Verizon Phone Number Transfer

I bought a new iPhone 15 Pro and I am unable to transfer my phone number. I completed the side-by-side backup next to my old phone. The Verizon chat but is extremely useless and very frustrating not being able to talk to a real human without waiting forever. When I go to setup eSIM it says I'm ineligible to transfer. YOU SHIPPED ME THIS PHONE THAT I PAID FOR, how can I not activate it. Extremely frustrated.

Accepted answers

We are sorry to hear that you have had problems with your line transfer, please visit our Activate New Device knowledge base page to learn more about activating your new device

All comments

Verizon_Support

Oh no dan4885! We are concerned to read that you are unable to fully set up your new device. We are here to help. You shared that you are unable to transfer your number to this device and that the eSIM says ineligible to transfer. Was this purchase an upgraded device and we need to get your existing Verizon number updated on this device or was this for a new line of service being transferred from another provider?

-Andi

An upgraded device and we need to get your existing Verizon number updated on this device. Thank you. Current line is on Verizon and an iPhone 12. The iPhone 15 is an upgraded device for the current line.

Verizon_Support

Thank you for the additional information dan4885. So that we can better assist, we will be reaching out to you in a Private Message so that we can access your specific account details.

-Andi

When I go to my new device and Settings > Cellular > Setup Cellular it pops up on my old phone to transfer. Then I get a screen that says "Unable to Transfer Phone Number. Your phone number could not be transferred to this iPhone because your account is ineligible for transfer. Contract Verizon for assistance." Which is confusing because I ordered this iPhone through Verizon, odd it wouldn't be eligible.

I am having the exact same issue moving from my iPhone 13 to the iPhone 15 I ordered thru Verizon. Sigh

Has this been resolved for anyone? My sister is currently having this issue.

Im sorry that I’m not the only one that has a iPhone 15 Pro that is a $1500 doorstop I was hoping to see a quick fix…

It’s been beyond frustrating trying to get it resolved because I’m unable to see. I was born without sight. Trying to do any sort of virtual chat or visual tutorial is just NOT an option. So… for three days, I have only been able to reach one person over the phone. By some miracle, I got my new phone working all by myself. However, it wouldn’t sync or match up with my watch or my iPad and I also couldn’t get it to read. she actually got all working and then click. No callback and I’m back at square one with no working new phone. Now my old phone doesn’t work either. Both Stuck on SOS. No phone calls. Some messages on my watch occasionally some go through. Don’t know how many aren’t coming through. I have tried countless countless phone numbers trying to reach a human being to no avail.

My only option has been that useless to me, chat, and all of them can’t seem to grasp that being blind makes it difficult for me to read the screen. So I hear a ‘ding’ there’s a bunch of blurry words on the page that I then have to screenshot, Blow it up in the picture mode, and then read basically 2 to 3 letters at a time for them to ask me the same question and I’ve now gone through technicians and the constant has been, once I tell them that I can’t see and I need a phone call, the connection gets lost or they take 20 minutes to respond to ask me the same questions over and over. So I’ve now spent every time I have to do this again just spewing over and over I need a phone call I need a phone call. I need a phone call. I cannot see. I have never been more embarrassed , more aggravated trying to explain to anyone that I am not dumb. I’m not lazy. I’m not illiterate. I JUST CANT SEE!!! Not their fault that I was born blind. Not my fault either. It is what it is, but I have never felt so demeaned, embarrassed, disrespected, uncomfortable, and quite frankly dumb having to explain over and over and over why I need a phone call and then it’s no point in sending me messages that I cannot read if they could just call me then it would be great but they can’t use my device because mine doesn’t work so they have to call me on my husband‘s number or my landline . Nope. Can’t happen. So three days later still no phone and now my old phone and watch don’t work now either. I have to use my iPad through my home Internet to even post this. How hard is it, truly, how hard is it to just go outside of the guidelines and make an outgoing call?? You can’t tell me that they don’t all have cell phones that there are not landline there or that some ambitious person could figure out how to say to supervisor, “ hey I got a BLIND woman here, doesn’t have the ability to use her phone. Can’t get her phone to read to her and needs a phone call can we set that up with Joe?

For the first time 54 years I am considering filing an ADA complaint. I cannot believe that I’m the only person that can’t see that is having to deal with this!!

I really needed to vent. I . Didn’t mean to hijack your post, but if anybody has a solution of how to get a physical person on the phone, because I can’t use mine to order a car service, to go to a store. I would greatly greatly appreciate that information. I can’t handle one more AI loop. That doesn’t understand Why I can’t go click their link and get a VISUAL TUTORIAL!! Everyone is so desperate not to have to pay money for customer service anymore, but they never think things through all the way!

I’m guessing the people that run Verizon are the same geniuses (SARCASAM!!) that put braille buttons on ATM machines. Or at the very least they’re related to the people that can’t figure out why I can’t use ATM. machine. (FYI…you need to read the screen where it tells you that you can push a button for a voice to read the screen. Side note…it tells you everything, out loud, then confirms all your selections, OUT LOUD, so everyone else can hear it too. Yep brilliance!)

All I want is to use my phone. Don’t care if it’s new or old at this point I just don’t wanna spend any more money. Thousand dollars for the old one that I just bought recently like a year ago that now doesn’t work and 1500 for this new one that also doesn’t work so I’m hoping that you’re gonna tell me that there is a miracle and it was fixed and all is right with the world and everything‘s about to have the balance shift back into happiness! Yay, thanks for letting me vent. I hope somebody has an answer.

WOW!!! How can I get someone to contact me?? Tried for 3 days. Phone doesn’t work, only a landline and someone else’s cell.

Verizon_Support

Hello, YaKnowWhat-WOW, thanks for reaching out in reference to your device concern. We certainly want to make sure your iPhone is working for you and that you are able to use your Apple Watch in addition to your iPad. I'm sorry for the issues you have run into when contacting support, we do want to provide assistance in a way that is most comfortable for you. We are happy to assist with your device concerns via this platform, over the phone, or you can even take your devices to a retail store where we can take a closer look at what's going on. I know you mentioned typing may not be the best medium for you, but we do want to offer our assistance as I understand you are seeing SOS on your phone. So we can better assist, we will be reaching out via Private Message.

-Lauren

Verizon_Support

Oh no! We are sorry to read that your sister is having issues with her number. If she needs assistance, she can reach out to us, and we'll be happy to help out.

~Freddy

I have the exact same issue, and I have never seen such useless "help" online. I cannot find anything helpful and only see people being reached out to by "private message" what is the point of a community forum if the only solutions are provided by private message.

For those looking for an ACTUAL solution, since Verizon doesn't seem to want to share how easy it is to fix, simply call 611. It will be fixed in under 5 minutes.

Orderedcancelledwhy

24 year Verizon phone customer. File a complaint with the ADA. They will have to respond to that. Simple things that should be easily fix. Also the fcc will get a complain to them in a day. That they have to answer

I have the same problem and have been working 4 hrs on this and no tech support after 5PM My friend warmed me about this a couple months ago. That is why I bought only 3 brand new phones for my family and not me. Non of them transfer the number. I will attempt the 611 when I get the data xfered one more time in attempt. This is such miserable service. I found this thread after hours of messing about. I knew there was a reason we should have switched to T Mobile...

August 1st 2024 just tried the 611 and no use outside business hours verizon is really miserable

Verizon_Support

We're here to help. Is this number on your Verizon account or are you trying to bring a number in from another provider? ~Peter

Called the 611 number and now both the old phone and new phone are in SOS mode and it’s outside of business hours. Verizon this is unacceptable

Verizon_Support

Hello, Jfrezza, we want to make sure you get the help you need for your phone number transfer. So we can better assist, we will be reaching out via Private Message.

-Lauren

I have this same problem - how has this been happening and there is no solution yet Verizon?

Verizon_Support

We're sorry to read that you're having issues with activating your device on your phone. We're here to help. Are you getting any errors when trying to process the activation? ~Peter

How can a problem this frequent get so lackluster a response???? Private messaging? How does that instill trust in the provider??

I managed to transfer my daughter's number --though it was not as simple as they would have you believe. I had to call *611 and use an automated attendant. But it worked.

Sadly, it appears the automated attendant also works limited hours, and I was unable to transfer my esim / phone number to my new phone because I tried to do it after 11PM.

This is ridiculous.

oh, and by the way, when I tried to use the website and enter the IME or IME2 number, it says "Contact your previous carrier to unlock your device. This device is locked and will not work on the Verizon network. Contact your previous carrier to unlock it." Funny --I JUST BOUGHT THIS AT A VERIZON COMPANY STORE A FEW HOURS AGO.

I have to post an update. I reluctantly tried the chatbot, and after typing some angry comments with no resolve, the AI recognized I was "frustrated" and connected me with a live agent (typing). They were able to set up the esim so it would transfer to the new phone. Diving catch made my the after-hours agent.

Verizon_Support

Thank you for the update. Please let us know if you have any other questions or concerns. We are always here to help.

~Maria

stevestevestevesteve1324

I'm having exactly the same problem and have had absolutely ZERO success getting any representative at Verizon on the customer service line. I'm so disappointed i wish i had actually switched carriers. The fact that you can't get ahold of ANYONE when you need help is absurd. SOMEONE FROM VERIZON PLEASE HELP ME. My next step is to cancel my whole plan.

Verizon_Support

We're sorry to read you've been having this issue with your transfer. To better assist you, could you tell us if this is for a new line of service? What happens when you try to call to customer service? Is your call disconnecting?

~Freddy

stevestevestevesteve1324

Hi Freddy,

it’s an upgrade on an existing line. when I call from my old phone I sit on hold for HOURS. Can you please help me?

Verizon_Support

Thank you for that additional information. At any point have you shut down both phones and then only turned the new device back on? Was the upgrade processed through your number or borrowed from another?

-Melissa

stevestevestevesteve1324

Yes I have tried that. Nothing. Now when I try to “install cellular plan” it says the line is not eligible. And I can’t get texts or cellular data now on either phone. The most frustrating part is I just waited another HOUR on the customer service line and nobody will pick up. Am I doing something wrong? I need to talk to an actual person, but I’ve now waited a total of 4 hours and have never been able to get through. PLEASE help me speak to someone who is not a robot

stevestevestevesteve1324

Also, the upgrade was processed through my number; not borrowed from another line.

I am also now running into this issue. I have an iphone 13 and trying to update to iphone 15. I have transfered apps, etc. but I can't transfer the phone number. I keep getting Unable toTransfer Phone Number error. I went to the app and tried to transfer, but now it wants to transfer the phone number FROM the new iphone 15 to another phone. So, the iphone 15 is showing up in the app as my active phone, but my iphone 13 is still the one with a signal and working for text/calls. This is so frustrating. I have been working on it and troubleshooting for almost 24 hours now. I have watched the "how to" videos, read suggestions, short of calling or going to the verizon store, I am not sure what to do next.

Verizon_Support

First, congrats on the new iPhone 15, BPW13. I am glad you were able to get everything moved over except for your service. I am here to help make sure your new phone is activated, as it sounds like that did not complete on its own. Please be on the lookout for a private message from us, so that I can assist with activation.

-Joseph

I have this same problem. I am trying to transfer my number from an iPhone SE to an iPhone 15 and it says my number is ineligible.

Verizon_Support

We are here to help with your device activation. To better assist, please tell us a little more. Is your service postpaid or prepaid? Where did you purchase the iPhone 15?

~Maria

I Have this same issue and cannot get ahold of anyone to fix it. just upgrading a phone on an existing line. HAS ANYONE FOUND A FIX?

Verizon_Support

We're here to help with your concern. ~Peter

Verizon_Support

So that we can help, can you tell us if you are getting any error message when trying to activated the device? Are you connected to Wi-Fi? ~Peter

We are sorry to hear that you have had problems with your line transfer, please visit our Activate New Device knowledge base page to learn more about activating your new device

I am having the same issue as many of the above people. My old phone (iPhone 13) is under Xfinity and I bought an iPhone 16 from Verizon last week. I performed all the necessary tasks to have my number transferred from my old phone to new. I keep getting the same message as the above folks and bow Xfinity has cut off my service. I just need someone to help me complete the phone number transfer and get cellular active.

I’m having the same issue did you ever get this resolved and how?

Verizon_Support

We're here to help with your concern. Were you able to set up service on your new device? ~Peter

No cell service, since it won’t transfer. This does NOT work.

Verizon_Support

We're sorry to read about your issue. Is this for new service or adding a line to an existing account? ~Peter

This was not a solution

Verizon_Support

Hello cdorado we want to make sure you're able to transfer your number and activate your new device. So we can better assist, we will be reaching out via Private Message. -Dee

Verizon_Support

Hey cdorado, we are just checking in. We want to make sure your issues with transferring your phone and activating service is taken care of. We will need access to our account, let us know when you are available so we can proceed.

-Rosie

Yeah, same here. I was a customer for 1 day (yesterday only lol) and I’m canceling my line transfer and returning my phone tomorrow. An absolute joke to move a phone number then two hours in a chat last night with a rep who couldn’t help and only told me to call the “port” team at the end of the call. Very disappointing.

Verizon_Support

We hate to hear that you've had this kind of trouble getting set up! We'd love to turn things around and are sending a private message your way to help.

-Cait

What is the solution??? #3 pages of comments and NO solution for transferring your phone number over!

Verizon_Support

We want to make sure that you get the support that you need. When did you first begin the transfer? Are you currently connected to Wi-Fi or using Cellular data?

-Necia

Quick Links