Before You Start: Essential Preparation
Important: Don't Cancel Verizon First!
Never cancel your Verizon service before porting your number. The porting process automatically cancels your old service. Canceling first will cause you to lose your phone number permanently.
📋 Pre-Switch Checklist
1 Check Your Phone Compatibility
Most Verizon phones work with MVNOs, but it's important to verify compatibility before switching.
To check compatibility:
- Find your phone's IMEI: Dial *#06# or check Settings > About Phone
- Visit your chosen MVNO's website
- Use their compatibility checker tool
- Enter your IMEI number
2 Unlock Your Verizon Phone
Verizon automatically unlocks most phones after 60 days, but you should verify this before switching.
For iPhones:
- Settings > General > About
- Look for "Carrier Lock"
- Should say "No SIM restrictions"
For Android:
- Settings > About Phone > Status
- Look for "Network Lock"
- Should say "Unlocked"
Still locked? Call Verizon at 1-800-922-0204 to request an unlock. This is free if you've met their requirements (60+ days, good standing, device paid off).
3 Gather Required Information
You'll need this information from Verizon to port your number successfully.
Required for Number Porting:
- Your phone number
- Account number
- Account PIN or password
- Billing zip code
- Account holder's name
- Last 4 digits of SSN
How to find your account number: Log into My Verizon app/website → Account → Account Overview → Account Details, or call *611 from your Verizon phone.
🔄 Step-by-Step Switching Process
1 Choose Your New MVNO
Select an MVNO that uses Verizon's network for the most seamless transition, or choose a different network for variety.
🏆 Verizon Network MVNOs
🌟 Alternative Networks
2 Order Your New SIM Card or eSIM
Most MVNOs offer both physical SIM cards and eSIMs. Choose the option that works best for your phone.
📱 eSIM (Recommended)
- ✓ Instant activation
- ✓ No waiting for shipping
- ✓ Environmentally friendly
- ✓ Can't be lost or damaged
Works with iPhone XS/newer, Pixel 3/newer, and most recent smartphones
💳 Physical SIM
- ✓ Universal compatibility
- ✓ Easy to transfer between phones
- ✓ Familiar technology
- ⚠ 2-5 days shipping time
Works with all phones that have a SIM card slot
3 Initiate the Number Port
This is the most critical step. The porting process transfers your number and automatically cancels your Verizon service.
📋 Porting Process:
- Visit your new MVNO's activation page
- Choose "Keep my current phone number"
- Enter your Verizon account information
- Submit the port request
- Wait for confirmation (usually 2-24 hours)
✅ Do This:
- • Double-check all information before submitting
- • Keep your Verizon phone active during porting
- • Have backup communication ready
- • Save important texts/voicemails
❌ Don't Do This:
- • Cancel Verizon before porting
- • Change your Verizon account during porting
- • Remove the SIM card until port completes
- • Make changes to your number/account
4 Activate Your New Service
Once your number port is complete, you'll receive notification to activate your new service.
For eSIM Activation:
- Open your new MVNO's app or website
- Sign in to your account
- Follow the eSIM setup instructions
- Scan the QR code or enter setup details manually
- Your phone will download the eSIM profile
For Physical SIM Activation:
- Remove your old Verizon SIM card
- Insert the new MVNO SIM card
- Turn on your phone
- Follow the on-screen setup instructions
- Download your new carrier's app if needed
Pro Tip: Your phone might need to download carrier settings. Connect to Wi-Fi and restart your phone if you experience any issues with calls, texts, or data.
5 Test Everything & Finalize
Before considering the switch complete, test all functions to ensure everything works properly.
🧪 Test Checklist:
📱 Final Steps:
- 1. Update emergency contacts
- 2. Set up account management app
- 3. Configure automatic payments
- 4. Update carrier info with banks/services
- 5. Recycle old SIM card safely
🏆 Best MVNOs for Former Verizon Customers
Visible
Unlimited everything on Verizon's 5G/4G network
- ✓ Unlimited data, talk, text
- ✓ 5G included
- ✓ Mobile hotspot included
- ✓ No annual contract
Lycamobile
15GB + Unlimited International Calling
- ✓ 15GB high-speed data
- ✓ Unlimited international calling
- ✓ No contract required
- ✓ T-Mobile's 5G network
Mint Mobile
10GB data with 12-month commitment
- ✓ 10GB high-speed data
- ✓ Unlimited talk & text
- ✓ 5G access
- ⚠ Requires annual payment
🛠️ Troubleshooting Common Issues
📱 Number Port Taking Too Long
Normal Timeframes:
- • Simple ports: 2-4 hours
- • Complex ports: 24-48 hours
- • Business lines: Up to 7 days
Common Causes & Solutions:
❌ Incorrect account information
Solution: Double-check account number and PIN
❌ Outstanding Verizon balance
Solution: Pay any past-due amounts
❌ Name mismatch on account
Solution: Use exact name on Verizon account
❌ Business vs personal account
Solution: Specify account type correctly
📵 No Service After Activation
Try these steps in order: Most service issues resolve within 24 hours of activation.
- Restart your phone: Turn off for 30 seconds, then turn back on
- Check carrier settings: Go to Settings > General > About and look for carrier updates
- Reset network settings: Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings
- Manually select network: Settings > Cellular > Network Selection > Manual
- Contact your new carrier: They can refresh your service remotely
🌐 Data Not Working (APN Issues)
Sometimes you need to manually configure APN (Access Point Name) settings for data to work properly.
📱 iPhone APN Setup:
- Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options
- Cellular Data Network
- Enter APN settings provided by MVNO
- Restart phone
🤖 Android APN Setup:
- Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network
- Advanced > Access Point Names
- Add new APN with carrier settings
- Select new APN and restart
Need APN settings? Check your new carrier's website or app, or contact customer service. They'll provide the exact settings for your specific plan.
🆘 Need Immediate Help?
Common Carrier Support:
- • Visible: Chat at visible.com
- • Lycamobile: 1-844-777-5922
- • Mint Mobile: 1-833-646-8662
- • Total Wireless: 1-866-663-3633
Before Calling Support:
- • Have your account info ready
- • Note your phone model and OS version
- • Try basic troubleshooting first
- • Be patient - initial setup can take time
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
No, you can keep your current phone number by porting it to your new MVNO. This process is free and usually takes 2-24 hours. The key is to never cancel your Verizon service first - the porting process automatically cancels it for you.
Most people save $30-60 per month, which equals $360-720 annually. For example, Verizon's unlimited plan costs around $80/month, while comparable MVNO plans cost $20-35/month. A family of 4 can save over $2,000 per year by switching to MVNOs.
Yes, almost all Verizon phones work with MVNOs. Your phone needs to be unlocked (Verizon auto-unlocks after 60 days) and compatible with your chosen network. iPhone 6s and newer, and most Android phones from the last 5 years work perfectly with MVNOs.
Coverage depends on which network the MVNO uses. Verizon-based MVNOs (like Visible, Total Wireless) use the same towers as Verizon postpaid customers. T-Mobile MVNOs use T-Mobile's network, and AT&T MVNOs use AT&T's network. The main difference may be lower priority during network congestion.