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

[DayThyme]

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

nevermind, see post below.

 

[DayThyme]

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

If I check other phones I have it doesn't show this message.

I just did that with my GNote 3's IMEI and I got the same message. The GNote 3 has never been switched off of its line. It has stayed on the line it was activated on. And I still have unlimited data on my GNex line, which was the donor line for the upgrade used for the GNote 3.

Then I input the iPhone 5s IMEI and it said the same thing.

Then I input my GNex IMEI and got the same message, lol! So obviously this is nothing to worry about. Also, if you hit the drop down menu, you will see a list of all your devices that have been activated in the past except for the one whose IMEI you typed in.

Try it using the IMEI of your GNex and see if you get the same message. I did.

 

[phonefiend]

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

I just did that with my GNote 3's IMEI and I got the same message. The GNote 3 has never been switched off of its line. It has stayed on the line it was activated on. And I still have unlimited data on my GNex line, which was the donor line for the upgrade used for the GNote 3.

Then I input the iPhone 5s IMEI and it said the same thing.

Then I input my GNex IMEI and got the same message, lol! So obviously this is nothing to worry about. Also, if you hit the drop down menu, you will see a list of all your devices that have been activated in the past except for the one whose IMEI you typed in.

Try it using the IMEI of your GNex and see if you get the same message. I did.

With the galaxy nexus it doesn't say that, it actually asks me for my SIM info to confirm it can be added. Maybe this is because I bought the galaxy nexus from Verizon at full retail. It's good to know that message shouldn't indicate a problem.

- - - Updated - - -

Go to view usage and it should still say unlimited data on your line. Keep checking that during the 14 day window. Also if you hit change minutes, text or data it will show you a share everything plan but warn you that you have unlimited data and will lose that if you switch to share everything. If you hit show all plans, it will show you that you still have unlimited data. Both of those confirm that you still have unlimited data.

I still see unlimited data. If I go to "change minutes, text or data" it says my plan is no longer available but I don't see anything explicitly mentioning my unlimited data. I also show it list me a bunch of plans but don't see a "show all plans" anywhere.

 

[DayThyme]

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

If I go to "change minutes, text or data" it says my plan is no longer available but I don't see anything explicitly mentioning my unlimited data. I also show it list me a bunch of plans but don't see a "show all plans" anywhere.

Here is what I see when I go to change minutes, text or data - show all plans is a red button on the bottom right after it asks don't see a plan that works for you? Then when I click the show all plans button I get the next screen shot showing me my data plans.

 

[mantissa2604]

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

...It worked! I figure I'll list my steps here for anyone who might like to see. They are basically the same as what appears throughout the thread, but I wanted to update and let everyone know the process is still working.

My situation, Line 1: Unlimited, upgrade eligible. Line 2: Dumb phone, no upgrade until March 2014. Lines 3 and 4: Neither upgrade eligible, one unlimited, one tiered (I did not want to touch these b/c I didn't have easy access to them) I did the entire process online, had to chat with Verizon reps twice during the process.

1. Transfer upgrade from Line 1 to Line 2. Selected LG G2 as new device. Picked the 2GB tiered plan for the new phone. (Note that you have to complete the purchase of the device at the same time you transfer the upgrade.)
2. Activate G2 on Line 2 using the pre-installed SIM. I made a call, Googled something to make sure it was working correctly (I did run into a slight hiccup here, the phone wouldn't activate because it was trying to register the SIM that was shipped loose in the box. Quick chat with a rep online fixed that)
3. Reactivated old dumb phone on Line 2. When the dumb phone reactivated the 2GB tiered plan automatically dropped. (Again had to chat with a rep to get it the dumb phone back working)

Now everything was basically back to the way it was previously, except I now had a freed up G2.

4. Activated G2 on the unlimited line.
Just make sure that when following the prompts online, that the plan still shows as unlimited. I got an error that my old plan wasn't available with this device, but it was still selected in the pop-up. Also, I used the same SIM that I had used to activate the phone on the dumb line. There was a screen to enter the SIM # so I did that, no problem.

Verified everything was correct on MyVerizon. I'm a happy camper...new phone still with unlimited! And the dumb phone is still upgrade eligible in March 2014. My line is now extended for 2 years.

Thanks to everyone here for the help! If anyone has a question for me just let me know!

 

[DayThyme]

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

3. Reactivated old dumb phone on Line 2. When the dumb phone reactivated the 2GB tiered plan automatically dropped. (Again had to chat with a rep to get it the dumb phone back working)

double check to make sure they didn't leave you with the $10/mo 75MB plan on the dumbphone line. That is what happened to me and I had to call to get it taken off.

4. Activated G2 on the unlimited line.
Just make sure that when following the prompts online, that the plan still shows as unlimited. I got an error that my old plan wasn't available with this device, but it was still selected in the pop-up. Also, I used the same SIM that I had used to activate the phone on the dumb line. There was a screen to enter the SIM # so I did that, no problem.

I am going to try this next week. I was told by Verizon reps that you would likely get an error about the plan and so I chickened out and didn't try it. Others in the past have reported that it works just as you say it does so I will try it next week.

 

[phonefiend]

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

Here is what I see when I go to change minutes, text or data - show all plans is a red button on the bottom right after it asks don't see a plan that works for you? Then when I click the show all plans button I get the next screen shot showing me my data plans.

The webpage I get looks totally different than yours. I also notice the URL you end up at is different than the one I end up at.

 

[qwertyasfd]

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

I followed the outlined plan and was able to everything fine but ran into some confusion at the corporate Verizon store. The rep there told me that he won't be able to give me a sim card because I had never had a 4g phone on my line before. He gave me some mumbo jumbo about the "buddy upgrade" and how it was against policy to give me a sim card because the new phone was 4g. He then told me that I had to return the phone and that the only way to keep unlimited was to buy a phone for the full price only from Verizon.

I know that the last part is all BS but is there any truth to the whole 4g/3g sim card thing?

 

[DayThyme]

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

The webpage I get looks totally different than yours. I also notice the URL you end up at is different than the one I end up at.

just keep an eye on it by looking at your useage then. I am sure all will be fine since you activated the phone first on a tiered data line.

 

[DayThyme]

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

The rep there told me that he won't be able to give me a sim card because I had never had a 4g phone on my line before.

You can call and get a new SIM mailed to you, ask a different rep at your store for one or you can use the SIM that came with the phone by going through the steps mantissa2604 posted:

4. Activated G2 on the unlimited line.
Just make sure that when following the prompts online, that the plan still shows as unlimited. I got an error that my old plan wasn't available with this device, but it was still selected in the pop-up. Also, I used the same SIM that I had used to activate the phone on the dumb line. There was a screen to enter the SIM # so I did that, no problem.

is there any truth to the whole 4g/3g sim card thing?

I went from an iPhone 4s (3G only phone) to an iPhone 5 (4G LTE phone) on one of my unlimited data lines using this process in January (i.e., upgrading on a tiered data line, activating the iPhone 5 first on the tiered data line, putting the dumbphone back on the tiered data line and then switching the iPhone 5 to an unlimited data line) and was given a new SIM card for the iPhone 5 by Verizon for an unlimited data line that had never before had a 4G LTE phone on it (it had only had an iPhone 4s on it). So yes, it is BS - they can give you a 4G SIM card for the line.

 

[DayThyme]

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

For those of you running into problems getting a new SIM card from Verizon, mantissa2604 has posted how to reassociate the SIM card that came with the new subsidized phone for use on an unlimited data line after the phone has first been activated on a tiered data line.

4. Activated G2 on the unlimited line.
Just make sure that when following the prompts online, that the plan still shows as unlimited. I got an error that my old plan wasn't available with this device, but it was still selected in the pop-up. Also, I used the same SIM that I had used to activate the phone on the dumb line. There was a screen to enter the SIM # so I did that, no problem.

Last night I called and confirmed with a tech that this is possible and it won't take away your unlimited data. However, I have never tried it myself but if you go back and read in this thread, several other posters have said it worked for them. Just make sure that you do not switch to a different plan. The rep told me that you would get the error like mantissa2604 did but that you should still be able to select your existing plan. There is the potential for screw-up doing it this way, but according to the rep if you don't screw-up, you will keep unlimited data.

I will try this next week myself with an iPhone or maybe even today if I have time. Getting a new SIM minimizes the possibility that you will screw up the process but it appears that some Verizon reps are resistant to giving out new SIM cards.

I find that the nighttime phone tech support reps are the nicest and most knowledgeable of all of the verizon reps. So if you want a new SIM card mailed to you, call at night. Some will offer to walk you through the process mantissa2604 posted so that you won't lose unlimited data, but others will say not to bother and they will mail you a new SIM card. Just keep calling until you get the answer you like. Again, it is the tech reps I am talking about, not the regular reps. To get to a tech rep, after you dial 611, hit #3. Then say you are having problems making or receiving calls. Then when asked if the problem is with your phone say no if you have a family plan and type in the phone number of another phone on your account. I say to do this because if you say yes, they will text message you a 1-800 number to call from another phone, which is fine but a hassle.

 

[ClintRo]

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

DayThyme that does work

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

 

[DayThyme]

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

DayThyme that does work

Thanks, I always believed that it did but I was always too chicken to try it in case I screwed up. As much as I don't like the reps at my Verizon store, they have never questioned me asking for a new SIM card. I have repeatedly gotten them for my GNex in the hopes that the SIM card was causing the signal problems but alas, it was the ****-poor radios in the GNex, not the SIM card. So for me it seemed safest to go with the new SIM card since there was no problem getting one for me.

 

[phonefiend]

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

I followed the outlined plan and was able to everything fine but ran into some confusion at the corporate Verizon store. The rep there told me that he won't be able to give me a sim card because I had never had a 4g phone on my line before. He gave me some mumbo jumbo about the "buddy upgrade" and how it was against policy to give me a sim card because the new phone was 4g. He then told me that I had to return the phone and that the only way to keep unlimited was to buy a phone for the full price only from Verizon.

I know that the last part is all BS but is there any truth to the whole 4g/3g sim card thing?

I'm not quite following this. You bought a new 4g phone so it came with a SIM, right? Were you trying to get a 2nd SIM from the Verizon store?

 

[phonefiend]

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

Thanks, I always believed that it did but I was always too chicken to try it in case I screwed up. As much as I don't like the reps at my Verizon store, they have never questioned me asking for a new SIM card. I have repeatedly gotten them for my GNex in the hopes that the SIM card was causing the signal problems but alas, it was the ****-poor radios in the GNex, not the SIM card. So for me it seemed safest to go with the new SIM card since there was no problem getting one for me.

That's interesting, I didn't realize re-using the new SIM that you activated on the tiered data line would result in that message about losing unlimited data. On many of the writeups about how to do the upgrade they say to use the same SIM you used to activate the phone on the tiered line and don't mention anything about that message.

 

[mantissa2604]

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

That's interesting, I didn't realize re-using the new SIM that you activated on the tiered data line would result in that message about losing unlimited data. On many of the writeups about how to do the upgrade they say to use the same SIM you used to activate the phone on the tiered line and don't mention anything about that message.

Yep, I was kind of surprised to see that also since I hadn't read about it. I should have taken screen shots through the process but I had butterflies in my stomach the whole time and fingers crossed! I believe the error was something along the lines of "You are upgrading from a 3G to a 4G device and your plan is no longer available, please select a new plan". Then the pop-up comes up with various choices of tiered plans, but unlimited was the first option and default selection. Make sure yours still has unlimited selected!

I then went through the rest of the steps as found here. My thought process was to use the same SIM that I had activated the G2 on the dumb line since it had already been registered (Don't know if it makes a difference). But it did work that way for me in case you have a problem getting a new SIM.

 

[DayThyme]

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

That's interesting, I didn't realize re-using the new SIM that you activated on the tiered data line would result in that message about losing unlimited data. On many of the writeups about how to do the upgrade they say to use the same SIM you used to activate the phone on the tiered line and don't mention anything about that message.

I will try it later today or next week and see what message I get. It seems that verizon online may work differently depending on location or if you have residential or business account. Or maybe it has to do with switching between a 3G and a 4G phone on the same line?

 

[gharri30]

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

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum so if I do something wrong please excuse me. I've been reading through this thread as I'm currently looking into doing this. I believe I pretty much get the gist of how this works. We have 4 lines. 2 of which are basic, 1 with a 4gb data plan and mine with the unlimited plan. I talked to a rep online about upgrading the 4gb plan to a new phone (Galaxy S4), activating it on that line then switching the number back to old phone thus leaving me with the S4. The rep said that I could try that but they have been working to make it so that it no longer works, requiring the phone to be active on the line in which in was purchased for a while before it could be moved. Does anyone know if this has gone into play yet or will I be able to switch my number to it as soon as I go through the other steps? Thanks and sorry for the lengthy post.

 

[DayThyme]

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

The rep said that I could try that but they have been working to make it so that it no longer works, requiring the phone to be active on the line in which in was purchased for a while before it could be moved. Does anyone know if this has gone into play yet or will I be able to switch my number to it as soon as I go through the other steps? Thanks and sorry for the lengthy post.

That would be a violation of their licenses of the Block C spectrum if they did it for 4G LTE phones. This is why the Verizon 4G LTE phones are SIM unlocked. Do you think Verizon is doing that out of the goodness of their hearts? No, they do that because they are required to by the terms of their licenses.

The rep doesn't know what they are talking about. And if Verizon did try that, we could all complain to the FCC and they WOULD be fined. They have already been fined for violating the terms before IIRC and the next time, the fine will be bigger. But more worrisome to Verizon is that they could jeopardize their licenses.

IIRC what they were fined for in the past was charging people $30 for using their phone as a mobile hotspot when they had tiered data. They used to do that. Now they don't. Because IIRC the FCC said it was a violation of the terms of their Block C licenses, not out of the goodness of their hearts.

 

[gharri30]

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

Ok, so what you're saying is the rep tried to feed me a bunch of crap and that they're not allowed to require you to keep the phone active on the line for a certain amount of time before a different number can be switched to it?