Activate a Replacement Verizon Wireless Phone

When you receive a replacement device for a Verizon phone that was defective, lost, or damaged, the new device must be activated. Most Verizon customers can complete the activation on their handsets without having to speak to a representative. Learn how to transfer your SIM card (if possible) and activate your Verizon-issued replacement iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, or Windows phone in minutes.

Steps

iPhone

  1. Back up the data from your old iPhone with iTunes or iCloud.[1] If you are unable to use your iPhone, you can skip this step.
  2. Activate your prepaid device in My Verizon. Skip this step if you have a regular (billed monthly) plan. Prepaid account holders (pay-in-advance) should visit the “Activate, Switch, or Bring Your Own Device FAQs” site and click “Activating a device you’re bringing to an existing line.” Follow the prompts on the screen to complete the activation.
  3. Turn off your old iPhone. If you no longer have your old iPhone, you can skip this step.
  4. Insert the smaller end of an unfolded paperclip into the hole on the right side of your old iPhone.[2] When the SIM card tray ejects, remove the paperclip from the hole.
    • If you don’t have access to your old phone and you received a new SIM card, use these steps to guide you through inserting the new SIM card in your replacement phone.
    • If Verizon did not send you a new SIM card and you don't have access to your old phone, contact Verizon for a new free SIM card.
  5. Gently pull the SIM card tray from the old iPhone. The entire tray will come out of the device, leaving the SIM card exposed.
  6. Pull the SIM card out of the old iPhone. Be careful not to touch the gold connectors.
  7. Place the SIM card tray back into the old iPhone. Put the old iPhone aside for now.
  8. Insert the SIM card into your new iPhone. With the new phone powered off, insert the paperclip into the tray of the replacement phone and pop out the SIM card tray. Insert the new SIM card, and remember to reinsert the SIM card tray.
  9. Call to activate 4G service (if you are using a new SIM card).[3] If you inserted the SIM card from your old phone into your replacement phone, skip this step.
    • Call (877) 807-4646 from another phone. You can’t use your replacement iPhone to make this call.
    • Follow the prompts to activate your replacement phone. You may need to enter information from your receipt or replacement package, so keep those things handy.
  10. Power on your new iPhone. The phone will boot to a setup wizard.[4] Follow the prompts until you reach the “Wi-Fi Networks” screen.
  11. Select your Wi-Fi network on the “Wi-Fi Networks” screen. If there is a network password, you’ll be prompted to enter it upon connecting.
    • If you don’t have access to a wireless network, select “Use Cellular Connection” if it appears. Follow the subsequent screens to connect to the cellular network.
    • If neither a Wi-Fi nor cellular network are available, the “Connect to iTunes” option will appear. Tap that option, then plug your phone into an Internet-enabled computer running iTunes.
  12. Follow the rest of the prompts to set up your new iPhone. You will be guided through a brief Setup Assistant wizard that will help you set up your iPhone preferences, including restoring from your old iPhone’s last backup.
    • If you’re using the “Connect to iTunes” activation feature, begin by following the prompts on the computer screen.
  13. Tap “Get Started” when prompted to begin the activation.[5] “Get Started” will appear when the setup process is complete. Once you tap this button, you will see a progress bar at the top of the screen. When the activation is complete, the word “Verizon” will appear at the top of the screen.
    • If you are asked if you want help from Siri, just tap “Dismiss.”
    • The activation may take several minutes.
  14. Contact Verizon if you can't activate your replacement iPhone. If you are unable to activate your replacement iPhone using this method, call (800) 922-0204 or visit a Verizon retailer for assistance.

Android, Windows, and BlackBerry

  1. Back up your old content. If you still have access to your old phone, back up your contacts and data before continuing.
    • See Back Up an Android Phone on the Google Cloud for tips on backing up your Android data.
    • Windows Phone: Select “Backup” in the Settings app. Tap “Apps +Settings,” then “Back up now.” Follow the prompts to start your backup.[6]
    • Blackberry: Open BlackBerry Link on your PC or Mac.[7] Connect your BlackBerry to the computer. Select your BlackBerry on the right side of the screen, then select “Backup & Restore.” Follow the prompts to back up your device.
  2. Activate your prepaid device in My Verizon. Skip this step if you have a regular (billed monthly) plan. Prepaid account holders (pay-in-advance) should visit the “Activate, Switch, or Bring Your Own Device FAQs” site and click “Activating a device you’re bringing to an existing line.” Follow the prompts on the screen to complete the activation.
  3. Turn off your old phone. Now you’ll need to remove the SIM card from the old phone. If you don’t have access to your old phone, you can skip this step.
  4. Remove the SIM card from your old phone (if necessary). If you still have access to your old phone, you remove its SIM card and use it in the replacement phone. The process to remove SIM cards is different across devices, but most can be removed in one of these manners:
    • Remove the battery cover and look for a small card (if you see two cards, it’s the one that does not say “SD.” If you don’t see it upon first glance, it may be beneath the battery. Once you locate the card, slide it free from its slot. Try not to touch the gold connector on the card.
    • Insert the small end of a paper clip (or use a SIM removal tool) to pop out the SIM card tray. Then, pull (gently!) the SIM card free from beneath the tray. Be careful not to touch the gold connector.
  5. Insert the SIM into your replacement phone. Inserting the SIM card into your new phone is similar to removing it from your old phone. Locate the SIM slot on your new device and slide the card inside.
  6. Call to activate 4G service (if you are using a new SIM card).[3] If you inserted the SIM card from your old phone into your replacement phone, skip this step.
    • Call (877) 807-4646 from another phone. You can’t use your replacement phone to make this call.
    • Follow the prompts to activate your replacement phone. You may need to enter information from your receipt or replacement package, so keep those things handy.
  7. Power on your new phone and follow the prompts. Once the phone boots up, you’ll arrive at a wizard that guides you through setting up the phone. The setup screens vary depending on your model of phone.
    • You will be prompted to connect to Wi-Fi during the setup. If you have Wi-Fi, tap your wireless access point and enter the password (if required). If not, select the option that allows you to activate your phone over a cellular connection.
    • If you have a prepaid or Pay-As-You-Go phone, you will be prompted to select your plan information.[8]
  8. Follow the link to activate your phone when prompted. Again, the screens are different on every phone, but once the initial setup is complete, you will arrive at a screen that says something like “Activate Now.”
    • The activation process may take a few moments to complete. [3] When the phone is activated, you will see the word “Verizon” at the top of the screen.
    • Most phones will prompt you to restore from a backup as part of the initial setup process. If you need to restore from a backup but don’t see a prompt, find your phone’s Backup settings and look for a “restore” option.
  9. Contact Verizon if you run into trouble. If you can't activate your replacement phone, call (800) 922-0204 to speak with a Verizon support, or visit a retail outlet and have it activated in-store.

Tips

  • If you received a replacement phone from Verizon because yours was defective, you will need to return the defective phone from Verizon within five days of receiving your replacement.[9] Your new phone came with a return shipping box and packing instructions.
  • The Verizon Device Replacement Program does not cover liquid damage or “unreasonable wear and tear.”[9]

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.verizonwireless.com/support/how-to-activate-apple-iphone-5s-5c-upgrade/
  2. ↑ http://www.verizonwireless.com/support/how-to-activate-apple-iphone-5-4s-4/
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 http://www.verizonwireless.com/support/how-to-activate-lg-g2-upgrade/
  4. ↑ http://www.verizonwireless.com/businessportals/support/how_to_use/iphone-5-upgrade.html
  5. ↑ http://www.verizonwireless.com/support/knowledge-base-64726/
  6. ↑ http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/mobile-phone/how-backup-restore-windows-phone-8-3581648/
  7. ↑ http://support.blackberry.com/kb/articleDetail?ArticleNumber=000033526
  8. ↑ http://www.verizonwireless.com/support/knowledge-base-138364/
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 http://www.verizonwireless.com/support/how-to-activate-4g-smartphone-replacement/
Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Activate_a_Replacement_Verizon_Wireless_Phone&oldid=307730"