Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
They all do it, and I have been told specifically by customer service reps at both Verizon and AT&T that there is no way to get it waived, there is no way around it. It is ridiculous when you buy 2 phones to have to pay $60 for this, especially as a new customer OFFERING THEM a guarantee of a couple years' worth of patronage!


I left Verizon for this reason. ATT rep agreed to waive it, if I buy the phone from ATT, which means *locked*. Looks like I will have to leave ATT too. Shame on Apple for not offering a carrier-free version.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JUCJ85
I left Verizon for this reason. ATT rep agreed to waive it, if I buy the phone from ATT, which means *locked*. Looks like I will have to leave ATT too. Shame on Apple for not offering a carrier-free version.
I guess you're totally ignoring what I showed you. Choose 'activate with carrier later' when you order. When the phone arrives, put the SIM from your current phone into the new phone. Easy and no upgrade/activation or whatever you want to call it fee.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cape Dave
I guess you're totally ignoring what I showed you. Choose 'activate with carrier later' when you order. When the phone arrives, put the SIM from your current phone into the new phone. Easy and no upgrade/activation or whatever you want to call it fee.

I am not ignoring it. I just don't trust it. To me "later" means you will do the activation later, so the carrier will charge you that fee later. Unless I see it written down that there is no activation or no fee, it's difficult to believe it. Been bitten one too many times by the ****ing carriers.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Cape Dave
VZW use to allow you to choose to use your current sim card when you bought through them, thus you didn't get nailed with that activation fee. Once they realized they could get everyone to pay $30, they removed that online ordering option.
 
I am not ignoring it. I just don't trust it. To me "later" means you will do the activation later, so the carrier will charge you that fee later. Unless I see it written down that there is no activation or no fee, it's difficult to believe it. Been beaten one too many times by the ****ing carriers.
It's no different than buying a SIM-free model. Just swap the SIM card into the new phone. There is no new SIM card being activated so there is no fee.
 
  • Like
Reactions: seezar
I chatted with T-Mobile prior to me getting the iPhone. They told me activation fee for new lines. If just sim swap no fee.

If they try to pull this crap, I’ve got conversations downloaded.
 
View attachment 796667
Did you choose 'prepare for carrier activation now' or 'activate with your carrier later'. I went through the pre-order process choosing 'later' and it doesn't show that fee. Only the price of the phone and tax.
I chose later and still se e a $30 fee for activation with AT&T fortunately my fan discount says no activation fees so I can get AT&T to cancel the fee.
 
  • Like
Reactions: stafil
I chatted with T-Mobile prior to me getting the iPhone. They told me activation fee for new lines. If just sim swap no fee.

If they try to pull this crap, I’ve got conversations downloaded.

When I switched back to T-Mobile 5 years ago, I paid to get a SIM which I think was $25. Every year excerpt this year, I upgraded my iPhone and just kept inserting the same sim and never paid a upgrade fee. Even when the SIM got messed up and I needed a new one, I never paid for the new SIM, or I just saved the SIMs that came with the upgraded phones and switched to those online down the road.
 
I bought a sim-free XS MAX from Apple and went to Verizon's website and selected "change device" and took my old sim and put it in the new phone and was charged no fee. Did the same thing last year. Never a fee as long as I pay in full..
 
  • Like
Reactions: bruinsrme
Why do I have to pay $30 activation extortion fee if I buy an XR from Apple full price and just swapped my sim? Also why isn't there a carrier-free XR?
You dont
[doublepost=1539996256][/doublepost]
It's just a freaking money grab... and Apple played right into it by not offering a SIM-free version of the XR at launch. I did the XS Max, got the SIM-Free version and didn't get hit with this bogus "upgrade" fee. Thanks for nothing, Apple. And carriers, stop with the bogus money grab.
You can still buy any Xr at full price pop out the existing sim and put in your old sim
 
  • Like
Reactions: OTACORB
I guess you're totally ignoring what I showed you. Choose 'activate with carrier later' when you order. When the phone arrives, put the SIM from your current phone into the new phone. Easy and no upgrade/activation or whatever you want to call it fee.
Incorrect. You will most likely see an activation charge 30-45 days later.
[doublepost=1539996896][/doublepost]
That’s a myth. See replies from other people that tried this and failed.
Att and Verizon should not charge you.
If you use any financing option it goes thru the carrier.
2 iPhone X bought in August and have yet to see an activation fee.
 
Incorrect. You will most likely see an activation charge 30-45 days later.
[doublepost=1539996896][/doublepost]
Att and Verizon should not charge you.
If you use any financing option it goes thru the carrier.
2 iPhone X bought in August and have yet to see an activation fee.

I am confused. Which of the two is it according to your opinion?
 
Ah those thieves. I left ATT 3 years ago and couldn’t be happier. You could always call customer service and ask them to waive the fee or else u will change carriers. Give it a try.
I called for 4 phones over time with them and they always waived it.
 
I called for 4 phones over time with them and they always waived it.
Well, even so. One, it’s a gamble. Verizon refuses to waive them for me and ended up me leaving them. Two, you still need to waste your time and call them. Theee, even if they ageee to waive them, they act as if the do you a favor, when it’s really as good as “protection money”.
 
Why do I have to pay $30 activation extortion fee if I buy an XR from Apple full price and just swapped my sim? Also why isn't there a carrier-free XR?
So, let me get this straight. You're willing to pay a thousand bucks or more for this phone. That's what it costs by the time you add tax and AppleCare+ into it. And then a case. And that's for the base config, the others are more.

And you're worrying about 30 bucks? Sure, there's the principle involved. It sucks being taken advantage of. But, really, does it make that much of a difference?
 
So, let me get this straight. You're willing to pay a thousand bucks or more for this phone. That's what it costs by the time you add tax and AppleCare+ into it. And then a case. And that's for the base config, the others are more.

And you're worrying about 30 bucks? Sure, there's the principle involved. It sucks being taken advantage of. But, really, does it make that much of a difference?

I don’t follow your logic. Because I pay $1.000 phone I have to give $30 to whoever asks for it? How about you pay me $30 every time you buy something for more than $700?
 
In my experience with ATT when you get the phone as long as you DO NOT power on the phone and swap your sim the 30 fee will not be charged. ATT system doesn’t charge the fee until the new sim turns on. The minute it does it is active, old sim deactivated and fee charged.

I would try popping sim out (keeping it with your box just Incase you do need it) put old sim in power on set up and see. Like I said I paid fee a few years but have gotten around the ATT fee on every phone since my 6s I believe.

Of course YMMV but worth the try.
 
  • Like
Reactions: OTACORB
In my experience with ATT when you get the phone as long as you DO NOT power on the phone and swap your sim the 30 fee will not be charged. ATT system doesn’t charge the fee until the new sim turns on. The minute it does it is active, old sim deactivated and fee charged.

I would try popping sim out (keeping it with your box just Incase you do need it) put old sim in power on set up and see. Like I said I paid fee a few years but have gotten around the ATT fee on every phone since my 6s I believe.

Of course YMMV but worth the try.

Yes that is exactly my experience. However, stafil believes otherwise, I think it’s hilarious that someone makes such a big freaking deal over $30. Which I have never paid because I just swap sims. I say live in your belief if you so choose. LOL
 
Yes that is exactly my experience. However, stafil believes otherwise, I think it’s hilarious that someone makes such a big freaking deal over $30. Which I have never paid because I just swap sims. I say live in your belief if you so choose. LOL

Dude you don’t read the posts and make assumptions. I didn’t say I believe otherwise. I say I am not convinced that swapping the sim will work.

Also if $30 is not a big deal, I will give you my bank a account # to send me $30 every time you upgrade.
 
We'll know for sure next Friday, but basically these phones are UNLOCKED and there's NO upgrade fee if you click "Later".
I bought the TMOBILE Xr and clicked "Later". When the phone comes I will insert my CRICKET (ATT) sim and be happy. You guys worry too much.
 
  • Like
Reactions: OTACORB
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.