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

[MasterKane1979]

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

Because the pre-installed SIM is tied to the subsidized price of the phone...Verizon no longer allowed us to upgrade and retain unlimited data, you would need to pay full price for the phone or transfer your upgrade to a dumb or tired data phone...the BB bypass all that...it's been said before do not use the pre-installed SIM, do it at your own risk

Sent from my VERIZON LG G2

But does the risk exist if you need a replacement SIM card down the road and need to reactivate? Wouldn't this be the same situation that exists.. i.e. activating a phone with a virgin SIM card. Would the replacement SIM card somehow be programmed with the UDP subscriber information when activated or the non-UDP subscriber information that is being bypassed?

 

[Srambo217]

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

Pre-checkout I was offered to 'Keep My Existing Plan' and it's letting me check out as so....

 

[scipper77]

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

The UDP can get transfered to a new SIM card. UDP is tied to the tel#. I've ordered a replacement SIM from Verizon a few times for my phone with the UDP, most recently in order to get a SIM with the NFC logic on it so I can use Isis. Verizon activated the SIM in-store and I retained my UDP no problem.

Have you ordered a new sim card from Verizon after doing the best buy let's you keep unlimited trick? I know you can get a new sim card with unlimited if you are grandfathered in because I did that before. Can you do it after renewing your contract? (I ask because I need to do this to enable nfc on my s5)

 

[Metups]

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

Have you ordered a new sim card from Verizon after doing the best buy let's you keep unlimited trick? I know you can get a new sim card with unlimited if you are grandfathered in because I did that before. Can you do it after renewing your contract? (I ask because I need to do this to enable nfc on my s5)

No, I have not done that - I got my replacement SIM (with NFC) from VZ six months ago in order to take advantage of ISIS. I just got my S5 this week and used the replacement SIM (with NFC) with no issues. Frankly, after the S5 transaction rolls off of the systems at BBin a couple of weeks I see no reason why I couldn't go to VZ and request a new replacement SIM for my S5, tho. The one thing you cannot do is use the SIM that comes with the S5 when you order it. That would be a mistake.

 

[dss2000]

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

Pre-checkout I was offered to 'Keep My Existing Plan' and it's letting me check out as so....

Great, let update us on how it goes to add to our knowledge base. Are you going through Verizon or through Best Buy?

 

[dss2000]

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

It doesn't matter where you get the phone as long as you activate the new phone on the dumb line before using on your line....I transferred my upgrade to a basic line to get the LG g2 on VZW.com, chose store pick up, the rep would not let me leave without activating the phone, so I had him activate it on the dumb line, reactivate the flip phone then transfer my SIM to the G2 (the phone I had before was the Razr Maxx HD)

Sent from my VERIZON LG G2

When I ordered a phone through a dumb phone line I didn't activate it on the dumb phone first. I just activated the new phone on my UDP and was fine. (CAUTION: repeat though this is a phone ordered on a basic line not the BB method of ordering on the UDP line). This avoided disrupting the dumb phone line (my In-Laws use it). I went through the online activation process for the UDP line but in the end it just told me to take the SIM out of my old smartphone and put it in my new one so I probably could have just done that. If you activate it on the basic line you'll interrupt service on the basic line temporarily, and then you'll have to go through the *611 process to put the basic phone back on which is no problem if you have the phone, but if you don't and you have elderly In-Laws where that aren't used to electronics that may be a inconvenience and it isn't even necessary. There will be a pending activation on the basic line but just ignore it and it falls off within a week.

 

[StevenXL]

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

I just ordered a new S5 from BestBuy.com.

The phone is scheduled to arrive by 06/02. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

 

[scipper77]

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

No, I have not done that - I got my replacement SIM (with NFC) from VZ six months ago in order to take advantage of ISIS. I just got my S5 this week and used the replacement SIM (with NFC) with no issues. Frankly, after the S5 transaction rolls off of the systems at BBin a couple of weeks I see no reason why I couldn't go to VZ and request a new replacement SIM for my S5, tho. The one thing you cannot do is use the SIM that comes with the S5 when you order it. That would be a mistake.

I just ordered a new sim from verizon. In order to activate it I will have to either take it in to a verizon store or I will have to call customer service. I'm not sure if I will try to activate it or not. If I take the risk of loosing UDP I will gain NFC (not a big deal really) and insurance (which means a bigger bill).

Has anyone dealt directly with Verizon "after" successfully doing the "keep UDP" trick? It seems to me like all of the fails I have seen had to do with the activation phase. I've got about 20 more days of insurance eligibility left.

 

[Srambo217]

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

Nevermind, went to check out with a $49 phone, got slapped with a $48 CA tax fee and a $35 activation fee. Even if I were simply renewing my contract and not trying to get unlimited data Best Buy is high if they think I'd pay that much for a 16gb iPhone 5c. Highly debating leaving Verizon in general at this point. I can't stand all their hidden fees. Even if I took an 8gb shared plan with my wife I'd be paying $120 extra a year. I might try Sprint's 'try us for 2 weeks and if you don't like it get a refund' thing. T-Mobile might also have good service in my area. Damn shame, I've been loyal to Verizon since I was 18yo, but they're a buisness and money will always be more important than loyalty for them.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[Shaodong Lin]

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

I have a iphone 5s from version, ( unlimited talk and unlimited text+500)

My friend is willing to give him his unlimited data sim card to me,

can i just plug his sim card to my iPhone 5s without losing UDP?

Thank you.

 

[dbjos]

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

I want to keep my UDP plan so I ordered a sim card from Verizon since my old phone had no sim. Then ordered
Galaxy S5 from BB. Today I received the S5, installed the ordered sim card powered on the phone waited for
activation. The phone would not activate tried several times no activation. Could the sim card I ordered need to be
activated prior to using it to activate the S5?
Any suggestions?

 

[BJB1]

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

Guess I am late to the party. I am having the same results as another poster. Went through the BB website a few times to try to keep UD Verizon plan and could not get to a page that let you keep existing plan at the sub. price....plus huge disclaimer on page 1.

Perhaps I missed selecting something?
BJB1

 

[BJB1]

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

Great thread. At a decision point and understand the process but have a SIM card question and some verification. I have galaxy nexus with UD plan on month to month, old, standalone plan and has eligible upgrade. Call it line "1". I want to get an s5 for that line and keep unlimited data.

Have 3 phones on an old family plan. One of those lines has already been upgraded to an iPhone and is on a tiered data plan. Call it line "2". It is not currently upgrade eligible.

I know I transfer the upgrade from line 1 to 2. At that point line 1 retains its unlimited data but its contract is out two years. No problem.

When I get the S5 I activate on line 2, then I transfer it to line 1 on the website. That should not mess with my line 1 unlimited. Then I assume I need to re-activate the iPhone on line 2? Have never done that part....so is that a Byod activation and does that change line 2's contract? Already tiered data so no worries there.

Anyway my question is before I transfer the S5 to line 1 (or turn it on after the transfer) should I put the galaxy nexus SIM card (which has always been on line 1) in the s5? Does the transfer process ask you to input sim info?

Also, I don't think this would mess up UD for the other 2 family lines as upgrading line 2 didn't before does it?

Thanks for supplying the final puzzle pieces
BJB1

 

[dss2000]

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

Great thread. At a decision point and understand the process but have a SIM card question and some verification. I have galaxy nexus with UD plan on month to month, old, standalone plan and has eligible upgrade. Call it line "1". I want to get an s5 for that line and keep unlimited data.

Have 3 phones on an old family plan. One of those lines has already been upgraded to an iPhone and is on a tiered data plan. Call it line "2". It is not currently upgrade eligible.

I know I transfer the upgrade from line 1 to 2. At that point line 1 retains its unlimited data but its contract is out two years. No problem.

When I get the S5 I activate on line 2, then I transfer it to line 1 on the website. That should not mess with my line 1 unlimited. Then I assume I need to re-activate the iPhone on line 2? Have never done that part....so is that a Byod activation and does that change line 2's contract? Already tiered data so no worries there.

Anyway my question is before I transfer the S5 to line 1 (or turn it on after the transfer) should I put the galaxy nexus SIM card (which has always been on line 1) in the s5? Does the transfer process ask you to input sim info?

Also, I don't think this would mess up UD for the other 2 family lines as upgrading line 2 didn't before does it?

Thanks for supplying the final puzzle pieces
BJB1

After activating the S5 on line 2 I'm not sure you can directly transfer it to line 1. I'm not sure why not but I don't think people are doing that. Probably because most people are transferring to a basic dumb phone line and if you did a straight switch you'd end up with a dumb phone on your UDP line and you'd lose your UDP. Since in your case both phones are data phones I would think you could but I just haven't seen anyone do it.

Most have been reactivating the original phone on line 2 to free up the new S5 and then activating the S5 on line 1. This is the method described in the original post. However several posters have have confirmed that it is not even necessary to first activate it on line 2. When it comes just take the SIM from your Nexus on Line 1 and put it in the S5 when it comes and you're done. Since after transferring the plan you chose is for line 2 when you activate on line 1 that plan never goes into effect and just drops off after about a week.

 

[huskergirl1982]

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

I ordered online this morning, and less than 2 hours after my current phone was shut off. Went to local VZW store and was told they'd already activated the new phone, removed my old one and dropped me down to 2GB of data. Called BB back and told I can't cancel the order so will now have to wait til it arrives, return it to the store and go through the hassle of getting my unlimited plan reinstated. This is about the luck that I've had with all things Verizon recently.

 

[ClintRo]

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

I just ordered a new sim from verizon. In order to activate it I will have to either take it in to a verizon store or I will have to call customer service. I'm not sure if I will try to activate it or not. If I take the risk of loosing UDP I will gain NFC (not a big deal really) and insurance (which means a bigger bill).

Has anyone dealt directly with Verizon "after" successfully doing the "keep UDP" trick? It seems to me like all of the fails I have seen had to do with the activation phase. I've got about 20 more days of insurance eligibility left.

You can activate it online maybe?

Sent from my Note 3

 

[dss2000]

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

I ordered online this morning, and less than 2 hours after my current phone was shut off. Went to local VZW store and was told they'd already activated the new phone, removed my old one and dropped me down to 2GB of data. Called BB back and told I can't cancel the order so will now have to wait til it arrives, return it to the store and go through the hassle of getting my unlimited plan reinstated. This is about the luck that I've had with all things Verizon recently.

Wow, that's weird, they activated the phone and dropped you off your current phone even before you've received it? That's quite unusual.

 

[huskergirl1982]

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

Yep, took the rep at Verizon a good 30 mins to just get it reactivated and data upped to 6GB. Just got off the phone with customer svc and explained the situation to them and that if my plan stays as is until phone gets here and returned I'll owe a ton in data overages. Rep says she's got a request in to reinstate UDP and should be fixed by Monday.

 

[pdxcraigslist]

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

Yep, took the rep at Verizon a good 30 mins to just get it reactivated and data upped to 6GB. Just got off the phone with customer svc and explained the situation to them and that if my plan stays as is until phone gets here and returned I'll owe a ton in data overages. Rep says she's got a request in to reinstate UDP and should be fixed by Monday.

This is the first I've seen this in these forums. Hopefully it was some rogue BB employee and not their new attempt to screw over folks with UDP.

 

[SmashedPumpkins]

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

Nevermind, went to check out with a $49 phone, got slapped with a $48 CA tax fee and a $35 activation fee. Even if I were simply renewing my contract and not trying to get unlimited data Best Buy is high if they think I'd pay that much for a 16gb iPhone 5c. Highly debating leaving Verizon in general at this point. I can't stand all their hidden fees. Even if I took an 8gb shared plan with my wife I'd be paying $120 extra a year. I might try Sprint's 'try us for 2 weeks and if you don't like it get a refund' thing. T-Mobile might also have good service in my area. Damn shame, I've been loyal to Verizon since I was 18yo, but they're a buisness and money will always be more important than loyalty for them.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using AC Forums mobile app

You can do what I did... I shipped my phones to my brother in Utah and paid $6 in tax. California wanted over $100 for the two phones. My phones showed up in Utah on Wednesday and should arrive to my place in California today. As of now, my Verizon account still says unlimited with my contracts extended two years. The phones were $100 each plus I got a $50 Best Buy gift card for each phone from the promo back in February. Awesome deal... Can't avoid the $35 activation fee though. Just another rotten way to charge extra for nothing.

I ordered online this morning, and less than 2 hours after my current phone was shut off. Went to local VZW store and was told they'd already activated the new phone, removed my old one and dropped me down to 2GB of data. Called BB back and told I can't cancel the order so will now have to wait til it arrives, return it to the store and go through the hassle of getting my unlimited plan reinstated. This is about the luck that I've had with all things Verizon recently.

That's really too bad, bad luck I guess. Someone did something they weren't supposed to.