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

[Sean5555]

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

Hello folks,
I have two UDP lines and a TDP line with Verizon.
All are eligible for upgrades.
What's the safest way to upgrade all 3 lines without losing my 2 UDP lines?
I am planning on upgrading all the lines from Galaxy S3 to Galaxy S5.

Thanks in advance for your insite

 

[M_Lux]

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

It's fairly straightforward. Just do the following:

1.) Order the G3 through BestBuy.com and transfer your upgrade from Line 1 to Line 2. Basically, you want to "upgrade" the tiered line. Have the phone shipped to home.
2.) When the phone arrives, activate it on the tiered line following the directions that come with the phone.
3.) Wait at least an hour to make sure the G3 works as it should. Now power it off
4.) Log into Verizon online and reactivate the iPhone on the tiered line (under switch or activate a device).
5.) Finally, activate the G3 on the unlimited data plan.

Thanks for the step by step tutorial. One final question, I'm planning to pick the phone up later this evening, can I just have the BB store employee activate the phone on line 2 in store?

 

[dusoccer10]

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

Thanks for the step by step tutorial. One final question, I'm planning to pick the phone up later this evening, can I just have the BB store employee activate the phone on line 2 in store?

Hypothetically, yes ; though because you are going in-store, I can't recommend it. In theory, the employee should just activate directly on the tiered line. You'll want to make sure this happens.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[dusoccer10]

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

Hello folks,
I have two UDP lines and a TDP line with Verizon.
All are eligible for upgrades.
What's the safest way to upgrade all 3 lines without losing my 2 UDP lines?
I am planning on upgrading all the lines from Galaxy S3 to Galaxy S5.

Thanks in advance for your insite

It's very easy as you'll upgrade the tiered line 3 times. Just do the following:

1) order the S5 on the tiered line from Best Buy or Verizon and have the phone shipped to home.
2) when the phone arrives, just activate it like normal.
3) wait an hour to make sure the phone works as normal.
4) power off the s5 and the s3 on line 1
5) swap SIMs between the two phones

You now have a s5 on line 1 and two s3's. Just repeat the steps, but transfer your upgrade in step 1 to the tiered line from an unlimited one.

It's going to take a little bit of time, but this is the safest, easiest method for you.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Sean5555]

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

Thanks dusoccer10,
But what if I already ordered the upgrade for one of the UDP lines from Best Buy?
I was under the impression that I can just plug in the SIM card from the other UDP line and activate the new phone on that line!!
Isn't that an option?
Do I need to cancel the order for the UDP upgrade that has already shipped?

Thanks

 

[wassct]

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

Just use the upgrade on the basic line to get a new phone for Line 1. All you need to do is the following:

1.) Order the phone you want using the basic line's upgrade from either Best Buy or Verizon. Have the phone shipped to home.
2.) When the new phone arrives do not turn it on or plug it in.

At this point, the steps will vary depending on the new phone you order. This is because of the SIMs in each phone

Same Size SIM
3.) Take the SIM out of the G2 and put it in the new phone
4.) Turn on the new phone and give it a couple of minutes to activate

Different Size SIMs (you can either cut your existing SIM to the right size or do the following)
3.) Log into Verizon's website
4.) Select "activate or switch device"
5.) Select Line 1
6.) Select "phone that has never been on the account before"
7.) Select "use pre-existing SIM"
8.) Type in the IMEI and SIM numbers that came with the new phone. Usually, there is a sticker on the box that contains them.
9.) Follow the rest of the directions to activate the phone

Of course, you can always purchase a phone at full price if you want. Verizon's Iconic Portal (https://preorder.verizonwireless.com/iconic/) is usually your best bet.

If you do the method above, it will not result in a $30 monthly charge to basic line. This happens because you never actually activate the phone on the line.

So I'm about to finally do this upgrade for the LG G4 at Best Buy using Line 5 as you instructed. Came up with another question for a future upgrade When my wife on Line 2 wants to update her phone in September (when the UDP lines are eligible for upgrade), can I use my Line 1 upgrade and do the same thing, take her old sim card out and put in the new phone order from my UDP plan?

Here is my plan in case it doesn't show up in the quoted section:

Line 1: UDP LG G2 ( No Upgrade - Upgrade available 9/29/15)
Line 2: UDP LG G2 ( No Upgrade - Upgrade available 9/29/15)
Line 3: TDP LG G3 ( No Upgrade)
Line 4: TDP LG G3 ( No Upgrade)
Line 5: Dumb phone, no data (Upgrade Available)

 

[Sean5555]

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

It's very easy as you'll upgrade the tiered line 3 times. Just do the following:

1) order the S5 on the tiered line from Best Buy or Verizon and have the phone shipped to home.
2) when the phone arrives, just activate it like normal.
3) wait an hour to make sure the phone works as normal.
4) power off the s5 and the s3 on line 1
5) swap SIMs between the two phones

You now have a s5 on line 1 and two s3's. Just repeat the steps, but transfer your upgrade in step 1 to the tiered line from an unlimited one.

It's going to take a little bit of time, but this is the safest, easiest method for you.

Posted via Android Central App

Thanks dusoccer10,
But what if I already ordered the upgrade for one of the UDP lines from Best Buy?
I was under the impression that I can just plug in the SIM card from the other UDP line and activate the new phone on that line!!
Isn't that an option?
Do I need to cancel the order for the UDP upgrade that has already shipped?

Thanks

 

[weezmyster]

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

Got S6 yesterday. Did not cut bionic sim. I just followed your earlier directions. Funny though, Vzw did not prompt me as if I received a new phone once I logged in, nor did they ever ask me to activate that new phone during the switch. Well, I am cautiously optimistic that I am set. Everything looks good on the site as of this morning and I will be watching. Thanks again Dusoccer10 for the quick and awesome help. If anything pops up unexpectedly, I'll follow up.

 

[dusoccer10]

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

Thanks dusoccer10,
But what if I already ordered the upgrade for one of the UDP lines from Best Buy?
I was under the impression that I can just plug in the SIM card from the other UDP line and activate the new phone on that line!!
Isn't that an option?
Do I need to cancel the order for the UDP upgrade that has already shipped?

Thanks

SIM swapping works fine and is a different method to the same end-goal. What you are planning to do will work fine. The only differences between our two methods is that yours will leave you with pending activations on the two unlimited lines for a month or so. Until these fall off, you cannot make any changes to your plan.

Also, if you have a pending activation on your account, I would advise you to upgrade the tiered line via online rather than in-store. You don't want a rep to force the activation/plan change on the unlimited line.

 

[dusoccer10]

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

So I'm about to finally do this upgrade for the LG G4 at Best Buy using Line 5 as you instructed. Came up with another question for a future upgrade When my wife on Line 2 wants to update her phone in September (when the UDP lines are eligible for upgrade), can I use my Line 1 upgrade and do the same thing, take her old sim card out and put in the new phone order from my UDP plan?

Here is my plan in case it doesn't show up in the quoted section:

Line 1: UDP LG G2 ( No Upgrade - Upgrade available 9/29/15)
Line 2: UDP LG G2 ( No Upgrade - Upgrade available 9/29/15)
Line 3: TDP LG G3 ( No Upgrade)
Line 4: TDP LG G3 ( No Upgrade)
Line 5: Dumb phone, no data (Upgrade Available)

What you suggested would work.

Personally, I recommend doing the transfer upgrade when someone has tiered lines available on their account rather that using an upgrade on an unlimited line. What I mean is that you would be better off transferring the upgrade from Line 2 to either 3 or 4 and upgrading on that line. This can be done through either Best Buy or Verizon.

 

[Sean5555]

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

SIM swapping works fine and is a different method to the same end-goal. What you are planning to do will work fine. The only differences between our two methods is that yours will leave you with pending activations on the two unlimited lines for a month or so. Until these fall off, you cannot make any changes to your plan.

Also, if you have a pending activation on your account, I would advise you to upgrade the tiered line via online rather than in-store. You don't want a rep to force the activation/plan change on the unlimited line.

Great, I know I am being too much of a bother, but could you please tell me exactly how to do it via this method.
My understanding is that once I receive the Line 1 UDP upgrade phone, I won't turn it on. I'll insert the line 2 UDP SIM card in it and then turn it on and activate it.
Then I'll order another upgrade for Line 2 UDP and when it arrives, I'll insert the Line 1 UDP SIM card in it and then turn it on and then active it as well. Then I'll order the upgrade for Line 3 TDP and activate that phone with the SIM that comes in it already. L3 activation obviously is straight forward.

What I'm a little confused about is the First and Second activation process.
Do I need to do anything in as far as switching lines or anything like that or the SIM swap will take care of everything?
Thanks again dusoccer10

 

[wassct]

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

Just use the upgrade on the basic line to get a new phone for Line 1. All you need to do is the following:

1.) Order the phone you want using the basic line's upgrade from either Best Buy or Verizon. Have the phone shipped to home.
2.) When the new phone arrives do not turn it on or plug it in.

At this point, the steps will vary depending on the new phone you order. This is because of the SIMs in each phone

Same Size SIM
3.) Take the SIM out of the G2 and put it in the new phone
4.) Turn on the new phone and give it a couple of minutes to activate

Different Size SIMs (you can either cut your existing SIM to the right size or do the following)
3.) Log into Verizon's website
4.) Select "activate or switch device"
5.) Select Line 1
6.) Select "phone that has never been on the account before"
7.) Select "use pre-existing SIM"
8.) Type in the IMEI and SIM numbers that came with the new phone. Usually, there is a sticker on the box that contains them.
9.) Follow the rest of the directions to activate the phone

Of course, you can always purchase a phone at full price if you want. Verizon's Iconic Portal (https://preorder.verizonwireless.com/iconic/) is usually your best bet.

If you do the method above, it will not result in a $30 monthly charge to basic line. This happens because you never actually activate the phone on the line.

What you suggested would work.

Personally, I recommend doing the transfer upgrade when someone has tiered lines available on their account rather that using an upgrade on an unlimited line. What I mean is that you would be better off transferring the upgrade from Line 2 to either 3 or 4 and upgrading on that line. This can be done through either Best Buy or Verizon.

Thanks for your reply dusoccer10! Appreciate it! So you are saying when the upgrade becomes available on her line (line 2), simply transfer the upgrade to line3 (my sons line). I then get phone through Best Buy online or Verizon and simply take her old phone sim, put it in new phone. So by transferring to my son's tiered line, he'll still get his regular upgrade when his 2 year is done since I didn't really do anything to his line, correct?

 

[dusoccer10]

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

Great, I know I am being too much of a bother, but could you please tell me exactly how to do it via this method.
My understanding is that once I receive the Line 1 UDP upgrade phone, I won't turn it on. I'll insert the line 2 UDP SIM card in it and then turn it on and activate it.
Then I'll order another upgrade for Line 2 UDP and when it arrives, I'll insert the Line 1 UDP SIM card in it and then turn it on and then active it as well. Then I'll order the upgrade for Line 3 TDP and activate that phone with the SIM that comes in it already. L3 activation obviously is straight forward.

What I'm a little confused about is the First and Second activation process.
Do I need to do anything in as far as switching lines or anything like that or the SIM swap will take care of everything?
Thanks again dusoccer10

Your plan is going to work just fine. You don't need to switch anything around or swap SIMs any further than what you are currently planning to do.

 

[dusoccer10]

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

Thanks for your reply dusoccer10! Appreciate it! So you are saying when the upgrade becomes available on her line (line 2), simply transfer the upgrade to line3 (my sons line). I then get phone through Best Buy online or Verizon and simply take her old phone sim, put it in new phone. So by transferring to my son's tiered line, he'll still get his regular upgrade when his 2 year is done since I didn't really do anything to his line, correct?

Not quite. What I mean is the following:

1.) Transfer Line 2's upgrade to Line 3 and order the new phone through Best Buy or Verizon online. Have the phone shipped to home.
2.) When the new phone arrives, activate it on Line 3 for about an hour and make sure it works.
3.) Now power off the new phone.
4.) Log into Verizon online and reactivate Line 3's old phone
5.) Move Line 2's SIM into the new smartphone that is no longer associated with Line 3

By doing this, you'll avoid any pending activations on your account and it is the preferred way to upgrade without any problems. Your plan would work too. It would just leave a pending activation on the account for a month or so.

 

[wassct]

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

Originally Posted by wassct<br />
Thanks for your reply dusoccer10! Appreciate it! So you are saying when the upgrade becomes available on her line (line 2), simply transfer the upgrade to line3 (my sons line). I then get phone through Best Buy online or Verizon and simply take her old phone sim, put it in new phone. So by transferring to my son's tiered line, he'll still get his regular upgrade when his 2 year is done since I didn't really do anything to his line, correct?

<br />
<br />
Not quite. What I mean is the following:<br />
<br />
1.) Transfer Line 2's upgrade to Line 3 and order the new phone through Best Buy or Verizon online. Have the phone shipped to home.<br />
2.) When the new phone arrives, activate it on Line 3 for about an hour and make sure it works.<br />
3.) Now power off the new phone.<br />
4.) Log into Verizon online and reactivate Line 3's old phone<br />
5.) Move Line 2's SIM into the new smartphone that is no longer associated with Line 3<br />
<br />
By doing this, you'll avoid any pending activations on your account and it is the preferred way to upgrade without any problems. Your plan would work too. It would just leave a pending activation on the account for a month or so.

Gotcha! Will it reset line 3's upgrade date for another 2 years or will the original update date still hold? Won't want to make my son wait any longer than he has to

 

[Dracolan]

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

Thanks again for the help. Got my wife her Red Droid Turbo, cut the SIM and it works perfectly, well for a Motorola that is.

 

[dusoccer10]

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

<br />
<br />
Not quite. What I mean is the following:<br />
<br />
1.) Transfer Line 2's upgrade to Line 3 and order the new phone through Best Buy or Verizon online. Have the phone shipped to home.<br />
2.) When the new phone arrives, activate it on Line 3 for about an hour and make sure it works.<br />
3.) Now power off the new phone.<br />
4.) Log into Verizon online and reactivate Line 3's old phone<br />
5.) Move Line 2's SIM into the new smartphone that is no longer associated with Line 3<br />
<br />
By doing this, you'll avoid any pending activations on your account and it is the preferred way to upgrade without any problems. Your plan would work too. It would just leave a pending activation on the account for a month or so.

Gotcha! Will it reset line 3's upgrade date for another 2 years or will the original update date still hold? Won't want to make my son wait any longer than he has to

It won't affect the tiered line upgrade date at all. You wife's line will be extended because that is where the upgrade originated from.

 

[whiteberry133]

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

Here's my situation, and also two clarification questions:

1. Are Best Buy pre-orders viable for the unlimited data loophole?
2. I'm unclear about the SIM card switch - is this necessary? I'll elaborate before:

Line 1: my line, UDP, contact not expired
Line 2+3: TDP, contact expired

Now, I'm on a family plan with my family, who live across on the other side of the states (I'm on the east coast). Moving SIM cards would be a really difficult thing to do. What's my best option here?

Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk

 

[dusoccer10]

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

Here's my situation, and also two clarification questions:

1. Are Best Buy pre-orders viable for the unlimited data loophole?
2. I'm unclear about the SIM card switch - is this necessary? I'll elaborate before:

Line 1: my line, UDP, contact not expired
Line 2+3: TDP, contact expired

Now, I'm on a family plan with my family, who live across on the other side of the states (I'm on the east coast). Moving SIM cards would be a really difficult thing to do. What's my best option here?

Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk

1.) Best Buy pre-orders are only viable if the phone can be shipped to home. Unlimited upgrades are not recommended in store.
2.) It's all about the shipping/billing address. You would need to use a tiered upgrade and have the phone shipped to you. If that works, then we can get the phone activated on your line.

 

[BradSCJB]

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

About 2 years ago, I was able to keep my UDP when I upgraded through amazon. I just selected 'keep my existing plan'. Did they close this loop hole?