SIM Card Retire Time

[blackjaguar25]

Does anyone have a definitive amount of time that can pass before your SIM card will retire while actively using another phone?

 

[bjboucher]

I saw this in a thread I was going point you to until I realized that you started it. So this is the 3rd thread you've started for basically the same topic. This Mortiel works for Verizon and he answered your question already:

I'll start with this because it is 100% false. Activation fees are ONLY charged for new line activation. Switching phones on an active line never costs.

Secondly, once the OG Droid is activated (turn off the Thunderbolt, remove the SIM, then dial *228 option 1 on the Droid), the Thunderbolt's 4G SIM is *supposed* to stay usable for 30 days. However, I have seen many cases where the SIM is rendered Retired (RT) or Grandfathered (GF) after 24 hours.

If the latter happens you will need a new SIM card, which is free from a Verizon store or by calling Tech Support.

There is no need to dial *228 on your Thunderbolt. Simply turn the Droid completely off, placed the SIM back into your Thunderbolt and power it back on. If it does not reactivate automatically, then you can try switching it via the Verizon website, or call Customer Care.

Do not. I repeat, DO NOT let anyone replace your SIM unless they make 100% sure it is in RT or GF status. If it gets in RS status (Ready at Switch) then replacing the SIM can cause reactivating your Thunderbolt take forever.

Sent over the most advanced 4G network in America: Verizon LTE.

 

[blackjaguar25]

And it still isn't quite definitive, but thank you for pointing out info that I already knew.

 

[bjboucher]

Not sure how much more definitive you want. In a perfect world it will stay active for 30 days, sometimes there's glitches and they deactivate sooner.

 

[blackjaguar25]

Much better.

 

[dpham00]

when i tried to activate another phone to replace my thunderbolt, the message said that the 4g sim would be deactivated within 24 hours, but on the website, i think it said 90 days. i forgot.

 

[gvlakers]

Interesting that I am running into this same problem. On Friday I switched my device online to go back to my Blackberry Tour from my Thunderbolt. The switch was easy as pie---but now i can't get it switched back. I enter my Thunderbolt IMEI code, then it asks for the SIM card number and when I enter it it says to call customer care. So I did, and he said the SIM card is retired in the system and will need to be replaced.

Um, why?

 

[potatolover1102]

This is so stupid. I KNOW exactly how y'all feel. I love switching every few weeks. I wanted to switch to the bold to download the new update lol and I can't without worrying I will lose this phone!!

 

[dpham00]

This is so stupid. I KNOW exactly how y'all feel. I love switching every few weeks. I wanted to switch to the bold to download the new update lol and I can't without worrying I will lose this phone!!

Can't you check for updates on wifi? if you must switch, just to check for updates, switch, check for updates, and immediately switch back.

 

[potatolover1102]

Good idea. It would not let me over wi-fi. It found it and then said to connect to a cellular network to download lol. So I guess we can switch whenever in that 24 hour period?

 

[PapaSmurf6768]

Yesterday i contacted Verizon and told them I needed a new SIM card for my Thunderbolt... I don't really need one, but I was bored and it can't hurt to have another one Should be here in a couple days. I might just ask them for another one again and stock up on SIM cards...

 

[Mortiel]

And it still isn't quite definitive, but thank you for pointing out info that I already knew.

This made me lol... especially after one of my posts was quoted with the following: "the Thunderbolt's 4G SIM is *supposed* to stay usable for 30 days. However, I have seen many cases where the SIM is rendered Retired (RT) or Grandfathered (GF) after 24 hours."

That is pretty definitive.

Yesterday i contacted Verizon and told them I needed a new SIM card for my Thunderbolt... I don't really need one, but I was bored and it can't hurt to have another one Should be here in a couple days. I might just ask them for another one again and stock up on SIM cards...

Not a bad idea, but although 4G SIMs are supposed to stay in a limbo-like state until activated, they still expire after 30 days. Once you activate them, if they are removed from your account there is about an 80% chance they will be rendered RT status after 24 hours.

Remember, once a 4G SIM is programmed for a mobile number there is no way to change it. If you change your phone number or switch a 4G device to a new line, you need a new 4G SIM.