So you want to switch cell phone carriers from Verizon to AT&T? That’s awesome. Problem is, you aren’t sure how to do it. There is also the fear of doing it wrong and incurring extra fees during the transition. In this post, you will learn how to switch any iPhone, Android or flip phone from Verizon to AT&T — plus secret tricks to bypass certain requirements and waiting periods.
Why Switch?
Several reasons may be driving you to switch carriers; all of which are valid.
Perhaps you feel you are paying too much for services, or budget revisions mean you can’t afford your current carrier plan. There is no shame in that. If anything, it is a smart and responsible move.
Maybe AT&T offers better coverage in an area you have moved to, so it makes no sense to stick to Verizon. Or maybe AT&T has been providing better coverage in your area all along, you just hadn’t realized it yet.
Finally, switching from one carrier to another regardless of which one they are has inherent benefits. Many carriers have special offers for customers who switch from their competitors. Think of it as a warm welcome to your new family. AT&T is no exception.
Plan Ahead Before Switching
How do you go about switching from Verizon to AT&T? These steps will ensure you have the easiest time making the transfer:
Early Termination Fee
Most Verizon users have a contract stipulating that if they terminate their subscription, they will be charged a termination fee. The fee charged depends on how far along your contract you are.
For example, a person who terminated their contract a day before its renewal will be charged far less than someone who terminated their contract a day after its renewal. These fees can go as high as $300, requiring you to take some measures to keep them reasonable.
Perfect Timing
Do you know when your Verizon billing cycle ends? Knowing when it ends will help you choose an appropriate date to terminate your Verizon service. The reason is to choose a date that will prevent you from paying for a billing cycle you will not use, thus wasting money. Considering that you will be paying for a new carrier, it would mean that for one month, you were billed double.
For example, say your billing cycle ends on the 13th of every month. It would be best to switch to AT&T around the 9th. This way you will use up all the services you paid for at the beginning of the previous billing cycle.
Confirm Device Compatibility
If you want to keep your existing iPhone or Android phone (bring your own device), you should ensure your cell phone is up for the change. Most new Verizon-locked iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones should work perfectly fine with AT&T. However, other brands and older models may not be compatible, and you will need another phone to make the switch.
You can confirm if your phone is compatible with the AT&T network by doing a compatibility check on AT&T’s website. To complete this evaluation, you will need your IMEI number. To find your IMEI, all you need to do is dial *#06# on your iPhone or Android’s phone app.
Unlock Your Phone
A locked phone may cause device incompatibility. In this context, your phone being locked means that it cannot use sim cards from networks other than Verizon, not that it needs a password.
Most carriers have phone unlocking policies that you can review to find out how to unlock your phone. However, these unlocking policies usually have certain criteria for qualification. Each carrier has different qualification criteria, so you need to confirm what Verizon’s are.
Luckily, Verizon has a relatively lenient phone unlocking policy. All you need to do is make a request and your phone will be unlocked in 2 months (60 days). Your phone must be paid off.
HOT TIP: If Verizon doesn’t unlock your phone, use PriorityUnlock
PriorityUnlock offers an official priority unlocking service for Verizon that will SIM-Unlock any Verizon iPhone or Samsung phone online, even if Verizon won’t unlock it for you. The service fee starts at $29, and usually takes about 1-5 days using the official unlocking method used by Verizon. It will unlock most phones, even if you’re still on a contract, you’re still in the 60-day window, or it’s locked on another person’s Verizon account (ie. you bought it secondhand and already locked).
Determine Whether You Can Transfer Your Phone Number to AT&T
Nobody wants to keep changing their number. It is quite a task to let all your previous contacts know about the change and then change it in any accounts it was connected to. Therefore, transferring your current number to the new carrier is best when changing carriers.
First, you will need to determine whether or not it is possible to transfer your current number to Verizon. To determine eligibility, you will go to the AT&T website and check whether your number qualifies. All you need to do is enter your current number into the system and you will receive a notification.
If you are ineligible, you must find out why from Verizon. If the issue cannot be fixed, you may have to make do with a new number from AT&T.
If your number is eligible for transfer from Verizon to AT&T, then you can begin the transfer process. The easiest way to get it done is through the AT&T BYOD website.
To begin the transfer, you will need the following:
- Your account number and pin
- Your social security number
- Your new AT&T sim card. This will be provided for free when activating your new account.
You will then be asked to select the type of device you are activating, then pick an AT&T service plan. Finally, wait for your new AT&T physical SIM card.
Choose the Most Suitable AT&T Plan
Which service plan is best for you? AT&T has both postpaid and prepaid plans. Each of them offers different features.
AT&T Postpaid Plans (Updated: 2022)
| AT&T Unlimited Extra | AT&T Unlimited Starter | AT&T Unlimited Extra | AT&T Unlimited Premium | AT&T 4GB Plan |
| TOTAL PRICE | $65 per month | $75 per month | $85 per month + $30 upfront | $50 per month +$30 upfront |
| DATA | Unlimited Data | Unlimited Data | Unlimited Data | 4GB Full Speed data |
AT&T Prepaid Plans (Updated 2022)
| PLAN | AT&T Prepaid $30 Monthly Plan | AT&T Prepaid 8GB 3 Month Plan ($33 per month ) | AT&T Prepaid $40 Monthly Plan | AT&T Prepaid $65 Monthly Plan | AT&T Prepaid 16GB 12-Month Plan |
| DATA SPEED | 5GB | 8GB | 15GB | Unlimited Data | 16GB |
| MOBILE HOTSPOT DATA | 5GB | 8GB | 15GB | No Hotspot Data | 16GB |
| REFILL | 30 Days | 30 Days | 30 Days | 30 Day | 1 Year |
Frequently Asked Questions
Switching carriers can seem like a daunting task. Unfortunately, it can become a nightmare if done badly and the process isn’t straightforward. If you still feel a bit lost about how best to switch from Verizon to AT&T, here are a few FAQs:
Can I Switch From Verizon to AT&T Online?
Yes. Switching from Verizon to AT&T online is the preferred, and easiest method. You can still opt to switch between the two carriers via customer service or a visit to the AT&T store.
You will need to wait for the physical SIM card to get to you after the online process. However, deliveries do not take too long.
How Hard Is It To Switch From Verizon to AT&T?
Switching from Verizon to AT&T is a simple, straightforward process. How long you have to wait is a different story.
If your phone is locked on Verizon, then you may need to wait up to 60 days for it to be unlocked. Only then will you be allowed to switch to AT&T. If you are just at the beginning of your Verizon contract then you may also consider waiting for a while to avoid hefty termination fees. Finally, if you have just paid your Verizon bill and are at the beginning of a new cycle, then it would be advisable to do the switch towards the end of the current cycle.
Keeping track of the right time to switch from Verizon to AT&T is the only challenging aspect of the process. The rest is a walk in the park.
Does AT&T Have Special Offers For Switching From Verizon?
AT&T has various offers that act as incentives for customers switching from Verizon. If you are on a device payment agreement, AT&T can offer you $650 to cover any money still owed. Some promotions at Verizon pay off your early termination fees as well.
Switching From Verizon to AT&T: It Doesn’t Get Easier Than This
Switching from one carrier to another does not have to be a tedious task. You have every right to seek services that match your lifestyle. What you pay for should also be conducive to where you live.
AT&T provides competitive services and makes it easy to access them regardless of where you are. You can easily switch from any carrier to AT&T via the AT&T website without leaving your home.
Ranking second in network coverage tests, and serving an impressive 147 million customers in the USA and Mexico, AT&T consistently proves its quality. Don’t hesitate to make that switch today.
Leave a reply