Question about switching phones on Verizon

[ControlD]

So, I am currently using a iPhone 4S and I am purchasing a used Note II. My iPhone does not have a SIM card in it and I am assuming that Android devices require a SIM card to activate on the network.

When I get my used phone will I need to take it into Verizon to get my number switched over or is this something I can do myself? Sorry for the simple question but i have never dealt with this before and any chance I have to avoid dealing directly with Verizon is a win.

 

[dlock13]

You can call customer support or go into the store to get a SIM card for it. The store might make you pay, but usually CS over the phone will send it for free.

Regardless, it's that simple. They just need to give you a SIM that's activated, and wham you're good to go.

 

[Joe1986]

Verizon will give you a SIM card, simple stuff.

 

[ControlD]

Thanks guys. Time to order that phone!

 

[Chocu1a]

Walk into store, ask for sim card, CS rep will activate it, no charge. Simple. In the future, if you ever want to switch to a different 4g phone, all you have to do is just swap out sims. No need for CS rep.

 

[dlock13]

Walk into store, ask for sim card, CS rep will activate it, no charge. Simple. In the future, if you ever want to switch to a different 4g phone, all you have to do is just swap out sims. No need for CS rep.

Unless it's an iPhone 5 with a Nano SIM.

 

[aylafan]

Verizon doesn't use SIM cards unless you need it for travel in international countries that require a GSM network.

Verizon = CDMA network (ESN/MEID of device)
AT&T/T-Mobile = GSM network (SIM card)

Example: AT&T mobile phone will not work on a Verizon network, etc. Vice Versa.

Swapping Verizon mobile phones on the Verizon network is pretty simple. You just need to call Verizon and give them your new device ESN/MEID. After Verizon swaps your device then you just need to dial *228 and choose option 1 for activation.

 

[cronos]

Verizon doesn't use SIM cards unless you need it for travel in international countries that require a GSM network.

Verizon = CDMA network (ESN/MEID of device)
AT&T/T-Mobile = GSM network (SIM card)

Example: AT&T mobile phone will not work on a Verizon network, etc. Vice Versa.

Swapping Verizon mobile phones on the Verizon network is pretty simple. You just need to call Verizon and give them your new device ESN/MEID. After Verizon swaps your device then you just need to dial *228 and choose option 1 for activation.

The OP was talking about Verizon's Galaxy Note II, which is a 4G LTE phone that does need a SIM card.

 

[s44]

Verizon doesn't use SIM cards unless you need it for travel in international countries that require a GSM network.

Outdated. Now all VZ smartphones are LTE and use SIMs.

They're all also carrier unlocked (due, I think, to federal regs).

 

[ControlD]

Outdated. Now all VZ smartphones are LTE and use SIMs.

They're all also carrier unlocked (due, I think, to federal regs).

That was my assumption as well (they all have SIM cards now). In fact, when I got my 4S close to two years ago it actually had a SIM card installed in it. My first phone was defective so I sent it back and got a replacement. The second 4S would constantly give me a "invalid SIM card" message when I tried to activate it. I had to break down and drive to the Verizon store, which never ever ends well. The first thing the CS guy told me was "Sir, the iPhone does not have a SIM card", which required me to show him that in fact it did. I had to repeat this procedure at least three more times to support people over the phone, which started to get a touch old after some time. Finally, they took the SIM out and the phone activated after two hours of fiddling with it.

Long story short, this is what prompted my initial question as to whether I needed to go get a SIM card for my new phone which I believe is the case.

 

[bearxor]

Outdated. Now all VZ smartphones are LTE and use SIMs.

Indeed. Quite possibly the only smart devices Verizon actually sells (as in, people actually buy them) that don't take SIM cards are the iPhone 4 and 4S. The 4S takes a SIM card, but only for international travel. You can remove it and use it normally just fine.

They're all also carrier unlocked (due, I think, to federal regs).

Indeed. Requirement of the FCC open access rules for 700mhz spectrum. I can swap my SIM in to a VZW phone with no problem. Though depending on the phone it can be kind of worthless. On a Z10, I only get EDGE on AT&T and TMobile (WCDMA 900/2100 only).

It actually doesn't work at all on my RAZR HD.... hmmm

That was my assumption as well (they all have SIM cards now). In fact, when I got my 4S close to two years ago it actually had a SIM card installed in it. My first phone was defective so I sent it back and got a replacement. The second 4S would constantly give me a "invalid SIM card" message when I tried to activate it. I had to break down and drive to the Verizon store, which never ever ends well. The first thing the CS guy told me was "Sir, the iPhone does not have a SIM card", which required me to show him that in fact it did. I had to repeat this procedure at least three more times to support people over the phone, which started to get a touch old after some time. Finally, they took the SIM out and the phone activated after two hours of fiddling with it.

Long story short, this is what prompted my initial question as to whether I needed to go get a SIM card for my new phone which I believe is the case.

You current card would probably still technically work, but it would need to be provisioned in the system differently than it is now. It's honestly a lot less hassle to go buy the Note II, show up at the store and tell you bought it and want to activate it on your account than it would be to call in to CS and have them swap the SIM card from the global roaming 3G mode to domestic LTE data. They may even have to wait 24 hours after deactivating it for them to use the same card. Just go to the store. They shouldn't charge you or anything, none of the VZW stores I've been to have when I've needed SIM swaps.

 

[s44]

Oh yes... TURN OFF IMESSAGE

 

[ControlD]

Oh yes... TURN OFF IMESSAGE

Even with a new SIM card?

 

[s44]

Even with a new SIM card?

You have to tell Apple's servers to route texts from any iDevice-using friends to actual SMS, not to data on an iPhone you don't have/use any more.