Bringing iPhone 7 from Sprint to Verizon?

[stanman64]

I am wanting to switch from Sprint to Verizon in the near future, but also want to be able to upgrade to the new iPhone in September. So I am only planning to use my current iPhone 7 on Verizon for about 2 months.

I am currently on Sprint's flavor of the "iPhone every year" plans, with a 256gb iPhone 7 that I got on launch day. I am wanting to buyout my current iPhone 7 from Sprint, and then take it to Verizon. However, even though Verizon and Sprint are both CDMA networks, Verizon does not recognize Sprint iPhone 7's and labels them as incompatible on their website.

I have seen a thread (linked below) where someone was able to get their Sprint iPhone 7 to work on Verizon's network, but with issues with advanced features and Verizon recognizing the device as an iPhone 7. I'm not really concerned about having issues, I just need the phone to work on Verizon until the new iPhone comes out in September, in which case I will upgrade to a Verizon iPhone 7s/8/whatever.

Anyone else have any experience with switching a Sprint iPhone 7 to Verizon? The post I am referencing is 6+ months old, so I am wondering if Verizon/Sprint has made the any changes to the process. Thanks!


https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/sprint-iphone-7-7-plus-not-compatible-with-verizon.2013979/

 

[eyoungren]

You should be able to use it on Verizon.

Get a SIM that's already been activated on Verizon and use that in your phone. It may require you having to buy some burner phone and then return it after you activate the SIM.

 

[stanman64]

You should be able to use it on Verizon.

Get a SIM that's already been activated on Verizon and use that in your phone. It may require you having to buy some burner phone and then return it after you activate the SIM.

Interesting, doesn't sound like too much effort. Thanks for the info.

 

[stanman64]

You should be able to use it on Verizon.

Get a SIM that's already been activated on Verizon and use that in your phone. It may require you having to buy some burner phone and then return it after you activate the SIM.

Follow up question: Would the burner phone I buy need to be a smartphone? Or could I buy just any basic phone with a nano SIM card, and then transfer the sim to the iPhone 7?

edit: I'm thinking the Lumia 735 might be a good option. Verizon has it for $120 retail and it uses a nano SIM.

 

[eyoungren]

Follow up question: Would the burner phone I buy need to be a smartphone? Or could I buy just any basic phone with a nano SIM card, and then transfer the sim to the iPhone 7?

edit: I'm thinking the Lumia 735 might be a good option. Verizon has it for $120 retail and it uses a nano SIM.

Yeah, anything that has the same size SIM and that works with the plan you are going to get and intend to use on the iPhone.

Lumia 375 looks like it will work.

 

[edlex]

I am wanting to switch from Sprint to Verizon in the near future, but also want to be able to upgrade to the new iPhone in September. So I am only planning to use my current iPhone 7 on Verizon for about 2 months.

I am currently on Sprint's flavor of the "iPhone every year" plans, with a 256gb iPhone 7 that I got on launch day. I am wanting to buyout my current iPhone 7 from Sprint, and then take it to Verizon. However, even though Verizon and Sprint are both CDMA networks, Verizon does not recognize Sprint iPhone 7's and labels them as incompatible on their website.

I have seen a thread (linked below) where someone was able to get their Sprint iPhone 7 to work on Verizon's network, but with issues with advanced features and Verizon recognizing the device as an iPhone 7. I'm not really concerned about having issues, I just need the phone to work on Verizon until the new iPhone comes out in September, in which case I will upgrade to a Verizon iPhone 7s/8/whatever.

Anyone else have any experience with switching a Sprint iPhone 7 to Verizon? The post I am referencing is 6+ months old, so I am wondering if Verizon/Sprint has made the any changes to the process. Thanks!


https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/sprint-iphone-7-7-plus-not-compatible-with-verizon.2013979/

Hi, I'm the person who started the thread you quoted. So your first step is to try and enter your phones IMEI or MSID number into Verizons "bring your own device" web page. If it says compatible you're good to go. If it says not compatible then you have to go to a corporate Verizon store and get an employee to stick the SIM card of a returned/other iPhone into yours to get your phones MSID onto a new account. Once the account is open then they give you a new SIM card and port your number. Getting the advanced features requires talking to a level 2 tech support and get the features manually added. Takes time but my 7+ has been working fine since I initiated to switch back in November.

 

[stanman64]

Hi, I'm the person who started the thread you quoted. So your first step is to try and enter your phones IMEI or MSID number into Verizons "bring your own device" web page. If it says compatible you're good to go. If it says not compatible then you have to go to a corporate Verizon store and get an employee to stick the SIM card of a returned/other iPhone into yours to get your phones MSID onto a new account. Once the account is open then they give you a new SIM card and port your number. Getting the advanced features requires talking to a level 2 tech support and get the features manually added. Takes time but my 7+ has been working fine since I initiated to switch back in November.

Thanks for the reply! Sounds (relatively) straight forward. So annoying that Verizon/Apple/whoever made it this way. What's the best way to discover which stores are corporate stores? Verizon's website say which are specifically corporate stores?

A quick google maps search shows many stores near me, but most say "Verizon Authorized Retailer, TCC" - which I am assuming isn't corporate. I found a couple that are just listed as "Verizon" - would these be corporate stores by chance?
[doublepost=1497632796][/doublepost]

Yeah, anything that has the same size SIM and that works with the plan you are going to get and intend to use on the iPhone.

Lumia 375 looks like it will work.

Awesome, thanks. Trying to avoid having to buy and immediately return a phone if I can, just to avoid the hassle. But it's nice knowing this should work as a last resort.

 

[edlex]

Thanks for the reply! Sounds (relatively) straight forward. So annoying that Verizon/Apple/whoever made it this way. What's the best way to discover which stores are corporate stores? Verizon's website say which are specifically corporate stores?

A quick google maps search shows many stores near me, but most say "Verizon Authorized Retailer, TCC" - which I am assuming isn't corporate. I found a couple that are just listed as "Verizon" - would these be corporate stores by chance?
[doublepost=1497632796][/doublepost]

Awesome, thanks. Trying to avoid having to buy and immediately return a phone if I can, just to avoid the hassle. But it's nice knowing this should work as a last resort.

If you go to Verizons website, and click on Store Locator, when you enter your zip code there's a box that says "Do not include Authorized Retailers". Once you're on the map of locations you can click on filters to pick which stores as well.

 

[Reno Raines]

This is why I prefer gsm as it is usually as simple as swap the sim.

 

[stanman64]

Update for those interested and future readers:

Ended up just going with a new phone on Verizon's network - iPhone 7 Plus in sexy Jet Black

In the end I determined it's cheaper for me to buyout my current iPhone 7 lease from Sprint ($364), and then trade that in for credit on my Verizon account ($348), and put it towards the cost of the Plus I just got. So all in all, I'm only about $16 in the hole, I get a brand new iPhone 7 Plus that I'll get to demo for a couple months, and then can upgrade in September after paying about $80 more towards the cost of the 7 Plus between now and then.

I was planning to switch to a Plus size with the 8/7S, but figured this is a great opportunity to try it before I buy it, so to speak. Loving it so far.

Thanks for all the helpful info!

 

[democracyrules]

Update for those interested and future readers:

Ended up just going with a new phone on Verizon's network - iPhone 7 Plus in sexy Jet Black

!

The red or product red is actually the sexiest, newest most eye catching and attention getter than jet black. Jet black color is a regular black shinny phone like other black shinny phones, unlike the red iPhone which no other phones ever have the color. Red iphone is actually unique color in iPhone history.

My jet black is my back up phone while my red one is my main one and continuing receiving compliments and admirations from people.