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

[margrowl]

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

Question - Will this work if going from a 3G phone (HTC Droid Incredible) to a 4G phone? I'm concerned that if I don't have a SIM card that I won't be able to activate the new phone. What do you do if there is no SIM card? I have an upgrade available and like everyone else I don't want to lose my unlimited data plan. Any advice?

 

[oldstyle00]

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

Another question for you do you know if by activating the M8 on my UDP will that then activate this new data plan or is it just by activating the Iphone will that data plan take affect. The rep told me not to even open or turn on the Iphone because that will start the new data plan and contract, but will putting this new M8 on there do anything like that with this pending transaction going on. Or should I wait until this pending transaction clears once they receive the Iphone back in their warehouse?

 

[rdjr74]

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

When I first go and select a device and choose "Upgrade my device (2-year contract extension) with Verizon Wireless " I get a note on the bottom that states "Do you have an existing unlimited data plan?
Here's what you need to know:
With Verizon's new Share Everything plan, unlimited data is no longer available. When you upgrade your device, you will not have unlimited data.
If keeping unlimited data is important to you, you can choose "Replace my device" and pay full retail price for a new device."

Has everyone been getting that? Is it okay to continue and I still get to keep my UDP?

If you read a little then you would know it is fine to continue past this pop up.

Not trying to sound like a ***** but as a lot of others including myself, I did the leg work and answered about 95% of my own questions.

 

[rdjr74]

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

Here I found another screen shot of what I was talking about on the best buy site apparently someone else had the same problem but no one could give them advise on how to resolve it heres their screen cap....
http://forums.androidcentral.com/attachments/verizon/116157d1399138369-best-buy-mobile-lets-me-keep-unlimited-data-plan-verizon-best-buy-verizon-phone-ordering.png

First time I've seen this. They could have finally fixed this glitch. When I upgraded my wifes line (UDP) I was not presented with this. I was given another check box that said "keep existing plan". They may have fixed it damn it!

 

[derezzz]

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

First time I've seen this. They could have finally fixed this glitch. When I upgraded my wifes line (UDP) I was not presented with this. I was given another check box that said "keep existing plan". They may have fixed it damn it!

Yeah I don't remember seeing that screen either. Wow. I hope they didn't "fix" it. That would suck.

An update from me: I got the M8. I cut down the SIM yesterday and activated the new phone. The plan still shows as having UDP. Unfortunately, I still don't know how to get FoxFi to work on it. It says that use of the service require a subscription to Mobile Hotspot. Anyone else use FoxFi and running into this on the M8?

 

[Wiedle]

Re: Best Buy Mobile lets me keep Unlimited Data Plan on Verizon?

I am no genius when it comes to these things, but one way you could go about it would be to buy the cheapest used phone you can find that has a sim card (preferably the size you wil need for your new phone). Then you could do as I explained in my most recent post about activating the phone on your line, then once activated, take the sim card out and put it in the new phone you upgraded to.

Maybe you have a friend that has an old phone that you could use so that you don't have to purchase one. The good news is that you could order your upgraded phone now just so you have it whenever you are able to complete the sim card process (leave yourself some time within your 14-day return window in case something bad happens).

I envision your process like this:
1) buy micro or nano sim card
2) borrow/buy cheap phone that uses compatible sim
3) activate cheap phone on your line at the VZW website
4) take activated sim out of cheap phone and put in your new phone (make sure you never power on the new phone with the sim card they send - remove immediately and dispose)
5) turn on new phone with newly activated sim card in it and it should automatically be synced to your account
6) check verizon site to see if your plan remained the same and if it shows your new phone on your account

I paid about $9 with prime shipping for my sim card on amazon, and somehow, it arrived the next day (as did my phones from Best Buy). If you are more patient you could get the sims from Verizon for free, but I didn't want to involve them at all.

Good luck.

So it looks like you have to already have an active 4GLTE sim card to use this method?
Unfortunately I only have two 3G iPhone4s with no simcards.

Is the only way to use this method to somehow activate a sim card in 4gLTE phone (i.e. used Nexus) for my line and then swap it with the new sim card?
Anyone know how this might work for us dinosaurs on 3G with no sim cards?
Thanks

 

[dss2000]

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

Both lines have UDP and had upgrades available.

But I never transferred any upgrade. I didn't do any waiting. I just did a normal upgrade and went through the motions of accepting a new tiered plan on each line. I did both phones online, one right after the other. When I tried to do them simultaneously (check both phones at the same time), it tried to force me from Nationwide into the Share Everything plan. It may not have made a difference, but I wanted to change as little as possible during this process. Doing them individually, I put down a 2GB data plan while keeping the Nationwide talk/text plan on each phone.

Apparently the new tiered plan doesn't start until you activate the phone on that line... that's what it said as I was checking out and also what the friendly Verizon rep had indicated. The contract extends immediately for 2 years and of course the upgrade is gone immediately, but the tiered plan doesn't kick in until the phone is activated on the given line. So I never activated on that line... I activated each phone on the opposite line as if it were bought as a 3rd party phone. I activated both the same day they arrived. I did have to click on a link to say that I wasn't activating the new phone that was on its way, which was the default screen after clicking to activate a phone. The link about activating a different phone wasn't hidden, but it wasn't a big huge button either... just a sentence about activating a different phone. I didn't have to switch the phones after activating them because I ordered them 'backward' with the intention of switching them. So the phone I want was ordered on her line and then activated on my number. Vice versa for her phone.

I was too lazy to go through the Best Buy rigamarole, so I just went with what the one friendly, knowledgeable Verizon rep told me. I wasn't sure if it would work, since every other rep either didn't know how to do it (not knowledgeable) or has been told not to share such information (not friendly). We're not big data users, so if we lost unlimited it wouldn't have been a huge loss for us. (We're on wifi most of the time.) But I am glad it's there just in case.

Can't guarantee something funny won't happen in the next couple weeks, but for today we have new subsidized phones and still have the unlimited data. I didn't call the 877 number they said to call. Maybe if I had it wouldn't have worked? Maybe since I didn't they're going to cut me off somehow in the next week? *shrug* But that's how I did it in case someone wants to replicate it. No guarantees.

Wow that's even simpler. Sounds like as long as you avoid activating a phone on the same line you ordered the upgrade on it works.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[plim123]

Re: Best Buy Mobile lets me keep Unlimited Data Plan on Verizon?

I am no genius when it comes to these things, but one way you could go about it would be to buy the cheapest used phone you can find that has a sim card (preferably the size you wil need for your new phone). Then you could do as I explained in my most recent post about activating the phone on your line, then once activated, take the sim card out and put it in the new phone you upgraded to.

Maybe you have a friend that has an old phone that you could use so that you don't have to purchase one. The good news is that you could order your upgraded phone now just so you have it whenever you are able to complete the sim card process (leave yourself some time within your 14-day return window in case something bad happens).

I envision your process like this:
1) buy micro or nano sim card
2) borrow/buy cheap phone that uses compatible sim
3) activate cheap phone on your line at the VZW website
4) take activated sim out of cheap phone and put in your new phone (make sure you never power on the new phone with the sim card they send - remove immediately and dispose)
5) turn on new phone with newly activated sim card in it and it should automatically be synced to your account
6) check verizon site to see if your plan remained the same and if it shows your new phone on your account

I paid about $9 with prime shipping for my sim card on amazon, and somehow, it arrived the next day (as did my phones from Best Buy). If you are more patient you could get the sims from Verizon for free, but I didn't want to involve them at all.

Good luck.

You can just call verizon and get them to send you a free sim card encoded with your current account/data plan.

so this is what i'm planning on doing/what i've done:
1) order sim card from verizon - done
2) order from best buy - done
3) when phone arrives, take out best buy sim card, put in verizon sim card
4) keep unlimited data...i hope!

 

[windstrings]

Re: Best Buy Mobile lets me keep Unlimited Data Plan on Verizon?

Es file Explorer moves things around just fine. I have the sgs4.

I Moved my whole documents folder to emulated/0 and pointed my word processing apps there and all works perfect.
My camera still saves to SD just fine.
I continue to store music and video to SD as they are read only anyway.

I can even backup my whole documents folder to my SD card in case my phone irreversibly dies "even though apps can't write to it"

I can't rename folders on sd however that's been created with another app but I can create and rename folders - directories created with Es file Explorer.

Tubemate will no longer store to SD, so I just store to phone then copy to SD with Es file Explorer! (actually it will store to SD also if you don't mind where its forced to store to that's it's allocated spot)

This explains better..
http://m.androidcentral.com/kitkat-sdcard-changes

Sent from my GS4 Zombie Communicator

 

[drunkpark]

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

Got the s5 and went smoothly as it can. Thank you all.

Btw, BB just lowered their price to $99 for S5, so within 15 days of purchase, they can price match it.

I just got my $100 back.

After lurking around the thread for 2 weeks, I finally pulled a trigger on S5 yesterday. Patiently waiting for the shipping notification email.
Anyways, I saw the $99 deal on VZW. And I think Amazon has it for $150.

I mean if BB is the only way to keep the UDP and use Foxfi, I think well worth how much I paid ($200).

I think if BB lowers the price within 15 days of the purchase, they can honor the lower price.
Not 100% sure but I am hoping this will happen, maybe get back $50 or so.
With this outcome and everything going successfully to keep my UDP, that would be money.

 

[rdjr74]

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

Unfortunately, I still don't know how to get FoxFi to work on it. It says that use of the service require a subscription to Mobile Hotspot. Anyone else use FoxFi and running into this on the M8?

The M8 hasn't been updated on Foxfi's list as of yet. Only some Sammy phones are working with it currently. Stay tuned. Im sure they'll figure it out.

 

[seevi]

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

Has anyone who have done this had to exchange their phone they received due to any defects? Starting to think I may have a problem with the M8 I received (still investigating), but I'm worried about exchanging it in to Best Buy if they just activate it on a new SIM rather than using the SIM that is currently installed.

 

[dss2000]

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

Another question for you do you know if by activating the M8 on my UDP will that then activate this new data plan or is it just by activating the Iphone will that data plan take affect. The rep told me not to even open or turn on the Iphone because that will start the new data plan and contract, but will putting this new M8 on there do anything like that with this pending transaction going on. Or should I wait until this pending transaction clears once they receive the Iphone back in their warehouse?

If I understand what you did the below should work:
Line5 used upgrade => M8 => activate on Line1
Line3 transferred upgrade from Line1 =>iPhone => activate on Line2

 

[rdjr74]

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

Has anyone who have done this had to exchange their phone they received due to any defects? Starting to think I may have a problem with the M8 I received (still investigating), but I'm worried about exchanging it in to Best Buy if they just activate it on a new SIM rather than using the SIM that is currently installed.

I have read that some people are experiencing issues with their sim cards. So far I have not. Only thing I have experienced is Youtube forecloses on me when I'm not even using it. A pop-up will come on my screen. Weird….

What is your probably?

To answer your question, well not really, I haven't seen any results from people returning or exchanging their phones. So, no help here.

 

[Blackberriessuck]

Re: Best Buy Mobile lets me keep Unlimited Data Plan on Verizon?

You can just call verizon and get them to send you a free sim card encoded with your current account/data plan.

so this is what i'm planning on doing/what i've done:
1) order sim card from verizon - done
2) order from best buy - done
3) when phone arrives, take out best buy sim card, put in verizon sim card
4) keep unlimited data...i hope!

1. When did you place the bestbuy order (date)?
2. Did you use a Desktop or mobile device to place the order?
3. Did you have a screen like my screenshot in post 380?
4. And you were able to say ship to home? In Mobile, this is not an option (store pickup only), and I'm unable to bypass the screenshot from #3 above on Desktop.

Otherwise, I tried doing exactly as you spelled out above, with ordering new SIM from Verizon (arrived today) but had to order for store pickup and yesterday the refused to give me the phone without turning it on in store... so now my UDP is gone in VZW - they say they'll give it back if I return the BB phone though.... wondering if I should try this all over again, depending on other people's new order experience within the last 24-48 hours?

....I can not even test this now, as BB/VZW says my plan is not eligible for upgrade, because I just did with this new phone.


I'm thinking this deal is dead, but maybe only some people see some screens, vs other people see a different one?

 

[seevi]

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

I have read that some people are experiencing issues with their sim cards. So far I have not. Only thing I have experienced is Youtube forecloses on me when I'm not even using it. A pop-up will come on my screen. Weird….

What is your probably?

To answer your question, well not really, I haven't seen any results from people returning or exchanging their phones. So, no help here.

Two different possible issues right now. The first, I've had a case where the screen has bugged out on me..slightly. Hard to describe, and has only happened once or twice?

The second, and my main concern since the above may have been a fluke so far is my battery life. My brother and sister both have the M8 and we have compared, and it seems like my phone is draining much more battery than theirs while idle. I've only installed a handful of apps, and none of them really seem to be sucking substantial life. The battery still lasts a while, but comparatively to theirs, just seems not as good. Tomorrow will be my last day within the 15 day time frame to do this, just scared they will try to activate a new phone and lose my unlimited.

 

[eddie harper]

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

Hello,

I would like to try this method, but can you clarify the sim card thing? i want to make sure it works and they haven't stopped allowing this workaround. Just a little background, I have three lines, and plan to transfer my upgrade to the 3rd line (dumb phone) to get the upgraded phone. Then put the dumb phone back on the third line and use the upgraded phone on my line which has unlimited data. Does the new phone come with it's own sim card? Should i not use this sim card and other another one from verizon? I am upgrading from a droid razr maxx hd, will i be able to just swap the sim card from the droid razr maxx hd into the new phone? (samsung galaxy note 3).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Eddie

I tried this method and happy to say it worked. I used the sim card from my old phone instead of the sim that came with the new phone. I have a new Samsung note 3 with udp preserved on my line.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[pdxcraigslist]

Re: Best Buy Mobile lets me keep Unlimited Data Plan on Verizon?

Please let us know how it works.
So even if I am still on 3G - they can send me a new simcard encoded with my current account/data plan?
Not seeing this option online - did you order over phone / in-person?
What phone so you have now that you are upgrading from?

Trying to see if anyone else has done this from a 3G phone without activating to 4GLTE before doing the sim-card swap method.

Thanks!

 

[rdjr74]

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

Two different possible issues right now. The first, I've had a case where the screen has bugged out on me..slightly. Hard to describe, and has only happened once or twice?

The second, and my main concern since the above may have been a fluke so far is my battery life. My brother and sister both have the M8 and we have compared, and it seems like my phone is draining much more battery than theirs while idle. I've only installed a handful of apps, and none of them really seem to be sucking substantial life. The battery still lasts a while, but comparatively to theirs, just seems not as good. Tomorrow will be my last day within the 15 day time frame to do this, just scared they will try to activate a new phone and lose my unlimited.

I see it hard for them to do that considering you've already had a phone working and you have proof that your plan hasn't changed. If I were in your shoes I would take a chance and that's only because you have the proof on your side. Have you attempted to hard reset? There is a sequence with the power button and volume but I don't know it off the top of my head.

 

[pdxcraigslist]

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

"They may have fixed it damn it! "
I just went through and added S5 to cart and was able to keep current plan. Not pulling trigger yet as I am still trying to sort out one thing:
Trying to see if anyone else has done this from a 3G phone without activating to 4GLTE phone before doing the sim-card swap method.