IPhone 4s locked by Verizon

Only Verizon can authorize unlocking. You will need to contact them and ask if you qualify. In most cases a carrier will unlock only for the person with whom they had the contract, so the person who gave you this iPhone may need to be the one to contact Verizon.

Regards.

the orginal owner should contact verizon to see if they will unlock the phone

"I don't get why it is that hard since you can pay to get it unlocked on some websites ..."

This is not legal at all. ONLY the carrier to which it is locked can legally unlock it.

Ethael wrote:

Ow ok how weird, I don't get why it is that hard since you can pay to get it unlocked on some websites ...

Those sites either hack the phone or pay someone within the cell carrier to unlock the phone without company approval. In the former case the unlock won't hold through a restore, and in the latter case the cell carrier almost always finds out and relocks the phone. Or the "unlockers" do nothing at all and just take your money.

Your phone is not from France.

nor is Verizon a French carrier, so French laws do not apply to them.

Again, only Verizon can authorize unlocking, and they will probably do so only for the iPhone's original owner.

There's nothing more we can say on the subject.

In the USA, the account owner can request a phone be unlocked. The carrier has 48 hours to unlock or notify in writing why not.

The carriers are not required by law to unlock phones, attempts to change the law have failed. Most do so willingly as long as the terms of the contract have been met.

Even after being unlocked, a phone can't be used on all carriers, only those with compatible networks.

For example, the Verizon phone will not work on a GSM network, which most of Europe uses.

Liz, the Verizon iPhone 4S can be used with GSM carriers once unlocked. I believe you're thinking of the iPhone 4 which is a CDMA-only iPhone and could only be used with Verizon.

Regards.

No, it cannot.

iPhones sold through CDMA networks have a different model number and are setup before shipping to work with CDMA only. Once unlocked by a carrier, they will work with another, CDMA network.

This is why an unlocked, former Verizon iPhone will not work with AT&T . And I just switched from Verizon to AT&T, I didn't make it up.

This is from Apple store:

http://store.apple.com/us/buy-iphone/iphone4s/8gb-white-unlocked

About the Unlocked iPhone

The unlocked iPhone includes all the features of iPhone but without a wireless contract commitment. You can activate and use the unlocked iPhone on the supported GSM wireless network of your choice, such as AT&T or T-Mobile in the United States. The unlocked iPhone will not work with CDMA-based carriers, including Sprint and Verizon Wireless.

If you don’t want a multiyear service contract, or if you prefer to use a local carrier when traveling abroad, the unlocked iPhone is the best choice. If you choose T-Mobile, your iPhone comes with a T-Mobile SIM card already installed. You will need to contact T-Mobile or visit an Apple Retail Store to activate your iPhone.

Otherwise, the unlocked iPhone does not come with a micro-SIM card for iPhone 4s, or a nano-SIM card for iPhone 5c or iPhone 5s so you’ll need to get one from any supported GSM carrier worldwide. To start using your iPhone, simply insert the SIM card into the slot and turn on iPhone by pressing and holding the On/Off button for a few seconds. Then follow the onscreen instructions to set up your iPhone.

Purchasing an unlocked iPhone means you will not qualify for the lower iPhone price associated with a contract. The unlocked iPhone 5c model is A1532 (GSM). The unlocked iPhone 5s model is A1533 (GSM).

To help decide whether the locked or unlocked option is right for you, compare wireless service plans. Or call our iPhone Specialists at 1-800-MY-APPLE.

Credit check may be required; must be 18 or older. An unlocked iPhone may be activated on supported GSM carrier networks. See www.apple.com/iphone for more information. Service may not be available in all areas or at the signal strength, rates, speeds, or bandwidth as demonstrated. Wi-Fi Internet access required for some features; broadband recommended; fees may apply. Some applications, features, and services are not available in all areas. Check with your service provider about network coverage in your area and international roaming options. Warranty information available at www.apple.com/legal/warranty/iphone. When available, transferring your mobile number to a different service provider will terminate your service with your existing provider; termination fees and other charges may apply. Some features may require added fees. Contact your service provider for more details. Use constitutes acceptance of Apple’s software license agreement and third-party terms located in the iPhone box. Unauthorized modification of your iPhone software violates the software license agreement. Inability to use an iPhone due to unauthorized modifications is not covered under your warranty.

Ethael wrote:

Well in France it's illegal for a carrier to not unlock the phone if you end your contract with them !

That's nice for you. That's not the case in the US at all, and that is a US phone.

And your info on the iPhone 4 isn't correct.

In 2010 the iPhone 4 was GSM only.

In 2011 the iPhone 4 was available for the first time on CDMA carriers.

Liz, sorry, but you are incorrect. The Verizon-model iPhone 4S can be unlocked for use with GSM carriers, though Verizon will only do so for use with carriers in other countries, which is what the OP wants to do. Neither the Verizon nor Sprint model iPhones can be unlocked for use with any other CDMA carrier, as in the information from Apple that you quote yourself.

And my info on the iPhone 4 is correct. I was of course referring to the Verizon-model iPhone 4, that being the carrier we're discussing.

Regards.