How to Transfer Your Existing Numbers to Verizon
Over the time, our family has been using a mix of different mobile carriers. We have lines with AT&T, a line with Mint Mobile, another line with Google Fi.
Mint has excellent and affordable prepaid plans. Their Web site and mobile app are clean, simple and easy to use. The whole process of setting up a new plan, getting the SIM card and activate it is very smooth. Their family plan is also very affordable and good. Overall, we had great experience with it. The prepaid plans are also clean, they don’t have much extra government fees, taxes and surcharges. Maybe the only downside is the carrier network and signal coverage.
Google Fi is also very nice. I signed up for it mostly because of its global data network. My dad is ill and I had to travel back to China to take care of my parents. Based on my research, Google Fi global data is the most affordable option compared with other big carrier’s roaming data plans. My experience also proved it is a good choice. The Google Fi data network is not blocked by the Great Firewall of China: all the Google services (Search, Gmail, Gdoc, etc.) and major websites (Twitter, news, etc.) are available. I can also use Google Voice over Google Fi to make phone calls easily instead of paying more expensive international rates. However, there is a catch regarding to International data usage: you have to be using Google Fi service primarily within US, if you are using Google Fi service consecutively over 90 days, the international capabilities will be suspended. And there is no option to enable that even with extra cost (the only exception is that you are a veteran assigned outside US territory). I got my Google Fi data service suspended all of a sudden (there was an email warning) and it is very inconvenient for me to scramble to get another China phone with VPN enabled, etc.
Recently, we are moving to a new house where the cell phone signal coverage is very primitive. With the help of our friends, we tried all major carriers and budget carriers, only Verizon works in that area and we decided to consolidate all the lines to Verizon.
Since we are “bringing our phones”, we’ve got a quite good deal for the monthly plan ($25 per line per month with unlimited everything, without hotspot, after you set up autopay + paperless statement, there is also a rebate of $200 credits where you can use to buy accessories on Verizon). However, there is always a catch: for each new line, there will be a one time activation fee of $57 and your monthly bill has extra fees and taxes of around $16. So your first month bill will be huge!
Here are some quick pointers to help you transfer your existing number from current carrier to Verizon.
Overall, only thing you will need from current carrier is:
- account number
- unlock PIN for transfer
Also, I’d recommend going to a nearby Verizon store to set up the new lines and transfer the numbers (you will need a new SIM card anyways from Verizon). Verizon staff are very friendly and helpful. I set up my four lines in around half an hour.
Verizon
- Bring your number to Verizon: this doc gives the overview about number transfer
- Switch to Verizon: this page allows you to check if your current number is eligible to transfer, i.e. it is not on certain blacklist used by Spammers, etc. It also allows you to transfer the number online, but again I’d recommend doing it in store with a Verizon staff.
From Google Fi to Verizon
Google Fi is the easiest to transfer the number. There is no need to contact online chat or call them. Everything can be done by yourself easily.
- Read the details on this doc
- Use the step by step page
At the end of the steps, you will be redirected back to your account page. On your account page, there will be a new “Cancellation pending” message with the link “Get transfer info”, click on the link and it shows your account number and PIN, which you need to give to Verizon for transferring the number.
From Mint Mobile to Verizon
Log into Mint account Web page, then chat with the support. They will get the account number and PIN for you. One note is that Mint does not refund the remaining credit you have prepaid for your plan.
From ATT to Verizon
Do it online with ATT website or app:
Or you can call ATT customer service to get your account number and PIN. ATT will try their best to keep you before giving this information, e.g. if you tell them about your coverage problem, they ask you to run diagnosis on their network, etc.