Is there a way to get around the Verizon activation fee?

[FACTagent]

When I opened voice mail from the Samsung phone app or a shortcut pre-loaded on the home screen (can't remember which), the Samsung VM app (green home screen icon) opened, I confirmed my level of service (premium VM), and my existing Verizon visual voice mail was there. From what I can tell, Verizon no longer requires a proprietary Visual VM app on Samsung phones. At least that's how it's been on my last few Galaxy phones, whether Verizon locked / branded or unlocked.

 

[L0n3N1nja]

Activation fee is on a new line of surface.

 

[NationalTrust]

I just got two S22+ on an existing lines and payed an activation for for both.

 

[bignaz]

They can wave the fee but you gotta call them. And they might not

 

[phillthedrill]

Well, they rip people off bc you pay for service every month and all you're doing is switching a sim card from one device to the other (those on the same lines of service). So, it's nothing they do on their end.

 

[deepseadiver]

Could anyone with an unlocked device on Verizon confirm if WiFi Calling is enabled and HD Voice? I'm on the fence between a Verizon or unlocked device. I'm okay w/o Visual VM but but WiFi Calling helps a ton.

 

[danhartman26]

I use WiFi calling on my unlocked N20U on Verizon

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

They can wave the fee but you gotta call them. And they might not

They caught on, Verizon usually charges the upgrade fee up front now or makes you check box that you agree to it so we can't say we weren't told about it.

 

[Zorrak]

When I opened voice mail from the Samsung phone app or a shortcut pre-loaded on the home screen (can't remember which), the Samsung VM app (green home screen icon) opened, I confirmed my level of service (premium VM), and my existing Verizon visual voice mail was there. From what I can tell, Verizon no longer requires a proprietary Visual VM app on Samsung phones. At least that's how it's been on my last few Galaxy phones, whether Verizon locked / branded or unlocked.

You might get Visual Voice mail because your paying for Premium VM?. When I got an unlocked S20+ about 1 1/2 years ago I lost access to the Free VVM I use to have on my S8. I called Samsung and Verizon and they couldn't or wouldn't fix it. I ended up using some other App, I think it's called YouMail. Until I got a Verizon S21 and now I have Free VVM again. Pretty sure I did not get charged activation on the S20+ but did on the S21

 

[Laura Knotek]

Could anyone with an unlocked device on Verizon confirm if WiFi Calling is enabled and HD Voice? I'm on the fence between a Verizon or unlocked device. I'm okay w/o Visual VM but but WiFi Calling helps a ton.

It works for me on my unlocked S22 Ultra on Verizon.

 

[Samsmome]

Could anyone with an unlocked device on Verizon confirm if WiFi Calling is enabled and HD Voice? I'm on the fence between a Verizon or unlocked device. I'm okay w/o Visual VM but but WiFi Calling helps a ton.

I have unlocked Note 10+, my wifi calling is enabled and does work. Guess we'll see what happens with the s22u.

 

[L0n3N1nja]

What is the difference in buying an unlocked phone? Is there any down side? Why would anyone buy a branded phone from Verizon (like I just did) instead of getting an unlocked phone if you don't have to pay the activation fee? Could Verizon ever reject it?

I buy the branded phones because I save money, been with Verizon for a decade. AT&T and T-MOBILE are inferior in my neck of the woods so I've got no issue putting a device on a payment plan with a monthly bill credit that I forfeit if I leave Verizon.

It used to be unlocked were missing features but it seems that isn't an issue anymore. Years ago when I worked at Verizon if you had an unlocked phone we did very little troubleshooting for service problems and just blamed the phone instead of finding the issue. Also couldn't get a warranty or insurance replacement in store. We wouldn't even provide tech support in most cases.

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

I buy the branded phones because I save money, been with Verizon for a decade. AT&T and T-MOBILE are inferior in my neck of the woods so I've got no issue putting a device on a payment plan with a monthly bill credit that I forfeit if I leave Verizon.

It used to be unlocked were missing features but it seems that isn't an issue anymore. Years ago when I worked at Verizon if you had an unlocked phone we did very little troubleshooting for service problems and just blamed the phone instead of finding the issue. Also couldn't get a warranty or insurance replacement in store. We wouldn't even provide tech support in most cases.

I can confirm no tech support. They check things out to rule out their system, then transfer you right to Samsung. I've even had them do that with a Verizon branded phone I bought thru Samsung, they would not swap it out for warranty, had to go thru Samsung. They said Samsung wasn't the same as buying from agent or places like best buy, they don't support any phone bought from Samsung direct. I don't know if that has changed, it was on my S10+. They transferred me to Samsung on it.

 

[Beth Hahn]

I mean if you really want the Verizon features you could always flash Verizon firmware on your unlocked model. I've done it with TMobile before I believe. For me the biggest gripe is the video calling but again if someone doesn't have the same carrier you gotta use duo or messenger anyways.

 

[bhatech]

It's all preference on what you want and are used to. I only buy unlocked versions because carriers have no business messing up firmware etc and I hate the carrier logo and anything carrier apps/services. They are not good at it for my liking and I trust Apple, Google, Microsoft, Samsung etc to know that they are doing. The carriers need to worry about their network instead of worrying about how to cripple the OEM firmware. But that's just my preference and wouldn't use the carrier versions even if they pay me to use. I don't care how much the unlocked model costs in comparison to get some carrier deal but I always support buying direct from the manufacturer unlocked version. Also, I never been charged activation fee because I don't go thru the carrier activation/upgrade system when buying phones. I don't need any support from the carriers for anything other than using their network for which I pay them.

One of the reasons why LG used to not get my business because they used to bend over the most to US carriers and stopped even offering the official US unlocked model at one point.

But I'm tiny percentage who prefer this way and the US carriers control the smartphones sales in the US

 

[MK Redding]

I just activated an S22U and an S8+ on existing lines and was charged no fees. Didn't do anything special. It may be because neither was financed.