Anyone on Verizon able to switch lines yet?

[raf66]

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!

^^This^^

However, the Verizon rep I spoke at length with told me that Apple is not allowing customers to switch and require a 24 hr. hold. I don't know if she's was just making excuses since she may have caused the problem by telling me to turn on the phone in the first place, but she sounded convincing and got her boss involved.

I mean, this is a pretty common occurrence I presume, so why don't these CS folks know the proper process to make it happen smooth and seamlessly? Oh well, at least I've been able to enjoy my phone as an iPod Touch all evening.

 

[jetlitheone]

Lies. I did this. No 24hr hold on my new iPhone now from another line

 

[gagecloutier]

Lies. I did this. No 24hr hold on my new iPhone now from another line

You probably didn't activate the iPhone 5 on the line you purchased it on. Most of us having difficulties did.

 

[flyguyjake]

I have two iPhone 5 "Alternative Upgrades". The 1st phone I activated (via iPhone) on the eligible line. This one I cannot transfer due to this 24 hour sim card hold. The second one I activated on verizon's website (online) to the line I wanted it on. It activated perfectly and I kept the UDP. It doesn't matter if the phone was turned on. You just cannot have activated the sim card to any line.

The sim card that was shipped with your iPhone will work for a transfer after this hold expires. None of us would have a problem if it wasn't for this bogus 24hr hold.

 

[gagecloutier]

I have two iPhone 5 "Alternative Upgrades". The 1st phone I activated (via iPhone) on the eligible line. This one I cannot transfer due to this 24 hour sim card hold. The second one I activated on verizon's website (online) to the line I wanted it on. It activated perfectly and I kept the UDP. It doesn't matter if the phone was turned on. You just cannot have activated the sim card to any line.

The sim card that was shipped with your iPhone will work for a transfer after this hold expires. None of us would have a problem if it wasn't for this bogus 24hr hold.

How are you so sure though that this 24 hour hold is actually legitimate though? Like several people have mentioned before, SIM cards do not have internal clocks, however, I guess on Verizon's end it could potentially make sense (barely). I've talked to 7+ Verizon reps and none settle on a coherent and consistent story. First, it was that I had to wait until midnight. No avail. Then had to get a new SIM card that won't even be in-stock for days/weeks based on my location. Then that I will have to wait 24 hours. And as if that wasn't enough, none of them seem to know whether the iPhone 5 has to be consistently activated on the line it was purchased under at a subsidized price for 24 hours and then transferred to the desired line, or if it must be activated and then promptly deactivated from the line it was purchased on and then count 24 hours from that time. Verizon is truly ruining Apple's wonderful and innovative new piece of technology. I now have a $400 paperweight/iPod touch until this B.S. gets resolved. I am veering towards the belief of some others in this thread saying that VZW reps are saying to wait 24 hours because they don't know how in the hell to respond because they're clueless and dumbfounded.

 

[skelaw]

Bought my Verizon Black 16GB iPhone at the Augusta Mall in Augusta, Georgia at 8AM. The specialist who helped me scanned everything, and I told her that I wanted to switch one upgrade to my number. They did not know that these were run by sim/ or didn't know they had different procedures.

Luckily, my mall store had Verizon/ATT/Sprint reps there, and after about 2 hours of 1-on-1 with the Verizon rep, we finally found a solution by inserting a NEW sim card, and transferring the number. It was originally locked, but she called some line, and the gentleman there switched the lines, and everything has been working since.

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This is Apple's fault, I believe. Their associates were not aware that they had to call in the UDID, or some acronym (one on the phone, and the sim card) to a number, allowing the switch.

The only reason I suspect this is because there were supposed to be "memos" sent out about it, but weren't handed out, and with how quickly people were coming in, there just was not enough time to call in a number, type in several of them and set it up.

 

[flyguyjake]

I don't believe the actual card is locked or has a time stamp stored in memory. It is totally Verizon blocking this due to overwhelming activation demand. I don't think they wanted the system crashing and/or their reps processing sim transfers all day. They wanted to activate as many phones as possible on the 1st day for shear numbers. Tomorrow they can gloat at how many iPhone 5's they activated.

The reason why a new sim card works is because that sim's serial # hasn't been activated on Verizon's system. It is Verizon blocking transfers, not the card itself. I called 5 local stores and none had sim cards on hand. Also tried the Apple store, none there either.

** Also how ridiculous that there were zero accessories available at the Apple stores! No cases, lightning cable nor car chargers. The little mall kiosk had cases and screen protectors in mass quantity and a line of 8 people waiting to buy cases. They banked on Apple & Verizon's lack of accessories available.

 

[gagecloutier]

I don't believe the actual card is locked or has a time stamp stored in memory. It is totally Verizon blocking this due to overwhelming activation demand. I don't think they wanted the system crashing and/or their reps processing sim transfers all day. They wanted to activate as many phones as possible on the 1st day for shear numbers. Tomorrow they can gloat at how many iPhone 5's they activated.

The reason why a new sim card works is because that sim's serial # hasn't been activated on Verizon's system. It is Verizon blocking transfers, not the card itself. I called 5 local stores and none had sim cards on hand. Also tried the Apple store, none there either.

** Also how ridiculous that there were zero accessories available at the Apple stores! No cases, lightning cable nor car chargers. The little mall kiosk had cases and screen protectors in mass quantity and a line of 8 people waiting to buy cases. They banked on Apple & Verizon's lack of accessories available.

Well, let's just say that if I call up VZW tomorrow 24 hours after the first time I activated my iPhone 5 today and it doesn't work and then they try to come up with another B.S. excuse (like, "I'm sorry sir, it's now going to take 24-48 hours more"), I will have a fit of rage and the probability of me reaching the brink of insanity and feeling inclined to punch a hole through the drywall will rise drastically.

 

[gagecloutier]

Well hot damn, I'll be struck by lightning with a rubber goose in my hand. Sure enough, just gave the switch online a shot and it worked! It hasn't even been 24 hours (so that's pretty much B.S. as I thought, it's been more like 12). I had a problem for about 20 mins. after that where my LTE signal was fine and I could use data (Safari, Mail, App Store, iTunes, etc. with WiFi OFF) but couldn't make outgoing calls. The problem seemed to have cleared itself up after a little while so if you have the same problem, be patient. Now I can finally enjoy my iPhone 5!

 

[soonbaek]

Well hot damn, I'll be struck by lightning with a rubber goose in my hand. Sure enough, just gave the switch online a shot and it worked! It hasn't even been 24 hours (so that's pretty much B.S. as I thought, it's been more like 12). I had a problem for about 20 mins. after that where my LTE signal was fine and I could use data (Safari, Mail, App Store, iTunes, etc. with WiFi OFF) but couldn't make outgoing calls. The problem seemed to have cleared itself up after a little while so if you have the same problem, be patient. Now I can finally enjoy my iPhone 5!

Yup! Mine got through

 

[Mortalias]

Let me post what I did and hopefully more of you will save yourself the trouble of the SIM card nonsense.

1. Get the box it came in. Don't even bother opening it.
2. log into Verizon account online.
3. Click 'Activate/Add a device' and select the line you want to use.
4. Put in IMEI and SIM card numbers.
5. It will tell you to choose a plan, unlimited is still selected by default.
6. Done.
7. Now open up phone, tuen on, and enjoy

 

[Olivia23]

Yea we know several had success not even turning the phone on but what a lot of us need to know it's had anyone been able to switch numbers after the phone was activated on another line!

 

[Thadon]

All you have to do is put the SIM card number onto your line you want. I did this with two iPhone 5s. You can do this online under your account management. Verizon customer service was about useless when I asked them to do it.

 

[Olivia23]

All you have to do is put the SIM card number onto your line you want. I did this with two iPhone 5s. You can do this online under your account management. Verizon customer service was about useless when I asked them to do it.

No. I wish it were that simple. I have been trying online and over the phone. Online when I try to switch it keeps saying I have to activate it first (don't know what to do about that).

I bought it at a verizon store. They turned it on and activated it under the new number. I want to switch it to my current number. The store said I had to call customer service to get them to send me another sim card to be able to switch. The card will not get here until Tuesday.

 

[spacebetween]

Verizon is truly ruining Apple's wonderful and innovative new piece of technology. I now have a $400 paperweight/iPod touch until this B.S. gets resolved. I am veering towards the belief of some others in this thread saying that VZW reps are saying to wait 24 hours because they don't know how in the hell to respond because they're clueless and dumbfounded.

I've read a lot of posts in these threads about trying to keep unlimited data plans that blame Verizon for screwing things up and as the above says, "ruining Apple's wonderful innovative new piece of technology" and to be fair, is this really Verizon's fault? The only issues are coming from people who are trying to use a workaround to keep a plan that they "technically," shouldn't be able to.

I understand the frustration, but I'm not sure you can really blame the problems on Verizon. People are faulting them for a process that's a backdoor loophole and that Verizon technically doesn't even have to allow.

 

[Mortalias]

No. I wish it were that simple. I have been trying online and over the phone. Online when I try to switch it keeps saying I have to activate it first (don't know what to do about that).

I bought it at a verizon store. They turned it on and activated it under the new number. I want to switch it to my current number. The store said I had to call customer service to get them to send me another sim card to be able to switch. The card will not get here until Tuesday.

If the phone was already turned on and activated under the other number, then you will most likely need a new SIM indeed. There's no way to switch it once its been associated with a line otherwise.

 

[raf66]

By way of update, I just got off the phone with VZW again (two lengthy phone calls yesterday afternoon) and, while the phone now shows as being activated, it cannot make or receive calls. It shows 4G LTE along the top, and I can get online through Safari, but phone calls are a no-go at this point. VZW advised me that the last stop in the process is the ability to make/receive phone calls, while having 4G LTE service and being able to get online are the first things that happen successfully. This upgrading-to-a-different-line-than-you-ordered-it-on thing is frustrating.

VZW is supposed to call me back in 30 minutes 'cause they believe it will be successfully activated by that time. And they mentioned that I might have to remove the SIM card (to replace?). Not sure I want to have to stick a sharp object in my phone and remove an important electronic gadget. Pointy/sharp tools are not usually my friends.

 

[nrivas]

I was able to switch with no hiccups last night, sucks for y'all.

 

[alejovh1]

I called as well to swap phones and got the "24"hour waiting crap. Went to the local Verizon store and they said they didn't have any nano sim cards.
Went to a big Verizon store and the rep wa able to get me a new nano sim and switch my phones with no problem. It's all bs, just go to a few stores until they do it. Hope that helps

 

[raxafarian]

Yea we know several had success not even turning the phone on but what a lot of us need to know it's had anyone been able to switch numbers after the phone was activated on another line!

I did.

I activated on the new line I added (with the rep on the line telling me to do so). Then she tried to switch it and said it gave an error and I'd need a new sim card. She called around to locate one and had no luck.. told me she'd fedex one at no charge next week.

Called back a few hours later and the new rep said the first one should have switched it around to the line I wanted it BEFORE turning on the iphone for the first time... but she'd be able to dummy out the line and let the sim sleep/age/timeout/whatever and I'd be able to do the change tomorrow (sat).

Also got a voicemail from the first rep at this point stating the same thing the second rep just told me.

Tried online after midnight... no luck.

Tried online this morning to switch and it worked. Took 15 or so minutes after the online switch said it went through. Had to log out and back into the online account to see the changes (don't know if it was still processing or if this helped to see the change in the account).

*228 on the old phone and programmed it to the new line (where the iphone came from) and I'm all set!

 

[Olivia23]

I did.

I activated on the new line I added (with the rep on the line telling me to do so). Then she tried to switch it and said it gave an error and I'd need a new sim card. She called around to locate one and had no luck.. told me she'd fedex one at no charge next week.

Called back a few hours later and the new rep said the first one should have switched it around to the line I wanted it BEFORE turning on the iphone for the first time... but she'd be able to dummy out the line and let the sim sleep/age/timeout/whatever and I'd be able to do the change tomorrow (sat).

Also got a voicemail from the first rep at this point stating the same thing the second rep just told me.

Tried online after midnight... no luck.

Tried online this morning to switch and it worked. Took 15 or so minutes after the online switch said it went through. Had to log out and back into the online account to see the changes (don't know if it was still processing or if this helped to see the change in the account).

*228 on the old phone and programmed it to the new line (where the iphone came from) and I'm all set!

Did you have to wait 24 hours then? What are the steps you went through to switch it? Did you just go online and choose the option to switch the device, or did you choose the option to activate, then put the IMEI/MEID on your line.

I've tried the switching option, it tells me my phone is not activated (even though it clearly works, just not on the right number), then I try activating it on my number and it acts like it's going to work, I get this:

Thank you! Your new device is 4G-enabled and requires a SIM Card. Your current SIM Card is not compatible with your 4G device.
You are requesting to change from a 4G device to a 4G device.

Then it asks me to activate the sim, so I put in the number and I always get this message:
The SIM associated with the SIM ID you entered cannot be activated at this time. Please contact Customer Service at 800-922-0204 for assistance.

 

[Dylatron2000]

I did.

I activated on the new line I added (with the rep on the line telling me to do so). Then she tried to switch it and said it gave an error and I'd need a new sim card. She called around to locate one and had no luck.. told me she'd fedex one at no charge next week.

Called back a few hours later and the new rep said the first one should have switched it around to the line I wanted it BEFORE turning on the iphone for the first time... but she'd be able to dummy out the line and let the sim sleep/age/timeout/whatever and I'd be able to do the change tomorrow (sat).

Also got a voicemail from the first rep at this point stating the same thing the second rep just told me.

Tried online after midnight... no luck.

Tried online this morning to switch and it worked. Took 15 or so minutes after the online switch said it went through. Had to log out and back into the online account to see the changes (don't know if it was still processing or if this helped to see the change in the account).

*228 on the old phone and programmed it to the new line (where the iphone came from) and I'm all set!

THIS is exactly what I am trying to do!!!

But when I try to switch (it hasn't been 24 hours mind you, more like 20) I am greeted with this error message (see pic)

I suppose I can wait a few more hours and try again, or if all else fails, call customer service again

 

[flyguyjake]

This morning Verizon has removed the "24" hour sim hold. You CAN switch lines now without a problem. I just did and it went right through.

So yes, that 24 hour hold was total BS. You do NOT need a new sim card if you had already activated your iphone 5 on a dummy line (alternate upgrade). Go on Verizon's website and use the "Activate or Switch Device" link and follow the online instructions. Everything will go through easily.

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THIS is exactly what I am trying to do!!!

But when I try to switch (it hasn't been 24 hours mind you, more like 20) I am greeted with this error message (see pic)

I suppose I can wait a few more hours and try again, or if all else fails, call customer service again

Call customer service because your iPhone order is most likely pending on that dummy line and it won't allow you to swap. They can do it for you.

 

[bryann9182]

Anyone know if the "don't turn on the device and activate online" method works even if my Verizon account page is showing an activation required for the line I used to buy the phone with? Did that happen to the rest of you too? So you simply ignore this and proceed to activate on your own personal line?

 

[Dylatron2000]

This morning Verizon has removed the "24" hour sim hold. You CAN switch lines now without a problem. I just did and it went right through.

So yes, that 24 hour hold was total BS. You do NOT need a new sim card if you had already activated your iphone 5 on a dummy line (alternate upgrade). Go on Verizon's website and use the "Activate or Switch Device" link and follow the online instructions. Everything will go through easily.

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Call customer service because your iPhone order is most likely pending on that dummy line and it won't allow you to swap. They can do it for you.

Alrighty just got off the phone with customer service, super nice lady, just a little bit different than what I was told yesterday by customer service...

So she said that in order to switch the 5 to the existing line with a 4S the sim would need to be deactivated for 24 hours (what the lady told me yesterday in CS was that it just needed 24 hours from activation to swap) or I could try going into a Verizon store and seeing if they have any nano SIMs and I could do it now.

I'm pretty patient, since I have a 4S and the line that had the 5 is going back to the old 4 so its not DIRE but just a little strange that they gave me two different things of information.

I have heard that if you go to a verizon store and put a new sim in and activate it on the other line (my line, which I want to keep unlimited data on) that the new sim will potentially take away the unlimited data? Any truth to that? Or if I go to verizon and they have a new nano sim to pop in the 5 to activate on my line will I be ok...