Activating a Galaxy S3 on Verizon

[tinkerhd]

From the phrasing you use, it sounds like you haven't actually tried to activate it - you just took what tech support told you as fact and left it at that. Have you tried activating the phone? Seems like it works fine for plenty of people who follow the instructions in the box or in forums.​

After dealing with tech support, I did try plugging in the sim card and turning the device on just to see what would happen. Tech Support told me they activated the Sim card, so I thought I might be able to continue with the included instructions. After 45 minutes the phone was still trying to activate. I powered off.

Seems like it works fine for plenty of people who follow the instructions in the box or in forums.​

There do seem to be more people reporting successful activations than problems. However I have noted several users whose problems are nearly identical to mine, and they received similar information from tech support. I suspect the problem is more than a mere failure to follow instructions.

 

[strtgng]

There do seem to be more people reporting successful activations than problems. However I have noted several users whose problems are nearly identical to mine, and they received similar information from tech support. I suspect the problem is more than a mere failure to follow instructions.

Sounds like the activation success rate is as random as who gets picked to get their phones shipped first from the pre-order pool!

 

[erinsarah419]

I just received my new galaxy s3 today from verixon.. I'm also coming from a Droid X. I have no sim card. that was the point he was trying to make. he doesnt have a sim card... you need one for this phone. My phone did not come with a SIM card so I have to go to VZW today and get one

 

[ibcop]

DO NOT AND I REPEAT DO NOT DIAL *228 WITH A 4G LTE VERIZON PHONE.
In fact the instructions on how to activate a 4G lte will come with the phone. You could damage your s3 by dialing *228. These steps was necessary with a 3G phone but not with a 4G phone!!!!!

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Android Central Forums

You will not "damage" your phone if you dial *228.

While you don't use *228 with a 4G phone, simply follow the included instructions.

 

[OWybPPgO]

My daughter got her phone today and had trouble activating it with the instructions. I'm at work, so I don't know exactly what she tried, but I had her log into our Verizon account and select activate from there, which worked and she was able to get her phone set up.

 

[d1ez3]

What if my phone I ordered is for another number in my family plan (a number which has no data) and I want to activate it for my own number (unlimited data). I think the guy at the store put a temporary 2 gig limit on the number with the upgrade (which had no data before) and he will change it to my number and then give me back my unlimited data. He said I have to go in the store and must see him, or else the other people working there will not know what to do. He was the manager at the store I go to

 

[ibcop]

What if my phone I ordered is for another number in my family plan (a number which has no data) and I want to activate it for my own number (unlimited data). I think the guy at the store put a temporary 2 gig limit on the number with the upgrade (which had no data before) and he will change it to my number and then give me back my unlimited data. He said I have to go in the store and must see him, or else the other people working there will not know what to do. He was the manager at the store I go to

You can move the S3 to your line. If he is willing, he should remove the requirement to have a data plan on the line you added. That's what I had done.

 

[doogie1]

At least, your phones are working.. I got mine today and can't do nada!!! until tomorrow. My line doesn't exist, yet.