Carrier [Confirmed] Verizon Unlimited Loophole

[resom]

Any word on if this still works ?

I am wanting to do the same thing but when I go online and look at either of my phone's upgrades it says this "You currently have an Unlimited Data package on one or more lines on your account. The Unlimited Data package is no longer available. To continue, please select a new Data Option for all of the lines on your plan. You will not be able to go back to your current Unlimited Data package."

So I am assuming since it says select a new data option for ALL of the lines on your plan that this wouldn't work? Or does it just not work online?

 

[Trojita]

I will very much like to know if this still works.

I checked Verizon's site. My family still has an unlimited plan and I was willing to give that up to get LTE and an iPhone 5S, but unlike most companies that tried to make the transition easier by enticing customers with a lower price point (like AT&T did), updating to a 2GB data plan, which would be shared between me and my brother to begin with which would be awful, is $35 more expensive than our current unlimited plan!

With the new plan somehow our employee discount is much less and unlimited talk and text is mandatory.

So then I found out about this loophole. We have two non-smart phones eligible for upgrade as well as my iPhone. I checked and I can order an iPhone 5 with one of the non-smart phone lines. You are just required to add a $30 data plan.

The thing I want to know is a clarification on the steps and whether this still works correctly.

Step 1: Order the new phone on the non-smart phone line | This adds a $30 data plan.

Step 2: Get the phone.

Step 3: Do you activate the phone first on their number and then transfer it? Or can you just activate it with your number somehow first?

Step 4: Can you legitimately get rid of the $30 extra data plan you don't need? Without breaking contract?

 

[Jsketch]

I will very much like to know if this still works.

I checked Verizon's site. My family still has an unlimited plan and I was willing to give that up to get LTE and an iPhone 5S, but unlike most companies that tried to make the transition easier by enticing customers with a lower price point (like AT&T did), updating to a 2GB data plan, which would be shared between me and my brother to begin with which would be awful, is $35 more expensive than our current unlimited plan!

With the new plan somehow our employee discount is much less and unlimited talk and text is mandatory.

So then I found out about this loophole. We have two non-smart phones eligible for upgrade as well as my iPhone. I checked and I can order an iPhone 5 with one of the non-smart phone lines. You are just required to add a $30 data plan.

The thing I want to know is a clarification on the steps and whether this still works correctly.

Step 1: Order the new phone on the non-smart phone line | This adds a $30 data plan.

Step 2: Get the phone.

Step 3: Do you activate the phone first on their number and then transfer it? Or can you just activate it with your number somehow first?

Step 4: Can you legitimately get rid of the $30 extra data plan you don't need? Without breaking contract?

try this:
http://www.reddit.com/r/verizon/comments/1mc8v7/the_new_improved_update_guide_on_how_to_keep_your/

 

[mlblacy]

still works (reddit link earlier is spot on)

I will very much like to know if this still works.

I checked Verizon's site. My family still has an unlimited plan and I was willing to give that up to get LTE and an iPhone 5S, but unlike most companies that tried to make the transition easier by enticing customers with a lower price point (like AT&T did), updating to a 2GB data plan, which would be shared between me and my brother to begin with which would be awful, is $35 more expensive than our current unlimited plan!

With the new plan somehow our employee discount is much less and unlimited talk and text is mandatory.

So then I found out about this loophole. We have two non-smart phones eligible for upgrade as well as my iPhone. I checked and I can order an iPhone 5 with one of the non-smart phone lines. You are just required to add a $30 data plan.

The thing I want to know is a clarification on the steps and whether this still works correctly.

Step 1: Order the new phone on the non-smart phone line | This adds a $30 data plan.

Step 2: Get the phone.

Step 3: Do you activate the phone first on their number and then transfer it? Or can you just activate it with your number somehow first?

Step 4: Can you legitimately get rid of the $30 extra data plan you don't need? Without breaking contract?

You have to make SURE they activate phone on other line (option 4 on the reddit link) before they switch the equipment over or it will kill your unlimited data. The tech at the Verizon store did it wrong, but knew I should still have been able to keep my unlimited for 2 more years (only). I called this morning, at first they tried to say it only works if you pay full price for phone (option 2 & 3), but then realized what had happened. I pushed saying I wanted to use the option 4 loophole (they are well aware the loophole exists and acknowledged it). It took 15 mins but I still got to keep the data. They reinstated it after realizing the rep activated it first before switching it... even they are baffled by their own rules, lol. Good luck, it still works!

 

[dimamo1983]

It sure works like a charm. Just did this on Friday and wrote up a step-by-step guide on how I did it. With pictures and all that fancy stuff if you guys want to see what it looks like before you do it yourself. Very easy to switch the dumbphone back onto its line and then place the new iPhone onto your main line, all on Verizon website:

http://www.dimascorner.com/2013/iphone5s-upgrade/

 

[greenythebeast]

It sure works like a charm. Just did this on Friday and wrote up a step-by-step guide on how I did it. With pictures and all that fancy stuff if you guys want to see what it looks like before you do it yourself. Very easy to switch the dumbphone back onto its line and then place the new iPhone onto your main line, all on Verizon website:

http://www.dimascorner.com/2013/iphone5s-upgrade/

Thanks for the great write up. Helps alleviate any concerns I had about the process. I ordered my phone online so that's the only real difference between our situations. I do have 2 questions for you however:

1. Is there any waiting period between activating the 5s on the dummy line and then reactivating the dumb phone? If I activate the 5s on the dummy line can I start the reactivating process an hour later?
2. My unlimited line currently has a 4S on it. Since that's not a 4g phone I don't think it has a SIM card. Do I have to get a new SIM card for the 5s after its been activated on the dummy line or will the SIM that comes pre installed be okay?

Thanks!

 

[dimamo1983]

Thanks for the great write up. Helps alleviate any concerns I had about the process. I ordered my phone online so that's the only real difference between our situations. I do have 2 questions for you however:

1. Is there any waiting period between activating the 5s on the dummy line and then reactivating the dumb phone? If I activate the 5s on the dummy line can I start the reactivating process an hour later?
2. My unlimited line currently has a 4S on it. Since that's not a 4g phone I don't think it has a SIM card. Do I have to get a new SIM card for the 5s after its been activated on the dummy line or will the SIM that comes pre installed be okay?

Thanks!

1 - I have not seen anything specified about the waiting period. This time I activated it at the Verizon store, went to couple more stores, then drove home before jumping online to shuffle things around. Probably 30-40 minutes between activation and switching the line back to the dumbphone.
Edit: When I activated at the store, it took maybe 3-4 minutes after we dialed the activation number.

2. I skipped 4s, however, I understand that it was the first phone with CDMA and GSM support (LTE has nothing to do with sim cards) so it should already have a sim card that I assume you will just swap with iPhone 5s' sim card on the last step I described in my writeup. I never had to get an additional sim (upgrading from 4 to 5 and 5 to 5s).

 

[greenythebeast]

1 - I have not seen anything specified about the waiting period. This time I activated it at the Verizon store, went to couple more stores, then drove home before jumping online to shuffle things around. Probably 30-40 minutes between activation and switching the line back to the dumbphone.
Edit: When I activated at the store, it took maybe 3-4 minutes after we dialed the activation number.

2. I skipped 4s, however, I understand that it was the first phone with CDMA and GSM support (LTE has nothing to do with sim cards) so it should already have a sim card that I assume you will just swap with iPhone 5s' sim card on the last step I described in my writeup. I never had to get an additional sim (upgrading from 4 to 5 and 5 to 5s).

The problem is my 4S was stolen haha so no way to get that sim back not sure what to do!

 

[gc15]

Im assuming this setup works for upgrading an iphone 4 to and iphone 5s?

 

[Dmaynard83]

Im assuming this setup works for upgrading an iphone 4 to and iphone 5s?

Yes if you took the time to read above he said he upgraded to a 5s with a walk through.

 

[dimamo1983]

The problem is my 4S was stolen haha so no way to get that sim back not sure what to do!

That sucks, is it still active on your account thou?

When I upgraded from 4 to 5 earlier this year, the 4 didn't have a sim card so I believe I just had to call the activation number again once I put the 5 onto my main line online. I vaguely remember having an issue with the iPhone thinking it was still on the dumbphone and using that phone number until I powercycled and popped the sim tray and put it back in. After that, all was good.

So you may just have to do that.

I also have seen people saying that Verizon would send you a new sim card if you ask for it.

Lastly, I would probably just stop by at a Verizon store and ask - my phone was stolen, I know normally I would just have to swap sim cards to put the new iPhone onto my account but because I don't have the old sim card, how would that work?

 

[ddehr026]

Can I transfer my upgrade on the unlimited line to another line, upgrade and activate on that line, then transfer the phone back to my unlimited line? It would extend the contract on my unlimited line, but would it kill the unlimited data?

 

[dimamo1983]

Can I transfer my upgrade on the unlimited line to another line, upgrade and activate on that line, then transfer the phone back to my unlimited line? It would extend the contract on my unlimited line, but would it kill the unlimited data?

I do not see why not. This is exactly what I am planning on doing when the iPhone 6 comes out. I have not seen any specifics on why it wouldn't work (but no reports of someone trying to do that either).

 

[Jimbo47]

I ran into the SIM card problem. The card that came in the phone is tied to that number. So when I went to reactivate it on myverizon it says it's invalid because I'm trying to activate it on my number, not the number that it was purchases under. Is there a work around, or do I have to get a new sim?

 

[aneftp]

I ran into the SIM card problem. The card that came in the phone is tied to that number. So when I went to reactivate it on myverizon it says it's invalid because I'm trying to activate it on my number, not the number that it was purchases under. Is there a work around, or do I have to get a new sim?

Deactivate the SIM card that came with the phone and put phone line back to flip phone or tiered data.

Go to verizon store and ask for new sim and put new sim on your unlimited line and put in new iPhone 5s

 

[greenythebeast]

Deactivate the SIM card that came with the phone and put phone line back to flip phone or tiered data.

Go to verizon store and ask for new sim and put new sim on your unlimited line and put in new iPhone 5s

How does one "deactivate" the SIM card that came with it?

 

[aneftp]

How does one "deactivate" the SIM card that came with it?

What is your goal with the line 2 (tiered data line that you transferred the upgrade to?).

1. Do you want to put another smartphone on that tiered data line or put a flip phone? And is smartphone LTE phone or not? If smartphone is CDMA only phone or flip phone, and you want to deactivate the LTE sim card. Do it

If it's a lte phone you want to use the tiered data on ,than don't deactivate the phone.

So what is your plan for the line that was used to get the phone? (I am talking about the tiered data/flip phone line)

 

[greenythebeast]

What is your goal with the line 2 (tiered data line that you transferred the upgrade to?).

1. Do you want to put another smartphone on that tiered data line or put a flip phone? And is smartphone LTE phone or not? If smartphone is CDMA only phone or flip phone, and you want to deactivate the LTE sim card. Do it

If it's a lte phone you want to use the tiered data on ,than don't deactivate the phone.

So what is your plan for the line that was used to get the phone? (I am talking about the tiered data/flip phone line)

I'm going to copy what I posted on Reddit:

I successfully ordered an iPhone 5s last Friday. My setup was as follows:

Line 1 - iPhone 4S w/ unlimited data and upgrade eligible

Line 2 - Dumb phone

I transferred the upgrade to Line 2 and ordered the 5s on that line. It shipped today. When it arrives on Wednesday, I will activate the 5s on Line 2, then an hour or so later I'll reactivate the dumb phone on Line 2. This is where my question comes into play. In most of the tutorials surrounding this loophole, I've read that you're supposed to swap the SIM card from your old phone into the new phone before you activate it on the unlimited line. So my questions are:

1. Does the 4S even use a SIM card? Does this apply in my situation?
2. The 4S in question was stolen a couple months ago, so even if it does apply I can't retrieve the SIM card. Is that a problem?
3. Can I use the SIM card that comes with the 5s even after having activated it on Line 2 and then reactivated the old phone?

Thanks for your help everyone.

 

[aneftp]

I'm going to copy what I posted on Reddit:

I successfully ordered an iPhone 5s last Friday. My setup was as follows:

Line 1 - iPhone 4S w/ unlimited data and upgrade eligible

Line 2 - Dumb phone

I transferred the upgrade to Line 2 and ordered the 5s on that line. It shipped today. When it arrives on Wednesday, I will activate the 5s on Line 2, then an hour or so later I'll reactivate the dumb phone on Line 2. This is where my question comes into play. In most of the tutorials surrounding this loophole, I've read that you're supposed to swap the SIM card from your old phone into the new phone before you activate it on the unlimited line. So my questions are:

1. Does the 4S even use a SIM card? Does this apply in my situation?
2. The 4S in question was stolen a couple months ago, so even if it does apply I can't retrieve the SIM card. Is that a problem?
3. Can I use the SIM card that comes with the 5s even after having activated it on Line 2 and then reactivated the old phone?

Thanks for your help everyone.

Now I am confused. What exactly are you using on your unlimited data line if your 4S was stolen?

The 4S (verizon) does use a microSIM card but it's only for GSM international roaming. The microSIM in the 4S WILL NOT work on any LTE Verizon phone.

 

[greenythebeast]

Now I am confused. What exactly are you using on your unlimited data line if your 4S was stolen?

The 4S (verizon) does use a microSIM card but it's only for GSM international roaming. The microSIM in the 4S WILL NOT work on any LTE Verizon phone.

I had the line suspended up until a week or so ago. I unsuspended it so I'd be able to activate the 5s on the line when it came eventually. So currently, there is a 4S on the unlimited line that I cannot access. I want to activate the 5s on the dumb phone line, the reactivate the dumb phone on the dumb phone line. Then activate the 5s on the unlimited line whilst keeping the unlimited data. What should my process be?

 

[DesertSilver]

I had the line suspended up until a week or so ago. I unsuspended it so I'd be able to activate the 5s on the line when it came eventually. So currently, there is a 4S on the unlimited line that I cannot access. I want to activate the 5s on the dumb phone line, the reactivate the dumb phone on the dumb phone line. Then activate the 5s on the unlimited line whilst keeping the unlimited data. What should my process be?

This WILL work. I just did something similar. You should be able to complete all the transfers within your Verizon account online also. Easier than having to call customer service and explain what you're doing.

 

[greenythebeast]

This WILL work. I just did something similar. You should be able to complete all the transfers within your Verizon account online also. Easier than having to call customer service and explain what you're doing.

Ok, so:

1. Activate 5s on dumb phone line
2. Wait a little while, make sure it's receiving calls on the dumb phone line number
3. Reactivate the dumb phone on the dumb phone line
4. Make sure the dumb phone number is receiving calls on the dumb phone
5. Activate the 5s (with the same SIM that was used to activate it on the dumb phone line) on the unlimited line
6. Rejoice in unlimited LTE?

And this can all be done through the online activation tool?

 

[Travisimo]

Okay guys, here's my situation: I currently have an iPhone 5 on my unlimited line. I also have a dumb phone line that I upgraded to the 5S and it is on its way from Apple. When I get the 5S, I should activate it on my dumb phone line. Then I should be able to go on Verizon's website and reactivate my dumb phone on that line. Next, shouldn't I be able to just take the Sim card out of my iPhone 5 and put it into the 5S to activate it on my unlimited line?

 

[DesertSilver]

Ok, so:

1. Activate 5s on dumb phone line
2. Wait a little while, make sure it's receiving calls on the dumb phone line number
3. Reactivate the dumb phone on the dumb phone line
4. Make sure the dumb phone number is receiving calls on the dumb phone
5. Activate the 5s (with the same SIM that was used to activate it on the dumb phone line) on the unlimited line
6. Rejoice in unlimited LTE?

And this can all be done through the online activation tool?

Yes. I took the same steps, except I started out with a brand new line with a new iPhone, activated a dumb phone on the new line, and then activated the new iPhone on my older unlimited plan. All on My Verizon website

 

[greenythebeast]

Yes. I took the same steps, except I started out with a brand new line with a new iPhone, activated a dumb phone on the new line, and then activated the new iPhone on my older unlimited plan. All on My Verizon website

Alright, here's hoping it goes well without any hiccups.