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

[Mr. Toad]

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

I am very tentative to use the BB method as losing my UDP would be devastating to my usage. I called verizon last night to see if i could transfer my upgrade to my girlfriends phone and they immediately told me that the moment i transfer that upgrade my UDP will go to a 4 gig monthly plan. I have a couple of questions regarding this method...

1) If i order a replacement sim card in case i ever have a sim card issue, will that extra sim card automatically make me lose my UDP?
2) Has anyone else transferred their upgrade to another line to get a new phone and lost their UDP?

im so damn tempted as my LG G2 is just not cutting it anymore....
View attachment 149257

Are you an a family plan with your GF? What plan does she have? Smartphone or dumbphone?

If you are on a family plan with her and she has a smartphone, I would without a doubt transfer your upgrade to her. I have done that several times over the past couple years.

If you have a pending activation from the best buy method and get a replacement sim you will lose unlimited.

 

[phantomog]

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

If you have a pending activation from the best buy method and get a replacement sim you will lose unlimited.

would love to know of a sure fire way to find out if you have a pending activation on a line. when I play with activate/switch devices online, everything seems fine and it doesn't look like I have anything pending. However, I tried calling verizon about a technical issue and the automated recording first asked me if I needed help activating the "recent" order it saw on my account.

EDIT: Nevermind. I do see it online now. Have to select a different line (not the one you think is pending) and on the next screen try to switch with the line that you think has the pending.

Ordered a Note 4 from Best Buy on Oct 22, the phone was shipped to me and activated with a different SIM card on a different line on Oct 24. Activation is still pending and I had a billing cycle that just ended on 11/16. Hopefully I'm not stuck with this forever.

 

[shingouki1]

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

i am the main line on a family plan

line 1 lg g2 Unlimited date(upgrade available)
line 2 s4 (no upgrade)
line 3 s3 (no upgrade)
line 4 dumb phone (no upgrade)

i was told by verizon if i transfer my upgrade to her phone i will loss the unlimited date on my line immediately.

 

[djjaeger82]

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

I have a single Verizon line with unlimited data. I placed an order for an iPhone as an upgrade around 10:00AM today (11/19), with an estimated delivery of 11/25. This afternoon I received an email from Best Buy saying that my order has been shipped. A half hour or so after that I received an email from UPS said that I'm receiving a delivery tomorrow!

Tomorrow I switch SIM cards and see what happens! I plan to sell the iPhone on eBay right away, and use the money to buy a Nexus 6.

Sent from whatever device I happen to be using today using Tapatalk

Can I ask which iPhone you ordered yesterday? I'm starting to get concerned for my own order since I placed a Bestbuy order last thurs11/13 for an iPhone 6 64gb space gray which had an estimated delivery of 11/20 yet I still have no shipping notice. It just says in process. My upgrade date on the line has moved out 2 years, I got my 50 Bestbuy gift card already, and my credit card has the pending charge so I'm hoping it's just availability of the specific model. Odd thing is I ordered 2 turbos and a note 4 after the iPhone (sat and sunday) and all 3 have already been delivered. . Where Oh where is the iPhone?? :-(

 

[rdjr74]

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

I called verizon last night to see if i could transfer my upgrade to my girlfriends phone and they immediately told me that the moment i transfer that upgrade my UDP will go to a 4 gig monthly plan.
1) If i order a replacement sim card in case i ever have a sim card issue, will that extra sim card automatically make me lose my UDP?
2) Has anyone else transferred their upgrade to another line to get a new phone and lost their UDP?
View attachment 149257

-Calling verizon was your first mistake.
-No you will not lose your UDP using a simcard other then the one the phone is shipped with.
-To my knowledge no one has lost there UDP by way of transfer, even after Aug. 25th.

My suggestion is to transfer your upgrade if you have that option.

 

[thebear]

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

Ordered a Note 4 from Best Buy on Oct 22, the phone was shipped to me and activated with a different SIM card on a different line on Oct 24. Activation is still pending and I had a billing cycle that just ended on 11/16. Hopefully I'm not stuck with this forever.

I ordered a phone on Oct 10 using the BB method and it took 37 days for the pending activation to go away. I was getting a little concerned also. There is hope.

 

[shortwave8669]

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

When did you place your order?

I placed my order with BestBuy.com 3 months ago.
Another family member on the same calling plan placed her order last week.

 

[shortwave8669]

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

I want to avoid any confusion so I registered just to ask the following:

I have a single line, unlimited data, and its month to month. If I order online through Best Buy, switch the sim card with the one I have from my old Galaxy S3, would I still be in business? Seems like most people on this thread can play with multiple lines and I don't have that option.

Yes.
The BestBuy method should work for you. You will keep the UDP if you follow the steps and DO NOT USE THE SIM which comes with your new device.

Good luck. A family member used this process just a few days ago successfully.

 

[tgp]

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

Can I ask which iPhone you ordered yesterday?

Sure, iPhone 6 16GB Gold. When I placed it in the cart the estimated shipping (or arrival, not sure which) was November 25. However, at the time of placing the order it said Estimated Arrival: 11/20-11/26/2014. This morning it's out for delivery!

I'm getting this iPhone to sell. I wasn't in a hurry for it because I don't know how long it will be until I can get a Nexus 6. I'm holding out for a white 64GB (the unicorn) which seems to be the most scarce. But I figure if I spend $700 for something I plan to use for awhile, I'm not going to compromise!

 

[jeff1penny]

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

Ok Guys, thanks for all the info about this. One last question. Which would be the "safest" way or let's call the the "least risky" way to lose unlimited data.
1) Upgrade my unlimited line using the BB method (risk=if for some reason this doesn't work, I risk losing unlimited data)
2) Upgrade my mother's basic line and then just swap out the SIM when the phone arrives? (risk=if for some reason this doesn't work I get stuck with $30 data line for 2 years)

Any thoughts? Which one would you do if you had that choice available to you?

 

[shortwave8669]

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

Ok Guys, thanks for all the info about this. One last question. Which would be the "safest" way or let's call the the "least risky" way to lose unlimited data.
1) Upgrade my unlimited line using the BB method (risk=if for some reason this doesn't work, I risk losing unlimited data)
2) Upgrade my mother's basic line and then just swap out the SIM when the phone arrives? (risk=if for some reason this doesn't work I get stuck with $30 data line for 2 years)

Any thoughts? Which one would you do if you had that choice available to you?

My opinion (based only on using the BestBuy method twice recently -last week) is option 1 is the safest method to get a new device and keep UDP.

 

[tgp]

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

Ok Guys, thanks for all the info about this. One last question. Which would be the "safest" way or let's call the the "least risky" way to lose unlimited data.
1) Upgrade my unlimited line using the BB method (risk=if for some reason this doesn't work, I risk losing unlimited data)
2) Upgrade my mother's basic line and then just swap out the SIM when the phone arrives? (risk=if for some reason this doesn't work I get stuck with $30 data line for 2 years)

Any thoughts? Which one would you do if you had that choice available to you?

I agree with shortwave; given those 2 options I'd use the first one. The nice thing is that you have a 14 day window to return the phone and get your old plan back if you do lose unlimited data.

I got my 50 Bestbuy gift card already

Is that included in the deal? Or is it only for certain phones? It would be a bonus for me if I get one!

 

[dusoccer10]

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

i am the main line on a family plan

line 1 lg g2 Unlimited date(upgrade available)
line 2 s4 (no upgrade)
line 3 s3 (no upgrade)
line 4 dumb phone (no upgrade)

i was told by verizon if i transfer my upgrade to her phone i will loss the unlimited date on my line immediately.

Verizon lied to you about losing unlimited. What are the data plans for lines 2 and 3? If either one of them are a tiered plan, you are in great shape.

 

[jeff1penny]

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

That's very true, I guess you would know right away if you were going to lose it for any reason and still have that "cushion" to return if need be! Great points guys! I just don't like that you "agree" to changing your plan, even if it doesn't change it right away, you guys know how Verizon is. If there's a way they can try to get you off unlimited data they will lol

I figured option 2 was the more expensive option if it backfired lol. I know, I'm paranoid but this unlimited data is gold

 

[shingouki1]

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

lines 2 and 3 are both on the 4 gigs for $30 plan.

im thinking the BB method using my own upgrade without transferring the upgrade would be the safest bet.

 

[dusoccer10]

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

lines 2 and 3 are both on the 4 gigs for $30 plan.

im thinking the BB method using my own upgrade without transferring the upgrade would be the safest bet.

It's not. Because you are on a tiered plan, it is extremely simple for you to upgrade your phone. Just do the following:

1) Log onto Verizon and transfer your UDP line's upgrade to a TDP line;
2) Order the new smartphone you want on the TDP line;
3) When the new smartphone arrives, activate it on the TDP line using the SIM card that ships with the phone;
4) Wait at least an hour and make a few calls/text from the new smartphone to make sure it activated OK;
5) Log onto Verizon and put the TDP line's old smartphone back on the TDP line; and
6) Log onto Verizon and put the new smartphone on the UDP line.

This method is proven to work and you don't have to deal with SIM-swapping or pending activations. It's the preferred method to upgrading an unlimited data plan. You can do it all online and completely ignore talking to Verizon. If you prefer to purchase from Best Buy, you can do steps 1 and 2 on their website.

 

[thebear]

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

I totally agree with this post. You don't risk the pending activation not going away. Although in my case it did drop off after more than a month. I have another upgrade available and will be using this method instead of BB METHOD again. Also means you keep and use the sim that comes with phone which is important depending on the phone you are getting (e.g. going from a phone with micro SIM to nano). It seems the "safest" approach overall if you have a tdp on your plan imo.

 

[tx_tuff]

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

It's not. Because you are on a tiered plan, it is extremely simple for you to upgrade your phone. Just do the following:

1) Log onto Verizon and transfer your UDP line's upgrade to a TDP line;
2) Order the new smartphone you want on the TDP line;
3) When the new smartphone arrives, activate it on the TDP line using the SIM card that ships with the phone;
4) Wait at least an hour and make a few calls/text from the new smartphone to make sure it activated OK;
5) Log onto Verizon and put the TDP line's old smartphone back on the TDP line; and
6) Log onto Verizon and put the new smartphone on the UDP line.

This method is proven to work and you don't have to deal with SIM-swapping or pending activations. It's the preferred method to upgrading an unlimited data plan. You can do it all online and completely ignore talking to Verizon. If you prefer to purchase from Best Buy, you can do steps 1 and 2 on their website.

What he said, I have done it twice before and am in the middle of doing it again right now (just waiting on the phone to finish it). May be a couple more steps but it works!

 

[shortwave8669]

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

That's very true, I guess you would know right away if you were going to lose it for any reason and still have that "cushion" to return if need be! Great points guys! I just don't like that you "agree" to changing your plan, even if it doesn't change it right away, you guys know how Verizon is. If there's a way they can try to get you off unlimited data they will lol

I figured option 2 was the more expensive option if it backfired lol. I know, I'm paranoid but this unlimited data is gold

With the Best Buy method- you should take screenshots of each step of the order and checkout process.
It will show "keep existing plan."

Should there be a problem and you lose UDP these screenshots make it clear you wanted to keep the UDP.
Just my 2 cents

 

[tgp]

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

I received my iPhone 6 today, 1 day after ordering from Best Buy. Immediately after taking the iPhone out of the box and before booting it I removed the SIM card and later destroyed it. I took the SIM card out of my current phone, a Verizon Galaxy Nexus, cut it from micro to nano with a SIM cutter, and inserted it into the iPhone. It activated almost immediately upon booting, and my Verizon account online updated showing the iPhone within a couple minutes. Of course I was most interested in watching the data, and it stayed unlimited. I downloaded the Speedtest app and ran a couple speed tests. It was obvious from the results that I had good LTE service. I then removed the SIM card and put it back in my Nexus (with an adapter of course), and that was soon showing on my account again.

As a side note, I assure you that the SIM card that came with the iPhone will never be used! My boys and I took a lighter and burned it down to the brass (or whatever metal they are) contacts. It was great fun!

Now I wait for the Nexus 6 to become available. I'll also watch my data to make sure the unlimited stays. I'm going to wait until the 14 day return period is past to sell the iPhone in case I lose my unlimited data and have to return the phone. But so far so good!