Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Carrier Here is how to order an iPhone 5S from Verizon “device only” (no VZW account needed)

B

boondocks

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 24, 2013
51
3
First of all let me point out that it is pretty clear to me that there is a glitch on Verizon’s iconic portal website that allows one to do this, and would not be surprised if it was patched rather quickly (if it has not been already). With that said I was able to order a Verizon iPhone 5S (at full price) without having to sign up for _any_ service whatsoever or go through any kind of credit check, following these steps:

  1. Go to Verizon’s iconic portal website:
  2. https://preorder.verizonwireless.com/iconic/
  3. Click on “New Customer”, then enter your zip code (I assume Verizon service should be available at the zip code one enters…)
  4. At the “What are you shopping for today?” page, click on “Continue” under “Order Device _with_ Wireless Service”.
  5. Select “Individual Customer” (not sure how things work if you go with “Business Customer”)
  6. Under “Select Wireless Device” Make sure to select:
    • “All Devices” (“Showcase” devices might not show you all the phones)
    • Pricing for: “Month-to-Month” (to get full-retail prices)
  7. Now scroll down and select the phone model you’d like (clicking on the “Select” button next to it).
  8. Click on “Continue”. (Note that it seems like you can add more than one phone if you’d want)
  9. At this point the “Select Share Plan” selection page comes up. Instead of selecting a plan, just start hitting the “Back” navigation button displayed on the pages, until you are back at the beginning page (at step 3: “What are you shopping for today?”)
  10. Now click on “Continue” under “Order Device _without_ Service”. Notice that the phone you selected earlier is still in your basket (hence the glitch). So from here on just click continue and towards the end fill out the Billing/Shipping/Payment/etc. information. At no point will you be asked to select a phone number, give SSN details, etc., or any such nonsense. With the free 2-day Fedex shipping (and apparently having all iPhones currently in stock), the phone should be at your doorstep pretty quick.

That’s it. The phone I received does have a Verizon SIM in it (but I have taken it out even before turning it on, as I will be putting in an other SIM). Note that I did wait writing all this up until I had the phone in my hand (hey Verizon, no takesies backsies! :))

————————

Additional thoughts:
I think (again, until patched) this works for other phones too that normally you could not buy without service at Verizon (like the Motorola Droid MAXX), which is in some ways even better (since Verizon’s full retail prices for Android phones actually seem to be much better (sometimes $200-300 better!) than one currently can find on Amazon or Best Buy).

Finally, I'd like to extend my thanks to droid-life.com, for the idea to use the “Verizon iconic portal website”, notably this article:
http://www.droid-life.com/2013/08/2...-retail-with-no-hassle-use-the-iconic-portal/
 
boondocks said:
First of all let me point out that it is pretty clear to me that there is a glitch on Verizon’s iconic portal website that allows one to do this, and would not be surprised if it was patched rather quickly (if it has not been already). With that said I was able to order a Verizon iPhone 5S (at full price) without having to sign up for _any_ service whatsoever or go through any kind of credit check, following these steps:

  1. Go to Verizon’s iconic portal website:
  2. https://preorder.verizonwireless.com/iconic/
  3. Click on “New Customer”, then enter your zip code (I assume Verizon service should be available at the zip code one enters…)
  4. At the “What are you shopping for today?” page, click on “Continue” under “Order Device _with_ Wireless Service”.
  5. Select “Individual Customer” (not sure how things work if you go with “Business Customer”)
  6. Under “Select Wireless Device” Make sure to select:
    • “All Devices” (“Showcase” devices might not show you all the phones)
    • Pricing for: “Month-to-Month” (to get full-retail prices)
  7. Now scroll down and select the phone model you’d like (clicking on the “Select” button next to it).
  8. Click on “Continue”. (Note that it seems like you can add more than one phone if you’d want)
  9. At this point the “Select Share Plan” selection page comes up. Instead of selecting a plan, just start hitting the “Back” navigation button displayed on the pages, until you are back at the beginning page (at step 3: “What are you shopping for today?”)
  10. Now click on “Continue” under “Order Device _without_ Service”. Notice that the phone you selected earlier is still in your basket (hence the glitch). So from here on just click continue and towards the end fill out the Billing/Shipping/Payment/etc. information. At no point will you be asked to select a phone number, give SSN details, etc., or any such nonsense. With the free 2-day Fedex shipping (and apparently having all iPhones currently in stock), the phone should be at your doorstep pretty quick.

That’s it. The phone I received does have a Verizon SIM in it (but I have taken it out even before turning it on, as I will be putting in an other SIM). Note that I did wait writing all this up until I had the phone in my hand (hey Verizon, no takesies backsies! :))

————————

Additional thoughts:
I think (again, until patched) this works for other phones too that normally you could not buy without service at Verizon (like the Motorola Droid MAXX), which is in some ways even better (since Verizon’s full retail prices for Android phones actually seem to be much better (sometimes $200-300 better!) than one currently can find on Amazon or Best Buy).

Finally, I'd like to extend my thanks to droid-life.com, for the idea to use the “Verizon iconic portal website”, notably this article:
http://www.droid-life.com/2013/08/2...-retail-with-no-hassle-use-the-iconic-portal/
Click to expand...

Nice man. I'll keep this in mind if I need to buy another.
 
Not understanding why you need to do all that. Just buy it at an Apple Store for full price?
 
Where (not to) buy Verizon full price

mazer75 said:
Not understanding why you need to do all that. Just buy it at an Apple Store for full price?
Click to expand...

  1. No Apple store within 200 miles. When I did travel and visited 4+ apple stores they did not have any Verizon iPhones (and they might not have let me buy "device only" in some stores, unless I got there early in the morning and stood in line).
  2. Best Buy: The only one around me would not sell device only (and even if they did it would be $50 more, unless they agreed to do price matching). The ones I went into during my travels would have sold "device only", but did not have (and claimed not to carry at all) the model I wanted (any 64GB 5s)
  3. Walmart/Target: Would sell with contract only (plus I don't think they carry the 64GB models)
  4. RadioShack: Would have sold 16-32 GB models (if I ordered them) device only without credit check. The 64GB would have gone through Verizon (with credit check, etc.)
  5. Verizon store: Yeah, right...
 
Still working

As of now this approach seems to be still working. Would be nice if this "loophole" kept on working through any new iPhone release (since Verizon will likely have to keep selling unlocked phones).
 
aziatiklover said:
meh got my 5s gold unlocked on launch day. Well ordered on launch day and got it 2 weeks after with a free case :D
Click to expand...

If I knew of this loophole I certainly would have ordered much sooner too (i.e. launch day) :).

I just wanted a Verizon iPhone 5s (64GB, full price) without establishing any account/relationship with Verizon (i.e. "Device only"). Not something possible without an in-person Apple store visit, if one is lucky enough to have one close by (which I'm not). (And even with one, it is much nicer to have it delivered to me (free), and not have to drive/stand in line, and possibly not being sold one regardless...)
 
Another option for those near an Apple store is to walk in and ask for a Verizon iPhone 5S "off contract". Same price as the other no contract iPhone models. :apple:
 
Still seems to be working. I'm on the original unlimited plan from the Verizon iPhone 4 and I want to use this new device with it. What would be the best way to go about getting a 4G sim from Verizon?

Thanks for the link!
 
firsttube said:
Still seems to be working. I'm on the original unlimited plan from the Verizon iPhone 4 and I want to use this new device with it. What would be the best way to go about getting a 4G sim from Verizon?

Thanks for the link!
Click to expand...
Buy the 5S from Verizon. It ships with one.
 
I just received mine, which I ordered using this method. Now I must order a SIM (probably from AIO).

Is there any reason I shouldn't turn it on now, after removing the Verizon SIM that came in it? Will that mess up anythig?
 
MacBeast said:
I just received mine, which I ordered using this method. Now I must order a SIM (probably from AIO).

Is there any reason I shouldn't turn it on now, after removing the Verizon SIM that came in it? Will that mess up anythig?
Click to expand...

If you turn it on without a SIM card, you'll get a message on startup telling you there is no SIM card, the status bar will say "No SIM" in the top left hand corner, and you won't have cellular service (voice or data). You can still connect via a local WiFi connection. It won't mess anything up.
 
Thanks. After starting it up and joining my WiFi network, it won't let me go any further without a SIM card installed. Guess I will just have to be patient until it comes.
 
firsttube said:
Will I be able to activate in iTunes and that SIM will become my official one? I have yet to use 4G with my $30 unlimited plan.

Thanks again!
Click to expand...
I'm a little confused by your question. I thought you already had an unlimited data Verizon account but on a larger SIM. If you order a Verizon iPhone contract free, have Verizon transfer your account from the old SIM card to the new one that ships with the iPhone 5s.
 
MacBeast said:
Thanks. After starting it up and joining my WiFi network, it won't let me go any further without a SIM card installed. Guess I will just have to be patient until it comes.
Click to expand...

You don't have a backup from your previous iPhone that you can restore to the new one?
 
boondocks said:
First of all let me point out that it is pretty clear to me that there is a glitch on Verizon’s iconic portal website that allows one to do this, and would not be surprised if it was patched rather quickly (if it has not been already). With that said I was able to order a Verizon iPhone 5S (at full price) without having to sign up for _any_ service whatsoever or go through any kind of credit check, following these steps:

  1. Go to Verizon’s iconic portal website:
  2. https://preorder.verizonwireless.com/iconic/
  3. Click on “New Customer”, then enter your zip code (I assume Verizon service should be available at the zip code one enters…)
  4. At the “What are you shopping for today?” page, click on “Continue” under “Order Device _with_ Wireless Service”.
  5. Select “Individual Customer” (not sure how things work if you go with “Business Customer”)
  6. Under “Select Wireless Device” Make sure to select:
    • “All Devices” (“Showcase” devices might not show you all the phones)
    • Pricing for: “Month-to-Month” (to get full-retail prices)
  7. Now scroll down and select the phone model you’d like (clicking on the “Select” button next to it).
  8. Click on “Continue”. (Note that it seems like you can add more than one phone if you’d want)
  9. At this point the “Select Share Plan” selection page comes up. Instead of selecting a plan, just start hitting the “Back” navigation button displayed on the pages, until you are back at the beginning page (at step 3: “What are you shopping for today?”)
  10. Now click on “Continue” under “Order Device _without_ Service”. Notice that the phone you selected earlier is still in your basket (hence the glitch). So from here on just click continue and towards the end fill out the Billing/Shipping/Payment/etc. information. At no point will you be asked to select a phone number, give SSN details, etc., or any such nonsense. With the free 2-day Fedex shipping (and apparently having all iPhones currently in stock), the phone should be at your doorstep pretty quick.

That’s it. The phone I received does have a Verizon SIM in it (but I have taken it out even before turning it on, as I will be putting in an other SIM). Note that I did wait writing all this up until I had the phone in my hand (hey Verizon, no takesies backsies! :))

————————

Additional thoughts:
I think (again, until patched) this works for other phones too that normally you could not buy without service at Verizon (like the Motorola Droid MAXX), which is in some ways even better (since Verizon’s full retail prices for Android phones actually seem to be much better (sometimes $200-300 better!) than one currently can find on Amazon or Best Buy).

Finally, I'd like to extend my thanks to droid-life.com, for the idea to use the “Verizon iconic portal website”, notably this article:
http://www.droid-life.com/2013/08/2...-retail-with-no-hassle-use-the-iconic-portal/
Click to expand...

This is very helpful, but a friend of mine, we both went to the Apple Store this past Monday looking for the released factory unlocked 5S, and the Apple sales guy suggested that we purchase a Verizon phone rather than a factory unlocked, explaining how it work with all networks except Sprint. I was surprised he even informed us of this rather than us trying to get it out of him. We walked out with a Silver 32GB Verizon phone w/ no plan attached to it. Would have wanted Gold, but was told we had 30 days for an exchange if one becomes available.
 
Went to the Apple Store today and asked for a device-only Verizon iPhone 5s and they knew immediately what I was talking about. She asked me which network was I going to use and I said T-Mobile. She said that's smart and gave me a T-Mobile SIM card! She strongly suggested that I remove the Verizon SIM and replace with T-Mobile before starting the phone for fear that somehow Verizon could lock the phone. I don't think it's true but I didn't chance it and followed her advice. I fired it up and contacted T-Mobile. At first T-Mobile insisted that I needed an activation code and a SIM mailed to me. But after being transferred to technical support they activated the phone with SIM Apple store gave me. Now I have an unlocked phone ready to use on T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T, etc!! With the Apple care I purchased this baby will a breeze to sell next year when I want the iphone6!
 
So, why won't Sprint activate a VZW phone if AT&T and T-Mobile will? I understand that AT&T and T-Mobile only go by the SIM and not the MEID so that is why they do it but why won't Sprint activate other phones?
 
nStyle said:
So, why won't Sprint activate a VZW phone if AT&T and T-Mobile will? I understand that AT&T and T-Mobile only go by the SIM and not the MEID so that is why they do it but why won't Sprint activate other phones?
Click to expand...
Because Verizon and Sprint are CDMA. Verizon will not activate a Sprint phone on their CDMA network and Sprint will not activate a Verizon phone on their CDMA network.

AT&T and T-Mobile are GSM and the Verizon iPhone is GSM unlocked.
 
Coleman2010 said:
I'm a little confused by your question. I thought you already had an unlimited data Verizon account but on a larger SIM. If you order a Verizon iPhone contract free, have Verizon transfer your account from the old SIM card to the new one that ships with the iPhone 5s.
Click to expand...

No sim in the iPhone 4.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back