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

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

I'm so glad I came across this site/post! I need a new phone but my kid's use a ton of data when we're on the road. My son recently broke my Droid and I've been without a phone for MONTHS now, fearing I'd lose my unlimited data if I upgraded. I've been already been duped once and now I'm stuck with a data plan for 2 years on a dumb phone.

I went to both VZW and Best Buy and they both told me that would I lose my data if I transferred my upgrade to another line and the phone was activated on the line with the transferred upgrade because my upgrade would be used for a new contract. Confused? Me too!

I'll try to break it down as best as I can:
Line 1 - Broken Droid Maxx w/ UDP + upgrade available
Line 2 - Droid Maxx w/ UDP (no upgrade)
Line 3 - dumb phone + early edge eligible (no data)
Line 4 - dumb phone w/ TDP (no upgrade)
Line 5 - iPad w/ TDP (no upgrade)

Can someone please clear this up and help me find a solution?

edit: I came across a situation similar to mine after reading through a few more pages. Please correct me if I'm wrong but couldn't I transfer Line 1's upgrade to Line 4 or 5, buy a new phone, activate it and just switch the device to Line 1 on vzw.com? If I understood the reps correctly, activating a new phone purchased with the Line 1's upgrade, even if transferred, would give me a new 2 year contract on Line 1. Would I be better off just not activating it and switching/cutting my currrent sim (I have both sizes too)?
 
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Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

Here's my current plan. It's a Family Share Plan 1400 minutes with talk & text.

Line 1 (Main) - UDP No upgrade available
Line 2 - UDP with an upgrade available
Line 3 - UDP with an upgrade available
Line 4 - 2 gig tiered data - no upgrade available

I'd like to transfer one of the upgrades to line 4. This phone will be used on line 4. Since this line is already tiered, can I get this upgrade accomplished in store? Thanks.
 
Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

Sorry for asking so many questions, just looking to make sure I am on the right track as I just placed an order.

To recap, I have:
Line 1: UDP Samsung Galaxy S4, upgrade available.
Line 2: TDP Samsung Galaxy S4, upgrade not available.
Line 3: No data, dumb phone, upgrade available.

Using BB method with Line 3 upgrade, I just purchased and iPhone 6. If I want to use it on Line 1, then I can either:
Option 1:
Cut my micro SIM from my original Galaxy S4 to a nano SIM and place it in the iPhone 6.
Option 2:
Go online to Verizon and use the "activate or switch device" feature, select "activate a phone that has never been on the account before", then type in the IMEI and SIM numbers that came with the iPhone 6.

Is this correct? Is one of those options preferred? I feel like Option 1 would be better, correct?
 
Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

I'm a bit rusty here, but I'm due for an upgrade and could use some help on how I can do it while keeping my plan.

Okay here's what I got going:
- I have an LG G2
- Line 1 is my mom's dummy phone line that will have an upgrade available this September.
- Line 2 is my unlimited line that I can upgrade right now.

First: Can I move my unlimited plan's upgrade to my mom's dummy line?

Second: How will this work? Haha....

- upgrade my mom's dummy phone line to a smartphone?
- Then when the phone comes in, don't turn it on or do anything with it yet.
- Transfer the new smartphone back to my unlimited line
- Put my current SIM card into the new phone
- Activate it and enjoy.

Right or wrong?

EDIT: Just opened my LG G2's SIM tray, looks like I have an older SIM card design. The newer stuff is much smaller. What will I do now?
 
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Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

I'm so glad I came across this site/post! I need a new phone but my kid's use a ton of data when we're on the road. My son recently broke my Droid and I've been without a phone for MONTHS now, fearing I'd lose my unlimited data if I upgraded. I've been already been duped once and now I'm stuck with a data plan for 2 years on a dumb phone.

I went to both VZW and Best Buy and they both told me that would I lose my data if I transferred my upgrade to another line and the phone was activated on the line with the transferred upgrade because my upgrade would be used for a new contract. Confused? Me too!

I'll try to break it down as best as I can:
Line 1 - Broken Droid Maxx w/ UDP + upgrade available
Line 2 - Droid Maxx w/ UDP (no upgrade)
Line 3 - dumb phone + early edge eligible (no data)
Line 4 - dumb phone w/ TDP (no upgrade)
Line 5 - iPad w/ TDP (no upgrade)

Can someone please clear this up and help me find a solution?

edit: I came across a situation similar to mine after reading through a few more pages. Please correct me if I'm wrong but couldn't I transfer Line 1's upgrade to Line 4 or 5, buy a new phone, activate it and just switch the device to Line 1 on vzw.com? If I understood the reps correctly, activating a new phone purchased with the Line 1's upgrade, even if transferred, would give me a new 2 year contract on Line 1. Would I be better off just not activating it and switching/cutting my currrent sim (I have both sizes too)?

Your edit is right on the money, though, I would use Line 4 since it is a phone line. Just do the following:

1.) Online through Best Buy or Verizon, transfer the upgrade from Line 1 to Line 4 and order the new smartphone. Have it shipped to home.
2.) When it arrives, just activate the new smartphone on Line 4 and wait an hour
3.) Now, reactivate the old basic phone
4.) Activate the new smartphone on Line 1

You can do all of this from home online through My Verizon. Going this route will put Line 1 in a new 2 year contract, but not affect the unlimited data.
 
Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

Here's my current plan. It's a Family Share Plan 1400 minutes with talk & text.

Line 1 (Main) - UDP No upgrade available
Line 2 - UDP with an upgrade available
Line 3 - UDP with an upgrade available
Line 4 - 2 gig tiered data - no upgrade available

I'd like to transfer one of the upgrades to line 4. This phone will be used on line 4. Since this line is already tiered, can I get this upgrade accomplished in store? Thanks.

No. Store reps will tell you that you will lose unlimited data if you do it in-store. Now, you can transfer the upgrade online and pick-up in-store. You just need to be very careful to make sure they activate the phone on the correct line.
 
Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

Sorry for asking so many questions, just looking to make sure I am on the right track as I just placed an order.

To recap, I have:
Line 1: UDP Samsung Galaxy S4, upgrade available.
Line 2: TDP Samsung Galaxy S4, upgrade not available.
Line 3: No data, dumb phone, upgrade available.

Using BB method with Line 3 upgrade, I just purchased and iPhone 6. If I want to use it on Line 1, then I can either:
Option 1:
Cut my micro SIM from my original Galaxy S4 to a nano SIM and place it in the iPhone 6.
Option 2:
Go online to Verizon and use the "activate or switch device" feature, select "activate a phone that has never been on the account before", then type in the IMEI and SIM numbers that came with the iPhone 6.

Is this correct? Is one of those options preferred? I feel like Option 1 would be better, correct?

You are correct and there is no preferred method. Both work just fine. I would suggest trying option 2 and using option 1 as a fall back. This way you do not need to worry about cutting the SIM if option 2 works. However, either way is fine.
 
Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

I'm a bit rusty here, but I'm due for an upgrade and could use some help on how I can do it while keeping my plan.

Okay here's what I got going:
- I have an LG G2
- Line 1 is my mom's dummy phone line that will have an upgrade available this September.
- Line 2 is my unlimited line that I can upgrade right now.

First: Can I move my unlimited plan's upgrade to my mom's dummy line?

Second: How will this work? Haha....

- upgrade my mom's dummy phone line to a smartphone?
- Then when the phone comes in, don't turn it on or do anything with it yet.
- Transfer the new smartphone back to my unlimited line
- Put my current SIM card into the new phone
- Activate it and enjoy.

Right or wrong?

EDIT: Just opened my LG G2's SIM tray, looks like I have an older SIM card design. The newer stuff is much smaller. What will I do now?

What new phone do you want? Some phones still use the micro sized SIM like the Note 4 and LG G4. Others may require you to either cut your SIM or try using the IMEI/SIM numbers that come with the new phone.

Either way, you are correct in that you can transfer the upgrade to your mom's line. That will be the method that works best.
 
Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

I was, thank you again. :p
I am able to proceed as expected now. Appreciate all the help.
 
Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

No. Store reps will tell you that you will lose unlimited data if you do it in-store. Now, you can transfer the upgrade online and pick-up in-store. You just need to be very careful to make sure they activate the phone on the correct line.

I decided not to go the in store route. I've gone on to both VZW & BB and cannot find the prompt that allows me to transfer an upgrade. Any suggestions?
 
Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

i purchased 3 Samsung s5 through the best method and i am having issues with visual voicemail and i am afraid to call verizon to get help because they might remove my UDP please help


line 1: iphone 5 with UDP now has Samsung s5 after upgrade can not subscribe to visual voicemail
line 2: iphone 5 with UDP now has Samsung s5 after upgrade can not subscribe to visual voicemail
line 3: iphone 5 with UDP now has Samsung s5 after upgrade can not subscribe to visual voicemail
 
Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

What new phone do you want? Some phones still use the micro sized SIM like the Note 4 and LG G4. Others may require you to either cut your SIM or try using the IMEI/SIM numbers that come with the new phone.

Either way, you are correct in that you can transfer the upgrade to your mom's line. That will be the method that works best.

Hey, thanks for helping.

As for what phone I want? Not sure. I'm itching for a Motorola device and I'm hoping come Tuesday that new product announcements will convince me to go with one of their devices.

In fact, if Motorola doesn't wow me or convince me, looks like I'll be stuck with my G2 for another year. Anyways....to answer your question, I'm hoping to have a new Motorola phone.

How would the SIM play into this if a new phone doesn't use my same size SIM card? I tried trimming down my dad's SIM card to fit in the Droid Turbo, but after all the trimming, it still wouldn't fit. This is what I see happening to me.
 
Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

I decided not to go the in store route. I've gone on to both VZW & BB and cannot find the prompt that allows me to transfer an upgrade. Any suggestions?

Here is how to do it through Verizon: Phone Upgrades: Top Questions Answered (4th question down)

For Best Buy put the phone you want in your cart and type in the phone number of the line you want to transfer the upgrade TO (which of course cannot be eligible for its own upgrade) and see if it gives you the option of transferring an upgrade to it.
 
Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

i purchased 3 Samsung s5 through the best method and i am having issues with visual voicemail and i am afraid to call verizon to get help because they might remove my UDP please help


line 1: iphone 5 with UDP now has Samsung s5 after upgrade can not subscribe to visual voicemail
line 2: iphone 5 with UDP now has Samsung s5 after upgrade can not subscribe to visual voicemail
line 3: iphone 5 with UDP now has Samsung s5 after upgrade can not subscribe to visual voicemail

Have you turned on Advance Calling?
 
Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

Hey, thanks for helping.

As for what phone I want? Not sure. I'm itching for a Motorola device and I'm hoping come Tuesday that new product announcements will convince me to go with one of their devices.

In fact, if Motorola doesn't wow me or convince me, looks like I'll be stuck with my G2 for another year. Anyways....to answer your question, I'm hoping to have a new Motorola phone.

How would the SIM play into this if a new phone doesn't use my same size SIM card? I tried trimming down my dad's SIM card to fit in the Droid Turbo, but after all the trimming, it still wouldn't fit. This is what I see happening to me.

I'm anxiously waiting for Motorola's announcement tomorrow too. As for the SIM sizes, if you do not want to cut the micro-SIM, you could go this route:

1.) Upgrade through the Basic Line
2.) When the new phone arrives, log into My Verizon
3.) Chooses "activate or switch device" and Select your unlimited line
4.) Select "Activate a device that has never been on the account before"
5.) Type in the IMEI and SIM numbers of the new phone and follow the rest of the activation directions

That should activate the new phone on your unlimited line. There are other ways of doing it (borrowing your dad's phone for a little while would help too). Once you decide on a new phone, someone from this thread will guide you on the process.
 
Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

Here is how to do it through Verizon: Phone Upgrades: Top Questions Answered (4th question down)

For Best Buy put the phone you want in your cart and type in the phone number of the line you want to transfer the upgrade TO (which of course cannot be eligible for its own upgrade) and see if it gives you the option of transferring an upgrade to it.

Can't find it on BB. I can transfer the upgrade on Verizon's site, but they're charging $50 more for the device than BB.
 

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