You won't be able to get one at a discount from Verizon if you use the upgrade on the iPhone 5. You can pick up some older ones on craigslist or ebay for less than $50.
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Carrier [Confirmed] Verizon Unlimited Loophole
- Thread starter CoolBradG
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You won't be able to get one at a discount from Verizon if you use the upgrade on the iPhone 5. You can pick up some older ones on craigslist or ebay for less than $50.
After reading through this thread, I contact Verizon, via chat, to clear up a few questions for myself. I thought I would share with this community in hopes of helping out some others.
Purchasing on a 'dumb phone upgrade eligible line' will work.
Here is the transcript:
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Welcome to Verizon Wireless. All representatives are currently assisting others. Please wait for a representative to respond.
Hello, my name is 'Verizon.'. How may I assist you today?
Me: good morning
Me: i am considering buying the phone on another 'basic phone line' on my accout - acitvate it on that line - then switch that line back to 'basic' and then activate the iphone 5 on my line.
Me: will that work to maintain my unlimited?
Verizon.: Yes, because you upgraded it on the other line, so it would be customer provided equipment for this line.
Me: ok - after deactivating the basic line, will i also need a new nanosim card inorder to activate on the other unlimited line?
Verizon.: No. As long as you activate it on the upgraded line and then wait the 24 hour timeframe before switching it to the other line you will be fine.
Me: ok
Me: so the only way to avoid the 24hr wait would be to have a replacement nanosim then - otherwise, just wait to activate
Verizon.: That is correct. Unfortunately, they do not have any at the stores at this time.
Me: ok - not too bad if I have to wait then.
Verizon.: It will be ready by 7a EST though.
Me: i see, so by 7am est daily, the sims are reset out or something?
Verizon.: That is correct.
Me: when activating on the unlinited line, does the nanosim number get put in on a different screen than where the 'device id' gets entered?
Verizon.: It will be on the same page.
Me: when i look around the b2b site, i only see the 'new device id' and then a submit button. Maybe if the system knows it is a 4G/LTE device it will then prompt me to enter the nanosim number
Verizon.: That is correct.
Me: ok, thanks for all your assistance.
Verizon.: You're welcome. Is there anything else I can help you with today?
Me: no thanks, i am all set
Verizon.: Thank you for chatting with Verizon Wireless. We value your feedback. Please click the "Close" button at top right to answer a few questions about your experience with us today. Have a great day!
Me: have a great day!
Verizon.: Thank you!
Your chat transcript will be sent to ----@------.c-om at the end of your chat.
------------
Conclusion...
If the reps information is solid, the process should be simple.
I hope this helps others who are still trying to figure out the process. Remember that once the ip5 is deactivated from the dumb phone line it is now considered CPE (customer provided equipment) and when activated on any line it will not change the plan - only the equipment.
So here is what I will be doing this once I get my hands on the ip5.
1. Buy ip5 on basic phone line with eligible upgrade
2. Activate ip5 on the basic phone line and add a metered data plan
3. Deactivate ip5 from the basic phone line
4. Remove metered data plan from the basic phone line
5. Re-Activate original non-smartphone phone on basic phone line
6. Activate ip5 on Unlimited Data Line after 7:00 EST am the next morning
or
Replace nanosim and Activate on Unlimited Data Line immediately.
I will try to provide an update once I complete the process. Hope this information can help others. Good luck!
Purchasing on a 'dumb phone upgrade eligible line' will work.
Here is the transcript:
------------
Welcome to Verizon Wireless. All representatives are currently assisting others. Please wait for a representative to respond.
Hello, my name is 'Verizon.'. How may I assist you today?
Me: good morning
Me: i am considering buying the phone on another 'basic phone line' on my accout - acitvate it on that line - then switch that line back to 'basic' and then activate the iphone 5 on my line.
Me: will that work to maintain my unlimited?
Verizon.: Yes, because you upgraded it on the other line, so it would be customer provided equipment for this line.
Me: ok - after deactivating the basic line, will i also need a new nanosim card inorder to activate on the other unlimited line?
Verizon.: No. As long as you activate it on the upgraded line and then wait the 24 hour timeframe before switching it to the other line you will be fine.
Me: ok
Me: so the only way to avoid the 24hr wait would be to have a replacement nanosim then - otherwise, just wait to activate
Verizon.: That is correct. Unfortunately, they do not have any at the stores at this time.
Me: ok - not too bad if I have to wait then.
Verizon.: It will be ready by 7a EST though.
Me: i see, so by 7am est daily, the sims are reset out or something?
Verizon.: That is correct.
Me: when activating on the unlinited line, does the nanosim number get put in on a different screen than where the 'device id' gets entered?
Verizon.: It will be on the same page.
Me: when i look around the b2b site, i only see the 'new device id' and then a submit button. Maybe if the system knows it is a 4G/LTE device it will then prompt me to enter the nanosim number
Verizon.: That is correct.
Me: ok, thanks for all your assistance.
Verizon.: You're welcome. Is there anything else I can help you with today?
Me: no thanks, i am all set
Verizon.: Thank you for chatting with Verizon Wireless. We value your feedback. Please click the "Close" button at top right to answer a few questions about your experience with us today. Have a great day!
Me: have a great day!
Verizon.: Thank you!
Your chat transcript will be sent to ----@------.c-om at the end of your chat.
------------
Conclusion...
If the reps information is solid, the process should be simple.
I hope this helps others who are still trying to figure out the process. Remember that once the ip5 is deactivated from the dumb phone line it is now considered CPE (customer provided equipment) and when activated on any line it will not change the plan - only the equipment.
So here is what I will be doing this once I get my hands on the ip5.
1. Buy ip5 on basic phone line with eligible upgrade
2. Activate ip5 on the basic phone line and add a metered data plan
3. Deactivate ip5 from the basic phone line
4. Remove metered data plan from the basic phone line
5. Re-Activate original non-smartphone phone on basic phone line
6. Activate ip5 on Unlimited Data Line after 7:00 EST am the next morning
or
Replace nanosim and Activate on Unlimited Data Line immediately.
I will try to provide an update once I complete the process. Hope this information can help others. Good luck!
Last edited:
Just make sure you activate it on the first line prior to midnight EST in order for it to reset by 7am EST the next day. If you don't do it before 12 am, youll have to wait until the following day at 7am.
very cool, thanks for the extra info. do you plan on doing all the activations on My Verizon site or by calling?
VZW won't mind because they are making money on the extra line, makes business sense to me
You know, I stopped by my local Apple Store and told them that Verizon does not have nanosim cards and that I need one to do the switch when I get the phone - he just called to the backroom and then handed me one! I am kind of prepared now!
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I will probably just do the activations online. I do have an email copy of the conversation with Verizon CS just in case things go south...
Apple also has plenty stock of all carriers Sim cards as well. Should you or anyone else need one.
The rep at the Apple Store also told me that if they had stock, he could do the upgrade/switch as I described. No luck though with ip5 availability.
Thats where I ended up doing my switch at, was in and out in less than 5 minutes. Where Verizon had a 30 minute wait the day after launch.
does verizon require sim cards now? i have the iphone 4, no sim card or anything like that.. am i missing something here?
Verizon 4G/LTE phones need the nanosim. Apparently the active number get burned-in and that is why there is a wait for it to be released if the phone is deactivated. Or just get a new nanosim! And go to Apple, not Verizon.
Or just do this reset, I can verify that it works (because it did for me):
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1450134/
(Post 4)
That's good that you were able to get one through Apple. Not all stores will give them to you. We tried stores in CA, NY and Boston and none of them would give us the cards.
I can indeed confirm that this works. My grandma still uses an old flip phone, so I upgraded her line, then when I got the phone I activated it, then went online to switch her number back to her old phone. Then I simply switched my phone online from my 4 to the new 5. Had to wait a day for the SIM, but other than that, it was flawless.
Can I not just get the phone upgrade through a dumbphone line on my account, receive the phone (leaving it off) and type in the ESN from the box into My Verizon on my Unlimited data line? Wouldn't this save the hassle of activating and deactivating phones and switching SIMs around? The problem with the activating on the dumb phone line then waiting is that the person with the dumbphone lives thousands of miles away from me :\
Help?
Help?
Somewhere in these forums it was stated that this has worked. However after a few calls to CS and a visit to a Verizon store I was told no. Often it seems that each call will get you a different response, but with this question I did get the same answer of no.
You can do this as the dumb phone doesn't need a SIM card just activate iPhone then swap back to dumb phone imei and the dumb phone user will only be out of service for a few minutes then activate the iPhone on unlimited the next day.
Switch with wife?
I've read through most of this thread and it looks like everyone is talking about using a dummy line. What if my wife who is eligible for an upgrade gets the iPhone 5 and then gives it to me. Couldn't I simply call and activate it on my unlimited account? Is there anyway the Verizon system would know that it is one of their subsidized phones and cause me to lose my unlimited data?
I've read through most of this thread and it looks like everyone is talking about using a dummy line. What if my wife who is eligible for an upgrade gets the iPhone 5 and then gives it to me. Couldn't I simply call and activate it on my unlimited account? Is there anyway the Verizon system would know that it is one of their subsidized phones and cause me to lose my unlimited data?
Most people mention dummy lines because they add it to only pay an extra $10 a month. You could do it with lines with tiered data as well. So yes you can use your wifes upgrade as long as you update her line when it comes in then swap it to your unlimited line.
Just so everyone knows, if you want to add a dumb phone line you DON'T have to buy a dumb phone!!!
I added a line and purchased the iPhone 5 16gig for 199 in the store where it was activated. I had to call customer service and wait for another nano SIM card to be mailed to me.
In the meantime I told verizon I wanted to make the new iPhone line a dumb phone line. She asked me did I have a dumb phone to put on there. I told her no, and that I knew they could add one since they have done it before. She agreed and added what she called a test phone.
As soon as the nano SIM card came in I put it I the phone, called verizon to make sure it was put on the unlimited plan. Now I'm enjoying unlimited data and only paying 10$ a month on the new dumb phone line.
I added a line and purchased the iPhone 5 16gig for 199 in the store where it was activated. I had to call customer service and wait for another nano SIM card to be mailed to me.
In the meantime I told verizon I wanted to make the new iPhone line a dumb phone line. She asked me did I have a dumb phone to put on there. I told her no, and that I knew they could add one since they have done it before. She agreed and added what she called a test phone.
As soon as the nano SIM card came in I put it I the phone, called verizon to make sure it was put on the unlimited plan. Now I'm enjoying unlimited data and only paying 10$ a month on the new dumb phone line.
For all of you who think you need to activate on your dummy line first, I have confirmation that you can simply activate it on your line by calling Verizon.
Micayla: Hello. Thank you for visiting our chat service. May I help you with your order today?
Me: Hello, I have a question about my upgrade coming soon. On our plan, we have an upgrade that will be available on a line with a 2GB data plan. My question is that if I transfer the upgrade to my mom's basic phone line and purchase and iPhone 5 through it, can I simply go to My Verizon and activate it under my line to retain my Unlimited Data plan?
Micayla: I'd be happy to assist you.
Me: I'd prefer not having to upgrade the phone under her line because she lives a few thousand miles away and reactivating her phone wouldn't be as easy. I understand that sometimes the SIM card will be unusable until 7AM EST the next day if I activate it on her line first.
Micayla: Yes, you can transfer the upgrade to her line and then keep your unlimited data. You will just contact customer service at 1-800-922-0204 to activate the phone on the correct line.
Me: Ok, so to confirm, I won't have to activate it on hers first? Another quick question. After transferring the phone to my line, I would like to get rid of the data plan on her line since she'll be retaining her basic phone. Will it cancel automatically or will I need to let Verizon know that I no longer need it?
Micayla: It will cancel automatically, however, when upgrading to the iPhone 5, you will have to upgrade the line that is eligible.
Me: Ok, thank you.
Me: One last question
Micayla: No problem.
Me: My upgrade is October 7th. I've been told by Verizon representatives that it is possible to upgrade slightly earlier if your upgrade is within the same month or within a week of the upgrade date. Is there any way I can have this applied to my account?
Micayla: No, I do not have the authority or the tools to grant you an early upgrade.
Me: Ok, that's fine. Would another department have this authority?
Micayla: You can try to contact customer service at 1-800-922-0204 to see if they can do that for you.
Me: Ok! Thanks! I appreciate your help!
Micayla: Hello. Thank you for visiting our chat service. May I help you with your order today?
Me: Hello, I have a question about my upgrade coming soon. On our plan, we have an upgrade that will be available on a line with a 2GB data plan. My question is that if I transfer the upgrade to my mom's basic phone line and purchase and iPhone 5 through it, can I simply go to My Verizon and activate it under my line to retain my Unlimited Data plan?
Micayla: I'd be happy to assist you.
Me: I'd prefer not having to upgrade the phone under her line because she lives a few thousand miles away and reactivating her phone wouldn't be as easy. I understand that sometimes the SIM card will be unusable until 7AM EST the next day if I activate it on her line first.
Micayla: Yes, you can transfer the upgrade to her line and then keep your unlimited data. You will just contact customer service at 1-800-922-0204 to activate the phone on the correct line.
Me: Ok, so to confirm, I won't have to activate it on hers first? Another quick question. After transferring the phone to my line, I would like to get rid of the data plan on her line since she'll be retaining her basic phone. Will it cancel automatically or will I need to let Verizon know that I no longer need it?
Micayla: It will cancel automatically, however, when upgrading to the iPhone 5, you will have to upgrade the line that is eligible.
Me: Ok, thank you.
Me: One last question
Micayla: No problem.
Me: My upgrade is October 7th. I've been told by Verizon representatives that it is possible to upgrade slightly earlier if your upgrade is within the same month or within a week of the upgrade date. Is there any way I can have this applied to my account?
Micayla: No, I do not have the authority or the tools to grant you an early upgrade.
Me: Ok, that's fine. Would another department have this authority?
Micayla: You can try to contact customer service at 1-800-922-0204 to see if they can do that for you.
Me: Ok! Thanks! I appreciate your help!
That's not really confirmation as it's just one customer rep giving you that particular information... contact another rep and they'll give you the opposite information.
From what I've learned.. in some instances you can just activate on the Unlimited Line but that's only if the account you're upgrading on is part of the same shared account. If you're upgrading from a different account completely, it has to be activated on the non-UDP account first and then swapped.
Also.. I dont understand why you're doing a swap for an upgrade from a 2GB to a basic line.. why aren't you just upgrading directly from the 2GB account since you have nothing to lose on that?
From what I've learned.. in some instances you can just activate on the Unlimited Line but that's only if the account you're upgrading on is part of the same shared account. If you're upgrading from a different account completely, it has to be activated on the non-UDP account first and then swapped.
Also.. I dont understand why you're doing a swap for an upgrade from a 2GB to a basic line.. why aren't you just upgrading directly from the 2GB account since you have nothing to lose on that?