Pi Network has been listed on different crypto exchange platforms like Ruco, Bitget, and many more. This has caused a new wave of early adopters in the crypto community who are eagerly looking to exchange their pi coins and cash out. Meanwhile, a lot of miners have already locked their coins for months or years and are waiting to unlock them sooner than their lock-up time to partake in the pi release bull rush.
If you’re in this situation, this guide will walk you through how to unlock your Pi coins step by step, adjust your lock-up settings, and regain access to your balance. Let’s get started
Key Point
- In July 2024, Pi Network introduced a lock-up mechanism, allowing miners to lock their Pi for higher mining rates. Many opted in, unknowingly restricting access to their coins when Pi was listed in February 2025, preventing them from trading during the initial bull rush.
- Pi coins may be locked due to user-set lock-up periods (2 weeks to 3 years), the enclosed mainnet transition restricting transactions, or unverified KYC (Know Your Customer) status.
- Users can unlock their Pi coins by accessing the Pi Browser, checking their unverified balance, adjusting their lock-up duration to a shorter period (like 2 weeks), and confirming changes to regain access to their balance.
- Many users face SMS verification problems when recovering their Pi account. Solutions include enabling international SMS, restarting the phone, using a VPN, trying a different number, contacting Pi support, or purchasing a virtual number.
- New users can mine Pi by downloading the Pi Network app, verifying their identity, clicking the mining button daily, referring others, and completing KYC. However, locked Pi cannot be sold until it is unlocked.
Why Are My Pi Coins Locked?
If you’ve been mining Pi for a while, you might have noticed that some (or all) of your coins are locked. This is primarily due to the lock-up mechanism in place, which was introduced to maintain network stability and prevent a sudden mass sell-off when Pi enters the open market.
This lock-up mechanism was introduced in July 2024, a Pi Network lock-up feature, allowing miners to lock their Pi coins in exchange for a higher mining rate. Many miners opted in, committing their coins for six months, one year, or even three years, expecting long-term benefits. By February 2025, when Pi was expected to be listed and tradeable, many users found themselves unable to access their coins. There are other reasons why
There are three key reasons why your Pi coins may be locked:
- User-Set Lock-Up Period: Pi Network miners had the option to set a lock-up duration (2 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, or 3 years) when committing their mined Pi
- Mainnet Transition: Pi is in its enclosed mainnet phase, meaning transactions are restricted to prevent early manipulation of prices before official listings.
- Unverified KYC (Know Your Customer): If you or members of your referral team haven’t completed KYC verification, those coins remain unverified and locked.
How to Unlock Your Pi Coins (Step-by-Step Guide)
If you want to unlock your Pi coins, follow these simple steps:
1st Step: Open Pi Browser
- Open your Pi Network app and navigate to the Mainnet section.
- Click on “Mainnet” to redirect to your Pi Browser.
2nd Step: Check Your Unverified Balance
- In the Pi Browser, locate your Unverified Balance.
- This section includes Pi that’s locked due to unverified KYC from your referral team. If any of them haven’t completed their KYC, their contribution remains locked until they do.
3rd Step: Configure Lock-Up Settings
- Click on “Configure Lock-Up Rate” within your Pi Browser.
- Here, you’ll see different lock-up options: 2 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years.
- If you initially locked your Pi for 3 years, your coins won’t be available until that period ends unless you change it.
Fourth Step: Adjust Your Lock-Up Duration
- Drag the slider back to a shorter period (e.g., 2 weeks).
- This will allow your Pi to be released sooner instead of waiting for years.
Fifth Step: Confirm Changes
- Click “Increase Lock-Up” to finalize the update.
- Your Pi coins will now be unlocked within two weeks, after which they will appear in your available balance.
Can You Sell Locked Pi Coins?
No, locked Pi coins cannot be sold until you unlock them. If you’ve set a long lock-up period, you must wait until that time expires before accessing them. However, if your lock-up duration allows changes, you can reduce it to 2 weeks using the method above.
How to Get Pi Coin for Free
If you’re new to Pi and want to start mining, here’s how you can get free Pi Coins:
- Download the Pi Network App – Available on Android and iOS.
- Sign Up & Verify Your Identity – Register using your phone number or Facebook and complete the verification process.
- Start Mining – Click the mining button daily to accumulate Pi. Unlike Bitcoin, Pi mining doesn’t require heavy computing power.
- Refer Others – The more people you invite, the higher your mining rate.
- Complete KYC – Ensure you and your team complete KYC to move your mined Pi to the Mainnet.
How to Recover Your Pi Network Account (Fix SMS Verification Issues)
If you’ve been trying to verify your phone number on Pi Network but keep running into issues, like “SMS not sent” error, the “number already in use” problem, or Pi simply refusing to verify your phone number. This can be frustrating, especially if you’re trying to access your account or complete your KYC verification. Follow these steps and solve those issues.
Why Is My Pi Network Phone Number Not Verifying?
Pi Network requires users to verify their phone numbers to ensure account security and prevent multiple accounts from being created. However, users often encounter issues like:
- SMS verification messages not being received
- Your phone number is not being accepted
- The system is showing “number already in use” even when it’s not
- Country restrictions preventing verification
These issues can be caused by network problems, international SMS settings, or even Pi’s system failing to process your request.
The good news? There are seven tested methods to fix these issues and recover your account.
How to Fix Pi Network Phone Number Verification Issues
#1. Enable International SMS on Your Phone
One of the most common reasons Pi Network fails to verify your phone number is that your phone’s international SMS feature is turned off. Without this setting enabled, you won’t be able to send or receive verification messages.
How to Enable International SMS
- Open your phone settings
- Scroll down to “Connections”
- Click on “Mobile Network”
- Enable “Data Roaming”
If your phone doesn’t have these exact settings, check for something similar under network settings.
#2. Restart Your Phone and Try Again
Sometimes, a simple restart can fix temporary network issues. Before trying anything complex:
- Turn off your phone, wait for a few seconds, and then turn it back on
- Avoid using public WiFi or a shared internet connection during the verification process
- Make sure your phone has enough balance to send an SMS if required
Now, retry the phone verification process on Pi Network.
Method 3: Use a VPN to Change Your Location
Pi Network’s default verification country is the USA, which can sometimes cause issues for users from unsupported countries. A VPN can help change your phone’s location and allow you to receive verification messages.
How to use a VPN for Pi Network verification:
- Download a VPN app like Thunder VPN, Turbo VPN, or TunnelBear
- Open the VPN and connect to a USA-based server
- Go back to the Pi Network app and retry the phone verification process
Many users have found success using a VPN, especially when their network provider blocks international messages.
Method 4: Use a Different Phone Number
If your phone number is already linked to another Pi Network account, you may see an error saying “number already in use.”
In this case, try the following:
- Use a different phone number that hasn’t been used on Pi Network before
- Borrow a number from a trusted friend or family member
- Purchase a virtual number from apps like Numero eSIM or TextNow
Once you receive the verification code on your new number, enter it into Pi Network.
Method 5: Contact Pi Network Support for Manual Verification
If none of the above solutions work, your best option is to contact Pi Network’s support team for help.
Here’s how to submit a support request:
- Open the Pi Network app
- Click on the three-line menu (☰)
- Scroll down and select “Support Portal”
- Click “Contact Us”
- Select “Verification of Account”
- Fill out the form with your Pi username, phone number, and the issue you’re experiencing
- Upload a screenshot of the error message
- Click “Submit”
Pi’s support team will review your request and manually verify your phone number.
Method 6: Try Verifying at a Different Time
If Pi’s servers are overloaded, your verification request might not go through. Try again at a different time, preferably:
- Late at night when traffic is low
- Early in the morning, before peak hours
- During weekdays instead of weekends
Sometimes, patience is key.
Method 7: Purchase a Virtual Number for Verification
If Pi Network doesn’t support your country, you can use a virtual phone number to verify your account.
Popular apps that offer virtual numbers include:
- Numero eSIM
- TextNow
- Google Voice
Simply purchase a number from a supported country (USA, UK, Australia, etc.), receive the verification SMS, and enter the code into Pi Network.
Why is my Pi Network SMS not received?
Your network provider may be blocking international SMS. Enable international messaging or use a VPN.
Can I change my Pi Network phone number?
Yes, but you must verify the new number before replacing the old one.
What is the best VPN for Pi Network verification?
Thunder VPN, Turbo VPN, and TunnelBear are reliable options.
How long does Pi Network support take to respond?
Pi Network support usually responds within 48-72 hours.
Can I verify my Pi account without a phone number?
No, phone verification is required to access your Pi account.
Conclusion
It is very simple to unlock your Pi coins, but it depends on your lock-up settings and Pi Network’s mainnet development. If you need access to your coins sooner, adjusting the lock-up period can help. However, selling Pi is still possible as Pi enters Open Mainnet and is listed on major exchanges.
Have you unlocked your Pi coins yet? Share your experience in the comments below!
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