 5?

    • http://www.iphonehacks.com iPhoneHacks

      It would really depend. If you travel abroad frequently, then this is one advantage of going with Verizon. But if you don’t then it will boil down to the coverage in your area and availability of LTE.

      • Flor

        Hi, i am from Argentina. Could you confirm that this unlocked iphone from Verizon would work over here? What should i check?

  • Apel P

    if so can i buy verizon iphone full price and use it for tmobile, this isnt just a glitch?

    • http://www.facebook.com/kblnig Kasper Bitsch Lund

      Wondering this too

      • Apel P

        DID IT IT WORKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

        • http://www.facebook.com/kblnig Kasper Bitsch Lund

          same here

    • Apel P

      i just went and bought it, i will cut my sim and let you know

      • jay

        works i have stright talk very true

  • Apel P

    i found a 64gb verizon iphone, but i have tmobile, im wondering should i go get it?

  • Dre

    Will the verizon one work for T-mobile then?

    • jay

      yes all sim work

  • Apel P

    YES! it worked, after i saw this i went bought it full price and it works on tmobile, be very carful cutting sim, i took my time, it took 10 minites but it was worth it!

  • http://www.facebook.com/eugene.sytnik Eugene Sytnik

    Technically if you buy iPhone 5 from AT&T and then pay ETF you’ll end up paying a full price (just like Verison’s) and AT&T will unlock it as per their policy. So it really doesn’t matter in case you’re paying full price.

  • http://www.facebook.com/kblnig Kasper Bitsch Lund

    can’t get my att data to work. I got gophone and did this verizon trick. Anyone has a fix?

  • Gio

    Question For straight talk ppl: does picture mail work without jailbreaking it? Also do u have a Verizon sim card from straight talk or AT&T and do u have 4G on it.

    Thnaks

  • sajid

    Question if i purchase iphone 5 from Verizon can i run apple iphone 5 Verizon on gsm in india