How do I unlock a Verizon (U.S.) iPhone 4S to use in France?

[iMore Question]

I bought an iPhone 4S from Verizon USA to use when in America. Now I have returned to France and want to use the iPhone 4s with a French SIM card.
There is no Verizon SIM card in the phone. How do I switch from Verizon to my French SIm card, please?

 

[Septembersrain]

Re: How to unlock iPhone brought from Verizon USA and use French SIM card

Best advice would be to see if Verizon will unlock it first. If not, you could try a third party unlocking service. Though, have you tried to put the SIM in from the French carrier?

I'm not 100% sure it would even have the correct bands. Let me see...

 

[Lightingguy55]

Re: How to unlock iPhone brought from Verizon USA and use French SIM card

What happens when you pop a French carrier SIM card in it and re-boot ?

That's all my nephew had to do when he's using GSM in Australia.

 

[SwitchBeach]

Re: How to unlock iPhone brought from Verizon USA and use French SIM card

Verizon iPhones didn't have SIM cards until the 5 came out along with LTE. Prior to LTE, Verizon CDMA technology didn't use SIM cards.

The iPhone 4s on Verizon has a SIM card slot (although it is only for use outside North America).

To the OP, the phone can be unlocked but Verizon will only unlock it if you are a Verizon customer and meet their requirements.

Your best bet, as noted above, is to search out a third party unlocking service.