Can I use a Sprint phone on Verizon or another CDMA Network?

I went through various sites and from what it seems it’s fairly easy, using a Sprint phone on Verizon. Both of them are CDMA networks after all. However, the truth is quite different, especially if it is a used phone. So, let’s get into it.

Unlocking a Sprint phone

Obviously, the Sprint phone needs to be SIM unlocked to switch to Verizon.

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If you are the original owner, just contact Sprint Customer Service at 855-639-4644 to request your unlock.

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Of course. your phone must meet the following Sprint Unlock Policy conditions.

• The phone must be compatible with SIM Unlocking
• It must have been active on Sprint for at least 50 days
• No pending device installment plan
• No pending contract bills
• The phone can’t be blacklisted

Sprint also requires you to be the account holder. You will need to prove it by providing the following info

• The account number attached to the device
• The account password (or your social security number’s last four digits)
• The IMEI number of the phone
• The account holder’s Sprint phone number

You can find out more on Sprint Unlock Support.

But what happens when Sprint refuses to unlock your phone or you are not the original owner?

Third-party Sprint Network Unlock Services

As long as the phone is totally CLEAN, I mean no unpaid bills or blacklist issues, then you can SIM Unlock it without Sprint’s help by using a Sprint IMEI Unlock Service.

Unfortunately, this only works for iPhones and I am not sure if there is a similar service for Android phones.

Now this service will remove the Sprint SIM Lock as long as SPCS is set to YES. The SPCS stands for Service Programming Code and it is used by CDMA Networks to additionally lock their devices. 

In case of a pending installment plan or unpaid bills

The original owner is the only one who can pay off the installment plan or the contractual bills. So if you have purchased a used Sprint phone you should first contact the seller, hoping to be the original owner and ask to pay off his debts.

If this is not possible then there is another way around using a Sprint Unbar Service. The status of unpaid bills will be removed, which means that the phone can be considered clean. This really works for iPhone and Android devices, however, SPCS must be YES again.

Of course, if you have an iPhone, you can now use an IMEI Unlock Service.

In the case of Blacklist Status

A Sprint phone will end up on the USA blacklist when it is reported as lost, stolen or fraud on the Network. The only way to start using Sprint again or to try to unlock it and use it with Verizon is to remove the blacklist status.

Fortunately, the Sprint Unblacklist service does just that, and both Android and iPhone are supported. Again, you are able to continue with SIM Unlocking afterward.

So, can I use an unlocked Sprint phone on Verizon?

Unfortunately, when it comes to switching from Sprint to Verizon, SIM Unlock may not be enough.

On one hand, Sprint and Verizon operate with CDMA technology. CDMA networks do not use SIM cards, but embedded serial numbers (ESNs) to verify their users. Although your Sprint phone is unlocked, you must contact Verizon and check if it will allow you to use it.

Most of the time, Verizon will require you to buy a new smartphone that will be used on their network.

On the other hand, a phone is always unlocked on GSM networks regardless of whether you have used Sprint or third party services. This is why SIM Unlock is also considered as GSM Unlock.

As long as your phone supports GSM technology, you will be able to use all GSM networks worldwide. For example, AT&T, T-Mobile and all their MVNOs in the US.

In recent years, most CDMA devices support GSM so you will have no problem. However, if CDMA is really your thing, then Sprint also has a lot of MVNOs and an Unlocked Sprint phone will work on plans from US Mobile, Tello, Ting, Republic Wireless, Boost Mobile and many other carriers.