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

[authentic714]

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

I just wanted to post that I succeeded in this process for a second time on my family share plan. I will outline details below:

Line 1) Unlimited Data Droid Bionic
Line 2) Basic Phone

There are more lines on this plan, but for the sake of keeping things simple I am not going to list them all out.

Step 1) Transferred upgrade from Line 1 to Line 2
Step 2) Upgraded basic phone to LG G2
Step 3) Once G2 came in the mail, I tuned off basic phone.
Step 4) Turn on G2 and go through activation and made two test calls
Step 5) Turn off G2 and reactivated basic phone on Line 1.
Step 6) Transferred Droid Bionic SIM card to new microsim
Step 7) Put transferred microsim card that used to be tied to bionic in the G2 (while it was still off)
Step 8) Turn on G2 and now have a wonderful phone with unlimited data preserved.

I'm looking to upgrade from a Galaxy Nexus on UDP to the HTC One M8

I have a non UDP line to transfer the upgrade to, but my questions revolve around steps 6&7.

1. Is step 7 strictly necessary? Can I just use the SIM that comes with the phone to activate after reactivating the dummy phone?
2. If step 7 is necessary, how do I go about Transferring my Galaxy Nexus Sim, to a nano sim that will work with the HTC?

Thanks for any help guys.

 

[njmcelh]

Re: Verizon: How to keep Unlimited Data and get phone on subsidized price

So is this dead now? I was hoping it would hold out until the S5 comes out in a couple weeks.

Assuming I get home in time to sign for the package today, I will know for sure later tonight. If anyone else can confirm it is dead, should I just refuse the delivery? Also, if I open the package and try to activate but it fails, I have 2 weeks to return phone before I lose UDP for good, correct?

 

[njmcelh]

Re: Bestbuy Mobile Lets me Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon?

That LG G2 deal is pretty good at Best Buy (0$ right now), so I might jump. But as soon as I add it to cart there is a box with a warning saying I will loose unlimited data. Is that standard here or is this a new wrinkle (i.e., that Best Buy and Verizon have "fixed" this loophole)?

That warning has always been there from what I've read. Everyone simply ignores that warning and then the rest of the steps show that you can keep existing plan.

 

[ClintRo]

Re: Verizon: How to keep Unlimited Data and get phone on subsidized price

This should be a correct assumption.

 

[raichur0xx0rz]

Re: Bestbuy Mobile Lets me Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon?

But your current phone has to be a 4g phone, correct? I just learned that it will not work for me as I have the iphone 4s (which is 3g) and wanted to upgrade to a 5s. I had already ordered the phone but was told that swapping the sims is not going to work for me.

Ryan

Hm... Is there a way for you to get a cheap 4G device? Then just go to the Verizon store and have them give you a SIM card for it, then just use that SIM card for the new phone? Yeah, it's a hassle, but you could say it's a "safer" way to go about it... You never know, but just bringing a phone to Verizon and asking them to activate it shouldn't cause any changes in your plan ('shouldn't' being the key word there...).

 

[K_Quinn]

Re: Bestbuy Mobile Lets me Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon?

Well it worked!

Activated the first phone just as you said. It worked! Still showing I have unlimited data. Just waiting on my husband to get home to do his.


My only concern is if something happens with the data, like it going to a tiered plan. How soon would this happen? My thing is this, Verizon has them S4 buy one get one free with the 100 credit. So I'd really only be paying the activation fees. With Best Buy they were 50 each. Totaling 160ish. That price I don't mind paying if we keep the unlimited data. If it drops I'd rather return the phones and go with Verizon's special. I hope all that makes sense? I only ask here because this is the first forum I've found with any instructions like this so maybe someone else has more knowledge??

And if it goes to a tiered plan, how long do I have to return the phones to Best Buy like without a restocking fee? Or is there one? I have this info at home, but will be awhile before I can look it up and chances are I'll forget by the time I get home. :-\

 

[njmcelh]

Re: Verizon: How to keep Unlimited Data and get phone on subsidized price

This should be a correct assumption.

I just got home and activated my Note 3 with no issues. Thank you to you and everyone else here who has been helping out. I ordered on Monday and received it today so it was a completely hassle free process.

 

[Diabl0]

Re: Bestbuy Mobile Lets me Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon?

Well it worked!

Activated the first phone just as you said. It worked! Still showing I have unlimited data. Just waiting on my husband to get home to do his.


My only concern is if something happens with the data, like it going to a tiered plan. How soon would this happen? In my experience it happens immediately and no going back without returning the phone(s). My thing is this, Verizon has them S4 buy one get one free with the 100 credit. So I'd really only be paying the activation fees. With Best Buy they were 50 each. Totaling 160ish. That price I don't mind paying if we keep the unlimited data. If it drops I'd rather return the phones and go with Verizon's special. It shouldn't drop. Also keep an eye on Best Buy's pricing over the next week. They will refund the difference if it drops lower than what you paid. I hope all that makes sense? I only ask here because this is the first forum I've found with any instructions like this so maybe someone else has more knowledge??

And if it goes to a tiered plan, how long do I have to return the phones to Best Buy like without a restocking fee? You have 14 days from when the phone was activated I do believe. When I returned my Note 3 last month there was NO restocking fee at all. Very simple and easy process. I returned mine to a Best Buy mobile location, but I could have done it at a regular Best Buy store as well.Or is there one? I have this info at home, but will be awhile before I can look it up and chances are I'll forget by the time I get home. :-\

 

[dss2000]

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

I haven't had to. Transfer upgrade to basic phone. When new phone came just activated new phone on my unlimited data line. Frequently just take SIM from old phone and put in new one.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[SmashedPumpkins]

Re: Verizon: How to keep Unlimited Data and get phone on subsidized price

I just got home and activated my Note 3 with no issues. Thank you to you and everyone else here who has been helping out. I ordered on Monday and received it today so it was a completely hassle free process.

Sounds like luck of the draw at this point.

 

[Natalie Gott]

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

Found this thread through a Google search. Hope someone can help me! I'm working with an iPhone so sorry to post on the android forum!

Long story short, I've had an unlimited data plan since 2010 or so, when I first got a Droid. When Verizon stopped offering the unlimited plans, I didn't want to lose it and pay the same amount for 2GB per month - so instead of using my free upgrade and having to switch to the Share Everything plan, I bought an iPhone on eBay so I could keep my plan.

I'd like to get a new phone (iPhone 5c), so my husband came up with the idea of upgrading his phone and then giving it to me to use with my account. When we went into our local Verizon store and asked if this was possible, the employee told us that was "cheating the system" and that he couldn't do it in-store because he could lose his job. Then he told us to go online and upgrade instead, and we could do whatever we wanted. So my husband upgraded his phone to a 5c online, it is supposed to arrive tomorrow or the next day. My question is, when it arrives, is it possible to activate it on my account without Verizon applying to upgrade to my account - and thus losing my unlimited plan? I only have 1 line on my plan so I can't necessarily follow the recommendations in the original post.

 

[thecyberguy]

Re: Verizon: How to keep Unlimited Data and get phone on subsidized price

I just got home and activated my Note 3 with no issues. Thank you to you and everyone else here who has been helping out. I ordered on Monday and received it today so it was a completely hassle free process.

Have you verified your account online?

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 3 via Android Central App

 

[dss2000]

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

Hey guys. I got some great advice on this thread about ugrading both my wife's and my unlimited plans. I was going to knock her down to a 2 GB tiered since she doesn't use much data and then switch my upgrade to her line and have her activate it and deactivate it and then use it on my line keeping my unlimited in place. I called sales at Verizon online and they guy told me that I could just have my wife order the upgrade online and choose the 2GB tiered plan but when the phone arrives make sure that she doesn't activate it and I can take the phone and first activate it on my existing line and since she didn't activate it her plan won't change. Then when she wants to upgrade her line. I use my upgrade to order her ohone online and do the same thing. Choose the new 2GB tiered plan and when the phone arrives I make sure not to activate it on my line and just have her activate it on her line, thus my unlimited won't change since I never activated the phone on my line. Both lines contracts will extend for another two years but our unlimited data won't change since we never activated the new phones we ordered on the line we order the upgrade on. I asked him repeatedly if this would keep our unlimited plans in place and he assured me it would. I just want to check on this forum if this sounds correct and if anyone has ever tried this. It would be great if this worked since we would both get to keep our unlimited data.

Found this thread through a Google search. Hope someone can help me! I'm working with an iPhone so sorry to post on the android forum!

Long story short, I've had an unlimited data plan since 2010 or so, when I first got a Droid. When Verizon stopped offering the unlimited plans, I didn't want to lose it and pay the same amount for 2GB per month - so instead of using my free upgrade and having to switch to the Share Everything plan, I bought an iPhone on eBay so I could keep my plan.

I'd like to get a new phone (iPhone 5c), so my husband came up with the idea of upgrading his phone and then giving it to me to use with my account. When we went into our local Verizon store and asked if this was possible, the employee told us that was "cheating the system" and that he couldn't do it in-store because he could lose his job. Then he told us to go online and upgrade instead, and we could do whatever we wanted. So my husband upgraded his phone to a 5c online, it is supposed to arrive tomorrow or the next day. My question is, when it arrives, is it possible to activate it on my account without Verizon applying to upgrade to my account - and thus losing my unlimited plan? I only have 1 line on my plan so I can't necessarily follow the recommendations in the original post.

It isn't the usual way to do it as originally described in this thread. But cc1995 above did mention doing it as you describe and said it worked and you wouldn't lose unlimited on either line. Key is just not to activate it on the line that was used for the upgrade. I can't personally verify that it works but since you've already ordered the phone you can try that. Give us an update if you do on whether it worked or not. It would be an great revelation if you can confirm that this works.

 

[K_Quinn]

Re: Bestbuy Mobile Lets me Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon?

Ok, there is a problem.

Somehow when there was a problem and then Verizon put us back on the unlimited data my husbands phone was thrown into 1X. It was a Razr, was still able to use data, wasn't a big deal. Did his phone switch this morning. The 1X problem transferred to the Samsung S4. It says to call Verizon to assistance. A bit worried to do that to be honest. Should I put the sim card back in the old phone, let it activate and call them, once issue is fixed put sim back in new phone??

My husband wonders if they somehow messed up the sim card when they were changing plans. Is that a possibility?


EDIT*** Found on another form to reset the phone. Did that.. We now have 3G. At least for now. But how do I get it to the 4G data that I have??

 

[Diabl0]

Re: Bestbuy Mobile Lets me Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon?

Ok, there is a problem.

Somehow when there was a problem and then Verizon put us back on the unlimited data my husbands phone was thrown into 1X. It was a Razr, was still able to use data, wasn't a big deal. Did his phone switch this morning. The 1X problem transferred to the Samsung S4. It says to call Verizon to assistance. A bit worried to do that to be honest. Should I put the sim card back in the old phone, let it activate and call them, once issue is fixed put sim back in new phone??

My husband wonders if they somehow messed up the sim card when they were changing plans. Is that a possibility?

Do you have a Verizon corporate store locally? I'd put the sim card back into the Razr and go to the corporate store and ask for a new sim card. See if that resolves the issue (before leaving the store). I would assume it's a sim card issue if it transferred over to the new phone. I could be wrong though, but it's worth a shot.


If it's something you think can be resolved over the phone, then yes, put the sim card back into the Razr and troubleshoot with Verizon that way.

 

[Diabl0]

Re: Bestbuy Mobile Lets me Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon?

Also, I'm not sure if I'm understanding your problem correctly.


There was an issue after you activated the S4? Or was it an old issue you had with the Razr?

 

[raichur0xx0rz]

Re: Bestbuy Mobile Lets me Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon?

Ok, there is a problem.

Somehow when there was a problem and then Verizon put us back on the unlimited data my husbands phone was thrown into 1X. It was a Razr, was still able to use data, wasn't a big deal. Did his phone switch this morning. The 1X problem transferred to the Samsung S4. It says to call Verizon to assistance. A bit worried to do that to be honest. Should I put the sim card back in the old phone, let it activate and call them, once issue is fixed put sim back in new phone??

My husband wonders if they somehow messed up the sim card when they were changing plans. Is that a possibility?


EDIT*** Found on another form to reset the phone. Did that.. We now have 3G. At least for now. But how do I get it to the 4G data that I have??

Wait - what do you mean Verizon "put you back" onto UDP?

They won't touch your plan when you go ask for a new SIM card. My old Droid DNA had a SIM card issue and they just swapped the SIM to try to fix it. If you go in and say that your phone isn't receiving 4G, then they will troubleshoot for a bit (maybe factory reset like you did), and resolve to test out a new SIM card.

 

[K_Quinn]

Re: Bestbuy Mobile Lets me Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon?

Also, I'm not sure if I'm understanding your problem correctly.


There was an issue after you activated the S4? Or was it an old issue you had with the Razr?

The issue started while on the Razr.

When Best Buy switched our plan, and I backed out Verizon changed us back to unlimited data. When the rep didn't do unlimited data on my husbands line I had to call back and they re did it. She told me to remove the sim card and replace after a few minutes and once I turned the phone on he was in 1x. No big deal because we were about to get a new phone, or so we thought.
A factory reset has gotten him into 3G. But can't get anything about that.

 

[K_Quinn]

Re: Bestbuy Mobile Lets me Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon?

Wait - what do you mean Verizon "put you back" onto UDP?

They won't touch your plan when you go ask for a new SIM card. My old Droid DNA had a SIM card issue and they just swapped the SIM to try to fix it. If you go in and say that your phone isn't receiving 4G, then they will troubleshoot for a bit (maybe factory reset like you did), and resolve to test out a new SIM card.

We went in to Best Buy and getting the phone and keeping the UDP didn't work, so we cancelled the order. I had to call Verizon and they were finally able to get us back to the UDP. The lady even gave me the code in case something happens and I need to call back. That way the rep doesn't have to search again.

 

[Diabl0]

Re: Bestbuy Mobile Lets me Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon?

Go to Verizon with the RAZR and have them troubleshoot it.

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