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

[tx_tuff]

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

Hi all, just wondering if anyone has any input on the importance of the new sim card when you are transferring your new phone to the unlimited line...I two unlimited lines and one dumb phone line and am doing the transfer upgrade on both unlimited lines. First one went perfectly, got the new sim card to activate on the first unlimited line. Second one, they forgot to include the sim card! Instead of dealing with the store, I just called customer care to have them activate the 2nd new phone on the dumb phone line using the sim card that was included with the first upgraded phone (it was only used for 24hrs to activate the new phone on the dumb phone line, then I used the fresh sim to activate it on unlimited). Anyways, everything looks ok online, but now I'm wondering how this could affect the way the devices were registered/activated.

The agent said it was a simple matter of assigning the correct device ID to the SIM, and that it wouldn't change anything with this device (or those already activated). But, now I'm nervous.

I have stated several times in this and other threads that you don't need a new SIM card. So just like the agent told you it will be fine.

Tapatalk mofo

 

[maxforwardspeed]

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

I have stated several times in this and other threads that you don't need a new SIM card. So just like the agent told you it will be fine.

Tapatalk mofo

Thanks! Sorry, I tried searching the thread and didn't see that. I just noticed it being rehashed over and over again from the beginning of the thread that you should order a new sim card and assumed it was necessary.

 

[tx_tuff]

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

Thanks! Sorry, I tried searching the thread and didn't see that. I just noticed it being rehashed over and over again from the beginning of the thread that you should order a new sim card and assumed it was necessary.

That's why I keep trying to pay it so people will know. A lot think you need a new SIM and that's just not the case. But once somebody reads that you do they just keep thinking that way. Glad it all worked out for you.

Tapatalk mofo

 

[Jon1029]

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

I believe I understand most of what the process is to keep unlimited. But, one thing I am still unsure about is when the new phone is moved from the 1st line that the phone is purchased on to the unlimited line, it sounds like both lines will be reset as far as the 24 month contract term goes. Is this correct?
If this is the case, this makes the process of keeping unlimited even more expensive in my case.

 

[Aquila]

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

I believe I understand most of what the process is to keep unlimited. But, one thing I am still unsure about is when the new phone is moved from the 1st line that the phone is purchased on to the unlimited line, it sounds like both lines will be reset as far as the 24 month contract term goes. Is this correct?
If this is the case, this makes the process of keeping unlimited even more expensive in my case.

The contract extension is tied to the line from which the upgrade originates. In general, all of the contract related issues are tied to lines, not to devices.

 

[pdx_nate]

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

I believe I understand most of what the process is to keep unlimited. But, one thing I am still unsure about is when the new phone is moved from the 1st line that the phone is purchased on to the unlimited line, it sounds like both lines will be reset as far as the 24 month contract term goes. Is this correct?
If this is the case, this makes the process of keeping unlimited even more expensive in my case.

No, only one line will have the contract extended. I've done it twice now, and I currently have 2 lines that have contracts that end a little under 2 years, and one line that is just about to expire.

For me, we setup a third line a couple months ago and transferred an upgrade from my wife's line to the new dumb phone line. After activating a note 2 on that line, then activating an old dumb phone on that line and then activating the note 2 on my wife's line my wife's line kept the same contract date and the new line had an end date 2 years from then. Later, I transferred an upgrade from my line to the dumb phone line from my line, did the whole switcharoo again and the end result was the dumb phone line kept its same contract end date (which was just under 2 years at that point) and my line had its contract date extended. My wife's line will expire in a month - its contract was never extended when we added a line and did the tranfer trick. When I did the transfer trick the extra line involved kept its same contract date. Considering we made use of 2 equipment discounts (that we happen to transfer), it seems fair to have 2 lines with contracts ending spring of 2015 and that is exactly how it turned out. If you make use of 1 equipment discount I expect that you will have one line with a contract extension. Make sense?

 

[Jon1029]

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

ok. That was what I originally was thinking. Just after reading thru alot of this thread, it got a little confusing. I have bought used phones before, and activate them myself without resetting the contract dates. But, I haven't transferred upgrades between lines, so that and some of the wording in this thread is why I got worried about it.
thanks,
Jon

 

[pdx_nate]

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

Yeah, I was a little confused about that too prior to doing this a 2nd time. I was worried about not doing it right somehow and having 3 lines with an extended date, or maybe a single line with an end date 4 years from now. It all worked out like I wanted and I'd be very surprised if it didn't for you as well.

 

[maxforwardspeed]

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

That's why I keep trying to pay it so people will know. A lot think you need a new SIM and that's just not the case. But once somebody reads that you do they just keep thinking that way. Glad it all worked out for you.

Tapatalk mofo

Actually, I'm running into a bit of a snag because of the fact that they linked my 2nd S4 to a SIM card that was never included in the box (internet order). So, even though they were able to help me get the S4 activated on the dumb phone line using a different SIM card that I had, I'm not going to be able to re-activate my dumb phone to this line using the website. The system appears to be confused, and thinks I haven't activated the order since the SIM card on my shipping receipt (the one that wasn't in the box) is still "pending." I was on the phone for a while talking with "tier 2" tech support and they said it will automatically disappear after a few weeks. Do you think this means the system isn't registering the device as "activated" per the order, which was obviously a transfer upgrade from the unlimited line? If I have the store activate my dumb phone again, then switch the S4 to the unlimited line, could it possibly get confused and think I wanted to take an upgrade on the unlimited? grr...if only they actually remembered to put the SIM card in the box...

 

[LuvHorses]

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

Also have question about sim card. I ordered phone after transferring upgrade to iphone on verizon, so I can then move new phone to unlimited line. I ordered phone with sim, but what do I do about sim cards when switching phones using method in first post?

Also do I have to have the physical phone, When activating, and deactivating new phone?

sent from my Verizon Note2...

 

[agabourel]

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

Love this thread. I do have one question. I have three lines, I used the upgrade on a dumb line and followed the procedure that I read about on this thread, it worked just as advertised I have the new S4 with Unlimited data. I have one upgrade remaining out of all three phones and it's on my Unlimited account. Let's say Hypothetically speaking a superphone comes out that I absolutely have to get, How would I be able to do this again.

 

[tx_tuff]

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

Love this thread. I do have one question. I have three lines, I used the upgrade on a dumb line and followed the procedure that I read about on this thread, it worked just as advertised I have the new S4 with Unlimited data. I have one upgrade remaining out of all three phones and it's on my Unlimited account. Let's say Hypothetically speaking a superphone comes out that I absolutely have to get, How would I be able to do this again.

The same way you did it the first time.

Tapatalk mofo

 

[milamberrex]

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

I wish I had researched this topic before going to Verizon today -- glad I found this page. Apologies if I'm a broken record as I read approximately the first 15 pages of the thread and the final three.

I stopped by my local Verizon today. I have the old family share plan with 3 phones. One is a dumb phone. I asked if I could upgrade the dumb phone to a S4, it is upgrade eligible. I then asked about deactivating it by reactivating the old phone, then re-activate the S4 on my primary line while keeping my unlimited data. The sales rep told me that was not possible. He stated they had tried all kind of loop holes around the unlimited downgrade to 2GB plan, but nothing worked. He advised the customer always lost the unlimited data plan. He even asked his supervisor who confirmed that if I did this, I would lose my unlimited data plan.

If I understand correctly, my mistake was asking if I could do this. It sounds like my best option is to order an S4 for my upgrade eligible dumb phone via the Verizon website, activate it on the dumb line when it arrives. Then reactivate the dumb phone to deactivate the S4. Finally, activate the S4 on my unlimited line.

Do I understand the gist of this process correctly? Thanks for your patience with a newb.

 

[Aquila]

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

I wish I had researched this topic before going to Verizon today -- glad I found this page. Apologies if I'm a broken record as I read approximately the first 15 pages of the thread and the final three.

I stopped by my local Verizon today. I have the old family share plan with 3 phones. One is a dumb phone. I asked if I could upgrade the dumb phone to a S4, it is upgrade eligible. I then asked about deactivating it by reactivating the old phone, then re-activate the S4 on my primary line while keeping my unlimited data. The sales rep told me that was not possible. He stated they had tried all kind of loop holes around the unlimited downgrade to 2GB plan, but nothing worked. He advised the customer always lost the unlimited data plan. He even asked his supervisor who confirmed that if I did this, I would lose my unlimited data plan.

If I understand correctly, my mistake was asking if I could do this. It sounds like my best option is to order an S4 for my upgrade eligible dumb phone via the Verizon website, activate it on the dumb line when it arrives. Then reactivate the dumb phone to deactivate the S4. Finally, activate the S4 on my unlimited line.

Do I understand the gist of this process correctly? Thanks for your patience with a newb.

Yes, that's how it works and yeah, asking Verizon employees seems to be useless, even ones in these forums. We have a guy in another thread telling people it's impossible to upgrade and keep unlimited. Very frustrating.

 

[milamberrex]

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

Yes, that's how it works and yeah, asking Verizon employees seems to be useless, even ones in these forums. We have a guy in another thread telling people it's impossible to upgrade and keep unlimited. Very frustrating.

Thanks for the quick response! I backed out of doing it real quick when the told me I would lose my unlimited data no matter what! Glad to know that is not the case!

 

[limepotential]

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

I have read all 29 pages of this thread and am still struggling with how to accomplish this. I have the Nationwide Talk & Text Plan. Here is my dilemma:

Line 1: Unlimited, upgrade available
Line 2: Unlimited, upgrade available
Line 3: Limited, no upgrade

I want to transfer my unlimited upgrade to the limited line and take the rest of the steps from there. The problem is transferring the upgrade; there is no transfer button or option online that I can select and when I talk to online representatives, they say my only choice is an alternate upgrade (which would make me lose unlimited). Any suggestions?

 

[diesteldorf]

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

Are you logged in one under the line that is registered as the account owner and can also see all the billing information for the entire account?

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[Jon1029]

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

I am having an issue...
I have bought the new phone (Galaxy S4) on dumb phone line, and they activated it at the store. Came home and now have the original dumb phone activated back on that line.
Problem is when I go to activate the new phone onto my unlimited line. It won't let me activate the new phone at all. I have tried online and by calling the number they tell me to call and go thru the automated process. No luck.
not sure what to do now.

 

[dss2000]

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

I am having an issue...
It won't let me activate the new phone at all. I have tried online and by calling the number they tell me to call and go thru the automated process. No luck.
not sure what to do now.

At what point to do you get stuck activating the phone? When you go online:
1) You go to My Verizon
2) Click on "Activate or Switch Device"
3) Select the line you want to activate the phone on, then "Next"
4) Click Button "Activate Device", and Button "I am activating a device that I have not used with this account" (or it might be on the account, select this and see if the phone is already on there, if so you can skip step 5 as the # will already be there)
5) Enter Device ID then Next
6) Window comes up "Please Update Your Plan": your current plan should be highlighted blue and should be "Unlimited Email & Web for Smartphones"
7) Screen says "(Optional) Back Up Your Contacts" Select Next
8) It will show page to Review Your Changes, Make sure it is correct then confirm.

Once after this I had a phone not activate. It was because I needed to do a factory reset the phone first to wipe the previous Gmail account to free up the phone to make it available to activate on this account.

 

[Jon1029]

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

I have tried both options..."activating a device that I have not used with this account and, I am activating a device that I previously used with this account". It did show as previously used on the account when I tried it that way.
but it goes straight to "Your Device Change request failed and cannot be completed online. Please contact Customer Service at 1.800.922.0204"
that number is the 3g number though. I have called 1877.807.4646, and tried the automated system, with no luck. seems the only options now are to wait til tomorrow to see if there is a glitch in the system that will clear out, and/or call and talk to an actual CSR person.
oh, and also, I did a factory reset two separate times.
frustrated...
thanks for any help
Jon


I just found this information....

please note that it may take up to 24 hours to complete this process. before following these
directions, your new phone needs to be moved to inactive status. this can be done by reactivating
a different device using my verizon or by speaking to a verizon wireless representative.

So, I guess I will wait til tomorrow and try it again.