Yoodley is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
It should be simple to make the transition from Verizon to AT&T, but it isn’t necessarily. It’s been claimed in a legal action filed in 2018 that the firms make it tough to transfer providers in an effort to keep clients. That being stated, a simple set of instructions and customer care representatives from both organizations can be used to make the transfer.
Below we’ll discuss how you can move a Verizon phone to AT&T service and a lot more:
How To Move A Verizon Phone To AT&T Service?
A Verizon phone can be switched to an AT&T service by following these simple steps.
Switching to AT&T is simple once the phone has been unlocked. This method’s hardest step is narrowing down your options to just one. AT&T has programs for individuals and families, with contract periods ranging from a few months to a year.
After a set amount of time has passed since signing the contract, you may be eligible for an upgrade to a new phone. Before heading to the AT&T store, do some research and shopping around for the best deal.
As soon as you know your options, go to an AT&T shop to register the phone and begin your service. Before the phone may be activated, a contract must be drafted and signed by both parties. If you decide to break the contract, make sure you are aware of the fees associated with doing so, as well as the conditions of the new contract. Ensure the plan is acceptable and delivers appropriate data and service levels by negotiating if necessary.
It will be tested and activated on the AT&T network after signing the contract. Before you leave the store, make one last test call to ensure everything is working properly. You are now connected to the new network.
Let’s understand the same in detail below:
First Unlock Your Verizon Phone
Unlock your phone and cancel your Verizon service before making the switch. This step is critical because phones locked to Verizon’s network will not allow a network switch. The phone can be unlocked and service terminated by phoning the customer service number or by visiting a store in person. Changing or proving your identification will necessitate entering your account password in one of these two ways.
The simplest way to cancel and unlock your phone is to go to a Verizon store. When you contact customer support via phone, you may have to wait, whereas an in-person visit assures that the full procedure is completed. After canceling the account, Verizon unlocks the phone.
Don’t be afraid to ask for the phone to be unlocked if you don’t want it to be ignored. It is impossible to unlock the phone manually, and only the phone’s manufacturer can do it.
It makes no difference what kind of phone you have; current smartphones running on Android or iOS can all be unlocked to allow you to change service providers. A phone can be unlocked and released from a contract by the firm itself. In order to proceed, unlock Verizon Samsung or iPhones at the shop or through customer support.
Check Your Phone Compatibility Before Switching
To begin, make sure your phone is compatible with your new wireless network. It’s still possible that some older phones, notably those manufactured for Verizon and Sprint would not work on other networks. Your preferred carrier may require you to trade your phone in and lose its worth if you don’t check. Next, you’ll need to know your phone’s IMEI number. This number can be found in the “about” section of the phone’s settings.
It’s possible to bring a 5G phone from any of the main carriers as long as you sign up for a plan that supports it and have a device that’s compatible with their 5G bands.
With a simple SIM card switch, most GSM unlocked phones on AT&T will work with their 3G and 4G LTE networks. In this instance, the phone should be able to connect to AT&T’s network using only the SIM card.
In some circumstances, you may have to enter the APN settings manually. All this information is usually filled up automatically. AT&T has a BYOD page where you can see if your phone is compatible. As long as your phone supports band n5, it should theoretically work on a 5G network, but you should verify with AT&T first to see if your phone is compatible.
T-Mobile uses a GSM network that is compatible with the majority of cell phones, much like AT&T. It’s possible that you may need to manually enter the APN settings for a compatible device after a SIM card swap, although this is extremely rare. Be sure to check T-BYOP Mobile’s page if you haven’t already. As a general rule, T-5G Mobile’s network is compatible with most US-made 5G smartphones.
As a result, Sprint is no longer accepting new subscribers, and all Sprint-related services are being routed to T-network Mobile’s and plans instead. It’s better to buy an unlocked or secondhand Sprint-branded phone from T-Mobile rather than a Sprint-branded phone from another carrier.
A T-Mobile SIM card will need to be activated by Sprint customer service before it can be used on a Sprint phone. To ensure that the new SIM card is correctly activated for your phone, you may also want to visit a retailer.
Even though Verizon’s network is more selective, you can still check your phone’s compatibility on its BYOD website. You’ll need a Verizon SIM card if that’s the case. As long as the phone supports Verizon’s n5 DSS 5G bands, Verizon will allow unlocked 5G smartphones on its network. Checking with Verizon is the fastest and most direct route to finding out for sure.
Pay attention to the details if you’re moving your old phone to a new provider.
Plan Ahead Before Switching
You want to know what you’re getting yourself into before making the switch. Finding the right AT&T package for you is the first step. In the end, switching carriers is pointless unless you can find a better deal already in the market.
Which Carrier Should You Switch To?
In the end, the network is more crucial than any of the various plans for a cell phone. If you can’t use your phone anywhere, it’s pointless to sign up for a phone plan.
However, even while all carriers have made great strides in recent years to ensure that they offer coverage where the majority of Americans live, some rural areas still strongly favor one carrier over the other T-5G Mobile’s network is the best, but AT&T and Verizon have better coverage in rural areas than T-Mobile does. Before joining up, make sure you check out the network coverage maps for AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.
Instead of sticking with your current service provider because of their network, you could look into an MVNO. The top mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) can save you money by eliminating extraneous features and services and giving a more straightforward phone package. If you know you’ll be using the Verizon or T-Mobile network, for example, you can go with a Verizon- or T-Mobile-based MVNO.
It’s not the cheapest carrier out there, but AT&T’s Unlimited Elite package includes useful extras like HBO Max. The first six months of Google Stadia are also free for new customers. Members of the Signature Program can save even more if their place of employment or group participates, assuming they are eligible.
It’s recommended that you utilize a 5G phone if you’re thinking about switching to T-Mobile service. T-LTE Mobile’s network is reliable, and its coverage is fairly similar to that of 5G; however, 5G-capable devices offer faster and more consistent rates. In addition, T-Mobile offers a terrific 55+ plan for those who are looking to save money on a multi-line account but still want exceptional coverage and service.
It’s possible to save more money if you bring your entire family along with you, as Verizon offers substantial discounts for accounts with several lines. Consider signing up with Verizon if you’re interested in a terrific price.
Why Switch to AT&T?
When it comes to deciding whether or not to transfer carriers, there are no wrong answers. One of the most prevalent explanations is that AT&T offers better service in your location than Verizon. You don’t want to spend money on a service that doesn’t meet your needs in your immediate area.
You may be considering a switch because your current plan is costing you too much. If you’re willing to pay a premium for some Verizon services, you may be able to find a better offer with AT&T. If you’re dissatisfied with your current service provider, it’s a good idea to explore other options.
If you switch from Verizon to AT&T, you may be able to save money. Many carriers reward clients who switch from their competitors’ services.
What’s The Right Time To Switch?
You’ll want to make the move from Verizon to AT&T at the end of your monthly billing cycle. You’ll end up paying for a service that you didn’t need if you switch providers any earlier. If you end your contract early, you could be hit with early termination fees. When your monthly billing cycle comes to a close, that’s when you should make the transfer.
How To Keep Your Number?
If you don’t keep your current phone number, you’ll lose a lot of the benefits of your new cell phone plan. In order to be safe, we recommend delaying canceling your Verizon subscription until your current phone number has been accepted by AT&T. Consult AT&T’s website on changing your phone number to see if your current number is compatible with your new plan.
You’ll need a few items to transfer your phone number:
- The name or SSN linked with your Verizon plan.
- Your Verizon phone number and PIN code.
- An AT&T SIM card will be required if you’re providing your own phone as part of your new plan, even if you’re using a different phone number.
What To Do If You Are Still Receiving The Verizon Messages?
AT&T phones may continue to get Verizon message updates or display notifications that they are no longer on the network, even though they are now running on AT&T’s service. Because they were designed for the Verizon network, original Verizon phones come pre-installed with Verizon-specific software.
It is possible to disregard these notifications, as they have no influence on the system’s functionality.
Because they are not bound by a contract, prepaid phones operate a little differently and are therefore more easily portable between service providers.
In order to use the phone on another carrier’s network, such as AT&T, you will need to receive a Verizon prepaid phone unlock code from customer care. A new AT&T SIM card will be needed to sign up for the prepaid phone, but the signup process is the same as before after the phone has been unlocked.
Because Verizon is no longer a service provider, the best place to get help if your phone isn’t working properly on the new network is through AT&T’s customer support.
