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

[douggw]

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

You can't move an upgrade to a line that already has an upgrade. That's why you just use an upgrade, but activate on a different line. You can use the SIMs that come with the phones because the steps provided will reprogram them to the unlimited data.

Don't get rid of your old SIMs until all phones are activate. You can cut them as a last resort if something happens.

So I went ahead and ordered from Best Buy, because it's the same price and I get the free wireless charger, and they are shipping to home now.

I transferred an upgrade to the one UDP line that didn't have an upgrade available and ordered it on that line. So far so good. So when the phone comes, since I didn't order from Verizon, if I understand everything I've read correctly, I can't use the same sim (I can only use the same sim if I order direct from Verizon). So I will either have to cut down my current sim and/or go into a non verizon corp store and get a sim to fit. Am I correct?
Thanks for all the help!

 

[SubMatrix]

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

So I went ahead and ordered from Best Buy, because it's the same price and I get the free wireless charger, and they are shipping to home now.

I transferred an upgrade to the one UDP line that didn't have an upgrade available and ordered it on that line. So far so good. So when the phone comes, since I didn't order from Verizon, if I understand everything I've read correctly, I can't use the same sim (I can only use the same sim if I order direct from Verizon). So I will either have to cut down my current sim and/or go into a non verizon corp store and get a sim to fit. Am I correct?
Thanks for all the help!

When you ordered, what options did BestBuy give you for choosing your plan? I thought there was supposed to be some option that says "Keep existing plan" but my only options were Verizon Edge and 2-year contract. Am I supposed to choose 2-year contract? Nothing on the checkout page says anything about keeping my existing plan. Should I be concerned? I see the following pages:

 

[dusoccer10]

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

So I went ahead and ordered from Best Buy, because it's the same price and I get the free wireless charger, and they are shipping to home now.

I transferred an upgrade to the one UDP line that didn't have an upgrade available and ordered it on that line. So far so good. So when the phone comes, since I didn't order from Verizon, if I understand everything I've read correctly, I can't use the same sim (I can only use the same sim if I order direct from Verizon). So I will either have to cut down my current sim and/or go into a non verizon corp store and get a sim to fit. Am I correct?
Thanks for all the help!

You should have three options to activate the S6 on a different line than the one you transferred the upgrade to:

1.) You should be able to log into Verizon online and use the IMEI and SIM numbers to activate the S6 on a different line.

2.) Cut your current active SIM to nano

3.) Take the phone to a VAR and activate it

Any of these three methods should work just fine in activating the new phone.

 

[dusoccer10]

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

When you ordered, what options did BestBuy give you for choosing your plan? I thought there was supposed to be some option that says "Keep existing plan" but my only options were Verizon Edge and 2-year contract. Am I supposed to choose 2-year contract? Nothing on the checkout page says anything about keeping my existing plan. Should I be concerned? I see the following pages:

View attachment 171655
View attachment 171657

You want 2-year contract and there is nothing to be concerned about. This is pretty standard stuff. There should be an option after selecting 2-year contract to "keep current existing plan", but if not, do not worry about it. The methods still work because the plan change does not happen until after you activate the phone.

 

[dusoccer10]

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

Thank you guys for your information with the community!

I would like to clarify what I need to do if you guys don't mind.

Switched upgrade fro line 1 UDP (galaxy s4) to TDP line 2 (galaxy s5) and ordered the galaxy s6 (via verizon.com) and I'm having it come to my house.
My main question is, what do I do now specifically when the phone arrives!
Your input is greatly appreciated!.

Just activate it on the tiered line. Wait about an hour and test the S6 to make sure it works. After that, you can log onto Verizon's website and reactivate the S5 on the tiered line and the S6 on the unlimited line.

 

[dusoccer10]

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

Read through many pages but couldn't find an upgrade strategy that matches my situation.

I'd like to upgrade my s3 to the s6 and keep my UDP.

There are 4 lines on the account, 3 have UDP including my s3. Upgrades are available on 3 of the lines, including my UDP s3. Only the tiered line does not currently have an upgrade.

I would like to purchase the s6 at costco. I already have an unused nano-sim that I got at a VWR. What is the best way of going about this? I assume that I need to transfer my upgrade to the tiered line, and purchase the s6 with this upgrade. Is it possible to purchase in-store at costco without them activating the phone? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

As long as Costco can do in-store upgrade transfers, you can do the following:

1) Go to Costco;
2) Have the rep transfer one of your UDP line's upgrade to the TDP line that is not currently eligible for its own upgrade - do not mention switching phones around between lines to the rep;
3) Have the rep purchase and activate the S6 on the TDP line;
4) Pay and leave the store;
5) When you get home from the store, wait at least an hour and make a few calls/text from the new smartphone to make sure it activated OK on the TDP line;
6) Log onto Verizon and put the TDP line's old phone back on the TDP line;
7) Log onto Verizon and put the new smartphone on the UDP line.

That is all you need to do. If you do not want to do in-store, then your only options will be to purchase from Verizon or Best Buy. They are the only two retailers that allow moving upgrades online. If you want to do everything from home, I recommend just buying from Verizon or Best Buy, but the choice is yours.

 

[djshakez]

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

Hey all!

First of all, thank you to those who have been continuously contributing and helping out all the forum members, it's great to see the support to keep our plans as long as we can!

I have been reading much of the thread and finally decided to move on my upgrade from my SIII.

Here's my plan:
-Order Nano Sim card from Verizion (done)
-Order S6 via Best Buy since I am eligible for an upgrade (done)
-Once S6 arrives, remove sim card / destroy
-Reprogram the new nano sim via Verizon website using MEI # to my current SIII device
-Insert brand new nano sim card delivered by Verizon
-Power on S6

I should be good to go on this right? Just to confirm, the SIII Sim will no longer be associated with my account? One weird thing that I noticed is that when I purchased the phone on Best Buy, it did not ask me to choose a plan whatsoever... I was able to complete the order without this step, could something be wrong?

In my order receipt, it says this:
Verizon Wireless Plan
These new charges will be added to your carrier bill and do not include all taxes, fees and surcharges. Discount or data plan changes previously messaged will be applied to your plan.
One-Time Charges
Activation Fee - Line 2, $35.00

They also added the Samsung wireless charger for free...

Update: I checked the 'order status' on BB.com and it says this: Verizon Wireless - Keep Existing Plan

 

[dusoccer10]

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

Hey all!

First of all, thank you to those who have been continuously contributing and helping out all the forum members, it's great to see the support to keep our plans as long as we can!

I have been reading much of the thread and finally decided to move on my upgrade from my SIII.

Here's my plan:
-Order Nano Sim card from Verizion (done)
-Order S6 via Best Buy since I am eligible for an upgrade (done)
-Once S6 arrives, remove sim card / destroy
-Reprogram the new nano sim via Verizon website using MEI # to my current SIII device
-Insert brand new nano sim card delivered by Verizon
-Power on S6

I should be good to go on this right? Just to confirm, the SIII Sim will no longer be associated with my account? One weird thing that I noticed is that when I purchased the phone on Best Buy, it did not ask me to choose a plan whatsoever... I was able to complete the order without this step, could something be wrong?

In my order receipt, it says this:
Verizon Wireless Plan
These new charges will be added to your carrier bill and do not include all taxes, fees and surcharges. Discount or data plan changes previously messaged will be applied to your plan.
One-Time Charges
Activation Fee - Line 2, $35.00

They also added the Samsung wireless charger for free...

Update: I checked the 'order status' on BB.com and it says this: Verizon Wireless - Keep Existing Plan

In theory, your plan would work; though, I'm not sure if you will be able to activate the new nano SIM from Verizon into your S3. If you can, then your plan will work fine. If not, you'll have two options that should work:

1.) Cut your old SIM from the S3 to nano-size and use that to activate the S6.
or
2.) Take the S6 to a VAR and have them activated it

Do you have any other lines on your plan or is it just a single? This would affect possibly options for you besides the two steps above.

 

[djshakez]

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

I meant activate the new nano SIM for the S6.

Once I take the S6 to a VAR, they can activate it without me losing my UDP? What exactly is their approach in doing this?
I do have two basic phone lines that are eligible for an upgrade, but I didn't want to use those up yet.

 

[innotivity]

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

So I got the S6 in, activated it on the TDP line that had the iPhone6, waited an hour, re-activated the iPhone6.

Now, I am trying to activate the S6 on the UPD line that had the Razr. I am trying to just use the Razr sim cut down, but when I type in the SIM ID on the Verizon online switching tool, it says the sim is not compatible.

What happens if I just insert the cut down sim in the S6 without activating the device through Verizon online?

On another note, I noticed that I still have the UDP on the line I used the upgrade from to upgrade the TDP, and I still have the upgrade available even though I activated the new phone. When does this fall off or update? Just curious because I want to ensure that when the upgrade registers it does not strip the UDP.

 

[mbkintner]

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

What happens if I just insert the cut down sim in the S6 without activating the device through Verizon online?

Just cut it and insert it. No need for activation, it's already active. It will work fine.

 

[SubMatrix]

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

Hey all!

First of all, thank you to those who have been continuously contributing and helping out all the forum members, it's great to see the support to keep our plans as long as we can!

I have been reading much of the thread and finally decided to move on my upgrade from my SIII.

Here's my plan:
-Order Nano Sim card from Verizion (done)
-Order S6 via Best Buy since I am eligible for an upgrade (done)
-Once S6 arrives, remove sim card / destroy
-Reprogram the new nano sim via Verizon website using MEI # to my current SIII device
-Insert brand new nano sim card delivered by Verizon
-Power on S6

I should be good to go on this right? Just to confirm, the SIII Sim will no longer be associated with my account? One weird thing that I noticed is that when I purchased the phone on Best Buy, it did not ask me to choose a plan whatsoever... I was able to complete the order without this step, could something be wrong?

In my order receipt, it says this:
Verizon Wireless Plan
These new charges will be added to your carrier bill and do not include all taxes, fees and surcharges. Discount or data plan changes previously messaged will be applied to your plan.
One-Time Charges
Activation Fee - Line 2, $35.00

They also added the Samsung wireless charger for free...

Update: I checked the 'order status' on BB.com and it says this: Verizon Wireless - Keep Existing Plan

I am almost in exactly the same boat, except for me it says "Verizon Wireless Mobile Package" and when I check the order status on BB.com it doesn't say anything about Keep Existing Plan.

As duosoccer hinted at, I think the correct step is to actually program your new nanoSIM simply by entering in both the nanoSIM number (not sure of the official name for this) and your S6's IMEI# at VZW's website. I believe then you pop in the nanoSIM into the S6 and you should be good to go.

 

[Mr. Toad]

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

So I got the S6 in, activated it on the TDP line that had the iPhone6, waited an hour, re-activated the iPhone6.

Now, I am trying to activate the S6 on the UPD line that had the Razr. I am trying to just use the Razr sim cut down, but when I type in the SIM ID on the Verizon online switching tool, it says the sim is not compatible.

What happens if I just insert the cut down sim in the S6 without activating the device through Verizon online?

On another note, I noticed that I still have the UDP on the line I used the upgrade from to upgrade the TDP, and I still have the upgrade available even though I activated the new phone. When does this fall off or update? Just curious because I want to ensure that when the upgrade registers it does not strip the UDP.

You don't activate it online. You just cut the sim and swap it.

 

[boothbym]

[Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

I have read thru quite a few pages on this topic and think I have figured it out. Just want to make sure I am going to do everything correctly to ensure I keep my unlimited data.
Line 1-Unlimited Data
Line 2-Unlimited Data
Line 3-Basic flip phone
I bought a s6 on Line 2's upgrade from Bestbuy and had it shipped express and should be here Friday. My phone (line 1 with unlimited data) is a s3 with a micro sim, so I bought a sim cutter from amazon. So the BIG question, do I just cut my micro sim from s3 and insert it into the s6 (after destroying the sim that comes with and before powering phone on) and it should work? Sorry if this seems like its been asked before but I just wanted to describe my exact situation. Thanks for all the help!

 

[douggw]

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

When you ordered, what options did BestBuy give you for choosing your plan? I thought there was supposed to be some option that says "Keep existing plan" but my only options were Verizon Edge and 2-year contract. Am I supposed to choose 2-year contract? Nothing on the checkout page says anything about keeping my existing plan. Should I be concerned? I see the following pages:

View attachment 171655
View attachment 171657

I got the same thing. At first, I had the Keep Current Plan show up and then a popup said I had to remove it from my cart to continue. So I just picked the lowest tiered plan..I think it was 2 GB

 

[douggw]

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

You should have three options to activate the S6 on a different line than the one you transferred the upgrade to:

1.) You should be able to log into Verizon online and use the IMEI and SIM numbers to activate the S6 on a different line.

2.) Cut your current active SIM to nano

3.) Take the phone to a VAR and activate it

Any of these three methods should work just fine in activating the new phone.

Oh ok..I was thinking for some reason I could use the same sim ONLY if I ordered direct from Verizon. I'll just do that one then, much easier and no cutting required.

 

[dusoccer10]

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

So I got the S6 in, activated it on the TDP line that had the iPhone6, waited an hour, re-activated the iPhone6.

Now, I am trying to activate the S6 on the UPD line that had the Razr. I am trying to just use the Razr sim cut down, but when I type in the SIM ID on the Verizon online switching tool, it says the sim is not compatible.

What happens if I just insert the cut down sim in the S6 without activating the device through Verizon online?

On another note, I noticed that I still have the UDP on the line I used the upgrade from to upgrade the TDP, and I still have the upgrade available even though I activated the new phone. When does this fall off or update? Just curious because I want to ensure that when the upgrade registers it does not strip the UDP.

As others have said, you have a couple of options:

1.) If you cut the SIM, just put it into the phone. There is no need to use Verizon online.

2.) Feel free to use the nano-SIM that you still have available. If you use Verizon online, you can activate the S6 with the unused Nano SIM.

The error you are getting is because Verizon's system still sees the old SIM as micro even if you cut it to Nano. That's why you can't use the system to activate it.

As for your other note, this happens. When you transfer the upgrade to another line, that original line gets its contract extended another two years. Check your contract end date and it should say 2017.

As for the upgrade not disappearing, this is a different type of loophole that happens sometimes when a person moves an upgrade from an unlimited to a tiered data line. No one can explain it, but you get a free upgrade.

 

[dusoccer10]

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

I have read thru quite a few pages on this topic and think I have figured it out. Just want to make sure I am going to do everything correctly to ensure I keep my unlimited data.
Line 1-Unlimited Data
Line 2-Unlimited Data
Line 3-Basic flip phone
I bought a s6 on Line 2's upgrade from Bestbuy and had it shipped express and should be here Friday. My phone (line 1 with unlimited data) is a s3 with a micro sim, so I bought a sim cutter from amazon. So the BIG question, do I just cut my micro sim from s3 and insert it into the s6 (after destroying the sim that comes with and before powering phone on) and it should work? Sorry if this seems like its been asked before but I just wanted to describe my exact situation. Thanks for all the help!

You have two options:

1.) Cut your pre-existing SIM to nano; remove the SIM that comes with the S6; and put your modified old SIM directly into the phone before turning it on or plugging it in.
or
2.) Since you used a different line's upgrade (Line 2) you can just activate the S6 directly onto Line 1. Log into Verizon online and activate the device using the IMEI and SIM numbers that come with the S6.

I would try option 2 first before cutting your old SIM; however, either way should work.

 

[dusoccer10]

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

I meant activate the new nano SIM for the S6.

Once I take the S6 to a VAR, they can activate it without me losing my UDP? What exactly is their approach in doing this?
I do have two basic phone lines that are eligible for an upgrade, but I didn't want to use those up yet.

I understand what you are trying to do and theoretically it should work. However, there were many posters on the long Slickdeals thread that struggled updating from a S3 to something more modern. The hard part is that the new nano-SIM cannot be activated in your S3. Verizon's system won't allow it because the S3 requires a micro and Verizon's system reads your new SIM as nano. This is mismatched and Verizon's system cannot handle that.

Now, there used to be an old method where you pre-ordered a SIM of the correct size and use that new SIM in place of the SIM that ships with the phone. You would log into Verizon and use the pre-ordered SIM number and the IMEI of the S6. However, there have been people struggling with doing that too. This would be the way to go, but there is no promise it will work.

If the new pre-ordered SIM does not work, then you'll be left with either cutting your old SIM or taking the S6 to a VAR. Flip back a couple of pages and read my interactions with Dgirl1229 as she tried what you are trying. She ended up taking it to a VAR. For the most part, VAR's do not care as much as a retail store. Just say you won a S6, but it didn't have a SIM inside and you want to activate it on your unlimited line. It should cost around $10, but there have been many people on the Slickdeals thread plus Dgirl1229 here that have made it work.

 

[innotivity]

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

My contract end date on the UDP is still listed as month to month, and I still have the upgrade available.

On another note, if I call Verizon now to see about getting insurance added, I assume they will not take UDP away just because. I may wait a few days to ensure everything else smooths out and whatnot.