Reply With QuoteWhat kind of phone do you have and is it unlocked?
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My screen is bigger than yours
Cliff notes for those new to this thread:
Before you allow TracFone to try to switch you from a non-Verizon SIM card to a Verizon SIM card, be absolutely sure that your phone can use a Verizon SIM card. TracFone needs to deactivate your current SIM card to try the VZW SIM card. If it doesn't work then you'll have no service and will need to get a new SIM card of the type that got deactivated and then have TracFone activate that to get you back where you were for service. This will still only be a "stay of execution". Eventually you will need to get a new phone that can use a VZW SIM card.
In my case, the phone that I've been using for years on TracFone/AT&T has some kind of VZW lock on it that I was not aware of when I bought it. And TracFone couldn't "see" it. And the phone itself is VZW-capable. Only when I contacted Apple was I made aware of this carrier lock (from some company in Japan).
I hope this helps someone.
I was getting the text messages asking me to switch to Verizon towers.
I started a Chat they said they'd send me a new SIM card for free. It arrived. It didn't work.
I started another Chat and asked to have it "escalated to corporate". They said I would get a call.
I got the call and explained that I believe Tracfone had me using a T-Mobile SIM card for the past few years.
He said I had been on AT&T towers and would mail me an AT&T SIM card.
So...no service since last Friday while waiting for the new SIM card.
I got the new SIM card today. Started a Chat to have it activated. Doesn't work. She said I would receive a call.
I got the call. He said the SIM card I received is for Verizon. And the system wouldn't let him send me a free AT&T SIM card. I would need to order one for $0.99, or go to the store and buy a BYOP SIM kit, or go buy a Verizon-compatible phone.
So...what do you think the odds are that an AT&T SIM card will work?
It turns out I have the SIM kit I used when I originally activated this phone (because my activated Verizon SIM from my previous phone wouldn't work). Guess what. The T-Mobile SIM is missing. So that's what was in there before I decided to honor TF's request to switch.
This kit is from 2016. I guess I can try to have them activate one of the other SIM cards.
Or should I go buy a newer kit?
Last edited by Brian VT; 06-15-2022 at 09:21 AM.
iPhone 11 on Tracfone/VZW.
I hate Apple. (I really miss Android)
Phone Collector
What kind of phone do you have and is it unlocked?
Post Machine
What are the first 6 digits of the SIM card in service?
The first 6 digits of a SIM number (ICCID) identify which carrier it's for:
* 890141: AT&T
* 890126: T-mobile
* 891480: Verizon
My screen is bigger than yours
The one that was working before this was 890141: AT&T
But the agent I currently am chatting with says, "Most of our upgraded towers doesn't support AT&T anymore."
So I'm playing along to see what they say. I'm guessing they'll say that I need to buy a new phone.
Post Machine
Originally Posted by Brian VT
I'm confused.
My screen is bigger than yours
Me too. lol
My screen is bigger than yours
They're bumping my Chat to "higher department".
I'm convinced they're going to tell me to go buy a new phone.
Post Machine
It'll come down to this:
* If your location has Verizon service (per Verizon), TF will force/coerce you to switch to Verizon and send you a TF/Verizon SIM. You'll need to use a phone that's compatible with TF/Verizon.
* If your location does not have Verizon service, TF will let you continue to use your current service with AT&T or T-mo for 2-3 yrs.
They will only send you a TF/Verizon SIM. Not one for AT&T or T-mo.
My screen is bigger than yours
I have AT&T SIM cards from previously used kits. I guess I could try to get an agent to activate one of those in a last-ditch effort.
But there is VZW service here so I'm probably up a creek without a VZW phone.
I've got more phones than fingers
Should still be able to activate existing BYOP ATT and TMO SIMs. There's no official deadline, though I've seen it says dealers can't activate those SIMs starting 7/1, we have no idea if that affects regular users. I did switch one of my BYOP ATT sims to VZW to take advantage of a free month of service. I'm going to attempt to switch one of my TF VZW SIMs to a BYOP ATT SIM before 7/1 just to see if I can, and try to keep that one as long as possible. I also have existing TMO and ATT service that will stay on that line till they absolutely force me out too.
Phone Collector
Go to a Dollar general and buy a BYOP sim kit. .99 cents. Try the new sim, or sims of your choice. Use the new sims. That way thier will be no question on the older sims. What have you got to lose, .99 cents ?
My screen is bigger than yours
Yup. That's the plan. Thanks.
I've climbed a cellphone tower
Can't remember where I read it, but article said the cut off to activate AT&T sim is June 30th, 2022. Who knows if thats true or not.
I've got more phones than fingers
Yes, its from this. https://mailchi.mp/tfsdealer/o68omc9...9?e=93bb7dc430
6/30 is the day before 7/1So in theory, you should be clear to activate till 6/30. After that, we'll see if us consumers can still activate pre-existing ATT/TMO sims.
Post Machine
Some of those big words are laughable when compared to reality.
* The Tracfone brand is excited to bring Verizon’s world-class service to its customers... looks like they forgot the word "3rd"
* If a customer’s Tracfone branded plan is served on a network other than Verizon's, we will have a carefully managed transition during which customers will be able to move to the Verizon network i.e. sending out SIMs that aren't valid in TF system
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