You can cancel a single line without ending your entire account

When you cancel a line on Verizon, you remove that phone number and service from your account while keeping any other lines active. The process takes about 10 to 15 minutes and can be done online, by phone, or in a store. You will owe a final bill for any remaining balance on that line, and if the phone is financed through Verizon, you will need to pay off the device balance or return the phone.

Verizon does not charge an early termination fee for canceling a line anymore, but you are responsible for any outstanding charges on that specific line. If you are canceling because you want to switch carriers, you can port your phone number to another company during the cancellation process — this keeps the same number active with a different provider.

Key Takeaways

  • You can cancel one line while keeping other lines on your account active, and there is no early termination fee.
  • You will receive a final bill for any remaining balance, device payments, or prorated charges for the month of cancellation.
  • If you want to keep your phone number, you can port it to another carrier during the cancellation process.
  • The fastest method is calling Verizon customer service at 611 from your Verizon phone or 1-908-559-4899 from any phone.
  • If your phone is financed, you must either pay off the device balance when ready or return the phone to avoid ongoing charges.

Cancel your line through My Verizon online

The online method works if you have a My Verizon account set up and you are the account holder or have account management permissions. Go to verizon.com and sign in with your username and password. Click on your account name in the top right corner and select "Account" from the dropdown menu.

Find the line you want to cancel in the "Lines" section. Click the three-dot menu next to that line and select "Cancel line." Verizon will show you any outstanding balance, device payments, or prorated charges you will owe. Review the final bill amount and click "Confirm cancellation." You will receive a confirmation email within a few minutes, and the line will be canceled at the end of your current billing cycle or when ready, depending on which option you choose during the process.

Cancel by calling Verizon customer service

Calling is often faster if you have questions about your final bill or want to port your number to another carrier at the same time. From a Verizon phone, dial 611. From any other phone, call 1-908-559-4899. Wait times are usually shortest on weekday mornings before 10 a.m. Eastern time.

Tell the representative which line you want to cancel and confirm the phone number. They will review your account balance, any device payments, and prorated charges for the current month. If you want to keep your phone number, tell them you want to port it — they will give you a PIN code that you will need when you contact your new carrier. The representative will confirm the cancellation date and send you a confirmation by text or email.

Cancel in person at a Verizon store

You can walk into any Verizon store and cancel a line with a representative. Bring a photo ID and the phone number you want to cancel. The representative will pull up your account, show you the final charges, and process the cancellation while you wait. This method is useful if you have questions about your bill or want to return a financed phone in person.

Store hours vary by location, so check the Verizon website for your nearest store's hours before you go. Cancellation takes about 10 minutes once you are with a representative, though wait times in the store itself can be longer during evenings and weekends.

What happens to a financed phone when you cancel

If you are paying for your phone through Verizon's device payment plan, you have two options when you cancel the line. You can pay off the remaining balance in full, which will be added to your final bill. Or you can return the phone to Verizon, which stops the device payments when ready.

If you do neither — if you keep the phone and do not pay off the balance — Verizon will continue charging you for the device even after the line is canceled. This is a common mistake. Before you cancel, check how much you still owe on the phone by looking at your bill or asking a representative. If the payoff amount is high, returning the phone may be the better choice.

Porting your number to another carrier

If you are switching to a different phone company, you can keep your phone number by porting it during the cancellation process. When you cancel through My Verizon online, you will see an option to port your number — select it and Verizon will generate a PIN code. When you cancel by phone or in store, ask the representative for your port PIN before the line is canceled.

Contact your new carrier with your phone number, account number, and port PIN. They will handle the transfer, which usually takes a few hours to a few days. During the transfer, your old Verizon line will stop working, and your number will start working on the new carrier's network. You do not need to do anything else with Verizon once the port is complete.

Understanding your final bill after cancellation

Your final bill will include charges for the days you used service in the month you canceled, any device payments still owed, and any other charges on that line. Verizon prorates your monthly service charge based on the day you cancel, so you will not pay for a full month if you cancel mid-cycle.

The final bill arrives within one to two billing cycles after cancellation. If you set up autopay, the payment will be charged automatically. If you did not set up autopay, you will receive an invoice by mail or email and can pay it online through My Verizon, by phone, or by mail. If you have a credit on your account from overpayment or a promotional credit, Verizon may explore it to your final bill or issue a refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay an early termination fee to cancel a line?

No. Verizon stopped charging early termination fees for line cancellations. You will only owe the final bill for any remaining balance, device payments, and prorated service charges for the month you cancel.

Can I cancel a line if I still owe money on the phone?

Yes. You can either pay off the device balance in full when you cancel, or return the phone to Verizon to stop the payments. If you do neither, the device charges will continue even after the line is canceled.

What happens to my phone number after I cancel?

Your phone number will stop working once the line is canceled. If you want to keep it, port it to another carrier before the cancellation is complete. If you do not port it, Verizon will release the number back into circulation after a waiting period.

How long does it take for a line cancellation to go into effect?

If you cancel online or by phone, you can choose whether it takes effect when ready or at the end of your current billing cycle. In-store cancellations usually take effect when ready. You will receive a confirmation email or text with the exact date.

Can I cancel a line if I am not the account holder?

You can cancel a line through My Verizon if the account holder has given you account management permissions. Otherwise, the account holder must cancel it themselves by phone, online, or in store.