Can I do this with my VZW phone?

[Eldiablojoe]

Here's the situation: my friend has some type of VZW LG phone that doesnt have an accessible SIM. He is going on a road trip and wants an iPhone to use the GPS, apps, etc. he is currently eligible for a $150 iPhone4.

Could he buy a cheap iPhone4 on Craigslist, add an iPhone data plan to his Verizon account thereby maintaining his eligibility for an upgrade until the new (rumored) iPhone comes out in Sept / Oct, and then transfer his LG phone's number to the newly added iPhone?

When that new iPhone comes out he would use his upgrade eligibility towards that and then sell the Craigslist iPhone4 privately.

Seems like a waste of an upgrade to get an iPhone4 within months of a rumored new generation iPhone release.

Is this, or something like it, doable? Thanks!

 

[r.j.s]

Verizon phones (with exception of LTE) don't use SIMs - they are internal, but yes, you could put the iPhone on by switching the ESN for his account to the iPhone.

 

[kdarling]

Yes, it should be easily doable.

I often buy an interim phone and switch my number to it, while waiting for a phone that I later really want to use my upgrade eligibility for.

 

[takeshi74]

Could he buy a cheap iPhone4 on Craigslist

Sure, as long as it's a Verizon iPhone 4 with a clear ESN.

add an iPhone data plan to his Verizon account

There's no iPhone data plan. He just needs to transfer to the iPhone.

 

[breezyf808]

If u have one of those old phones I'm thinking before data (Internet surfing)
Then u'll (or friend) would need to get a plan when u wanna use an iPhone.
There's no way around it and if it does go thru
Verizon might just tack on the cheapest data plan on until u choose to.

 

[Eldiablojoe]

So, anyone have the step by step on this?

1. Buy a used VZW iPhone4 off CL
2. Obtain the ESN
3. Contact VZW (or online?) and have number ported from old LG cell to iPhone4.
4. Add iPhone4 data plan
5. Ensure upgrade eligibility maintained
6. Upgrade to new iPhone 5 (or whatever)
7. Sell used iPhone on CL

Sound about right? It's the issues 3 and 4 might cause with 5 that are of primary concern.

 

[ace198]

So, anyone have the step by step on this?

1. Buy a used VZW iPhone4 off CL
2. Obtain the ESN
3. Contact VZW (or online?) and have number ported from old LG cell to iPhone4.
4. Add iPhone4 data plan
5. Ensure upgrade eligibility maintained
6. Upgrade to new iPhone 5 (or whatever)
7. Sell used iPhone on CL

Sound about right? It's the issues 3 and 4 might cause with 5 that are of primary concern.

You can do all the above. Just make sure the ESN is clear and able to be activated with Verizon.

 

[Eldiablojoe]

You can do all the above. Just make sure the ESN is clear and able to be activated with Verizon.

How would one make sure the ESN is clear before buying it off CL?

 

[Eternal 28]

How would one make sure the ESN is clear before buying it off CL?

Call your local Verizon verizon store and ask them to verify the esn number.