Activate, Switch or Bring Your Own Device FAQs

To activate a device:

1. Go to the Activate, Switch or Bring Your Own Device page in My Verizon.
   
   
2. Tap Activate a Device on an Existing Line.
   
   
3. If you have multiple lines on your account, select the line you want to activate the device on.
   
   
4. In the Check Device step, we'll make sure the device you're activating is compatible with the plan and features on the line.
   
   If you've previously used this device on your account, select Yes and pick this device from the drop down.
   
   If this is the first time using this device on your account, select No. Enter your Device ID and tap Check Device. To learn how to find the Device ID for your phone, choose your device type and brand from the dropdown menus.
   
   
5. For the security of your Verizon account, complete the authorization process by providing your unique authorization code. We'll send the code to you in a text message.
   
   To complete the online authorization process:
   
   1. Select which phone on your account you want the code sent to.
   2. Tap Text Me the Code.
   3. Enter the code from the text message into the Online Authorization Code field and tap Confirm.
       
6. In the Check SIM step we'll make sure your SIM card is compatible with your line. If your device doesn't require a SIM card or the previously used SIM card is compatible, you'll skip this step. Enter your SIM ID number and tap Check ID. To learn how to find your SIM ID number, tap Finding Your SIM Card and SIM ID. If you don't have a SIM card, tap Add to Cart to order one.
   
   
7. Select an equipment protection option and tap Confirm. You’ll only see this step if you previously had equipment protection or have recently upgraded.
   
   
8. If the device you're activating is not compatible with your current plan, you'll be asked to select a compatible plan. Select the plan you want and tap Confirm.
   
   
9. Review your changes and tap Confirm Feature & Plan Changes.
   
   
10. Back up your contacts and media from your old device.

You've successfully activated the device.

You can also watch our How to Activate Your Device video for instructions.

Notes:

• These are instructions just for My Verizon. If you'd like more detailed activation instructions, enter "activate [device name]" (e.g., "activate G3") in the Search field on our website. Some of the first search results should be activation guides for the device title you entered.
  
  
• Visit our Prepaid Plan FAQs to learn how to activate a prepaid device.
  
  
• If you'd like to get a new device, refer to our Add a New Device FAQs.
  
  
• If you have problems activating a device, call Customer Service at (800) 922-0204.

You can switch devices between two lines on your account if you're the Account Owner or Account Manager. To switch devices between two lines on an account:

1. Go to the Activate, Switch or Bring Your Own Device page in My Verizon.
   
   
2. Tap Switch Active Devices.
   
   
3. Select the two devices you want to switch and tap Next.
   
   
4. If the two lines have different equipment protection options, they may not be compatible with the devices you're switching. If so, you'll be asked to update each line with a compatible equipment protection option.
   
   To update equipment protection:
   
   1. Select the equipment protection option you want.
   2. Tap Confirm.
   
   
5. If the two lines have different plans, they may not be compatible with the devices you're switching. If so, you'll be asked to update each line with a compatible plan.
   
   To update your plan:
   
   1. Select the plan option(s) you want.
   2. Tap Confirm.
      
      
6. Review your changes and tap Confirm Feature & Plan Changes.
   
   
7. Backup your contacts and media from your old device.
   
   
8. Reset both of your devices and turn them off. Tap Devices are off.
   
   
9. Tap Swap Devices.
   
   
10. Tap Yes to confirm both devices are off and you are ready to swap them.
    

You've successfully switched devices between two lines on your account.

Watch our How to Swap Phones on Your Account video to learn more.

If there's another phone on your account, you can choose to have the text message code sent to one of those phones. If there aren't other phones on your account, you'll need to call Customer Service at (800) 922-0204.

You'll need to back up your contacts and other information on your original device. You can do this using one of the following methods:

• Verizon Cloud - Use this method if your original and new devices are both compatible with Verizon Cloud.
• Backup Assistant^SM Plus - Use this method if your original or new device isn't compatible with Verizon Cloud.
• Contact Transfer Wizard - Use this method if your original or new device isn't compatible with either option listed above.

Before transferring your content, you'll need to activate the device you're going to start using, and then you can transfer your content from your original device to your new device. Learn how to transfer content if you're:

• A new Verizon Wireless customer
• An existing Verizon Wireless customer

No, you can't switch devices with someone on another account while the lines are active. This option is only available for two devices on the same account. However, you can switch devices with someone on another account if you both deactivate the devices.

Yes, if the device you want to switch to is no longer active on the account, you can switch to it.

Note: You won't be able to switch a device that was active on a different account if there's still a balance due on it or fraudulent activity associated with its Device ID.

It depends on the device you have. Visit our online activation page to check if your device is compatible. If so, you can also activate the device from this page.

Typically, you'll be able to use the device within a few minutes. However, in some cases, it may take up to 24 hours.

No. If you currently have a pending order on your account, you won't be able to activate a new device online until the pending order is completed or removed from your account. Learn more on our Pending Orders Information page.

An Account Owner or Account Manager can remove a pending order from an account online in My Verizon. Learn more about account access roles.

Note: If a pending order is removed, then it's canceled and the order will have to be placed again.

To remove a pending order from your account:

1. Go to the My Orders page in My Verizon.
2. Click View pending account changes.
3. Click Delete next to the pending order you wish to remove.
4. Click Delete pending account change.