Anyone on Verizon able to switch lines yet?

[TheBuffather]

Finally Activated iPhone

After reading the forums here, taking to 10+ Verizon reps (local and toll-free number), I decided to try activation based upon the general consensus I heard. I'm afraid this may be too late for too many people, but here are the steps to activate an iPhone on a different line than the line that the iPhone was purchased on:

1. DO NOT turn on the phone what-so-ever
2. Call Verizon and give them your IMEI number and SIM card number, explaining that you want to use it on a different line
3. Let them do their thing, then they will ask you to shut off your old phone, and start up the new one.
4. Phone activates but displays the ORIGINAL number that the phone was bought for; that's okay, keep going.
5. Give it 5-10 minutes, and then you'll be able to dial and receive calls on the phone with the number you wanted.

The key here is that the phone must not have been turned on even once, regardless whether or not you tried to activate it. Otherwise, Verizon said if you have already turned on the phone or tried to activate it, then go ahead and activate it, but give their system 24 hours to change the SIM card over to your line. I hope this helps...

 

[vickytor]

After reading the forums here, taking to 10+ Verizon reps (local and toll-free number), I decided to try activation based upon the general consensus I heard. I'm afraid this may be too late for too many people, but here are the steps to activate an iPhone on a different line than the line that the iPhone was purchased on:

1. DO NOT turn on the phone what-so-ever
2. Call Verizon and give them your IMEI number and SIM card number, explaining that you want to use it on a different line
3. Let them do their thing, then they will ask you to shut off your old phone, and start up the new one.
4. Phone activates but displays the ORIGINAL number that the phone was bought for; that's okay, keep going.
5. Give it 5-10 minutes, and then you'll be able to dial and receive calls on the phone with the number you wanted.

The key here is that the phone must not have been turned on even once, regardless whether or not you tried to activate it. Otherwise, Verizon said if you have already turned on the phone or tried to activate it, then go ahead and activate it, but give their system 24 hours to change the SIM card over to your line. I hope this helps...

Sounds spot on. I did the same thing, just online.

Is your old phone still working? Mine is; I wonder when it disconnects.

 

[mjn298]

Would I be able to do this if I am switching between unrelated accounts?

I have a family account w/ my parents in one one area code that has had unlimited data for years and I decided to open a local account because I feel like it's a little unprofessional for me to give a phone w/ an area code hundreds of miles away (in situations where it would be also inappropriate to give my work cell) - in any event I have another phone I plan to activate on the local line.

These lines are totally unrelated. Can I put the iPhone 5 on the family plan while retaining unlimited data with the steps above?

 

[notsosure]

Having the same problem. Although I'm especially mad because I hadn't turned my phone until the rep to whom I explained my problem, made me turn it on!!! Now I'm on 24hr hold. Anyone break that sooner, please let me know!

 

[ericandi]

Some B.S.

I waited a year for this darn phone. I had to buy it on a dummy line that was eligible for upgrade. Actually a line I let my mom use. I turn the phone on, it activates to that number automatically. Then I go online and try to switch the phone to my main line that I use. No joy. I call customer service they tell me some B.S. story about the SIM needing 24 hours to season. Makes it sound like its an iPhone issue. Thats crap. A SIM doesnt have clock built into it that prevents it from being switched for 24 hours. Technically, Verizon should be able to switch it every 5 minutes to a new line, but apparently their system is crap and doesnt allow for this. My iphone 4S and iphone 4 never had such limitations. So now Im stuck with this great phone for 24 hours and it wont work for phone calls or texts unless I want to use it on my moms phone number which would just confuse people. The first Verizon rep on the phone said a Verizon store could switch it immediately. Then I called back again to see if a different rep could figure it out over the phone. He said that even a store cant do it for 24 hours. What the heck can I do to get this thing switched over to another line now? Apple Store? Pray? This is like holding a Big Mac in my hand for 24 hours and Im not allowed to eat it. Im so steamed right now. I guess I can play games and use the other apps. Just feels incomplete. I know Im whining but when you pay $400 after waiting a year to order the damn thing then waiting a week for it to be shippped, I don't want to wait another 24 hours to use it fully.

 

[sectime]

I waited a year for this darn phone. I had to buy it on a dummy line that was eligible for upgrade. Actually a line I let my mom use. I turn the phone on, it activates to that number automatically. Then I go online and try to switch the phone to my main line that I use. No joy. I call customer service they tell me some B.S. story about the SIM needing 24 hours to season. Makes it sound like its an iPhone issue. Thats crap. A SIM doesnt have clock built into it that prevents it from being switched for 24 hours. Technically, Verizon should be able to switch it every 5 minutes to a new line, but apparently their system is crap and doesnt allow for this. My iphone 4S and iphone 4 never had such limitations. So now Im stuck with this great phone for 24 hours and it wont work for phone calls or texts unless I want to use it on my moms phone number which would just confuse people. The first Verizon rep on the phone said a Verizon store could switch it immediately. Then I called back again to see if a different rep could figure it out over the phone. He said that even a store cant do it for 24 hours. What the heck can I do to get this thing switched over to another line now? Apple Store? Pray? This is like holding a Big Mac in my hand for 24 hours and Im not allowed to eat it. Im so steamed right now. I guess I can play games and use the other apps. Just feels incomplete. I know Im whining but when you pay $400 after waiting a year to order the damn thing then waiting a week for it to be shippped, I don't want to wait another 24 hours to use it fully.

Welcome to the forum, post in 24 hours how you love the phone.

 

[climber20]

I waited a year for this darn phone. I had to buy it on a dummy line that was eligible for upgrade. Actually a line I let my mom use. I turn the phone on, it activates to that number automatically. Then I go online and try to switch the phone to my main line that I use. No joy. I call customer service they tell me some B.S. story about the SIM needing 24 hours to season. Makes it sound like its an iPhone issue. Thats crap. A SIM doesnt have clock built into it that prevents it from being switched for 24 hours. Technically, Verizon should be able to switch it every 5 minutes to a new line, but apparently their system is crap and doesnt allow for this. My iphone 4S and iphone 4 never had such limitations. So now Im stuck with this great phone for 24 hours and it wont work for phone calls or texts unless I want to use it on my moms phone number which would just confuse people. The first Verizon rep on the phone said a Verizon store could switch it immediately. Then I called back again to see if a different rep could figure it out over the phone. He said that even a store cant do it for 24 hours. What the heck can I do to get this thing switched over to another line now? Apple Store? Pray? This is like holding a Big Mac in my hand for 24 hours and Im not allowed to eat it. Im so steamed right now. I guess I can play games and use the other apps. Just feels incomplete. I know Im whining but when you pay $400 after waiting a year to order the damn thing then waiting a week for it to be shippped, I don't want to wait another 24 hours to use it fully.

I hear ya man. Here's the thing though- is it actually possible to change the phone number assigned to a SIM card? Not just this SIM, but any SIM card? If not, then Verizon is just feeding us a bunch of bull.

 

[M87]

Got mine, took it straight to Verizon without turning it on and within minutes had it switched from my iPad line to my iPhone line. Funny thing is, my iPad line still says it eligible for upgrade and not under contract.

 

[thekjs88]

Does this apply to people who would be porting their number from, say, AT&T over to Verizon? I took it to the store and they told me to call a number but NOT to turn the new phone on yet. I called the number, and the first thing the lady asks me to do is turn on the new phone.

 

[sedano06]

I received both my iphones and they say I have to wait until tuesday to get a sim card. I didnt turn on the phones, but they say that it was preactivated so theres nothing they can do. They also said that none of the verizon wireless retail stores have iphone 5 sim cards. FML

Should I just activate the phone and just wait until tuesday when they send the nano sim card

 

[alemmo]

Well here is my story. I had my mom get an iphone for me on her account(we have separate accounts and live in different states). She got the upgrade on her dumbphone line. Over the phone after she had it activated I talked her through activating her old dumb phone and she shipped me the new iphone next day mail.

The new iphone will be here tomorrow it is deactivated now. So it sounds like I am going to have to take this into a Verizon Store to have it switched over to my number? Or can I try to do it online?

 

[vickytor]

I waited a year for this darn phone. I had to buy it on a dummy line that was eligible for upgrade. Actually a line I let my mom use. I turn the phone on, it activates to that number automatically. Then I go online and try to switch the phone to my main line that I use. No joy. I call customer service they tell me some B.S. story about the SIM needing 24 hours to season. Makes it sound like its an iPhone issue. Thats crap. A SIM doesnt have clock built into it that prevents it from being switched for 24 hours. Technically, Verizon should be able to switch it every 5 minutes to a new line, but apparently their system is crap and doesnt allow for this. My iphone 4S and iphone 4 never had such limitations. So now Im stuck with this great phone for 24 hours and it wont work for phone calls or texts unless I want to use it on my moms phone number which would just confuse people. The first Verizon rep on the phone said a Verizon store could switch it immediately. Then I called back again to see if a different rep could figure it out over the phone. He said that even a store cant do it for 24 hours. What the heck can I do to get this thing switched over to another line now? Apple Store? Pray? This is like holding a Big Mac in my hand for 24 hours and Im not allowed to eat it. Im so steamed right now. I guess I can play games and use the other apps. Just feels incomplete. I know Im whining but when you pay $400 after waiting a year to order the damn thing then waiting a week for it to be shippped, I don't want to wait another 24 hours to use it fully.

Sorry to hear about your trouble. I really wonder about the SIM "rule". Has anyone who switched Verizon 4G LTE phones between lines experienced this before?

 

[alexdell]

I've never ordered SIM cards; I'm assuming they're not tied to any particular line?

Like the instructions in this thread, you first want to go online and Activate the iPhone 5 on your line with unlimited data, and select the line with Unlimited Data when it asks.

After you go through the process and turn on the phone, it'll probably display the dumbphone line number that you used when you bought it (I also purchased it from the Apple Store). But you just confirm it anyways, and it should activate on the line you specified online.

The problem is that when I click on Activate/Switch the Device option, I get this message:

"Your request cannot be completed
Our records indicate you recently purchased a SIM card for this MDN but have not activated it yet. You have the option to proceed with your online equipment order after you have activated your new SIM card or you may contact Customer Service at (800) 922-0204 for further assistance."

I'm on hold right now with a Customer Rep and I'm hoping they can activate it for me with the new sim card.

 

[vickytor]

Well here is my story. I had my mom get an iphone for me on her account(we have separate accounts and live in different states). She got the upgrade on her dumbphone line. Over the phone after she had it activated I talked her through activating her old dumb phone and she shipped me the new iphone next day mail.

The new iphone will be here tomorrow it is deactivated now. So it sounds like I am going to have to take this into a Verizon Store to have it switched over to my number? Or can I try to do it online?

From what we've been seen, the SIM may be tied to her phone since you activated it. Maybe you can help us test this "24 hour SIM rule " by trying to activate it online. If it doesn't work, then you might have to just get a new SIM.

 

[saa001]

Does this apply to people who would be porting their number from, say, AT&T over to Verizon? I took it to the store and they told me to call a number but NOT to turn the new phone on yet. I called the number, and the first thing the lady asks me to do is turn on the new phone.

I ported my number over from Sprint. I turned on my iPhone 5, went through the short setup, and within 5 minutes I was up and working without a problem. No further intervention required. I was so surprised about the ease that the porting went that I tested it and everything is working fine.

I have no idea why other people are having problems but my was so easy that I didn't believe that it had worked.

 

[ScionxB2k11]

Why didn't apple make you activate it? They wouldn't let me leave the store last time without activating it.

I'm not sure why, the lady asked if I. Needed help activating and I said no. The. She wished me a great day and I was on my way. Now that I recall I had to activate the iPhone 4 at apple too when I got it. Maybe they changed something.

 

[vickytor]

The problem is that when I click on Activate/Switch the Device option, I get this message:

"Your request cannot be completed
Our records indicate you recently purchased a SIM card for this MDN but have not activated it yet. You have the option to proceed with your online equipment order after you have activated your new SIM card or you may contact Customer Service at (800) 922-0204 for further assistance."

I'm on hold right now with a Customer Rep and I'm hoping they can activate it for me with the new sim card.

I guess the SIM became tied to your line. Did ask you to designate a line for it when you ordered it?

Good luck.

 

[sclawis300]

I ported my number over from Sprint. I turned on my iPhone 5, went through the short setup, and within 5 minutes I was up and working without a problem. No further intervention required. I was so surprised about the ease that the porting went that I tested it and everything is working fine.

I have no idea why other people are having problems but my was so easy that I didn't believe that it had worked.

Seriously?!?!?!? Did you even read the thread. This has nothing to do with porting a number.

 

[saa001]

Seriously?!?!?!? Did you even read the thread. This has nothing to do with porting a number.

You mean did I have to activate my ported number? Yes. Without any problems at all. In order to port a number you have to activate it.

Went easy. No problems at all.

 

[sclawis300]

You mean did I have to activate my ported number? Yes. Without any problems at all. In order to port a number you have to activate it.

Went easy. No problems at all.

Ok, this thread is about upgrading and keeping unlimited data. Not porting a number and activating.

 

[kycophpd]

Unrelated plans switch

I switched on unrelated plans today. I bought on my personal account and then switched it to my work account. The only requirement is that the persons responsible for both plans need to be on the phone or in store with the reps to make the change. For me, it was a government account so my coworker in charge dealt with that end and then handed the phone to me while they made sure it was okay to move the new phone and sim off my personal account. Once again, it is highly important that you do not turn the phone on at all before they switch it.

It was a very easy process just make sure if you are across the country from the responsible person for your account that you conference call with them when you call to switch it and make sure you are not calling from the line you are moving the iPhone 5 to.

 

[alexdell]

I guess the SIM became tied to your line. Did ask you to designate a line for it when you ordered it?

Good luck.

Finally got on the phone with a CSR. She was able to activate the new sim card with the iPhone. It's now activated and working. Yeah!

My voice plan (450 min) and unlimited data remained unchanged. The only downside is that for some reason she said that the Friends & Family disappeared, which I really didn't care about.

 

[SmithErick]

You can thank the Nano Sim's for this 24hour rule.


-Upgrade/swap from a 4G device to a different 4G device with a different SIM
- (Same Day) Old SIM can only be reactivated on the same MTN
- (Next Day) SIM can be activated on any MTN the next day.

-Upgrade/swap from a 4G device to a 3G device
- (Same Day) Old SIM can only be reactivated on the same MTN
- (Next Day) SIM can be activated on any MTN the next day.

The nano sims seem to be MTN based. With my experience no other sim has this rule.

 

[jmo1116]

I hear ya man. Here's the thing though- is it actually possible to change the phone number assigned to a SIM card? Not just this SIM, but any SIM card? If not, then Verizon is just feeding us a bunch of bull.

Verizon is not being honest. Whoever is telling you that the iPhone 5 cannot be activated unless you wait 24 hours is trying to scam you. Well, really what I think is they don't want a million iPhones being activated all at once and crash their system. That's why they're telling you to wait 24 hours.

Here's what I just did 2 hours ago:

1) went to the Verizon store
2) told the lady my situation (ordered i5 on dummy line and want to switch to my number)
3) at first, she tried to feed me the "24 hour wait" story but I knew better
4) I told her what to do (activate the i5 on the dummy line, put a new SIM card in the i5, switch the numbers and finally activate i5 on my number)
5) I'm pretty sure she knew what I was talking about. She did what I said and I got my iPhone 5 activated and kept unlimited data

Hope this helps others!

 

[notsosure]

Verizon is not being honest. Whoever is telling you that the iPhone 5 cannot be activated unless you wait 24 hours is trying to scam you. Well, really what I think is they don't want a million iPhones being activated all at once and crash their system. That's why they're telling you to wait 24 hours.

Here's what I just did 2 hours ago:

1) went to the Verizon store
2) told the lady my situation (ordered i5 on dummy line and want to switch to my number)
3) at first, she tried to feed me the "24 hour wait" story but I knew better
4) I told her what to do (activate the i5 on the dummy line, put a new SIM card in the i5, switch the numbers and finally activate i5 on my number)
5) I'm pretty sure she knew what I was talking about. She did what I said and I got my iPhone 5 activated and kept unlimited data

Hope this helps others!

Ya but i guess that only works if you can get a new sim. those of us stuck with the old sims are stuck with the 24hr wait. that's if you don't switch sims and just switch lines.