Switching From AT&T To Verizon: Step-by-Step Guide

Thanks to its wider network coverage and lower prices, Verizon lures customers from other service providers daily, and AT&T customers are not an exception. In addition, there are many phone deals that Verizon offers to convince you to join their service.

If you’re thinking of switching from AT&T to Verizon, then you have come to the right place. There are a couple of ways to do that, depending on whether you want to retain your current phone number or get a new one. This guide will take you through each process to ensure that you complete the switch easily, so please keep reading!

Things to Consider Before Switching from AT&T to Verizon

Before switching from AT&T to Verizon, you need to keep a couple of things in mind for the whole process to go smoothly. They include:

• The first thing you should ensure is that your AT&T phone is not locked. If the phone is locked, you can visit the AT&T unlock portal and submit an unlock request. Once the phone is completely unlocked, you can continue with the process.
• You should check whether your AT&T phone is compatible with Verizon’s network. There are two major types of networks; GSM and CDMA. AT&T and Verizon use two different networks, which might raise compatibility issues and derail the switching process.
• Another important factor to consider is if the Verizon network covers your area. It would be unhelpful for you to switch to Verizon, but you can’t enjoy their wireless services. The Verizon coverage map will help you determine if their network coverage is sufficient where you currently reside.
• There should be no bill that is due on your AT&T account. You should finish any bills, including anything you’re owed for monthly plans and leased phone. Also, If you have an early termination fee, you should settle it before switching from AT&T to Verizon.

However, if you want to avoid paying for the early termination fees, you should move to Verizon once your billing cycle in AT&T has come to an end. The best time to plan for switching service providers is usually a week or two before the billing cycle with the current service provider expires.

• Create a backup of all the important data stored in your phone. These may include your contacts, pictures, music, apps, and videos. You can move them to your computer or use cloud-based storage.
• If you want to retain the phone number you were using on the AT&T network, you go to this Verizon webpage and check if it is eligible for transfer to their network.
• You shouldn’t cancel your subscription to the AT&T wireless service before switching to Verizon. Your AT&T account should still be active until you have successfully joined Verizon.
• Give out another number that you can be contacted through if any complications arise during the switching process.

If you have sorted out everything that has been mentioned above, the next step is to go to a Verizon store near you or get in touch with a Verizon customer representative at 800-225-5499/888-844-7095 to assist you in switching. However, just follow the procedure below if you would like to do it yourself.

Switching from AT&T to Verizon Using an Existing Number

Verizon makes it possible for AT&T customers who want to switch to their service to retain their old number. As highlighted before, you will be required to keep your AT&T account active and prepare all your account details.

For your number to be ported seamlessly to Verizon, all the details you provide have to be accurate. There should be no discrepancies between the details you provide and the ones on your AT&T billing statement.

During switching from AT&T to Verizon, some aspects of your AT&T phone will continue to function while others won’t. For example, calling will be possible, but receiving a call will be an issue. That is why AT&T asks you to provide another number that they can reach you through. Here is the step by step procedure:

• Step 1: Confirm the eligibility of your phone number by visiting the Verizon online checking page. If your phone number qualifies for switching, you can use your current phone or get a new one.
• Step 2: Go to Verizon’s BYOP page and pick the ‘check compatibility’ option to know if your phone will work with the network offered by Verizon Wireless.
• Step 3: In this next step, you’ll be required to pick which model your current phone is from a list provided before proceeding
• Step 4: After entering which model your phone was, you will be prompted to select where you brought it. This can either be from Verizon or online retailers such as Amazon.
• Step 5: Provide your phone IMEI number in the required input box and proceed.
• Step 6: Once it is confirmed that your current phone and Verizon have no compatibility issues, you’ll be required to give out all information about your SIM card.
• Step 7: Prepare your number for the switch by selecting the ‘transfer an existing number’ option and then choose to continue. Enter the AT&T number in the prompt that appears and then tap the ‘check eligibility’ button.
• Step 8: Here, Verizon will ask you to avail all the details of your AT&T account. Some examples are your name, billing address, state, Zip code, account number and password.
• Step 9: If all the details you provided are correct, you will need to agree to settle any outstanding fee that you still have on AT&T.
• Step 10: Go through the whole page and confirm that the details you have provided are accurate.
• Step 11: The final step is to go to Verizon’s confirmation page and activate your line.

Note that the whole process of porting your number to Verizon may last anywhere between 4 and 24 hours, so you will need to be patient. When the process is done, Verizon will send a message to you to confirm that it was successful, and you can now use all the features of your phone.

Switching from AT&T to Verizon Using a New Number

Switching from AT&T to Verizon using a new number is simpler than switching using an existing number. The whole process is similar to opening a new account with a service provider, which most of you have done before.

It is important to note that while it is easy to obtain Verizon SIM cards from a third-party retailer such as Amazon, it is not always the best option. This is because Verizon usually has stringent measures when releasing their SIM cards.

It is advisable that you go to the Verizon store closest to you to get a new line. The sales agent will even go further and help you activate it. You can also opt to order one online from Verizon’s official website, and it will be mailed to the address you will indicate. Immediately after you get the SIM cards, you can commence the process below:

• Step 1: First, you need to go to Verizon’s website, register a new account and log in.
• Step 2: After creating your new account, select ‘my devices’ from a drop-down list in the top menu.
• Step3: On the ‘my devices’ option, pick the ‘activate on a new line’ option before clicking continue.
• Step 4: A prompt will appear where you will need to input your ‘Device Identification (this is the IMEI number of your phone).
• Step 5: Once you have established that your phone is compatible, check if the SIM card is compatible by entering the SIM card number in the dialogue box provided in this step.
• Step 6: After confirming that the SIM card is compatible, pick a mobile phone plan from Verizon and activate the new line.

Normally, if you buy a cell phone from Verizon, they will send it to you with a brand new SIM card. However, if you purchase your phone from a third-party retailer, you might still have to order a SIM card separately from Verizon.

Switching from AT&T to Verizon Through Bring Your Phone Deals

As mentioned before, Verizon usually has many phone deals to entice new customers from other network providers. An example is their ‘Bring Your Own Phone’ policy which award up to $250 to customers who move to their network with their own devices.

However, if you are switching from a different network to Verizon, you have to bring a device that is not locked. For AT&T, you will be required to satisfy the following conditions before they can unlock your device:

• Your device is free from any fraud or theft cases.
• All your balances for the account associated with that phone have been settled.
• Your phone should not be registered to another account or service provider before switching.
• For people with business phones that were leased on a two-year deal, you will need to wait for 30 days or more to start your application
• Your AT&T phone should have been active for six months or more before making the switch.
• If the device you have is owned by a company you work for, you will need to get authorization from them before switching to Verizon.

Once your device is unlocked, use its IMEI number to check if it is compatible with the Verizon network, as mentioned before.

Switching from AT&T to Verizon Through Trade-ins

Verizon offers trade-in deals to encourage people to switch from AT&T to its service. In these deals,  they will give you a $250 rebate when you trade in your AT&T phone. This rebate can settle any outstanding bills associated with your previous account, e.g., early termination fees.

In addition, Verizon offers as much as $650 in credit to people who join their service and exchange their current devices for new ones from them. You also have to subscribe to one of Verizon’s monthly plans for you to qualify for a trade-in deal.

For your phone to be considered suitable for a trade-in deal, it has to meet the following conditions:

• The phone can be switched on and off
• The screen has not cracked and is still fully functional
• None of the ports in your phone or your phone, in general, has been damaged by water or corrosion.
• Your phone’s battery is still in good condition
• The phone doesn’t have any visible dents on its surface.
• If you’re trading in an iPhone with an iOS7 or a later version, you have to deactivate the ‘find my iPhone’ feature temporarily.

Why You Should Consider Switching From AT&T to Verizon

You have already been guided on switching from AT&T to Verizon, but why should you do it? Here are some of the major reasons:

Better Network Coverage

Anytime you join a new service provider, you always want to ensure that you can stay well connected despite where you are. AT&T and Verizon compete in many aspects, but the latter edges the former when it comes to network coverage. If you frequently travel to different parts of the country, Verizon might be more suitable.

Faster Browsing Speeds

Verizon tops the list when it comes to 5G internet speeds. Their internet speeds can reach as high as 3000-4000 Mbps compared to AT&T’s speed which reaches 1000-1400 Mbps max.

More Attractive Phone Deals

Verizon phone deals are one of the best in the market. They also don’t have too many prerequisites. However, people prefer Verizon phone deals over AT&T phone deals because you won’t be asked to trade in your phone, unlike AT&T, which needs you to make a trade-in almost all the time.

Bigger Cloud Storage Space

With Verizon, you can get as much as 600GB of cloud storage to keep your movies, music, contacts, etc. AT&T offers only 100GB of cloud storage space in comparison.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this article has clearly explained the process of switching from AT&T to Verizon in detail. AT&T strives to deliver quality services, but Verizon still edges it in several areas. You can transfer to Verizon by bringing your own phone, making a trade-in, keeping your current number, or getting a new one. Whichever way you choose, the process is still simple, and it will not cost you a single dime!

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