It's easy to activate a device you already own through My Verizon. Go to vzw.com and sign into My Verizon account. Once signed in, select Devices from the My Verizon Navigation and choose Activate or switch device.
From here, you will be able to activate a device you already own. You have the option to Activate on an existing line or Activate on a new line at the top of the page.
If you have multiple lines on your account, select the line that you wish to make changes to and click select device.
First, you'll check if you are replacing with a device that was previously used on your account.
If you choose yes, select it from your device history, and click Check Device. If the device you previously used is not appearing in your device history, or if you are activating a device that hasn't been used on the account, then select No and click next.
You'll then need to enter the Device ID. If you can't find the Device ID on your phone, select the device type, and the OS to get instructions on how to find the Device ID for the type that you're activating. Once located, enter the ID and click Check Device. A little hint - as you're entering the device ID, is to always remember to use the number "0."
For the security of your account, you'll be prompted to authorize the activation. Select which device you want the code sent to, and then click Text me the code. Once you receive the code, enter it and click confirm.
In the Check SIM step we'll make sure your SIM card is compatible with your line. If your device doesn't require a SIM card or the previously used SIM card is compatible, you'll skip this step. To learn how to find your SIM ID number, select your device type and OS from the drop down to get instructions. Enter the SIM ID and click Check SIM card. If you don't have a SIM card, you can order one online or go to a store and pick one up. If you choose to order one online, click add to cart and follow the steps to checkout. Once you receive your new SIM card in the mail, or get it from a store, you'll need to come back and go through this process again. You should see a button to "Activate SIM" if you purchased it online. Otherwise you can click on the link Have a SIM replacement from the Verizon store? Activate it here from the Activate or Switch Device start page.
If you previously had equipment protection or have recently upgraded, you'll select an equipment protection option and click Confirm. If the device you're activating is not compatible with your current data plan, you'll be asked to select a compatible plan. Make your changes and click Confirm.
We recommend that you backup your contacts prior to completing activation for your new phone to ensure you don’t lose any contacts. Click to view instructions to backup your contacts from your device, and then click "continue" once your backup is complete.
In order to complete your activation, you'll need to ensure your phone is powered off, if needed, insert the SIM card, and then power on your device.
Once your new device is active you can restore your contacts on your new device. Click the link to view restore instructions for your device, and then follow the steps on the screen as you did when you backed up your contacts. You can also get information on using your device by clicking on the option to get support. To ensure that your new device is active, click Send me a confirmation text message on my device.
That's it, now you're ready to start using your new device.
