I am looking at buying a Google 9 Pro that has been refurbished/renewed. I currently have a Verizon purchased Pixel 6. Do I/Can I move the sim card from the Pixel 6 to the Pixel 9 when I go to activate it and link to my Verizon account? How do I activate an unlocked phone on my Verizon Account? I'm new to doing this myself.
Hi Jewels. You need to get a new SIM card (or eSIM). That Verizon's policy now. I was not aware of that 2 years ago and put the SIM from my Pixel 6 in my Pixel 7 Pro and it was a mess. I called VZW support and they told me that they stopped supporting swapping a SIM to a new phone, always get a new SIM. So that is my advice, get a new SIM or eSIM. They are totally free if you live near a Verizon store. Just make sure it's a genuine Verizon store and not an "authorized retailer". If you aren't sure, ask an employee if it's a genuine corporate store. Or you can call VZW customer support and they should be able to walk you through setting up an eSIM before you activate the new phone. There are no issues activating an Unlocked model. My Pixel 6, 7 Pro and 9 Pro Xl are all Unlocked models and work fine. If you use the My Verizon app you will see the symbol for a generic phone next to your line, instead of seeing the icon for a Pixel 9. That's the only minor glitch I have seen using a manufacturer Unlocked phone on Verizon for years now. Enjoy!
Thanks Scott5337 for posting that one must always get a new SIM or eSIM when they get a new phone now. I didn't know that either!
No problem. I learned the hard way when I simply put the SIM from my Pixel 6 into my Pixel 7 and had all kinds of issues. I had to call Verizon support and that's when they told me that their system doesn't support that very well (or at all) and to always get a new SIM (or eSIM) with each new phone. They were able to fix it for me but it took a long time on the phone. It's much easier to just get a new SIM. Especially now that most new phones support eSIM.
I've only been a forum member a little longer than a year, but am pretty sure I remember seeing some posts elsewhere in the forums saying you could still move a physical SIM card from an older phone to a newer one and that would activate the new device. But if you tried that 2 years ago and it messed things up... It's a good thing you posted it, because my budget smartphone will probably have to be replaced in a year or 2, and I would have done what you did with your Pixel 7. Again, appreciate the tip!
I've never had a phone which supports eSIM, but am wondering if that's part of the reason why some users were having so many problems when the iPhone 16 released a few months ago as an example. Maybe they were trying to move an existing eSIM to the new phone?
Oh, yes, if you have a BYOD phone, your account always has an "Image Coming Soon. We're fixing it up for you now." generic icon instead of a real picture. That's been cracking me up for a few years now with jokes I probably can't post publicly. 😆
I'm not surprised there is confusion among service reps regarding this. As for eSIM's, they are easy to transfer to a new device in the My Verizon app.
Thanks for reaching out Jewels2. Depending on where you are purchasing your device from, it may come with a physical SIM already. The Google 9 Pro is an eSIM capable device and that can be used to activate. If you purchase the device from a third party you will want to ensure the device is unlocked. You are able to activate it through your MyVerizon by navigating to Account>Manage Device.
-Katie
So, reading the response from Specialist level 1, I need to request an eSI M from verizon. Is that correct? I can do that over the phone? Or do I need to take it to a Verizon store?
You can request a SIM from the My Verizon app, in a store or over the phone. If you are not familiar with the process from within the My Verizon app your best option would be a store or call customer support.
Plus the seller (Amazon) advertised it as unlocked. How do I know for sure?
What is the Build Number (Settings > About Phone > Android Version > Build Number)
If the seller is Amazon and not a 3rd party then if they say its unlocked then I would take their word. Also, if they share the imei number with you, we can check and see if it's unlocked. Lets us know if you have any other questions.
Start a new topic or ask questions in the open forum.
