[Instruction] How to get a new phone and keep (legacy) Unlimited Data on Verizon

[androidluvr2]

Re: [Instruction]How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

Using mhs when the plan doesn't allow it may be a violation of TOS.

I don't disagree with this but my point is that they allow it and by allowing it, they modify the contract through the course and conduct of the parties. They know that, too, that is why ATT warns people before they do anything about it and you have to keep doing it after the warning. I think ATT cancels your contract if they catch you doing it after a warning but would have to double check. Verizon has never done this, not even to people using 800+ GB in a month running a business off of their personal phone, lol!

There may be a time when Verizon starts doing it, but they have different license terms due to their block C licenses and they would have to justify it to the FCC. ATT doesn't have the same terms in its licenses so they can get away with being more restrictive. Verizon knows this and so far is not doing squat about it.

 

[diesteldorf]

Re: [Instruction]How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

No, but I don't think you can do it online any more, you have to call.

However, why would you add it when you can get the functionality on most devices free? Some you have to root to get it others you don't, depends on the device.

Just being paranoid.... I just figure since it's $1.00 per day, I'll be legit. I only add it when I'm sure I'll be using it a lot. I know VZW would love to get me off of unlimited data, but, as you stated, they would probably have to warn me first.

 

[androidluvr2]

Re: [Instruction]How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

I just figure since it's $1.00 per day, I'll be legit.

They are getting $5.80 a day (before taxes and fees) from me for 2 smartphone lines sharing 700 minutes and unlimited text, unlimited data. About 45 cents of that is due to the extra basic line I had to add because they took away my subsidized upgrades on my unlimited lines. Then the upgrade fees and other verizon fees are on top of that.

They aren't getting even $1 a day more out of me and I feel totally legit about it

If they warn me, I will read up on how to mask tethering from them. The cost to use the public airwaves is getting too high.

 

[dss2000]

Re: [Instruction]How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

I'm interested in getting a Note 2. It is $300 from Verizon and $200 from BestBuy by starting a new shared line. Does anyone know if I get it from BestBuy will I still be able to replace the phone on that line with a tablet decreasing the fee to $10/mo or use a dummy ESN to get it to $10/mo so I can free up the new Note 2 for my unlimited line?

 

[dpham00]

Re: [Instruction]How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

I'm interested in getting a Note 2. It is $300 from Verizon and $200 from BestBuy by starting a new shared line. Does anyone know if I get it from BestBuy will I still be able to replace the phone on that line with a tablet decreasing the fee to $10/mo or use a dummy ESN to get it to $10/mo so I can free up the new Note 2 for my unlimited line?

I don't know about putting a tablet plan on the phone line, but you can certainly use a dummy phone. If you plan to start a share everything plan, the dummy phone would be $30 per month plus applicable taxes and fees.

If you are on a family share plan, then the dummy phone would be $10 plus taxes and fees



Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note II

 

[MsCandyland]

Re: [Instruction]How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

Just read your link here. I want to purchse the new Z10.
Took this all up with a branch of Verizon. They spent a couple hours trying to do this on my Share everythig - Data Plan line (NOT my Nationwide global plan & data unlimited line.). They could not make this happen. This is my mini ipad line. They added the new Z10 - disconnected-reconnected and it would not take. They sent me to a corporate office that told me 2 stories. Have to purchase phone @ full $700 price..then manager says.."No" that won't work...Plan is just not offerred anymore therefore cannot save it if I upgrade period.

Anyother ideas??? Should I make the call to Customer Care and beg? I work for an airline and travel the world. This unlimited data plan has worked for me for years..Don't want to lose it!

 

[dss2000]

Re: [Instruction]How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

Just read your link here. I want to purchse the new Z10.
Took this all up with a branch of Verizon. They spent a couple hours trying to do this on my Share everythig - Data Plan line (NOT my Nationwide global plan & data unlimited line.). They could not make this happen. This is my mini ipad line. They added the new Z10 - disconnected-reconnected and it would not take. They sent me to a corporate office that told me 2 stories. Have to purchase phone @ full $700 price..then manager says.."No" that won't work...Plan is just not offerred anymore therefore cannot save it if I upgrade period.

Anyother ideas??? Should I make the call to Customer Care and beg? I work for an airline and travel the world. This unlimited data plan has worked for me for years..Don't want to lose it!

Specifically what step didn't work? They took the Z10 off your new plan and then couldn't exchange it with your phone on the unlimited line? Perhaps another phone or dummy ESN needs to be put on the new line to free it up for the phone to go onto the unlimited line.

 

[pezboy]

Re: [Instruction]How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

You got it! The only additional step I would consider is after you get done using/activating line #2's upgrade on line #3, put a dumbphone on line #3 to drop the data plan but that assumes you don't want 3 smartphone lines and are going to sell one of the phones to recoup the cost of line #3. If you want 3 smartphone lines then of course, you wouldn't do that.

Just to clarify, if all of the smartphones including the old phones are 4G LTE phones, all step 4 requires is a SIM card swap between the phones assuming the phones have the same types of SIM cards (micro, nano, etc.) If they have different SIM card types (for instance iPhone 5 has a nano SIM and Galaxy Note 2 has a micro SIM) you have to actually get a new SIM card to swap the phones. There are ways to cut SIM cards and SIM card adapters, but I wouldn't mess with that when you can get them for free from Verizon.

If the old phones are not 4G LTE devices, then you need new SIM cards to get the new phones from line #3 to lines #1 and #2.

Please report your results back to us!

OK. I am part way through the process and wanted to give an update. I was going to wait for the SGS4, but with VZW making changes to their terms regarding upgrades last weekend, I immediately went and started the process. Don't want to miss the opportunity...

Last Saturday, I added a smartphone line to our plan (Note 2) and immediately did an ESN change on the new line to a ghost basic phone (I did this in a Verizon store and am not sure if she activated the Note 2 on the new line or not). Then had the Verizon lady (still in store) do an ESN change to put the Note 2 on my line. Easy peasy. Everything verified online when I got home.

On Sunday, I transferred my wifes upgrade to the newly added line (that had a ghost basic phone on it). I then ordered a SGS3 on the new line (had to add the 2GB plan to that line in the process). The transferring of the upgrade and the ordering was done online.

The SGS3 should arrive tomorrow. At that time, I will activate the SGS3 on the new line. After activating, I will wait until I can see it on my Verizon account online to make sure it went through with no issues (will also check wife's plan to make sure still has unlimited).

Once confirmed, I will do an ESN change back to the ghost basic phone (which drops off the data plan and brings it back to $9.99 per month). This will free up the SGS3 and I will ESN change it to my wife's line (with unlimited data).

I will then watch our lines like a hawk for a month or so online to make sure we both kept unlimited data. If all went well, I will repeat the process with the upgrade on my line and probably sell the new device to help offset the cost of keeping the extra line on my account.

I am planning on buying a basic cheap basic phone (swappa or ebay) to put on my new line that currently has a ghost on it. I will give it to my grandma for emergencies, night and weekend calls and mobile to mobile calls. We all win!

I will post an update to let you know how it goes in the next couple of days...

Thanks for all the help here!!!

 

[androidluvr2]

Re: [Instruction]How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

I was going to wait for the SGS4, but with VZW making changes to their terms regarding upgrades last weekend, I immediately went and started the process.

If you have an upgrade that is available now, it's date won't change.

Then had the Verizon lady (still in store) do an ESN change to put the Note 2 on my line.

Is this the unlimited data line? Did you activate the Note 2 for it for the first time on an unlimited data line?

Once confirmed, I will do an ESN change back to the ghost basic phone (which drops off the data plan and brings it back to $9.99 per month).

You select the pay per use to get rid of the 2GB data plan.

I am planning on buying a basic cheap basic phone (swappa or ebay) to put on my new line that currently has a ghost on it. I will give it to my grandma for emergencies, night and weekend calls and mobile to mobile calls. We all win!

I got my cheap basic phone for $13 shipped on amazon.

 

[shodges87]

Re: [Instruction]How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

Unfortunately keeping your unlimited has gotten a little trickier. You can no longer simply upgrade on another line And do an ESN switch. Verizon can go in and change your unlimited data to 2GB for doing this. I have seen it happen. The ONLY WAY to keep it is to keep the upgraded phone on the new line for at least 30 days before doing the ESN switch. Starting the beginning of this week you will no longer be able to use non phone upgrades (tablets, MBB, etc) for a new phone. Source: I work at a verizon store.

 

[androidluvr2]

Re: [Instruction]How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

Unfortunately keeping your unlimited has gotten a little trickier. You can no longer simply upgrade on another line And do an ESN switch. Verizon can go in and change your unlimited data to 2GB for doing this. I have seen it happen.

I know when you do the upgrade on the unlimited data line or when you don't first activate the subsidized phone on the line without unlimited data that this will happen. But so far, as long as you use the upgrade on a line without unlimited data and initially activate the device on that line, you can do the switch without it affecting your unlimited data line.

The ONLY WAY to keep it is to keep the upgraded phone on the new line for at least 30 days before doing the ESN switch.

So far that isn't the case. Is this a new thing that will start the 21st?

 

[diesteldorf]

Re: [Instruction]How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

Unfortunately keeping your unlimited has gotten a little trickier. You can no longer simply upgrade on another line And do an ESN switch. Verizon can go in and change your unlimited data to 2GB for doing this. I have seen it happen. The ONLY WAY to keep it is to keep the upgraded phone on the new line for at least 30 days before doing the ESN switch. Starting the beginning of this week you will no longer be able to use non phone upgrades (tablets, MBB, etc) for a new phone. Source: I work at a verizon store.

Thanks for sharing the information. I know that you will no longer be able to transfer upgrades between phones and non-phones, but please confirm the 30 day rule if possible. I always thought 24 hours was sufficient and always recommended using a brand new sim with the subsidized phone when you activate it on the unlimited line.

 

[androidluvr2]

Re: [Instruction]How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

please confirm the 30 day rule if possible.

If you switch the subsidized phone to the unlimited data line within 14 days of purchasing the subsidized phone and they switch you to the 2GB data plan, you can return the subsidized phone and get your unlimited data back.

 

[diesteldorf]

Re: [Instruction]How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

Hopefully, won't come to that as it seems like you are always taking a chance, no matter how small, when you are having to get them to reinstate the data plan after losing it.

 

[dpham00]

Re: [Instruction]How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

Unfortunately keeping your unlimited has gotten a little trickier. You can no longer simply upgrade on another line And do an ESN switch. Verizon can go in and change your unlimited data to 2GB for doing this. I have seen it happen. The ONLY WAY to keep it is to keep the upgraded phone on the new line for at least 30 days before doing the ESN switch. Starting the beginning of this week you will no longer be able to use non phone upgrades (tablets, MBB, etc) for a new phone. Source: I work at a verizon store.

I have never heard of the 30 day requirement. No where in the TOS does it state this. If it did happen, I would just call them and they would either a) put unlimited back and keep the new phone on or b) accept back the phone to keep unlimited, even after the 14 day return period as that wasn't what was agreed upon. If it did happen, I am sure it would be a hassle, seeing as how I have had trouble on multiple occasions having Verizon honor their written policy, however, with persistance, the issue will be resolved.


The swapping upgrades between device types isn't that related to this thread since only phone lines had unlimited data plans. Those plans that allowed unlimited data did not allow tablets or hotspots. That would be more of an issue for the share everything plan, though that plan didn't have unlimited data.


Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note II

 

[pezboy]

Re: [Instruction]How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

I was going to wait for the SGS4, but with VZW making changes to their terms regarding upgrades last weekend, I immediately went and started the process.

If you have an upgrade that is available now, it's date won't change.

Yeah, I just saw that they were limiting which devices you could transfer upgrades between (tablets / hotspots and phones) and wanted to get it done in case they tightened it and said you can't transfer smart phone upgrade to basic phone. Unlikely, but didn't want to risk it. There was no warning on the changes and that's what concerned me.​

Then had the Verizon lady (still in store) do an ESN change to put the Note 2 on my line.

Is this the unlimited data line? Did you activate the Note 2 for it for the first time on an unlimited data line?

After re-thinking about it, she did activate it first on the new line. I remember making sure because I didn't want it activated first in the unlimited line. Thanks for pointing that out!​

Once confirmed, I will do an ESN change back to the ghost basic phone (which drops off the data plan and brings it back to $9.99 per month).

You select the pay per use to get rid of the 2GB data plan.

OK. Will that put it on the sharing of my 700 minutes or is it then paying by the minute? I was under the impression I could just put the new line on any basic phone and it would be $9.99 / month. I want my grandma to be able to use our minutes.​

I got my cheap basic phone for $13 shipped on amazon.

Thanks for the tip. I saw Swappa only does smartphones. Probably going the Amazon route too.​

The SGS3 arrives today. I am a little concerned about what shodges87 said about needing to keep the transferred upgrade on the new line for 30 days. Not sure if I should risk moving it off on the same day or wait a month. Ugh. It's my wife's phone and she is expecting it today (but she's also expecting to keep unlimited)... :-\

 

[pezboy]

Re: [Instruction]How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

If you switch the subsidized phone to the unlimited data line within 14 days of purchasing the subsidized phone and they switch you to the 2GB data plan, you can return the subsidized phone and get your unlimited data back.

I like this plan, in conjunction with keeping the phone on "non-unlimited" line for 24 hours and getting a new sim for the subsidized phone for the unlimited line. Since I am right in the middle of this process, this is probably what I will go with.

When switching from the "non-unlimited" line to the unlimited line, do I need to do any type of factory reset on the phone? If I set it up with my wife's email and let her personalize it tonight while on the "non-unlimited" line, when I switch to the unlimited line, does just the sim and phone number associated with it switch or is it better to do a full wipe / reset?

Thanks SO much to all the people contributing to this thread! I appreciate it SO much!!!

 

[dpham00]

Re: [Instruction]How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

​

Yeah, I just saw that they were limiting which devices you could transfer upgrades between (tablets / hotspots and phones) and wanted to get it done in case they tightened it and said you can't transfer smart phone upgrade to basic phone. Unlikely, but didn't want to risk it. There was no warning on the changes and that's what concerned me.​

​

After re-thinking about it, she did activate it first on the new line. I remember making sure because I didn't want it activated first in the unlimited line. Thanks for pointing that out!​

​

OK. Will that put it on the sharing of my 700 minutes or is it then paying by the minute? I was under the impression I could just put the new line on any basic phone and it would be $9.99 / month. I want my grandma to be able to use our minutes.​

Thanks for the tip. I saw Swappa only does smartphones. Probably going the Amazon route too.​

The SGS3 arrives today. I am a little concerned about what shodges87 said about needing to keep the transferred upgrade on the new line for 30 days. Not sure if I should risk moving it off on the same day or wait a month. Ugh. It's my wife's phone and she is expecting it today (but she's also expecting to keep unlimited)... :-\

When putting a basic phone on the line, it will ask you what data plan, you can select pay per use.

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note II

 

[dpham00]

Re: [Instruction]How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

I like this plan, in conjunction with keeping the phone on "non-unlimited" line for 24 hours and getting a new sim for the subsidized phone for the unlimited line. Since I am right in the middle of this process, this is probably what I will go with.

When switching from the "non-unlimited" line to the unlimited line, do I need to do any type of factory reset on the phone? If I set it up with my wife's email and let her personalize it tonight while on the "non-unlimited" line, when I switch to the unlimited line, does just the sim and phone number associated with it switch or is it better to do a full wipe / reset?

Thanks SO much to all the people contributing to this thread! I appreciate it SO much!!!

You don't have to do anything when switching sims with regard to setup. The phone number would just change. Your customizations would not be lost. No need for factory data reset

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note II

 

[androidluvr2]

Re: [Instruction]How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

OK. Will that put it on the sharing of my 700 minutes or is it then paying by the minute? I was under the impression I could just put the new line on any basic phone and it would be $9.99 / month. I want my grandma to be able to use our minutes.

pay per use is just for data. All of the phones share the minutes and if you have unlimited texting, they share the texts, too.