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

[dss2000]

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

I was using the upgrade-dumb-phone-line-move-new-phone-to-UDP-line strategy. I couldn't figure out how to get the new phone active on the UDP line using the Web site, so I called customer service. After trying to explain what I needed done, the CSR said she knew I was going through the convoluted process to get the contract price on the new phone and keep UDP, and said "No problem, I understand, and I will take care of it for you". And she did. She even asked about getting insurance on the new phone, which I was worried about. I have verified that the UDP is still on the line which has the new phone, and the contract extension is on the dumb-phone line, with the dumb phone still active. I guess I was lucky in which CSR I got. The process is clearly "legal" and there is no need to try to hide what you are doing.

There seems to be a wide variation in experience people have reported depending on which CSR rep they get. If there was a determined effort by Verizon to eliminate the loophole they would. The process is completely within Verizon's rules so yes you don't have to hide it. My suspicion is that there is something within the Verizon commission schedule that would prompt many CSR reps, especially the ones in the retail stores to mislead, apply strong sales pressure, raise uncertainty and fear, and frankly lie. Only employee's I see behave that way are ones on commission. So I tend to rather avoid going to retail stores and handle the whole thing online with as minimal interaction with CSR reps as possible.

 

[rdjr74]

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

Is anybody having this annoying issue with their S5? Whenever you open up something for the first time it tells you about it in a small box, on the bottom there is something that says "do not show this again" with a little checkbox next to it.. i check the box but I always get this annoying message for anything I open, even if it's the same application!


If anybody has also moved from a galaxy nexus to an s5, where is the rerware folder located? Since there's no SD slow in the nexus

Wrong thread dude.

 

[rdjr74]

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

Here is an email I typed up for a friend of mine that I though I would share for those of you that might not want to go back and read all of the previous posts. The below info was bits and pieces I gathered from everything I have read here and other places. I am a skeptic and making sure something like the BB order seems to good to be true but I can say it couldn't have worked any easier and was very surprised how well it worked.

Here was my situation:
The wife and I have UDP's (unlimited data plan). After selecting the phone it pops up the Eligibility screen and gives the warning you mentioned:
"I did go out and look on Best Buy yesterday afternoon and they do have the phone for $150 but it says it is for either a new or extension contract – and actually says “if extension, then by-by unlimited”….
Simply click "Check Eligibility" to continue past this screen, no need to worry about this as you are not confirming anything at this point. The next screen will ask for some Verizon info to see if you can upgrade. For me, the wife's line was the only one available to upgrade so I entered her number. Once you confirm you have an upgrade you will be presented with a box that says "keep existing plan", click that. I don't remember each screen but as you progress you will eventually come to a BestBuy.com - Submit Order page.

You will see that it clearly says "keep existing plan" and "keep my existing data plan". I confirmed and placed the order. Once that finalized I then went Verizon's website. Sure enough it still said unlimited data on her line as well as unlimited texting. BUT, I clicked on "View contract end date" and it did not show an extended 2 year contract. Hummmmm, I got a little worried so I checked it several times the next couple hours. About two hours later sure enough the contract was extended through 2016 and I scrolled down and sure enough it still showed unlimited data on her line as well as unlimited texting. As of today it still shows it and at this point I don't see how they could go into your account and change this as this glitch has everything to do with BB. We are actually not doing anything wrong at all. And if for some reason Verizon threatens people that use this route all we have to do is play dumb but even then we wouldn't need to do that as I simply followed the steps that have been laid out by many others to make this glitch work.

There are some things you must follow in order for this to work seamlessly:
1. YOU MUST ORDER IT ONLINE AND HAVE IT DELIVERED TO YOUR HOUSE. DO NOT PICK IT UP AT A STORE AS THEY WILL ACTIVATE THE PHONE WITH THE CURRENT SIM CARD IT COMES PREINSTALLED WITH. THIS WILL IN TURN CHANGE YOUR DATA PLAN.

2. MAKE SURE YOUR BILLING ADDRESS AND DELIVERY ADDRESS ARE THE SAME.

3. YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO SIGN FOR IT. BB DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO PICK IT UP AT THE ORIGINATING DELIVERY FACILITY. For me this was an issue as I couldn't be there to sign for it. I was able to call UPS and have them extend my delivery time to later in the day. Once you receive a notification that your package is out for deliver, call UPS and ask them if they can deliver it later in the day to accommodate your schedule. A signee does not have to be 21. You can also go to UPS tracking where it gives you and option to leave it on the front porch. I went ahead and did that but honestly I don't think it would have matter since BB has to have a signature. I made the note anyways.

4. DO NOT GET BB AND OR VERIZON INVOLVED IN ANYWAY VIA PHONE CALL. If for some reason there is a discrepancy with your order, possibly still owe money to Verizon for a late bill (this is only an example I have seen on forums) then you will be notified to call BB. If this happens cancel the order and figure out what the issue is. Once that is figured out then retry your order, possible a week or more from the time your issue was resolved.

5. ONCE YOU RECEIVE YOU PHONE IN THE MAIL DO NOT TURN THE PHONE ON. REMOVE THE PREINSTALLED SIM CARD IMMEDIATELY
Trim your existing sim card in your current phone (the phone you have been using) according to templates you can download and print for the internet. Once placed in your new phone turn it on. You will be presented with a Verizon load screen. This screen will be on for several minutes. The next screen should say something to the effect, This sim card has already been activated, along with your phone number that will be displayed in the screen. You should see 4G pop up and you should be good to go! Have someone call you and text you just to confirm everything is working.

Trimming down a sim card:
Here is some good info to read about trimming a sim card. Not sure what size your current one is but moving from a micro sim that was in my Samsung S3 to a nano wasn't to terribly bad although tedious. Just take your time and make the appropriate adjustments and it will turn out just fine:
http://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-trim-your-sim-to-iphone-5-nano-sim-size/

One more thing, don't get intimidated by all the info above, it really couldn’t be any easier. Good Luck!

 

[rdjr74]

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

It seems there are two threads with the same topic but for the sake of reading through 100 plus pages I will post this here as I have on the other thread that has about 25 pages in total.

Here is an email I typed up for a friend of mine that I though I would share for those of you that might not want to go back and read all of the previous posts. The below info was bits and pieces I gathered from everything I have read here and other places. I am a skeptic and making sure something like the BB order seems to good to be true but I can say it couldn't have worked any easier and was very surprised how well it worked.

Here was my situation:
The wife and I have UDP's (unlimited data plan). After selecting the phone it pops up the Eligibility screen and gives the warning you mentioned:
"I did go out and look on Best Buy yesterday afternoon and they do have the phone for $150 but it says it is for either a new or extension contract – and actually says “if extension, then by-by unlimited”….
Simply click "Check Eligibility" to continue past this screen, no need to worry about this as you are not confirming anything at this point. The next screen will ask for some Verizon info to see if you can upgrade. For me, the wife's line was the only one available to upgrade so I entered her number. Once you confirm you have an upgrade you will be presented with a box that says "keep existing plan", click that. I don't remember each screen but as you progress you will eventually come to a BestBuy.com - Submit Order page.

You will see that it clearly says "keep existing plan" and "keep my existing data plan". I confirmed and placed the order. Once that finalized I then went Verizon's website. Sure enough it still said unlimited data on her line as well as unlimited texting. BUT, I clicked on "View contract end date" and it did not show an extended 2 year contract. Hummmmm, I got a little worried so I checked it several times the next couple hours. About two hours later sure enough the contract was extended through 2016 and I scrolled down and sure enough it still showed unlimited data on her line as well as unlimited texting. As of today it still shows it and at this point I don't see how they could go into your account and change this as this glitch has everything to do with BB. We are actually not doing anything wrong at all. And if for some reason Verizon threatens people that use this route all we have to do is play dumb but even then we would need to do that as I simply followed the steps that have been laid out by many others to make this glitch work.

There are some things you must follow in order for this to work seamlessly:
1. YOU MUST ORDER IT ONLINE AND HAVE IT DELIVERED TO YOUR HOUSE. DO NOT PICK IT UP AT A STORE AS THEY WILL ACTIVATE THE PHONE WITH THE CURRENT SIM CARD IT COMES PREINSTALLED WITH. THIS WILL IN TURN CHANGE YOUR DATA PLAN.

2. MAKE SURE YOUR BILLING ADDRESS AND DELIVERY ADDRESS ARE THE SAME.

3. YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO SIGN FOR IT. BB DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO PICK IT UP AT THE ORIGINATING DELIVERY FACILITY. For me this was an issue as I couldn't be there to sign for it. I was able to call UPS and have them extend my delivery time to later in the day. Once you receive a notification that your package is out for deliver, call UPS and ask them if they can deliver it later in the day to accommodate your schedule. A signee does not have to be 21. You can also go to UPS tracking where it gives you and option to leave it on the front porch. I went ahead and did that but honestly I don't think it would have matter since BB has to have a signature. I made the note anyways.

4. DO NOT GET BB AND OR VERIZON INVOLVED IN ANYWAY VIA PHONE CALL. If for some reason there is a discrepancy with your order, possibly still owe money to Verizon for a late bill (this is only an example I have seen on forums) then you will be notified to call BB. If this happens cancel the order and figure out what the issue is. Once that is figured out then retry your order, possible a week or more from the time your issue was resolved.

5. ONCE YOU RECEIVE YOU PHONE IN THE MAIL DO NOT TURN THE PHONE ON. REMOVE THE PREINSTALLED SIM CARD IMMEDIATELY
Trim your existing sim card in your current phone (the phone you have been using) according to templates you can download and print for the internet. Once placed in your new phone turn it on. You will be presented with a Verizon load screen. This screen will be on for several minutes. The next screen should say something to the effect, This sim card has already been activated, along with your phone number that will be displayed in the screen. You should see 4G pop up and you should be good to go! Have someone call you and text you just to confirm everything is working.

Trimming down a sim card:
Here is some good info to read about trimming a sim card. Not sure what size your current one is but moving from a micro sim that was in my Samsung S3 to a nano wasn't to terribly bad although tedious. Just take your time and make the appropriate adjustments and it will turn out just fine:
http://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-trim-your-sim-to-iphone-5-nano-sim-size/

One more thing, don't get intimidated by all the info above, it really couldn’t be any easier. Good Luck!

 

[minidre]

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

now if my phone get damaged and it is replaced under warranty, will i still keep me UDP? Also, what if I now decide to swap in my new sim card (the one that came with the S5), with the one i had for my old phone that is currently in the S5, would that make me lose my UDP?

Thanks

 

[lizzie9208]

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

I'd love it if someone could help me.

Scenario: My husband and I currently each have a Galaxy Nexus that's got UDPs. We're elligible for upgrades on Verizon. We want to take advantage of the BOGO free deal to upgrade to 2 new S5 phones. When I attempt to order them online, it forces me to choose a new data plan. How do I keep my UDP? Do I choose a 2 gig plan and then when the phones arrive, put our old SIM cards in the new phones and that'll activate the new phones with the UDPs? I can't seem to order the phones without signing up for a new plan. :-( Help?

Thanks so much!

 

[Lodingi]

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

I'd love it if someone could help me.

Scenario: My husband and I currently each have a Galaxy Nexus that's got UDPs. We're elligible for upgrades on Verizon. We want to take advantage of the BOGO free deal to upgrade to 2 new S5 phones. When I attempt to order them online, it forces me to choose a new data plan. How do I keep my UDP? Do I choose a 2 gig plan and then when the phones arrive, put our old SIM cards in the new phones and that'll activate the new phones with the UDPs? I can't seem to order the phones without signing up for a new plan. :-( Help?

Thanks so much!

I tried every which way to get in on BOGO and maintain my UDP. I spoke to 3 reps & did a live chat with 2 reps. All 5 reps would not let me go BOGO without dropping my UDP. I gave up on BOGO and upgraded one line using the Best Buy method. Once I receive the phone, I will immediately discard the included sim card & install my existing sim. This should maintain my UDP.

My advice to you is to pay the $149 per device through Best Buy online, and activate the phones as I mentioned. Read this thread for more info. Good luck.

 

[ClintRo]

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

Just an FYI....

Had an upgrade on a UDP line and transferred upgrade and was able to purchase a S5 today.

no BOGO :-(

The process still works.

 

[chris98891]

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

I messed up cutting my GS3 simcard for the M8. It's too small to sit in the holder. Should I just go to verizon and ask for another micro sim for my S3, then try to cut it again? or will they be cool with me just taking the m8 and asking for a nano sim for my number?

 

[chris98891]

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

I messed up cutting my GS3 simcard for the M8. It's too small to sit in the holder. Should I just go to verizon and ask for another micro sim for my S3, then try to cut it again? or will they be cool with me just taking the m8 and asking for a nano sim for my number?

EDIT: to clarify, this phone was purchased on another unlimited line. everything looks fine on verizon online, unlimited data and contract extension. the gs3 line doesn't currently have an upgrade available but does have unlimited data. My thinking is i can just tell them my S3 sim got damaged and i need a new one, come back and try to recut it again.

I don't want verizon looking too closely at the account, so i guess buying another microsim off amazon/etc is also an option?

 

[tottenj]

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

now if my phone get damaged and it is replaced under warranty, will i still keep me UDP? Also, what if I now decide to swap in my new sim card (the one that came with the S5), with the one i had for my old phone that is currently in the S5, would that make me lose my UDP?

Thanks

Based on what I've read, you should probably cut the new SIM that came with your upgrade into a million pieces, then burn and bury it.
If it is ever activated it will kick you off your UDP.

 

[ClintRo]

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

Did you activate on the other line already?

Sent from my Note 3

 

[chris98891]

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

Did you activate on the other line already?

Sent from my Note 3

No, i pulled out the sim that came with it and plan on destroying it. I figure I'll just run to verizon and ask for a new sim for my GS3 and then reattempt the cut unless somebody has a better idea.

 

[ozzybiker]

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

Here is a new question that I haven't seen asked: I have successfully upgraded 2 of the phones on my family plan in the last 2 months and managed to keep UDP on both. I am soon to upgrade the 3rd phone. The question is this: The original phone is an old Moto Droid 2 Global, which has both CDMA and GSM on board, and thus has a SIM card. Can I install that sim card into the shiny new Galaxy S5 that is sitting on my counter waiting to be used? Will the old (3G) SIM card work in the new (4G-LTE) phone? Or must I use a 4G card? Thanks for your help!

 

[Duhaa]

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

Ok here is my question I couldn't read through 111 pages of stuff to find it. MY current phone is the droid razzr with unlimited plan. I ordered the droid moto x with my upgrade and it said online to activate my phone I had to change my plan to a non unlimited plan. No way I'm doing that cause I use around 10gb a month. I will not lose my unlimited no matter what. So my first thought was to check the sim cards, they are different sizes the new phone has a smaller sim card then my old phone. Is there a way from this point to transfer my unlimited data to the new phone. If not should I just send the new phone back and try a different method. I have not lost my unlimited service my old phone works, but I am looking at both phones right now.

Edit: My current phone says 4g, but when I went to activate it, it said something about activating from 3g to 4g i need to change my service or something.

Also is there a way to get the 2 for 1 galaxy deal cause my mom wanted that phone as well, but they said we couldn't get the deal because only 1 contract was up and I am willing to drop 100 bucks with my mom to get that phone if its possible someway to get both the phones and activate the phone with my unlimited data plan.

I think the phone that I have is not activated under my number because the phone was actually ordered from Motorola and not Verizon.

 

[chris98891]

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

No, i pulled out the sim that came with it and plan on destroying it. I figure I'll just run to verizon and ask for a new sim for my GS3 and then reattempt the cut unless somebody has a better idea.

Well I'm an ***** and decided to try to cut it by hand again. It looks like it fits fine, but i'm still getting a no sim error on the M8....any ideas for what i can try?

 

[minidre]

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

Based on what I've read, you should probably cut the new SIM that came with your upgrade into a million pieces, then burn and bury it.
If it is ever activated it will kick you off your UDP.

I understand that haha, but the store wouldn't activate the phone for me would they? I am regarding BB btw because I have the Geeksquad protection and I take it to the store

 

[Lodingi]

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

I understand that haha, but the store wouldn't activate the phone for me would they? I am regarding BB btw because I have the Geeksquad protection and I take it to the store

That or purchase a nano sim from Amazon, and activate the sim online.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

 

[Tjarren]

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

First of all, this has been the best thread that I have ever read in my life on any forum ever. Ok, that may be a bit hyperbolic but ... you guys have NO IDEA how excited this has made me.

I WANT to do this, but I need some help and have a few questions (please be gentle ...).

1) I'm visiting from the sister site wpcentral and have been using a Trophy (a phone that was first released in October of 2010 for the record) and the only sim that it has is an international one. As I understand it, for me to do pull this off requires that I have a sim for an LTE phone that's already active. So my best bet would be to buy the cheapest LTE phone I can find from craiglist, ebay, etc, activate it and then follow the steps in this thread (from what I read). BUT ... do used phones like that typically come with a sim card? Sorry, I've been a Verizon/CDMA customer for a long time that hasn't traveled internationally (yet!) so sim cards are kinda foreign to me.

2) Does the sim have to come from a Windows Phone or can I use one from an Android phone as well? The reason I ask is I might be able to find a cheaper old Android phone (Thunderbolt???) or even hit up some friends to see if they have any laying around with a sim.

These would help tremendously. I can't believe this workaround has been in place for so long and STILL works. I apologize in advance for this, but ... TEE HEE!!!

 

[dss2000]

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

Well I'm an ***** and decided to try to cut it by hand again. It looks like it fits fine, but i'm still getting a no sim error on the M8....any ideas for what i can try?

I think you can just call and ask them to associate the micro sim that came with the phone to the udp line

Posted via Android Central App