Can I combine a line if I no longer have the phone?

[PHL1365]

I goofed. I had two identical Galaxy A53 phones. One was active, the other was not. I sold the active one out of carelessness.

Can I still combine the service days from that line or transfer the service to a new phone? TF usually insists on sending a verification text to the old phone number, which I no longer have access to.

I think I may still have the SIM associated with that phone? Can I put that SIM in my other A53 just for a day without causing major issues?

[hpham]

I think I may still have the SIM associated with that phone? Can I put that SIM in my other A53 just for a day without causing major issues?

Putting the orphan SIM in the remaining A53 might displace that A53's original SIM. I would put it into a BYOP phone or a TF-branded phone that you don't care about.

[Boz1]

I goofed. I had two identical Galaxy A53 phones. One was active, the other was not. I sold the active one out of carelessness.

Can I still combine the service days from that line or transfer the service to a new phone? TF usually insists on sending a verification text to the old phone number, which I no longer have access to.

I think I may still have the SIM associated with that phone? Can I put that SIM in my other A53 just for a day without causing major issues?

In my experience, the answer is yes, you can merge/combine the balances without having the phone in your possession, if the phone is in your online account.

If the phone is not in your online account, then I think hpham's answer is your only hope.

[PaulCrawhorne]

The LINE is fine even if the DEVICE is gone.

Was it from a TF-branded bundle, or BYOP?

Is it on VZW?

Can I put that SIM in my other A53 just for a day without causing major issues?

There is no harm in trying, if it continues to work, nothing more is needed

[hpham]

There is no harm in trying, if it continues to work, nothing more is needed

There IS possible harm. If the orphan SIM from the sold A53 displaces/replaces the original SIM in the remaining A53, there go the number and buckets of the remaining A53.

[kaZZoo]

Tell them the phone is not working and you need verification by email.

[PHL1365]

Putting the orphan SIM in the remaining A53 might displace that A53's original SIM. I would put it into a BYOP phone or a TF-branded phone that you don't care about.

Thanks. I'll try that. I suppose I have a couple of TF flip phones that might work.

[PHL1365]

Tell them the phone is not working and you need verification by email.

Thanks. Sadly, verification by email has not worked for me in the past. The email database is kinda jacked.

[PHL1365]

There IS possible harm. If the orphan SIM from the sold A53 displaces/replaces the original SIM in the remaining A53, there go the number and buckets of the remaining A53.

Good point. I'm gonna use a TF flip phone that's been deactivated. I don't know if it's the SIM or the IMEI that controls the activation status.

[hpham]

I don't know if it's the SIM or the IMEI that controls the activation status.

I think the SIM does.

[Rick880]

I think the SIM does.

That would be good news. I am wondering what would happen if the buyer of the phone activates the phone with a new SIM before the OP gets the chance to merge the balance.

[hpham]

That would be good news. I am wondering what would happen if the buyer of the phone activates the phone with a new SIM before the OP gets the chance to merge the balance.

Not quite a really good news. If the buyer gets a new SIM and has TF pair it with the sold A53, then the orphan SIM will be voided in TF system.

[kaZZoo]

Thanks. Sadly, verification by email has not worked for me in the past. The email database is kinda jacked.

They have steps of verification, after email, its last 4 digits of credit card used within the last 60-90 days.

[mframe]

The buyer may get a surprise when they power it up and it asks for a PIN or fingerprint. Hopefully, they are savvy enough to know how to factory reset it via the power and volume buttons.

[PHL1365]

The buyer may get a surprise when they power it up and it asks for a PIN or fingerprint. Hopefully, they are savvy enough to know how to factory reset it via the power and volume buttons.

I made sure to reset it. In fact, both phones were reset and unlocked. I just forgot that one phone was still active. Ever since the rewards program got gutted, I haven't been paying much attention to details about these.