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

[DayThyme]

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

I've got to correct the record. I bought two phones, a day apart, one through Comcast, and another, at Best Buy. Having retraced my steps, it became clear that it was some guy by name Dustin at the Best Buy Mobile back office who ultimately messed up my account. After not getting my online order processed for a week and then many hours on hold, he asked me a few questions, and then put me on hold and went to "straighten things out." So, that's when my hotspot and unlimited data must have disappeared from my line.

Ok, so then both Erica (verizon telephone CSR) and Dustin (Best Buy CSR) are to be avoided! Erica outright told me she would not do the transfer and would upgrade on the unlimited line.

 

[Simon_y7]

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

Ok, so then both Erica (verizon telephone CSR) and Dustin (Best Buy CSR) are to be avoided! Erica outright told me she would not do the transfer and would upgrade on the unlimited line.

Actually, that dreaded scenario was the reason why I wanted to "donate" (transfer) the upgrade from my unlimited line first. But then again, I've yet to activate both of my new phones, so who knows what kind of surprises are yet awaiting me.

 

[DayThyme]

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

Actually, that dreaded scenario was the reason why I wanted to "donate" (transfer) the upgrade from my unlimited line first.

The comcast promo allowed you to do it online; I did contrary to what Erica repeatedly told me. I could tell by the tone of her voice that she knew darn well I could do all this online and was lying because she would lose the commission if I did it online. She was a real piece of work; glad I did it online.

But then again, I've yet to activate both of my new phones, so who knows what kind of surprises are yet awaiting me.

The longer you wait to activate the Comcast promo phone, the longer it will take for you to get your $200 Visa prepaid card.

 

[festusoneshoe]

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

upgraded today ( 12/16/13) ! Did it all at best Buy, easy as 1-2-3. Transferred an upgrade from unlimited to 2 Gb line, upgraded and then swapped new phone back to unlimited line. Salesperson did all the work, no hassles, done in about 40 mins. Still have unlimited data ! ( but will obsessively keep checking for the next 14 days).
A huge thank you to this thread and DayThyme in particular

 

[macarthur4]

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

Hey DayThyme. I received the iPhone 5s and also received a separate new iPhone 5/s SIM card as well.
I know you attempted to help me last week or so, but I am confusing myself again. I just want to get it down step- by- step. If you could see below, and help where needed that would be great.

I'm attempting to do this with SIM card swapping as you mentioned.
I have unlimited iPhone 4 and wife has 2gb iPhone 5.

-I'm going to activate new iPhone 5s under wife's 2gb data line by how? (Taking her original iPhone5 SIM card and placing it in the 5S?) (Or do I have to activate it via the 1-877 number? if so, what do I need to know here? I read somewhere that I should input my number instead of wife's when following the prompts?)

-Then once the 5s is activated on wife's line, make a phone call etc. Then how do I deactivate? (Swap the SIMs: take the SIM that is in the iPhone 5s and put it in my wife's iPhone 5) is that it?

-Then use the new separate iPhone 5/s SIM card Verizon sent me, and place it into iPhone 5s and then do what? (Activate via the 1-877 number or is it already activated once the SIM is placed in the phone?)

Thanks again DayThyme. I will await to hear back from you and attempt to do it tomorrow and will let you know if it was successful.

 

[DayThyme]

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

-I'm going to activate new iPhone 5s under wife's 2gb data line by how?

If you ordered the iPhone 5s on your wife's line, you shut your wife's current phone off. Then call the automated system (1-877-807-4646) from any phone other than your new phone and follow the prompts. Then turn on the iPhone 5s and go through the activation steps.

-Then once the 5s is activated on wife's line, make a phone call etc. Then how do I deactivate? (Swap the SIMs: take the SIM that is in the iPhone 5s and put it in my wife's iPhone 5) is that it?

That would work. Just take the SIM that is in the iPhone 5s and put it in your wife's iPhone 5 and the system can tell the SIM card is in the iPhone 5, not the iPhone 5s.

Then use the new separate iPhone 5/s SIM card Verizon sent me, and place it into iPhone 5s and then do what? (Activate via the 1-877 number or is it already activated once the SIM is placed in the phone?)

The 1-877 number is just for the first time a phone's IMEI is activated on the Verizon network.

I assume now you want to put the iPhone 5s on your unlimited data line but that the SIM card in your current phone is not the same size as the nano SIM that goes into the iPhone 5s. If they are the same size, you just put your old SIM card in the iPhone 5s. If they are not, shut your current phone off. Then log onto your account online and go to MyVerizon, activate or switch a device. Click your current phone, then next and then click I am activating a device I have used with this account. You should then be able to select the iPhone 5s from the drop down list. Next screen you will type in that you have an existing SIM card and enter the SIM card ID that is on the SIM card that Verizon sent to you (the number is on the card they sent to you).

Let us know how it goes!

 

[jharmon203]

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

As far as watching the verizon account to make sure unlimited data doesn't disappear, are there any cases of where the unlimited data disappeared after the 14 days were up? Or even 48 hours? It seems that the reps like to reference the 48 hour time frame because it can take that long for verizon's systems to update. However, I would have to think much after that not much should change.

 

[DayThyme]

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

As far as watching the verizon account to make sure unlimited data doesn't disappear, are there any cases of where the unlimited data disappeared after the 14 days were up? Or even 48 hours? It seems that the reps like to reference the 48 hour time frame because it can take that long for verizon's systems to update. However, I would have to think much after that not much should change.

I have never heard of any on this forum or IRL. But I can't predict what Verizon will do in the future so I think it is always a good idea to keep checking. It's not too much bother for me to do it.

The only thing I have seen happen is a friend IRL bought through best buy online using an upgrade on her unlimited data line (individual plan) and the system did not make her select a new plan. Her invoice said keep existing plan. Since she only has an individual plan, she upgraded and activated the new phone on her unlimited data line. After the upgrade, her account showed unlimited and then she received the phone and activated it and within about 6 hours she was switched to the 2GB plan. She immediately got on the phone and demanded her unlimited data back. She eventually got someone to switch her unlimited data back but it took several days of phone calls going up the corporate food chain and faxing her BB invoice showing keep existing data on it. She knows she got lucky and in the future will either buy used, pay full retail or add a line to her plan.

But of course, she upgraded and activated on her unlimited data line, which is not what we are talking about here. If it is done correctly (transfer upgrade, use upgrade and activate upgrade on a basic or tiered data line then switch phone to unlimited data line), I have never seen it fail to preserve unlimited data on the donor line.

 

[macarthur4]

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

DayThyme,
It was successful.
Thank you again, for your prompt replies and your advice! You have been extremely helpful and I appreciate your effort!

 

[phonefiend]

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

I'm still paranoid about losing unlimited because I encountered some problems that most people don't seem to have during the whole process. I'm now 15 days past the day I ordered the phone via VZW online but a few times when I logged into my account for a split second it showed me on a talk & text plan instead of family share and then corrected itself in a second. Probably normal but still had me worried.

 

[Simon_y7]

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

When activating a new smartphone on a dumb line with the intent to then transfer it to the unlimited line, what can I do to prevent any stuff (contacts, etc.) being transferred to the smartphone? I was told by a Verizon csr that contacts and whatnot will end up there inevitably as a consequence of activation. But is it true?

 

[phonefiend]

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

When activating a new smartphone on a dumb line with the intent to then transfer it to the unlimited line, what can I do to prevent any stuff (contacts, etc.) being transferred to the smartphone? I was told by a Verizon csr that contacts and whatnot will end up there inevitably as a consequence of activation. But is it true?

If you backup your contacts using Verizon backup assistant then maybe it will automatically restore the contacts to the smartphone but I can't remember if that happened to me or if you can stop it from doing that. Why is that a problem? Just delete all the contacts and then transfer the contacts from your own phone to the smartphone.

 

[Simon_y7]

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

There are also texts, a phone log, and God knows what else that may get transferred when a new phone is mated to the existing number.

 

[DayThyme]

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

When activating a new smartphone on a dumb line with the intent to then transfer it to the unlimited line, what can I do to prevent any stuff (contacts, etc.) being transferred to the smartphone? I was told by a Verizon csr that contacts and whatnot will end up there inevitably as a consequence of activation. But is it true?

Only if you use Verizon's backup assistant. I would never use it.

 

[NBAJ2K]

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

Was wondering if someone could clear up some confusion on my end regarding phone upgrade dates.

Our Family Plan has 4 lines :

Line 1- 2GB (Eligible for upgrade 11/2014
Line 2 - 2GB (Eligible for upgrade 11/2014
Line 3 - Unlimited Data (Eligible for upgrade Now
Line 4 - Unlimited Data (Eligible for upgrade Now)

I just wanted to confirm, if I go online to switch the upgrade for Line 3 over to Line 1 and then process the upgrade for Line 1 online, activate the phone on line 1 and then call the number to put that new phone back on Line 3, does the upgrade date for line 1 get reset to 12/2016 (2 years from today) ?

Basically I was thinking about trying to upgrade my phone in a few months (I have line 3), but didn't want the upgrade date of line 1 my dad's line (line 1) to be reset, since he was hoping to upgrade next year.

I apologize that I'm still a little confused on this scenario, have been following this thread for a bit now. If I have just overlooked a post on this im extremely sorry.

Any help would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks in advance,

-J

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[DayThyme]

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

I just wanted to confirm, if I go online to switch the upgrade for Line 3 over to Line 1 and then process the upgrade for Line 1 online, activate the phone on line 1 and then call the number to put that new phone back on Line 3

Call what number to put the phone back on Line 3?

If you are going to order from Verizon directly online, here is what you do:

1) Transfer Line 3's upgrade to Line 1;
2) Order a new phone on Line 1 using the transferred upgrade;
3) When you receive the new phone, activate it on Line 1 according to the instructions provided (which includes calling a 1-877 number);
4) Shut the new phone off and reactivate an old phone on Line 1;
5) Put the new phone on Line 3.

Step 5 can be done a variety of different ways. The easiest is to take the SIM card from Line 3's current phone and put it into the new phone, but of course this only works if the SIM cards are the same size.

does the upgrade date for line 1 get reset to 12/2016 (2 years from today) ?

No. The donee line (Line 1) keeps it same upgrade date and same contract end date (which now are the same on Verizon). The donor line (Line 3) will have its contract renewed for 2 years with a corresponding upgrade date.

Basically I was thinking about trying to upgrade my phone in a few months (I have line 3), but didn't want the upgrade date of line 1 my dad's line (line 1) to be reset, since he was hoping to upgrade next year.

You will be fine then because your dad's line will keep the same upgrade date as it had before you transferred your upgrade to his line. Keep in mind though that this is how things are working now. None of us knows whether this will continue to work in the future so check back when you are ready to do it to see if the process is still working for people.

 

[gharri30]

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

I'm ready to do this. My S4 just came in yesterday. Now to just waiting for my sis to come into town.

 

[phonefiend]

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

There are also texts, a phone log, and God knows what else that may get transferred when a new phone is mated to the existing number.

Some people wish those things would get transferred but they don't.

 

[NBAJ2K]

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

Call what number to put the phone back on Line 3?

If you are going to order from Verizon directly online, here is what you do:

1) Transfer Line 3's upgrade to Line 1;
2) Order a new phone on Line 1 using the transferred upgrade;
3) When you receive the new phone, activate it on Line 1 according to the instructions provided (which includes calling a 1-877 number);
4) Shut the new phone off and reactivate an old phone on Line 1;
5) Put the new phone on Line 3.

Step 5 can be done a variety of different ways. The easiest is to take the SIM card from Line 3's current phone and put it into the new phone, but of course this only works if the SIM cards are the same size.


No. The donee line (Line 1) keeps it same upgrade date and same contract end date (which now are the same on Verizon). The donor line (Line 3) will have its contract renewed for 2 years with a corresponding upgrade date.


You will be fine then because your dad's line will keep the same upgrade date as it had before you transferred your upgrade to his line. Keep in mind though that this is how things are working now. None of us knows whether this will continue to work in the future so check back when you are ready to do it to see if the process is still working for people.

Thanks for your help on this, I sincerely appreciate it a ton! I'm assuming it's easy to find the option to transfer the upgrade (I'll look later) Hopefully this still works at least for the next couple of months...

-J

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[japhule]

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

I'm on a single line with unlimited data. If I add the mobile hotspot feature online, will I have unlimited hotspot also? Is there anything I need to do to make sure I keep unlimited data and unlimited hotspot?