New Customer: can't sign up for prepaid service with eSIM from App

Question

I have an unlocked google pixel 6A I bought new from Google last year and have been using on Google Fi since then. I am trying to switch to a verizon prepaid plan, but when I click through the setup in the app, which appears to be the only way to set up prepaid with eSIM, I get to the page that allows you select a plan and there are no plans listed.

The page before shows a green box at top stating that my device is compatible with eSIM activation on the verizon network, but when I click through to the next page it looks like this:

If I click the broadband label link I get a page to enter my billing address and when I do that I get an error that says my request could not be processed.

I've tried restarting my phone, and uninstalling and re-installing the app, as well as turning off the Fi VPN.

Any suggestions? Is this a verizon server issue?

SynthpopAddict · Accepted Answer

Hi, switching carriers is known as "porting" and I don't think you can port your number yourself; someone with the new carrier you're switching to has to do it for you.  I've always gone to a corporate store to switch; have been with 3 different carriers and it seems easiest to have the company employees do it, particularly since eSIMs can be a finicky beast to activate.

You will need to do a few things before contacting Verizon:

1) Make sure you have no financial obligations outstanding with your current carrier, as owing money to them may cause them to hold your number.

2) Verify that your phone is indeed unlocked.

3) Get a transfer PIN from your current carrier.  This PIN is used to authorize porting out and will expire within a few days.

Once you've settled everything with your current carrier and have the transfer PIN, call Verizon using a different phone or visit a Verizon store telling them you want to port your number in, and they will get you set up.