Loophole: How to get unlimited data

**Blue Pearl** · 01-01-2012, 12:54 AM

Hmmm. So does this work just as well with a 3G phone as a 4G?? I thought it had to be 4G?! Maybe it works better on 4G?

We are about to bite the bullet and switch from Sprint to Verizon, which is MUCH more expensive, but much more reliable in NYC. One or both of us want to get an iPhone, and I figured that we had to get 4G phones to do the MHS add-on to hopefully get the unlimited data, and then, after I eliminate the MHS, switch to an iPhone. But this has become more difficult now, as the iPhone 4S is back-ordered and can't be sent out until Jan. 10th or 11th. And you can only switch phones when the one you want is actually available (and you only have 2 weeks to do it in after you buy your first phone).

My husband's phone died, and mine is dying, so we can't wait much longer. Help! Should we just get try this with the iPhone, once it's available or hope that we can switch from 4G to the iPhone? I'm afraid if we wait much longer, the MHS/unlimited upgrade won't be available. It already looks like it's starting to go that way.

**WiredGuy** · 01-01-2012, 01:27 AM

You're likely to lose the unlimited once you switch back to 3G.

**newyork4me** · 01-01-2012, 01:47 AM

Originally Posted by WiredGuy

You're likely to lose the unlimited once you switch back to 3G.

No, I did and it was not a problem. It's the same feature code.

**mpossoff** · 01-01-2012, 02:35 AM

Originally Posted by Blue Pearl

Hmmm. So does this work just as well with a 3G phone as a 4G?? I thought it had to be 4G?! Maybe it works better on 4G?

We are about to bite the bullet and switch from Sprint to Verizon, which is MUCH more expensive, but much more reliable in NYC. One or both of us want to get an iPhone, and I figured that we had to get 4G phones to do the MHS add-on to hopefully get the unlimited data, and then, after I eliminate the MHS, switch to an iPhone. But this has become more difficult now, as the iPhone 4S is back-ordered and can't be sent out until Jan. 10th or 11th. And you can only switch phones when the one you want is actually available (and you only have 2 weeks to do it in after you buy your first phone).

My husband's phone died, and mine is dying, so we can't wait much longer. Help! Should we just get try this with the iPhone, once it's available or hope that we can switch from 4G to the iPhone? I'm afraid if we wait much longer, the MHS/unlimited upgrade won't be available. It already looks like it's starting to go that way.

I ran into this problem today. I got all lines on unlimited data and wanted to exchange the phones for iPhones. I have 14 days to exchange right now it's 12-13 days. No Radio Shscks in the tri state has 4S's. There are iPhone 4's available. The VZW stores don't even have 4S's. Expected date of stick is mud January and by then it will be too late to exchange. So I'm in a pickle. Unless I want the 4.

I don't think I'll be able to use an Android. I love the iPhone. I exchanged one of the devices today for a Razor so my wife could try it as was complaining about voice with the Strat big time. She said the Razor is better but she still not satisfied with voice compared to AT&T.

**Guest 214** · 01-01-2012, 02:54 AM

Originally Posted by mpossoff

I ran into this problem today. I got all lines on unlimited data and wanted to exchange the phones for iPhones. I have 14 days to exchange right now it's 12-13 days. No Radio Shscks in the tri state has 4S's. There are iPhone 4's available. The VZW stores don't even have 4S's. Expected date of stick is mud January and by then it will be too late to exchange. So I'm in a pickle. Unless I want the 4.

I don't think I'll be able to use an Android. I love the iPhone. I exchanged one of the devices today for a Razor so my wife could try it as was complaining about voice with the Strat big time. She said the Razor is better but she still not satisfied with voice compared to AT&T.

Maybe return the line you want the 4S on and order a new line with the 4S, then you can do the MHS trick by using one of your existing LTE phone's and then re-activating the iPhone 4S. Seems like a lot of trouble but it wouldn't be that complicated.

**jtludwig** · 01-01-2012, 08:17 AM

Originally Posted by WiredGuy

You're likely to lose the unlimited once you switch back to 3G.

Who told you this?

**mpossoff** · 01-01-2012, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by LTE Fever

Maybe return the line you want the 4S on and order a new line with the 4S, then you can do the MHS trick by using one of your existing LTE phone's and then re-activating the iPhone 4S. Seems like a lot of trouble but it wouldn't be that complicated.

Right now I have 4 activated LTE lines with unlimited data.

Return 1 that makes 3 activated LTE lines with unlimited data.

Get a new line of service with a 4S.

Are you saying that when I get a new line of service with a 4S I can tell them to activate it on one of the LTE lines with unlimited data?

**HF305** · 01-01-2012, 09:53 AM

Assuming you don't have a third party seller's additional contract, you can swap your phones among your lines freely. So once you get the 4s you could just use it on one of the existing lines that has unlimited data. Assuming the loophole is still open at that point you could put one of the 4G phones onto the new line you got for the 4s long enough to activate unlimited data there too.

You could also use any old smartphone to hold a line open after you return one of the new phones. That line will still have unlimited data and be eligible to upgrade again immediately so use it to order an iPhone.

**mpossoff** · 01-01-2012, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by HF305

Assuming you don't have a third party seller's additional contract, you can swap your phones among your lines freely. So once you get the 4s you could just use it on one of the existing lines that has unlimited data. Assuming the loophole is still open at that point you could put one of the 4G phones onto the new line you got for the 4s long enough to activate unlimited data there too.

You could also use any old smartphone to hold a line open after you return one of the new phones. That line will still have unlimited data and be eligible to upgrade again immediately so use it to order an iPhone.

I decided to stock with AT&T because my family is in an uproar. 3 of the lines are iPhone users and they want to keep their iPhones. It's not going to work out with the loophole because I won't be able to get iPhones in time before the 14 day trial ends to be able to exchange. There's also a 30 day exchange policy and The manager can not gurantee me he can get iphones within 30 days.

**whitetigergrowl** · 01-02-2012, 02:34 AM

http://appadvice.com/appnn/2012/01/y...s-clever-trick

According to a post published at Slick Deals, the method is:

Dial *611 from your Verizon phone, or 1-800-922-0204 from any phone.
Wait for computer CSR to go through the main menu. You will need your Verizon phone # and account PIN or last 4 of SSN.
Hit option 4.
When it asks you what you would like to do today say “Add a feature.”
If you have a 3G device (which includes all iPhones): Say you would like to add the $20 2GB 3G Mobile Hotspot FEATURE to your phone
If you have a 4G device: Say you would like to add the $30 Unlimited 4G Mobile Hotspot FEATURE to your phone. According to stopthecap.com, they may be able to locate this feature via referencing feature code #76153.
Your data plan will now be the $29.99 unlimited data plan, and you’ll have either the 2GB or unlimited Mobile Hotspot feature on top of that.
{OPTIONAL – if you don’t want the Mobile Hotspot feature} Log into My Verizon and remove the Mobile Hotspot FEATURE from your account. Many people recommend waiting a few days (at a minimum) to remove the feature. The $29.99 unlimited data plan should remain on your account.
If they say they can’t add that feature to your plan, or that you must bundle your data + mobile hotspot service together as a single data plan, tell them thank you, hang up, and repeat the steps above.

**ushneb** · 01-02-2012, 02:37 AM

Originally Posted by mpossoff

I decided to stock with AT&T because my family is in an uproar. 3 of the lines are iPhone users and they want to keep their iPhones. It's not going to work out with the loophole because I won't be able to get iPhones in time before the 14 day trial ends to be able to exchange. There's also a 30 day exchange policy and The manager can not gurantee me he can get iphones within 30 days.

Go to Costco, their exchange policy is 90-days.

**cpddude** · 01-02-2012, 08:27 AM

Tried 4 times with my wifes DROID Razer with no luck. Was told its tiered data and no more unlimited, she snickered and said the loophole is closed. Oh well

Sent from my MB855 using HowardForums

**whitetigergrowl** · 01-02-2012, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by cpddude

Tried 4 times with my wifes DROID Razer with no luck. Was told its tiered data and no more unlimited, she snickered and said the loophole is closed. Oh well

Sent from my MB855 using HowardForums

I would try some more. Just make sure you aren't asking for unlimited data. I know this has gotten a bit tougher to do but should still be able to be done from what I'm seeing.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using HowardForums

**mpossoff** · 01-02-2012, 09:27 AM

Originally Posted by cpddude

Tried 4 times with my wifes DROID Razer with no luck. Was told its tiered data and no more unlimited, she snickered and said the loophole is closed. Oh well

Sent from my MB855 using HowardForums

Keep calling unto you get a rep that will add MHS with no questions asked. If you get a rep that wants to go beyond just adding MHS to them you have to think about it and keep calling until you get a rep that will add it no questions aked, no BS. I'm assuming once it's added it triggers unlimited data automatically. That seems like the case with about 4 co-workers I helped out.

Don't provide any information. I repeat....

All you ask for is to add the MHS that's it. Nothing more, nothing less.

'I want to add MHS on xxx-xxx-xxxx'

That's it! Don't provide any more or less information. This is still working, a co-worker just did it about an hour ago. I had to coach him , ALL you ask for is to add MHS, don't screw this up I told him. 'play dumb'. If the rep wants to go beyond that hang up and call again. He got a rep that added it with no BS the first shot.

About an hour he logged into VZW and he had unlimited data and MHS.

Again the info you provide is ONLY you want to add MHS, period.

**whitetigergrowl** · 01-02-2012, 11:17 AM

A major concern now is that this has now gone across numerous blogs and news sites. Gizmodo, AppAdvice, Slick Deals, etc. have all now exposed this and made it public knowledge.

The ball is now in Verizons court and it's something no one seems to know how Verizon will respond to this. If they will close the loophole and allow those that already got it to keep it, if they will revert people back to their tiered data plans, or if they will just ignore it awhile longer then close it. No one seems to really have an answer.

This loophole has actually been available for months. But few knew about it. So it likely just slipped under the radar since the number of those doing this were few and far between. However the public articles about it now starting to appear may force Verizons hand. Especially if the number of people doing this ramps up.

The responses from CSR's are all over the board. Some say it's a promo. Some say it's only for those that have grandfathered unlimited data. Some say it's something that just has to be asked for and so on. No one seems to be on the same page.

My suggestion is if you're gonna do this do it, and do it quick. If there is anyone here with behind the scenes knowledge of this and what you think Verizons actions will be in regard to this, feel free to contribute.