Activate, Switch or Bring Your Own Device FAQs

When you order a new device, it will be ready to activate when you power it on. Follow the steps on your device screen to complete activation.

If you're unable to activate your phone this way, or if you bring your own device, you can activate it online in My Verizon. Or if you have a prepaid account, you can call *22898 from your new prepaid phone and follow the prompts to activate it.

Learn how to activate or swap devices in My Verizon:

• Activate the device on a new line. Learn how.
• Activate the device on an existing line. Learn how.
• Swap numbers between two phones. Learn how.

Notes:

• For instructions specific to your device, 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.
  
  
• 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.

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

It depends on the device you have. You can check your device eligibility on our Bring Your Own Device page. Once you provide the Device ID, we'll let you know if it's compatible or not.

You can enroll in equipment protection if your device is:

• A Verizon device that was purchased through Verizon or an Authorized Retailer
• Not lost or stolen
• Fully functioning, without damage (including no cracked screen) and free of defects

If your device meets all of the above requirements, you can enroll in an equipment protection option within 30 days of activating your device on a new line, or during an open enrollment period.

Note: At this time, equipment protection isn't available if you bring your own device to an existing line.

Yes, you can transfer (or port) a phone number from another wireless carrier or landline service to use on a Verizon standard account or prepaid account.

Refer to our Port Your Number to Verizon FAQs for more information and steps on transferring your phone number from another carrier.

Many devices (including some models of iPhone®) are eligible to transfer between standard accounts and prepaid accounts.

To see what standard and prepaid plans your phone is eligible for:

1. Go to the Bring Your Own Device page.
   
   
2. Enter the requested information (including your Device ID and SIM ID).
   
   Note: Instructions for how to find that info is in the Device ID & Info section of the Device Support page for your phone.
   
   
3. Tap or click Add to cart & pick a plan to see eligible plans.

If your phone isn't compatible with the plan you wanted, you'll need to purchase a new phone.

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

New SIM cards are free. You can order one online while you're switching devices, or if you want to receive it the same day, you can pick it up at a local Verizon Wireless store.

If you order it online, you can choose to receive it:

• Next day by 10:30 AM
• Next day by 8 PM
• Two-day shipping (free)

Your SIM card could be missing or damaged. Or, you could be switching from a 3G to 4G device and don't have the SIM card for the 4G device. Another possibility is that you have a SIM card that's not NFC capable. If that's the case, you'll need a new SIM card that has that ability.

You can swap numbers between two devices on your account if you're the Account Owner or Account Manager.

Learn how to swap phone numbers between devices on your account.

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

Note: Prepaid Family Accounts aren't able to swap numbers at this time.

No, you can't swap numbers 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.

Yes. If you swap devices, you can still keep your same mobile numbers.

There's no charge for switching between two devices on the same account, but if your existing data plan is not compatible with the type of phone you're trying to activate, you might have to purchase additional data for it.

You won't lose any content if you first back up to Verizon Cloud or to your computer through iTunes® or similar software.

Yes. However, 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 you cancel it. 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.

If your existing data plan doesn't match the new phone type you're trying to activate, you might have to purchase additional data for it or change plans. Some examples are if you're switching from a 3G to a 4G device or from a basic to a smartphone.

You may only need to update your equipment protection if one line has equipment protection and the other does not, or if both protection plans are incompatible. If you already have an equipment protection plan on that line, you can choose to either keep what you have or select another.