Do Verizon phones take sim cards?
By
HuutiMoney
This blog post provides detailed information about “Do Verizon phones take sim cards? “.It covers topics like SIM cards for Verizon CDMA phones, Verizon sim card activation, Precautions to be taken while handling sim cards, and the Effects of swapping the sim cards between Verizon devices
Do Verizon phones take sim cards?
Yes, Verizon phones take a sim card. The sim card in a phone contains the information which is used to authenticate the subscribers to connect to the 4G LTE or 5G network. It is portable and can be used on any compatible device.
Brief introduction of Verizon
Verizon Wireless network is the largest service provider in the United States. Its headquarter is in New York (USA) and Verizon Wireless is a subsidiary of Verizon Communications.
The 4G network of Verizon covers 70% of the country. So Verizon is well ahead as far as network coverage is concerned.
Which carrier is used by Verizon?
Mainly, there are two carriers, namely GSM and CDMA. GSM stands for “Global System for mobile. ” It is second-generation cellular technology. Another carrier is CDMA, and CDMA stands for “code division multiple access.”
Verizon makes use of CDMA network carriers. In CDMA, the same carrier frequency is shared by many users. In CDMA, a share of bandwidth, as well as time, is achieved.
Many new phones can work with both GSM and CDMA. Even if your unlocked phone works with both carriers, you need to check the compatibility with the Verizon network.
Advantages of CDMA
- Call quality is better compared to GSM.
- Requires fewer antennas but gives between coverage.
- A CDMA signal cannot be quickly decided, giving enhanced security.
- It has reduced the level of interference.
- Many users can share the same bandwidth.
Disadvantages of CDMA
- CDMA does not offer an international roaming facility.
- As the number of users increases, the performance of the CDMA system decreases.
- It possesses the self-jamming problem. This is because the spreading sequences of different users are not exactly orthogonal.
- Near far, problems arise if an undesired user has higher power than another user.
Are all Verizon phones use a sim card?
Almost all Verizon phones use a sim card.SIM is a subscriber identity module. Some phones have internal sim cards. Such sim cards are hermetically sealed and you cannot take them out of the phone. But if the phone is having an external sim card, you can easily take it out and can use it on another phone.
If you purchase a phone from Verizon then a sim card may be preinstalled on your phone, you don’t have to purchase it externally. But if it is not preinstalled you will have to request a new sim card. You will get a new sim card from the Verizon service center as a part of your phone plan. Even if the sim card is lost or damaged, you are eligible for a new sim card without any charges.
The majority of newer phones including iPhones and some Android phones use 4GLTE or 5G network, for which a sim card is required. Verizon offers different sim cards for 4GLTE, 5G, and CDMA mobiles. But these sim cards will work on Verizon verified devices to use the Verizon network.
SIM cards for Verizon CDMA phones
In 2010, Verizon launched the LTE network, which is using different technology than CDMA. Some Verizon phones have internal sim cards but this service is not available for new subscribers. Verizon also confirmed that CDMA2000 service will end by 2022.
Can I put a Verizon sim card on a prepaid phone?
If you have Verizon prepaid phone then you can insert a new Verizon sim card and the phone will fully functional. But if you have the phone from any other network then you need to make some adjustments. Your device must be unlocked then only your phone will support the new sim card. Also, your prepaid account needs to be fully paid off.
Verizon sim card activation
There are two methods to activate a Verizon sim card.
- Activation using the phone device
- Online activation
Activation using the phone device
Use the following steps to activate a new Verizon sim card via your phone device.
- Keep your sim card receipt handy because during the activation process some information is required from the sim card receipt.
- Open the phone app.
- Enter activation number, then enter the number 8778074646 and tap the “call” key.
- After completion of the call, your sim card gets activated.
Online activation
- Open Verizon’s official website.
- Enter your user id and password sign in to your account.
- Click on the “My devices” option
- Click on the “Activating my phone “ option.
- Open the “Get started with a new SIM card “ section and click on the “Activate SIM” option.
- Click on the “Select device” option and select your phone.
- Enter the sim card number in the “SIM ID” field.
- Click on the “Check SIM card” option.
Precautions to be taken while handling sim cards
The sim card is an important part, if it gets damaged then your phone will not support the network carrier’s signals. Following are some important precautions to be taken while handling the sim cards.
- Do not touch the golden area of the sim card, because this is the main portion where information is stored.
- Do not bend the sim card.
- The sim card must be kept clean and dry.
- Don’t keep the sim card open in sunlight as it is temperature-sensitive.
- When you will take out the sim card from your phone, remember the procedure to reinsert it properly.
- Align the gold contacts of the sim card correctly to the gold contacts of the phone.
- Avoid the magnetic fields around the sim card.
Reinsert the SIM card
Sometimes, the SIM card is slightly displayed in the SIM tray. There can be dust particles in the SIM card slot.
All the cell phones do not allow you to access the SIM card. If your device has this provision, then remove the SIM card by switching off the device, cleaning its property, and reinserting it in the SIM card slot.
If the SIM card is slightly defective then contact your service provider. You can request the replacement of your SIM card.
Check the functionality of the SIM card
It may happen that the SIM card is not functioning properly only on your device. Take out the SIM card by switching off your device and insert into another device. If it is detected by another device then it proves that there is no defect in the SIM card. Reconfirm IMEI number
Sometimes, the IMEI number of your phone might have changed due to some software issues. This number is used by service providers to transmit the signal to the SIM cards.
First, check the IMEI number of your T-mobile by following these steps.
- From the Home screen, select Main Menu.
- Scroll to and then select Settings.
- Scroll to and then select Phone Settings.
- Scroll to and then select Phone info.
- Scroll to and then select Version info.
- Scroll to and then view the IMEI.
This IMEI number must be the same as the IMEI number printed on the phone box.
Restart your device
Switch off your cell phone and wait for some time. Then switch on the device. If you have a new SIM card then it takes some time for the network providers to detect the SIM. So, you need to wait for some time to reboot the device properly.
You can also soft start your phone. If your cell phone is connected to the power supply, switch off the supply and firstly remove the mobile battery. Then again reinsert the battery, wait for some time and again switch on the device.
What is a SIM lock?
It is also called a carrier lock or subsidy lock. Usually, a cell phone sold by a particular carrier is a locked phone. For example, a new phone purchased under contract with a T-Mobile carrier is a locked phone. So a SIM-locked T-Mobile phone must be used with a T-Mobile carrier only. It cannot be used with other mobile carriers until it is unlocked.
An exceptional case is an international roaming facility. For getting such facilities, one should request for unlocking the phone. Depending on certain conditions, a network carrier provides a unique codeword. Using this code word, a cell phone can be unlocked.
Is the SIM network unlock pin the same as the SIM card unlock pin?
No, these to unlock pins are different. Sim network unlock pin allows you to use your mobile on another network carrier.
If the SIM card is locked and if you insert it into another device then it will not be operative. That means you can not make a call or send a text. The SIM card unlocks the pin removes the SIM lock so that you can use it again in the usual manner.
What should be done if the device shows a SIM lock or PUK lock error?
PUK stands for personal unlocking key. suppose you are using the native security feature of the cell phone and accidentally you have locked your SIM card. In such cases make use of PUK to unlock the SIM card.
You need to call all the customer care support to get a PUK code. Once you will retrieve it, enter the code to unlock the SIM card.
You will have to enter this code correctly because if you enter it incorrectly many times, then the SIM may be permanently locked.
SIM network unlocks PIN on Android phones
Using software on Android phones you can unlock the SIM.So that you can use your phone on another network carrier. There are three methods to use the software on Android phones.
- Use software Android SIM unlock
- Galax SIM unlock
- Use paid service
Use software Android SIM unlock
- Download the Android SIM unlock software.
- Connect your cell phone to the computer using a USB.
- Make sure that you have enabled USB debugging. Your phone will be detected by the software then click the next.
- Set the cell phone in service mode by dialing *#0808#
- Select ” CDMA MODEM” on your cell phone and then click Unlock. Now the software will start unlocking the SIM.
- Once the unlocking is completed you need to bring your cell phone in normal mode. Dial *#0808# on your cell phone and select USB [*]. Then click next so that your phone will be in normal mode
Galax SIM unlock
- Download GalaxSIM unlock application from Google Play Store.
- After downloading, permit this app to run on your cell phone.
- Initially, this app will show you the status of your phone, whether it is locked or unlocked.
- Click the unlock option to unlock the SIM card.
- It will unlock your cell phone after a few seconds.
Use paid service
- Download the app “unlock your cell phone fast and secure” and install this app on your cell phone.
- Fill up the form which includes the details like the model of your phone, the country from where you have purchased the phone, the current network carrier of your phone, and the IMEI number.
- Make a payment using a credit card or any other suitable method.
- You will receive an unlocking code, enter that code to unlock your cell phone.
How to check whether the cell phone is already unlocked?
Some network carriers provide cell phones which are already unlocked. To check whether your cell phone is already unlocked or not there are some simple methods.
- Call your current network carrier and ask for the information, whether your cell phone is locked or unlocked.
- If you have a GSM cell phone then the simplest technique is; to remove the original sim card, insert another SIM card and check whether you can make calls or send a text. if you are in a position to make a call or send a text then your phone is unlocked.
Effects of swapping the sim cards between Verizon devices
If you have previously activated a sim card then it may not be compatible with all other Verizon devices. You must first activate the sim card on the original device. The following table shows the effects of swapping a sim card between Verizon devices.
| Sim card originally activated as | Sim card inserted into the new device | Effects |
| 3G | 4G LTE or 5G | Not compatible. |
| 4G LTE | 5G | The device will connect to a 5G network but may not connect to an enhanced 5G network. |
| 4G LTE or 5G | 3G | Not compatible. |
| 5G | 4G LTE | The device will connect to the 4G LTE network but may not connect to the 5G network. |
Below are other Verizon articles you may be interested in:
Can I switch my Verizon phone to T-mobile?
Can Verizon S7 be used on T-mobile?
How many users does Verizon have?
Conclusion:
This blog post addressed “Do Verizon phones take sim cards?”. We understood that Verizon phones take a sim card. The sim card in a phone contains the information which is used to authenticate the subscribers to connect to the 4G LTE or 5G network. We also understood the SIM network unlock PIN on Android phones and the Effects of swapping the sim cards between Verizon devices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Do Verizon phones take sim cards?
Is the SIM network unlock pin the same as the SIM card unlock pin?
No, these to unlock pins are different. Sim network unlock pin allows you to use your mobile on another network carrier.
If the SIM card is locked and if you insert it into another device then it will not be operative.
What do you mean by SIM network unlock PIN?
It is a security code associated with the SIM card. This code is used to unlock the cellular device from its original carrier so that it can be used on another carrier. It is a unique code containing 8 or 16 digits
What should be done if the device shows a SIM lock or PUK lock error?
PUK stands for personal unlocking key. suppose you are using the native security feature of the cell phone and accidentally you have locked your SIM card. In such cases make use of PUK to unlock the SIM card.
You need to call all the customer care support to get a PUK code. Once you will retrieve it, enter the code to unlock the SIM card.
Can you check your carrier with IMEI?
IMEI provides only device-related information and not any personal information of the owner. But it does provide a location and some network-related information.
How do I check if my T-Mobile IMEI is clear?
You need to go to your settings and find out your device’s IMEI number. Once you have your IMEI number, you can go to the official T mobile website to check if the IMEI is clear.
Are all cell phones locked?
All cell phones are not locked. The cell phone purchased from a carrier under some contract is locked. However, if you purchase a phone directly from the manufacturer, it is unlocked. In this case, you can easily switch from one carrier to another.
References:
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