What you need before you start

Activating a new phone on Verizon means connecting it to Verizon's network so you can make calls, send texts, and use data. You can do this online, in a Verizon store, or by phone. Before you begin, have your account number or phone number ready — Verizon will use one of these to find your account. If you are transferring from another carrier, you will also need your account number from that carrier and your PIN or password.

Your new phone arrives either already set up for Verizon (if you bought it from Verizon) or unlocked (if you bought it elsewhere). An unlocked phone works with any carrier. A locked phone works only with the carrier that sold it. If your phone is locked to another carrier, Verizon cannot set up it until that carrier unlocks it — this usually takes a few days and requires a request to your old carrier.

Have your SIM card ready. A SIM card is a small chip that connects your phone to Verizon's network. If you bought your phone from Verizon, the SIM card usually comes in the box or is already installed. If you bought it elsewhere, you will need a Verizon SIM card, which you can get free at any Verizon store or order online.

Key Takeaways

  • You need your Verizon account number or phone number, your old carrier's account details if you are switching, and a Verizon SIM card to start.
  • set up through Verizon's website or app is fastest if you already have a Verizon account; set up in a store takes longer but handles problems on the spot.
  • If your phone is locked to another carrier, ask that carrier to unlock it before Verizon can set up it.
  • After set up completes, restart your phone and check that you have signal and can send a test text before assuming it is working.

Activating online through My Verizon

Go to verizon.com and sign into your account with your username and password. If you do not have a Verizon account yet, you will need to create one first — this takes about five minutes and requires your name, address, and email. Once you are signed in, look for "set up a device" or "Add a line" in the account menu.

Select your new phone from the list of available devices. Verizon will ask whether you are adding a new line, switching from another carrier, or replacing an old phone on the same line. Choose the option that matches your situation. If you are switching carriers, enter your old carrier's account number and PIN — Verizon uses this to port your phone number over, which usually takes a few hours but can take up to one business day.

Follow the prompts to confirm your plan, add any services you want, and review the charges. Verizon will send you a confirmation email with your new phone number (if you are adding a line) or confirmation that your number has been ported. Your phone should connect to the network within a few minutes, though sometimes it takes up to an hour.

Activating in a Verizon store

Walk into any Verizon store with your new phone, your ID, and your account number or phone number. Tell the staff member you want to set up the phone. They will check that your phone is compatible with Verizon's network, insert or set up the SIM card, and run the set up on their system.

If you are switching from another carrier, bring your old carrier's account number and PIN. The staff member can port your number while you wait — this usually takes 15 to 30 minutes in the store, though the number may not be fully active until later that day. If you are adding a new line, the staff member will assign you a new number on the spot.

Store set up is useful if your phone is not recognized online, if you have questions about your plan, or if something goes wrong during the process. The downside is wait time — stores are often busy, and set up can take 30 minutes to an hour from start to finish.

Activating by phone

Call Verizon customer service at 1-908-559-4899 (this number is on your Verizon bill or on the back of your SIM card). Have your account number or phone number ready. A representative will ask whether you are adding a line, switching carriers, or replacing a phone.

If you are switching carriers, the representative will ask for your old carrier's account number and PIN. They will port your number and set up your new phone on Verizon's network. If you are adding a line or replacing a phone, they will set up the set up and send you a confirmation.

Phone set up works well if you prefer not to visit a store or if you have questions during the process. It usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. Your phone should connect to the network within a few minutes after the call ends.

What happens after set up

Once set up is complete, restart your phone by turning it off and back on. This forces it to connect to Verizon's network. After the restart, check that you have signal — you should see "Verizon" or "Verizon LTE" in the status bar at the top of your screen.

Send a test text to a friend or family member to confirm texting works. Make a short test call to the same person. If both work, your phone is fully activated. If you have no signal or calls and texts fail, restart the phone again and wait a few minutes. If the problem continues, contact Verizon — sometimes set up takes longer than expected, or there is a problem with your SIM card.

Your old phone will stop working on your old carrier's network once your number is ported to Verizon. If you want to keep using your old phone on a different carrier (like a prepaid service), contact your old carrier and ask them to keep the phone active on a different number or plan.

Moving your data and settings to your new phone

set up only connects your phone to Verizon's network. Moving your photos, contacts, messages, and apps is a separate step. Both iPhone and Android have built-in tools to move data from your old phone.

On iPhone, use Quick Start: turn on your new iPhone next to your old one, and follow the on-screen prompts to transfer everything wirelessly. On Android, use Samsung Smart Switch (if both phones are Samsung) or Google's built-in transfer tool: go to Settings, then About Phone, then look for "Transfer" or "Setup" options. You can also restore from a backup if you saved one to Google Drive or iCloud.

This process can take 15 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have. Keep both phones plugged in and on the same Wi-Fi network while the transfer runs.

Troubleshooting common set up problems

No signal after set up: Restart your phone. If you still have no signal after 10 minutes, check that your SIM card is fully inserted — remove it and reinsert it firmly. If the problem continues, visit a Verizon store or call customer service to check whether set up actually completed.

Your old number did not port over: Number porting can take up to one business day. If more than 24 hours have passed and your old number still is not working, contact Verizon and your old carrier to confirm the port request went through. Sometimes the old carrier needs to approve the port before it completes.

Your phone is locked to another carrier: Contact your old carrier and ask them to unlock it. This is free by law and usually happens within a few days. Once it is unlocked, you can set up it on Verizon. Do not try to set up a locked phone — Verizon's system will reject it.

You see an error message during online set up: Try again in a few minutes — sometimes Verizon's website is temporarily slow. If the error continues, try activating by phone or in a store instead. Staff can often see why the online set up failed and fix it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to set up my phone right away?

No. Your phone will work on Wi-Fi without set up, so you can set it up at home and set up it later. However, you will not have cellular signal or be able to make calls and texts until set up is complete. Most people set up within a day or two of getting the phone.

Can I set up a phone I bought from another store?

Yes, as long as it is unlocked or was sold by Verizon. If it is locked to another carrier, that carrier must unlock it first. You can set up an unlocked phone from any manufacturer — iPhone, Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, and others all work with Verizon.

Will set up cost me money?

set up itself is free. However, if you are adding a new line, Verizon will charge you for the plan you choose. If you are replacing a phone on an existing line, there is no extra charge — you just keep paying your current plan.

What if I want to keep my old phone number?

Tell Verizon during set up that you want to port your number from your old carrier. Have your old carrier's account number and PIN ready. The port usually completes within a few hours, though it can take up to one business day. Your old number will stop working on your old carrier once the port is complete.

Can I set up two phones on the same account?

Yes. Each phone needs its own line and its own phone number (unless you are using one as a tablet or watch, which can share a line). You can add multiple lines through My Verizon, in a store, or by phone. Each line has its own monthly charge.