My Verizon Mobile App on Motorola Xoom--no text message to complete registration

I added the verizon mobile app on my xoom and when registering for a login on the verizon wireless web page step two is that they send me a text with a temporary password to enter to continue. Only one problem, I can't receive a text on the Xoom so where do I go from here?

Accepted answers

21stNow

I got my working password in about 3 days. A note of caution, don't request multiple password letters. I ended up with two password letters because I thought that I had to call and request the password to be mailed to me. The letters both had the same date, so I didn't know which one would come first. Of course, I tried the wrong one first. My point is excessive password attempts will lock your account, so be careful.

All comments

JBS

You are not alone. I went through the same steps you described. I called Verizon support for help, and after being transferred to two tech support reps who each were only capable of researching the issue, and after being on the phone for two hours (2) hours and twenty-four (24) minutes I was told that they were unable to resolve the issue, and the only way to get the temporary password to complete the My Verizon account setup was through snail mail.

Our mutual and identical initial experiences lead me to believe that this is an issue that will be experienced by all who attempt to setup a My Verizon account using the Motorola Xoom. This is clearly caused by either Verizon's oversight in not including a texting applet on the Xoom, or not properly reviewing beforehand their My Verizon account setup process when using a Motorola Xoom.

Considering that, for tablet devices, Verizon currently only offers data plans with set Monthly Data Allowances, they “Verizon” should expect customers to want to track their data usage, and provide from the first day of usage, a way for customers to track their data used. From what Verizon has told me today, customers will need to wait, at minimum, a couple days for the snail mail with their My Verizon temporary account password to reach them so they can finish their My Verizon registration to access their account and retrieve their data usage information.

PS, I did ask for consideration for the time I spent in helping Verizon troubleshoot the My Verizon account setup process when using the Motorola Xoom. Verizon offered to give me a “courtesy credit” of $15.00. Considering the time I spent, I think the courtesy was all mine.

Good luck to all.

mnpphoto

Same problem here. Tried to sign up on web so I could access account and use data/account manager app on Xoom and said I would get a text message with temporary password, problem is, Xoom does not receive text messages. If you don't have a phone with Verizon or existing account, you are out of luck.

Sent an email request for help and when I didn't hear back, called tech support. They were lost. Kept telling me to go to app on Xoom and could access account to get text messages...Huh, need a password to use this app to get into account, that doesn't work. Lots of checking and talking to other support person and then suggested downloading and installing VZ Access Manager. Told them I thought I would need a password for this but said I could use phone number from device to use this and sign up. Told her I would find software and see if that worked.

Just as I get off the phone with this tech support person, a tech support person calls responding to my email. We go through the whole no ability to get text messages on Xoom device thing and no other Verizon phone, so not able to get temporary password. At one point I asked about password by email and it sounded like YES, but then due to security, could not be done, just a text of by postal mail to billing address. He also spoke of downloading VZ Access Manager to get text message to get onto account so we tried to step though this. I already had my doubts from seeing info about this but gave him the benefit of doubt and tried it. No device listed. I tell him. Tell him what is on screen, yes, under Windows 7, no Xoom...but he says "Xoom is Android, not Windows 7", yes, no choice for Android, only the App I already downloaded, but need the password for this. Do I download to my computer and then use it, "Yes, you have a laptop, right" Yes, but which device do I select under the selections and I would need a password for this too. "Hmm, check with other tech support" Finally it is determined that only way to get this is by postal mail.

Today, for the heck of it I stop into Verizon store and see if they can get me my password with ID and device to show the number is mine and he tries, but no go. One option was to set up a phone account temporarily and get a password for this phone for Verizon online access and then I could get to account and such, but this was going to take some time and I didn't want to deal with the possible issues if this went wrong, so I thanked him, as he did seem to know more and tried, but it will be just as easy now to wait for the snail mail and get the password.

I have set-up other data accounts with an iPad and a Galaxy Tab with another carrier in the past and neither of these had text capabilities and I had accounts set up within minutes and could access them from the internet. Just set-up the account and password online and maybe a confirmation/activation email and you were good to go within minutes.

Here we are in the age of instant information and a device that delivers information to you instantly, practically where ever you are and we need to wait for postal mail to get a password. Certainly someone did not plan well for this. I have had nothing but problems with Verizon online, even trying to sign up for these forums and my first attempt and my user name would not activate and then no matter how many times I changed the password it would not work, eventhough my account was created and activated and obviously there as I could reset the password multiple times. Hopefully things go much smoother in the future with Verizon, the first 48 hours with them has not impressed me at all.

Jax_Omen

What I don't understand is why the Xoom can't text in the first place: the Galaxy Tab on Sprint can. The hardware CLEARLY is SMS capable. Why doesn't it just have an SMS app built in? Would solve the whole problem in the first place.

unknown

What am I missing here? Set up your "My Verizon" account on a computer.

mnpphoto

To access account, check data use, change plans, pay bill, etc. I believe. Can access online from computer via web page or use Android App to access on Xoom. Need user name (device phone #) and password to do so. My Verizon account does this. When registering, asks for device number, billing infom etc and then once registered sends a temporary password via text message. for security reasons it is going to device and thus owner of device and not just any email.

unknown

OK, I guess if you don't have another Verizon device, you can't receive the password.

mnpphoto

Yes, that's the problem...

marctronixx

i signed up to post what i did in order to get my account setup. i am a sprint user however i now have a vzw account for the xoom. this is what i did and it took 5 minutes with tech support:

what i did was call vzw tech support. the lady (she did this before to a broadband card user) used spare handset she uses to test.. she put that handset on my account, i then hit send on the webpage to generate the sms message. she gets it on the phone in her hand, she reads the message to me.. i then proceed to set up the account.

i have had my account setup since xoom launch day.

jasnmar

Nice Marc - good to know that someone has been successful, and the more we can get the word out the better:-)

kazetsukai

Actually, I don't think SMS is supported, since the Xoom's 3G radio doesn't support Voice bands.

EdW_VZW

Thank everyone for your feedback on the matter about no text messaging on the Motorola Xoom. Currently, the only option available to get the password into "My Verizon" would be via a letter sent via US Mail to the user's address.

Thank You,

edw@vzwsupport

lchute1158

I finally got my password today but it didn't work. Tried on a computer, on my xoom. And finally it locked my account and told me the only way to get it reset is to request another password. Very frustrating. I am very disappointed in verizon with this. And this is my first experience with verizon and I wouldn't recommend them to anyone right now. Needs to be fixed quick.

kcrudup

I got my PW in the mail today, and was able to finish setting up my account, so there's hope- but they REALLY do need to fix this system for non-SMS-capable devices.

leecason

I have had a Verizon Wireless Family Plan for years, and that apparently made a big diffirence in my initial Xoom experience. Everything pretty much worked out of the box. I downloaded the Verizon Wireless Data Usage app, entered my existing Verizon Wireless user name and password, and it appeared to work as expected, at least the first time I used it, on my first day at work where there is no WiFi available. The data usage appeared a bit low, but I think that was a point-in-time number rather than cumulative usage. However, I when I finally got it to update again, the number got lower, so something appears to be wrong with the counter, or my understanding of how it is supposed to work.

I tried to get an update several times yesterday and kept getting a message that the service wasn't available, to try again later.

"? Cannot process your request at this moment. We apologize for this inconvenience. Please try later. Thank you. "

I got the same message from morning to night all day yesterday.

This morning I tried the data usage app again, to see if anything had changed. This time I got a message that the app is not supported over WiFi and that I need to turn off WiFi in order for it to work. Well, that is disappointing but perhaps understandable, so I turned off WiFi and tried again. Same result. Tried again, same result. Being a software and systems engineer, I suspected that the app wasn't updating its status check, so I rebooted the Xoom, and tried again. This time the application worked over the 3G network, and I was able to get an update on usage.

Sadly, the app has gotten stupid again and doesn't know that I have turned WiFi back on, so now it has gone back to only saying

"? Cannot process your request at this moment. We apologize for this inconvenience. Please try later. Thank you. " I suspect that the message will not change until some event boundary is crossed (change of date, software update check, whatever happened yesterday to cause the change in behavior).

So, the good news is that the app will actually connect out of the box if you already have an existing Verizon Wireless account, user name and password, and are not connected to WiFi. The bad news is that the application is buggy and can't tell if WiFi is enabled or not. Hopefully this will be fixed soon, because nobody wants to be running a metered data service plan in the blind.

Now for some disturbing news. Once I was finally able to look at my usage data, I saw a line that was cause for concern:

" Message Details

The following reflects current usage since your last statement Cycle ends: 4/2/11

703-***-**** 2/Per Use

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Estimate as of 03/03/2011 20.34"

Yikes!! What the heck is this! Whatever is considered a "message" on the Xoom is rediculously expensive if only 2 of them cost $20.34. I signed up for a 3GB/month DATA plan, and expect to be billed not a penny more than the $35/month fee as long as I'm under the 3GB quota. Since this device doesn't even have a SIM yet, how can I be charged for anything other than DATA? I have posted a request for an explanation with Verizon Wireless online.

Pianoman

I'm pretty frustrated with how Verizon has handled the registration process with the launch of the Xoom. It's as if it didn't even phase them that it cannot receive SMS texts. They just assume everyone can receive text messages. Granted, up until this point, it was pretty much impossible to have a Verizon Wireless account without an SMS-enabled device, but come on. They've known about the Xoom for months and did not prepare for it.

I had already spoken on the phone with a Verizon Wireless customer service rep. who said they would mail me a temporary password. I haven't touched anything on the website since that point, knowing if I were to attempt registration again (or use the Forgot Password tool) that it would change my temporary password.

Sure enough, I received my temporary password in the mail today, and it did not work. I called Verizon again, and their plan of attack was to have me wait again for another mailing of a temporary password.

Really? This is the best Verizon can do about this? I felt bad for the person I talked to on the phone, because she was very polite and I understood she couldn't do anything about it (I've worked at a helpdesk, myself).

Is it going to take an act of congress to get my account activated? What do I have to do? I'm stuck here.

I apologize for the rant, had to blow some steam.

jasnmar

Completely understandable.

I can understand why they don't allow tech's to have access to your password, but they really should have prepared better for this.

Sorry. There's nothing I can do but sympathize.

Jason

kcrudup

I can't wait 'till the onslaught of iPeople start signing up ....!

acathrow

So a week has passed since the first temporary password was received (but didn't work) and I still haven't received the second password.

Customer service are both unhelpful and uninformed.

It's pathetic that they don't have their systems (or people) in place to handle this flagship launch.

jayb63

I have spent the last two nights on hold and talking to various Verizon customer service reps and the absolute best they can for me is to give me a phone number to call and check my data usage. In the meantime I have to wait for my password in the mail. Thankfully I did not buy this on contract, so by this time next week I will have cancelled my data plan and told Verizon to kiss my curvy yellow butt.

Good luck with the worlds worst customer service.

mvogt2886

I got my temporary password in the mail today :smileyhappy: I typed it in and it told me that the information I had entered did not match what was on file :smileysad: I tried it a couple more times, even with my phone number instead of registered user id. Then it told me account was locked and I needed to request new password. So now I wait again for snail mail :smileysad: :smileysad:

jasnmar

:...(
This is sad and getting sadder.

Kim2002

And the plot thickens. So I received a second password by mail yesterday. The first time I entered it here along with my device phone number and it seemed like it was going to work. I started to get excited that this was finally going to be resolved. But no. After I entered my 4 digit social, and created a new password, it told me I was once again locked out due to too many incorrect attempts at logging in. This is a never-ending nightmare. Seriously - whoever is behind this problem really needs to get on it and get it fixed. Nobody at customer service by phone is able to help either. And all they are doing now is sending yet a third letter by snail mail with yet another temporary password. Bull$h!t.

gerio

I gotta say, this truly beats all of the conundrums I have ever seen with Verizon.

The 3G Xoom can't text?? Geez, I thought this was part of the point of having the thing.

I am waiting to purchase the WiFi-only version of the Xoom, where I won't be affected by all of this nonsense, but it gives me great concern about what someone was thinking when they developed this activation system for the 3G Xoom.

I hope they are not involved in ANY way with the WiFi Xoom.

Good luck to you all,

Geri O

lewwill

I believe I set up my Verizon Mobile app several years ago for an old phone. As I recall, I set it up on my computer and when I entered username and password on the phone it was there. Works on my DX and also my Xoom, no problem.

I did a lot of reading before getting the Xoom and I knew it was not a phone.....did not expect text. I text on my DX.. Good thing, I wouldn't want to hold this thing up to my ear. That would be reminescent of the old boom boxes....yes, I remember them. Several email accounts, Google talk, and I am sure more coming. Great device.

EdW_VZW

Thanks to everyone for your input. The Motorola Xoom device does not have a texting feature like a data/ mobile phone. However, the log in information would need to carefully entered at the website to log into My Verizon because of security concerns and to prevent being locked out. When you receive your third letter with the temporary password, please make sure the information is entered carefully. If you like log in assistance after you receive letter, please feel free to call 800-922-0204 prior to attempting to log in as we can walk you through the steps.

dbrookes

Do you really think that's an adequate reply? My account just got locked through the same method. I enter the password on the letter, and I get locked. Since the only way to know how much data you've used and avoid charges is to use this app, the impossibility of registering is unacceptable. i'm sure you'll be willing to charge for data overages while at the same time refusing to let us know that we've used all we're allowed,
--d.

mvogt2886

Thanks Ed,

I'm still waiting for my 2nd letter. Are you saying that I can't call until I get my 3rd letter??? Do you already know that my 2nd attempt at registering will fail, so that I will be required to wait for that 3rd letter? And only then can I get help? Absolutely hilarious!

JohnB_VZW

If the account is locked we can unlock it for you. Once you receive the 2nd letter with your temporary password you can contact us so we can unlock your account and also walk you through the online registration.

Thanks

outinga

I was on the phone for hours trying to get Customer Service to switch my Xoom to an old phone of my sisters. They did not remove the text message block and when I figured it out, it was after 11. After being disconnected 3 times, I finally got someone an hour plus later. She was pretty much useless.

Anyway, I was able to get the online service activated by having the store and having the manager transfer my number to a loaner phone and then giving me the passcode when it was sent to that phone. This is really ridiculous! I sent a message to the complaint address and have not heard a reply yet.

The stores really need to address this issue proactively!

I do love the Xoom now and they have a monitor that will tell you your usage.

jayb63

Ok, still waiting on my second letter and the customer service person I talked with the other day said the request was generated on 03-17-11. So my big freaking question is, when does the super secret password (that has to be mailed thank you very much) expire? I mean, the first one arrived about 10 days after I requested it and of course it was no longer valid. I have no great hopes for my second password and am considering requesting a third and who knows maybe a fourth before the second arrives.

Anyway, has anyone had any luck at all getting a valid password from these jerks?

kcrudup

Yeah, I tried using MarcTronixx' method on Saturday 2/25, and when that didn't work, I was told a password would be mailed to me. I checked a week later, and my PW was there, and it worked (8 digits).

Funny(/frustrating?) thing about it was since the VZ billing system had my E-mail address from my signup attempt, that when I phoned my CC number into the billing system to set up automatic billing, I got an E-mail from VZ confirming it once I was done.

21stNow

tkap

Google voice perhaps has texting avalible.

kcrudup

Yeah, but get this- GV isn't yet (still!) available on the Xoom! There's a hacked version out there, but it doesn't have push notifications. I've sent along a note asking about its unavailability in the Comments section of the market, but I'm quite disappointed in such a glaring omission. (Not only that, there's no way to get the VZ initial text message sent to GV anyway).

GV is my prime texting and VM retrieval tool, and it's especially useful when I leave the US.

tkap

I have it and it works well for texting.

Paul4596

NOT SOLVED! This is not a solution but a work around. A solution is add text messaging to the Xoom. Plain...simple...then solved.

bdcfam

Worked for me. They just asked me where I found the post.

Thanks didnt want to wait

timsline

davman

I'm in the same boat. I never received the password via snail mail. Tech support and billing are both completely helpless. They aren't even aware this is an isssue, then when they finally figure it out, they can't escalate the problem. Its ridiculous that Verizon allows their customers experience this level of frustration. I can't e-mail tech support without an account. I'm about to cancel my service and enable the hot-spot on my EVO. You think they would have thought this one through before launch. The really bad part is it tarnishes the Motorola Xoom, an otherwise fine product.

rickzxoom

Where did you get your working app? The one on the droid forums link, I tried and it didn't work.

mrhoads43

Your explanition is not at all clear and I have not found anyone at version that understands it either.
What does it mean that she put that handset on my account?
How did you generate an SMS message?

mrhoads43

I agree completely. Everyone (5 calls) at version tells me they do not know what a xoom is.

21stNow

mrhoads43 wrote:
Your explanition is not at all clear and I have not found anyone at version that understands it either.
What does it mean that she put that handset on my account?
How did you generate an SMS message?

Please start at the beginning for your question. We don't know who you are responding to, since you did not quote the original post in your response.

cyborg

The funny thing with verizon disorganization is, the temporary code will expire over a certain amount of time, and the problem is the local snail mail takes two to three weeks longer to arrive to my PO box, obviously this situation here is failure to resolve the growth of new technology. I believe some one should call the the stock holders and say listen, the dividen needs to be increase, Verizon should start offering a $10 a month text plan for all tablets. This will help their customers to commincate with each other and sign in to the server were they can set up there payment.