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How-to Activate a new Verizon phone online / switch ESN

Discussion in 'General Verizon Service' started by jdeg, Sep 29, 2008.

  1. jdeg

    jdeg Administrator Staff Member

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    You will need to register for "My Verizon" first, as this is where you will find the online ESN changer. Follow these instructions to do the ESN change yourself:
    1. Log into your "My Verizon" account - http://verizonwireless.com
    2. Under the "My Verizon" link at the top, under My Device, click "Activate or Switch Device"
    3. Select the phone you want to update if you have more than one phone on your account, click next
    4. If you have backup assistant it will ask you to run it before switching devices, click next
    5. Next you will need to enter the ESN/MEID number and hit submit. (the esn is usually found on the box near barcodes or under the battery on the phone)
    After you have done this, wait 5-10 minutes and dial *228 (option #1) to program your phone. Once you hear the "Your phone has been programed successfully" message, you can hit OK, or the end key. You can make a test call by hitting #832, to confirm that your phone is working properly.

    If you have any problems with this, or receive any error messages, you can call Verizon's customer service dept. for help at 1-800-922-0204. They usually charge $20 to change the ESN for you. However, if you tried it yourself first, and let the Rep. know that you had a problem, they will usually waive the fee.


    › See More: Activate a new Verizon phone online / switch ESN
    Last edited: Dec 6, 2012
    jdeg, Sep 29, 2008
    #1
    1 person likes this.

  2. Bobdhu

    Bobdhu New Member

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    Is it possible to use this procedure to activate a BB Pearl from Sprint to Verizon?
    Bobdhu, Sep 20, 2009
    #2
  3. holytotemic

    holytotemic New Member

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    great information thanks much!
    holytotemic, Nov 8, 2009
    #3
  4. Monster77

    Monster77 New Member

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    Looks easy thanks
    :smart:
    Monster77, Dec 6, 2009
    #4
  5. birdfan

    birdfan New Member

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    Thanks for the info. FYI: I was unable to activate my phone through the web without adding an access plan. I had to go to the local corporate store to get it done w/o the access plan.
    birdfan, Apr 29, 2010
    #5
  6. okmusic

    okmusic New Member

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    Thanks for this!

    I was activating a phone that still had service under a different account and kept getting an error message saying Verizon was unable to active my phone at this time. I assume the reason was because the phone was already assigned to my new number in the Verizon system when I set up the calling plan. I got the bright idea to skip to the programming step and dial *228. Voila, total success!

    Soooo, if anyone runs into trouble activating online, you might want to consider going right to this step : ]
    okmusic, Aug 10, 2010
    #6
  7. whouarez

    whouarez New Member

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    thanks for sharing
    whouarez, Aug 19, 2010
    #7
  8. jumja

    jumja New Member

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    thanks
    jumja, Aug 20, 2010
    #8
  9. thebluedot

    thebluedot New Member

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    Actually the method above will only work if you are going from a Blackberry to a Blackberry or a simple flip phone to a simple flip phone. The method will not wok however if you are switching from Sprint to Verizon or switching from a basic style phone to a smart phone such as an android phone or Blackberry. In those cases - you would have to call Verizon support or take your phone to a Verizon store.

    Also - the $20 fee only applies if you are a first time Verizon customer. If you are just swapping out phones - no charge will apply.

    ----------
    The BlueDot pays top dollar for your used cell phones.
    thebluedot, Sep 30, 2010
    #9
  10. Abraham Laker

    Abraham Laker New Member

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    very good .. very ueseful !!!!! Thanks !!!!!!!!!!!!
    Abraham Laker, Mar 24, 2011
    #10
  11. jdeg

    jdeg Administrator Staff Member

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    Updated instructions to latest my verizon
    jdeg, Oct 19, 2011
    #11
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