Can you put any sim card in a verizon phone

Meet Google Fi, a different kind of phone plan with simpler pricing and no contracts or activation fees. The Unlimited Plus plan is great if you travel, want unlimited tethering, or use lots of data. You’ll get unlimited high-speed data, hotspot tethering, calls, and texts within the US., Canada and Mexico and high-speed data and texts included when you travel to 200+ other countries and territories. You’ll also get free calls from the US to 50+ destinations, plus 100 GB of cloud storage with Google One. On the Unlimited Plus plan, you can also use your data on tablets and other compatible devices with data-only SIM cards at no extra costs. As with all Fi plans, you always get privacy and security features that help protect your personal information, and family features that help your family stay safer on their phones and build healthy digital habits. Block contact from strangers, set data budgets, share your real-time location with family, and more. You’ll also get nationwide 5G coverage with a compatible phone. Most Android and iOS devices work with Fi. You can bring your current phone number, or create a new one. Insert the SIM card into a compatible phone to get started. If you’re new to Fi, open the Google Fi app to finish your activation. Add someone new, pause your plan, or cancel - no ifs, ands, or hidden fees about it.

If you have a Sprint phone, you will be able to use a SIM card from carriers that run on the same network, such as Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile and Ting.

If you have a Verizon phone you can use your phone with another carrier's SIM card as long as they run on the same network, such as Straight Talk and U.S. Mobile. 


For a shortlist of the best plans from all of the providers, check out our list of the best cell phone plans, updated each and every month. 

Happy with your Verizon or Sprint phone, but ready for a change of network? Here's everything you need to know about ditching your carrier, but keeping your device. 

In this article, we'll break down compatibility specifics for both brands on America's other big networks (collectively, this includes AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon). 

CDMA vs. GSM

CDMA and GSM are the two radio networks used by wireless carriers and present in cell phones. CDMA and GSM only use 3G technology, so the discussion is really a 3G one. However, it's important to ensure that your phone has ample 3G frequency compatibility, since this is the network your phone will jump on in the absence of a 4G signal.

In the U.S., AT&T and T-Mobile are GSM carriers, while Sprint and Verizon are CDMA carriers. As such, it's easier to take a phone from Sprint to Verizon than it is to take a phone from Sprint to AT&T, because in the former case you're not jumping network types. Also, swapping phones on GSM networks is easier because GSM-compatible phones use SIM cards.

However, note that most new phones these days are universally compatible across all four networks. 

Important note to remember

Generally speaking, phones sold exclusively by AT&T and T-Mobile will only be GSM-compatible, while devices purchased from Sprint and Verizon will be both CDMA and GSM-compatible (remember, GSM and CDMA relate specifically to 3G coverage). 

Switch from Sprint

Switch to Verizon or a Sprint Reseller

Switching from Sprint to Verizon should be fairly simple since they are both CDMA carriers. Just verify with Verizon first before cancelling your Sprint contract to make sure your phone is compatible. 

If you're just looking for a cheaper plan and don't mind staying on the Sprint network, you're in luck! There are more MVNOs on the Sprint network than on any other. This means your Sprint device will work on plans from Ting, Republic Wireless, Boost Mobile, and several others.  

Cell Phone Plans

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#1

Net10

Can you put any sim card in a verizon phone

Net10

Can you put any sim card in a verizon phone

$20 Unlimited Plan

  • 2GB High Speed Data
  • No mobile hotspot data
  • No Contract

$20/mo

+ $0.99 Upfront

Go

$20/mo

+ $0.99 Upfront

Go

#2

Straight Talk

Can you put any sim card in a verizon phone

Straight Talk

Can you put any sim card in a verizon phone

Bronze Unlimited Plan with 10GB

  • 10GB High Speed Data
  • 5GB mobile hotspot data
  • No Contract
  • Deal: Get $1 off every month with Auto-Refill + FREE shipping

$34/mo

+ $0.99 Upfront

Go

$34/mo

+ $0.99 Upfront

Go

#3

CREDO Mobile

Can you put any sim card in a verizon phone

CREDO Mobile

Can you put any sim card in a verizon phone

1GB Shared Data Plan

  • 1GB Data
  • 1GB mobile hotspot data
  • No Contract

$35/mo

+ $36 Upfront

Go

$35/mo

+ $36 Upfront

Go

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Can you put any sim card in a verizon phone

How WhistleOut Works

Switch to AT&T or T-Mobile

If you're hoping to take a Sprint cell phone to T-Mobile or AT&T, you may be able to do so with LTE-capable devices and later model Apple iPhones, but there are no guarantees. If your device is accepted, you may experience good LTE service but sub-par 3G coverage. 

As confusing as it is, if you can get your Sprint phone unlocked, there is a chance you can have it activated for service on a GSM network—but you’ll need to speak with your new GSM carrier, and ask whether they’ll accept the make and model of your handset.

Cell Phone Plans

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#1

T-Mobile

Can you put any sim card in a verizon phone

T-Mobile

Can you put any sim card in a verizon phone

Simply Prepaid Unlimited

  • Unlimited Data
  • Unlimited
  • Per 1 Month Refill
  • Deal: Get up to $1000 via virtual prepaid MasterCard when you bring an eligible phone, port-in your number and switch from select carriers

$50

+ $10 Upfront

Go

$50

+ $10 Upfront

Go

#2

AT&T

Can you put any sim card in a verizon phone

AT&T

Can you put any sim card in a verizon phone

Value Plus

  • Unlimited Data
  • No mobile hotspot data
  • No Contract

$50/mo

+ $30 Upfront

Go

$50/mo

+ $30 Upfront

Go

#3

AT&T

Can you put any sim card in a verizon phone

AT&T

Can you put any sim card in a verizon phone

AT&T Prepaid $65 Monthly Plan

  • Unlimited Data
  • 5MB mobile hotspot data
  • Per 30 Day Refill
  • Deal: Online Only: Get 5GB Bonus Hotspot with new line activation

$50

Go

$50

Go

#4

T-Mobile

Can you put any sim card in a verizon phone

T-Mobile

Can you put any sim card in a verizon phone

Essentials

  • Unlimited Data
  • Unlimited
  • No Contract
  • Deal: Get up to $1000 via virtual prepaid MasterCard when you bring an eligible phone, port-in your number and switch from select carriers

$60/mo

Go

$60/mo

Go

#5

T-Mobile

Can you put any sim card in a verizon phone

T-Mobile

Can you put any sim card in a verizon phone

Simply Prepaid Unlimited Plus

  • Unlimited Data
  • 10GB mobile hotspot data
  • Per 1 Month Refill
  • Deal: Get up to $1000 via virtual prepaid MasterCard when you bring an eligible phone, port-in your number and switch from select carriers

$60

Go

$60

Go

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Switch from Verizon

If you have a Verizon phone, it should already be unlocked and can be used on other networks. If it's not unlocked (for example, if you've had it for less than 60 days), you can try to unlock it yourself or call Verizon for help.

You will need to check whether your phone is compatible first before you take your phone to Sprint, AT&T or T-Mobile. Especially AT&T and T-Mobile since they run on a different network type. Even if your device is compatible with other another carrier's SIM card, you may experience limited access to 3G networks and connection and speed issues.

How Much Does it Cost to Switch?

Both Sprint and Verizon charge early termination fees if you cancel your service with them before your contract ends. You will also need to pay whatever you owe on your actual cell phone, if you're paying your phone off through monthly installments. 

Sprint and Verizon both charge up to $350 in early termination fees. Verizon do give you 3 days from activation to cancel your account without a fee and Sprint offer a 14-day period from activation.

Your new carrier won't charge you anything to switch from Verizon or Sprint to them.

Sprint Network Quick Facts

Sprint's network may be the weakest of the four majors, but not by much: the company claims the deficit only amounts to 1%. Next for Sprint is 3-channel carrier aggregation, with top speeds of 300 Mbps. 

Sprint Carrier Info

Can you put any sim card in a verizon phone
  • CDMA Carrier
  • Some LTE phones will work on Verizon
  • Sprint will accept selected Verizon phones on its network
  • Global phones may work on AT&T or T-Mobile networks
  • Allows devices to be used on selected Sprint resellers such as Ting
  • 3G: 800MHz, 1900MHz
  • 4G (LTE): 800MHz (bands 26), 1900MHz (band 25), 2500MHz (band 41)

Verizon Network Quick Facts

Verizon wields the most robust network in the country, covering more territory than any of the other major carriers. Verizon's band 13 is the country's largest 4G LTE signal. 

Can I use a different SIM card in Verizon phone?

Your phone's SIM card (or eSIM profile) is associated with a carrier, plan and billing account. Even if your device is compatible with another carrier, you'll need a new SIM that connects to their network.

What SIM card can I use with Verizon phone?

If you have a Verizon phone you can use your phone with another carrier's SIM card as long as they run on the same network, such as Straight Talk and U.S. Mobile. For a shortlist of the best plans from all of the providers, check out our list of the best cell phone plans, updated each and every month.

Are Verizon phones SIM cards unlocked?

What is the difference between having a locked device and an unlocked device? A locked device is one that will only work with a Verizon SIM on Verizon's network. An unlocked device can be used with non-Verizon SIM cards on a network compatible carrier's domestic or international network.

Do Verizon phones come unlocked?

Once your Verizon phone unlocks, you could potentially switch cell phone providers and bring your unlocked iPhone or unlocked Android device with you. Since all phones purchased from Verizon are locked, we'll run you through Verizon's device unlocking process, the differences between locked vs.