How do i activate a verizon prepaid phone

Getting Started

Table of Contents Show
• Getting Started
• Register for My Verizon
• Sign in to My Verizon
• Add a line / Set up a Prepaid Family Account
• Change Account Owner on a Prepaid Family Account
• View your account balance
• Send funds to another line on a Prepaid Family Account
• View your payment history
• Manage Auto Pay
• Change your plan
• Add data / Purchase Data Boost
• Usage Details
• View data, minutes and messaging usage details
• Change your device
• Change your mobile number
• Remove a line on a Prepaid Family Account
• Features / Add-ons
• Add a feature
• Remove a feature
• Enable Prepaid TravelPass®
• Disable Prepaid TravelPass
• Change account information
• Reset Voicemail Password
• Manage account alerts (e.g., low balance)
• Suspend / Reconnect Service
• Suspend Service
• Reconnect Service
• How do you activate a used Verizon phone by yourself?
• How do I activate a prepaid Verizon prepaid phone?
• Can I activate my Verizon phone myself?
• Can I activate my prepaid Verizon phone online?

1. Register for My Verizon

If you've never used My Verizon before (through the app or a web browser), you need to register your prepaid account first. This is a one-time process that sets up your account User ID and Password. You can then use those same credentials to sign in to My Verizon through the app or any web browser.

Note: Please have your prepaid phone with you while you register. You'll be sent a text message with a Registration PIN that you'll need to enter during the registration process.

To register:

1. Go to the My Verizon Registration page.
2. Enter your 10-digit prepaid mobile number.
3. Click Continue.
4. Select the appropriate images as prompted and click VERIFY.
5. Select whether you're the Account Owner or an Account Member.

   Note: The Account Owner is the person financially responsible for the account.

6. If prompted, enter the billing ZIP code and Account Security Code, and click Continue.
7. Follow the onscreen prompts to have a Registration PIN sent to your phone by text message.
8. When you receive the text, enter the Registration PIN and click Verify My Account.
9. Enter the requested information to create your My Verizon account:
   • User ID - Enter the User ID you'd like to use.
   • Password - Enter the Password you'd like to use, and enter the same password again to confirm it.
   • Secret Question - Select a secret question from the dropdown and enter the answer.
   • Email Address - Enter an existing email address that you'd like to use to receive important account information.
10. Read the Terms & Conditions, and if you agree, click I accept the Terms & Conditions.
11. Click Complete Registration.

You've successfully signed up for My Verizon for Prepaid.

2. Sign in to My Verizon

To sign in to My Verizon through a web browser:

1. Go to the My Verizon Sign in page.

   Note: You can click the link above or enter VerizonWireless.com/my-verizon/ in your web browser.

2. Enter your prepaid mobile number and My Verizon Password, and then click Sign in.

   Note: You can click Remember me to have your User ID stored on the computer in the future. Only use this feature on a personal computer, not public computers.

3. If prompted, enter the answer to your security question and click Continue.

You'll see your feed on the home screen. It provides the most important account information you need at a glance, including your data usage and account balance.

3. Add a line / Set up a Prepaid Family Account

You can add a line to an existing prepaid single-line account or Prepaid Family Account. You can have up to 10 smartphone, tablet or mobile hotspot device lines on one Prepaid Family Account.

Only the Account Owner can add a line to an existing Prepaid Family Account. If you add a line to a single-line account, the original line will become the Account Owner, and the new line will be an Account Member. Learn more about account roles.

To add a line to an existing prepaid account:

1. Click Add a line in the device list at the top of the home screen feed.
2. Click Select under the type of line you want to add:
   • Shop for phones - If you don't have an existing line or phone, you can purchase a new phone and add a new or existing phone number to your account.
   • Bring your own phone - If you have a phone you want to use but don't have an existing line, you can choose a new phone number to add to your account and activate the phone you have.
   • Merge accounts - If you have an active prepaid line on another account, you can transfer that existing phone number and phone to your Prepaid Family Account.

     Note: You'll need the Account Security Code (also called Account PIN) for the line you're transferring. If you can't remember it, you can change your Account Security Code in the My Verizon app.

3. Follow the onscreen prompts to add the line.

You've successfully set up your Prepaid Family Account.

To add more lines, repeat the steps above.

4. Change Account Owner on a Prepaid Family Account

The Account Owner is financially responsible for all lines on the Prepaid Family Account, and they can view and manage all the lines through My Verizon. There can only be one Account Owner on an account. Learn more about account roles on a Prepaid Family Account in our FAQs.

Note: Only the current Account Owner can transfer account ownership to another line.

To change the Account Owner:

1. Click Settings.
2. Click Change Account Owner.
3. Select the line you want to transfer account ownership to.
4. Click Selected Line's Account Security Code and enter the 4-digit Account Security Code for the line that will become the new Account Owner.

   Note: If you don't have the Account Security Code, ask the person you're transferring account ownership to.

5. Click I'm not a robot, follow the prompts to select the appropriate images, and click VERIFY.
6. Click Continue.
7. Select whether or not you want to transfer funds to the new Account Owner. If you want to transfer an amount other than your entire balance, enter the amount you want to transfer.
8. Click Continue.
9. Review the changes to your account and click Confirm.

You've successfully changed the Account Owner on your Prepaid Family Account. You are now an Account Member.

Payments

With just a few clicks, you can keep track of your account balance, enroll in and manage Auto Pay, or make one-time payments.

1. View your account balance

You can view your account balance in your feed on the home screen of My Verizon.

Click View Balance Details to see a detailed list of all financial transactions on your account, including charges and credits.

Note: If you're the Account Owner on a Prepaid Family Account, you can select a line at the top of the screen to view the balance details for that line.

2. Add funds

If you aren't registered for My Verizon yet or don't have your My Verizon ID and password, you can use Prepaid Instant Pay to add funds to your account.

To add funds to your account using My Verizon:

1. Click Add Funds in My Verizon to get to the Add Funds page.

   Note: If you're on a Prepaid Family Account, click Add or Send Funds and then click Next to get to the Add Funds page.

2. Enter the amount you want to add in the Payment Amount field.
3. Select what card you'd like to use to add funds:
   • Existing card saved on the account
   • A new credit/debit card - You'll be prompted to enter the card number and billing information for the card and click Continue.
   • A Verizon Refill Card - You'll be asked to enter the Refill Card PIN and click Submit.
4. Click Add Funds.
5. Review the amount to add and click Confirm.

You've successfully added funds to your account.

Note: You can also add funds to your prepaid account without signing in to My Verizon.

3. Send funds to another line on a Prepaid Family Account

The Account Owner can send funds to any Account Member line on their Prepaid Family Account. Account Members can only transfer funds to the Account Owner.

To send funds to another line:

1. Click Add or Send Funds.
2. Click Send Funds.
3. Click Next.
4. If you're the Account Owner, select the line you want to send funds to and click Send Funds.
5. Enter the amount you want to send.

   Note: If you're an Account Member, you can only send funds using your available balance. If you don't have funds available, you'll need to add funds to your account before you can transfer funds to the Account Owner.

6. If you're the Account Owner, select the payment method you want to use to send funds and click Add Funds.

   Note: If you select A New Credit/Debit Card, you'll need to enter the necessary card information.

7. Click Send Funds.
8. Review the transaction information and click Confirm.
9. Click Done.

You've successfully transferred funds to another line on your Prepaid Family Account.

4. View your payment history

You can see payments made on your account for the last 18 months in My Verizon, including the date, amount and method of payment.

Note: If you have a Prepaid Family Account, only the Account Owner can view the payment history of the account. Account Members aren't able to view the Payment History page.

To view your payment history:

1. Click Payment History in My Verizon to go to the Payment History page.
2. Select a start date and end date from the dropdowns at the top of the page.
3. Click Create Report.

You'll see all the payments made on your account during the date range you selected.

Note: You can click the Email Payment History or the Print Payment History links at the top of the page to email or print the report.

5. Manage Auto Pay

With Auto Pay, you never have to worry about missing a payment. It will automatically pay your monthly bill on the due date. Auto Pay will use any available funds you have on your account first. Then it will charge the remaining balance to your credit/debit card.

Plus, when you set up Auto Pay, you can receive a $5/month per line discount on eligible prepaid monthly plans.

Note: If you have a Prepaid Family Account, only the Account Owner can manage Auto Pay. Account Members aren’t able to view the Manage Auto Pay page.

To manage Auto Pay:

1. Click Manage Auto Pay in your feed on the home screen of My Verizon to get to the Manage Auto Pay page.

   Note: If you haven't set up Auto Pay yet, you'll see a Setup Auto Pay button instead. Click it and follow the onscreen prompts to get started with Auto Pay.

2. You'll see the payment amount and date for Auto Pay. Click Edit Payment to edit your payment card information and billing address.

   Note: You can also click Turn Off if you want to turn off Auto Pay.

3. Click Continue.
4. Review the changes to Auto Pay and read the Terms & Conditions. If you agree, click I agree to the Terms & Conditions.
5. Click Confirm.

You've successfully managed Auto Pay.

Plan

You can view your current plan information on the My Plan page in My Verizon.

1. Change your plan

You can change your plan any time in My Verizon:

Note: If you're on a Prepaid Family Account, only the Account Owner can change a plan on the account. Account Members can't change their plan. The Account Owner can sign in to My Verizon and select the line at the top of the screen that needs a new plan, and follow the steps below.

1. Go to the Change Plan page in My Verizon.

   Note: Use the link above or click My Plan and then click Change Plan.

2. Select the plan you want to change to.

   Note: You can click View Plan Details under a plan to learn more about it.

3. Click Change Plan.
4. Review your new plan information and read the Terms & Conditions. Then check the 2 required boxes if you agree.
5. Click Confirm.

You've successfully changed your plan.

2. Add data / Purchase Data Boost

You can have up to 2 Data Boosts on your account at a time. Data Boosts are used after all your monthly allowance is gone. Data Boosts expire 30 days or 90 days after purchase, depending on the amount purchased.

Note: Data Boosts aren't available for unlimited or current data only prepaid plans.

To add data to your account:

1. Click Add Data in My Verizon to go to the Add Data page.
2. Select the amount of data you want to add.
3. Click Add Data.

You've successfully added data to your account.

Usage Details

You can see an overview of your data usage right on the home screen feed of My Verizon. It will show how much data you’ve used and what percentage of your monthly allowance is left. You can also see how many days are left in your bill cycle.

1. View data, minutes and messaging usage details

If you want to see more detailed information about usage on your account:

1. Click Usage Details in My Verizon to go to the View Usage Details page.
2. Select the tabs at the top of the screen to view type of usage details you want to see:
   • Data
   • Voice
   • Messages

You'll see detailed usage information for each usage type, including usage amount, date and time of each use.

Note: If you're the Account Owner of a Prepaid Family Account, you can view the usage details of each line on your account by selecting different lines at the top of the screen.

Device

You can use My Verizon to change your device or change your mobile number from any web browser. If you're the Account Owner on a Prepaid Family Account, you can also remove a line from your account.

1. Change your device

If you want to upgrade or your phone gets broken, you can activate a new device on your line through My Verizon:

1. Click Change Device in My Verizon to go to the Change Device page.
2. Enter the Device ID of the new device you want to use on your account.

   Note: Your Device ID can typically be found in your device's Settings in the About Phone section. It may be called, IMEI, MEID or ESN.

3. Click Continue.
4. Select if you want to use the SIM card from your old phone or use a new SIM Card.

   Note: If you want to use a new SIM card, enter the SIM Card Identification code, which you'll find printed on the SIM card.

5. Click Continue.
6. Review the change and click Confirm.

You've successfully changed your device.

2. Change your mobile number

To change your mobile number:

1. Click Change Mobile Number to go to the Change Mobile Number page in My Verizon.

   Note: If you're the Account Owner on a Prepaid Family Account, you can select a line at the top of the screen to change that line's mobile number.

2. Select how you want to pick your new number:
   • ZIP Code - Enter your home ZIP Code, and you'll be given options of area codes and prefixes to choose from.
   • City and state - Enter your city and state, and you’ll be given options of area codes and prefixes to choose from.
   • Area code, plus first 3 digits - Enter the area code and prefix you'd like to use for your number. This is a good option if you only want to change the last 4 digits of your number and keep the rest of your number the same.
   • Port existing number - Enter a landline phone number or other wireless number you have, you can use that number as your prepaid mobile number.
   Note: Only 5 attempts at changing your mobile number are allowed per bill cycle.
3. Click Continue.
4. If prompted, select the first 6 numbers you'd like to use and click Continue.

   Note: If porting a number, enter the requested account information for the number you're porting and click Continue. Follow the onscreen prompts to complete the porting process. Learn more about porting.

5. Review the new phone number you will use and click Submit.

You've successfully changed your mobile number. It may take up to 2 hours to complete the change. If anyone calls your old number, they won't be able to reach you.

3. Remove a line on a Prepaid Family Account

Only the Account Owner can remove a line on a Prepaid Family Account. The line that's removed will be converted to a new single line account.

1. Click Manage Lines to go to the Manage Lines page in My Verizon.
2. Under Remove a line, click Select.
3. Select a line to remove and click Continue.

   Note: If you're the Account Owner and removing your own line, follow the steps to transfer account ownership to a new line to finish removing your line from the account.

4. Select whether or not you want to transfer funds to the line being removed.
5. Click Continue.
6. Review what's changing and click Confirm.

You've successfully removed a line from your prepaid account. The owner of that line is now financially responsible for their line.

Features / Add-ons

Features or add-ons are ways you can customize your prepaid account. Some features have a monthly fee, while others are free to use. Whether you make frequent international calls or are subscribed to Call Filter Plus, you can add or remove features anytime to fit your needs.

1. Add a feature

To add a feature:

Note: If you're on a Prepaid Family Account, only the Account Owner can add international long distance features. The Account Owner can add international long distance to an Account Member's line by selecting that line at the top of the My Verizon home screen and following these steps.

1. Click Features in My Verizon to go to the Manage your features page.

   Note: If you're the Account Owner on a Prepaid Family Account, you can select a line at the top of the screen to manage that line's features.

2. Click the toggle switch next to the feature you want to add.

   Note: When the switch is blue-green, the feature is active on your account. When the switch is gray, the feature is not active.

3. Click Confirm.

You've successfully added a feature to your account.

2. Remove a feature

To remove a feature:

Note: If you're on a Prepaid Family Account, only the Account Owner can remove international long distance features. The Account Owner can remove international long distance on an Account Member's line by selecting that line at the top of the My Verizon home screen and following these steps.

1. Click Features in My Verizon to go to the Manage your features page.

   Note: If you're the Account Owner on a Prepaid Family Account, you can select a line at the top of the screen to manage that line's features.

2. Click the toggle switch next to the feature you want to remove.

   Note: When the switch is blue-green, the feature is active on your account. When the switch is gray, the feature is not active.

3. Click Confirm.

You've successfully removed a feature from your account.

3. Enable Prepaid TravelPass®

Prepaid TravelPass lets you use your prepaid plan while traveling in certain countries for a flat daily rate. Learn more in our Prepaid TravelPass FAQs.

To enable Prepaid TravelPass:

1. Go to the Features page in My Verizon.

   Note: If you're the Account Manager on a Prepaid Family Account, select the device line you want to activate TravelPass on.

2. Scroll down to the TravelPass section, and tap or click Start now.
3. If you want, you can enter your destination and the number of days you'll be traveling to get an estimate of the costs for your trip.
4. Read the Terms & Conditions, and if you agree, check the I agree to the Terms & Conditions box.
5. Tap or click Enable TravelPass.
6. Tap or click Confirm.

You've successfully enabled TravelPass on your line.

4. Disable Prepaid TravelPass

To disable Prepaid TravelPass:

1. Go to the Features page in My Verizon.

   Note: If you're the Account Manager on a Prepaid Family Account, select the device line you want to activate TravelPass on.

2. Scroll down to the TravelPass section, and tap or click Disable TravelPass.
3. Tap or click Confirm.

You've successfully disabled TravelPass on your line. You can enable it again anytime.

Settings

The Settings menu gives you access to your important account and contact information. You can change your security information and passwords to protect your account. Plus, you can manage privacy settings and adjust how often you receive different alerts for your account.

1. Change account information

Change important account information, like your User ID, Password, Greeting Name, Security Question and Image, Account Security Code and contact information.

Note: If you're on a Prepaid Family Account, only the Account Owner can change account profile information, like billing address. Account Members can change information for their individual line profile.

1. Click Settings in the side menu of My Verizon.
2. Select the information you'd like to change.

   Note: Select Contact Info to edit your name, email address, phone number and/or mailing address for your account.

3. Enter or edit the information requested and click Save.

You've successfully changed your account information.

2. Reset Voicemail Password

To reset your Voicemail Password:

1. Go to the Reset Voice Mail Password page in My Verizon.

   Note: Use the link above, or click Settings and then click Reset Voicemail Password.

2. Enter the new password you want to use.

   Note: Password must contain 4-7 numbers and can't contain consecutive (e.g., 1111) or sequential numbers (e.g., 1234).

3. Enter the same password again to confirm it.

   Note: You can also select Choose a password for me to have a number randomly generated if you don't want to choose your own.

4. Click Save.

You've successfully changed your Voicemail Password.

3. Manage account alerts (e.g., low balance)

Select how you want to receive alerts about your account, such as warning tones and low balance alerts.

1. Go to the Manage Communications and Alerts page in My Verizon.

   Note: Use the link above, or click Settings and then click Manage your Communications and Alerts.

2. Select how you want to receive special offers when they're available and click Save.
3. Select the amount of notifications you want to receive from the dropdown.
   • High - Receive all available voice announcements and text alerts, including:
     • Pre-call and post-call voice announcements stating your balance
     • Warning tones
     • Low balance and expiration text alerts
   • Medium - Only receive:
     • Low balance voice announcements
     • Warning tones
     • Low balance and expiration text alerts
   • Low - Only receive:
     • Low balance voice announcements
     • Expiration text alerts
4. Click Save.

You've successfully changed your account alert settings.

Suspend / Reconnect Service

If your device is lost or stolen, you can temporarily suspend and reconnect your service in My Verizon. This can help prevent unauthorized charges on your account. Learn more about suspending service.

1. Suspend Service

Suspending service isn't the same as permanently canceling your service.

• Single line prepaid accounts - Your account will still be billed while your line is temporarily suspended, if your account has available funds.
• Prepaid Family Accounts – If you suspend the Account Owner's line, you'll still be billed for the line while it's suspended. If you suspend an Account Member's line, you won't be billed for that line on your renewal date while it's suspended.

Note: If you have recurring features on your line, turn them off before suspending service to avoid being charged for them.

To suspend service:

1. Go to the Suspend Service page in My Verizon by clicking Settings and then clicking Suspend Device.

   Note: If you're the Account Owner on a Prepaid Family Account:

   1. Select the device you want to suspend at the top of the page.
   2. Click Continue.
   3. If you're suspending the Account Owner line on a Prepaid Family Account, select whether or not you want to transfer account ownership to another line to avoid being charged while your device is suspended. Then click Continue and follow the steps to Change Account Owner if needed.
2. If prompted, review the changes to your account.
3. Click Suspend.

You've successfully suspended your service through a web browser. If you recover your device or have a replacement device, you can reconnect service anytime.

Note: If your line is suspended for more than 90 days, your number will be disabled. If you have a single line account, your account will be closed and your number disabled.

2. Reconnect Service

If you suspended your service because your device was lost or stolen, you can reconnect through My Verizon. It may take up to 60 minutes to completely reconnect your service once you finish the steps below.

Note: If you're an Account Member on a Prepaid Family Account, you can reconnect your line if you suspended it during your current bill cycle. If you suspended your line during a different bill cycle (i.e., your renewal date has passed since suspending), the Account Owner needs to reconnect your line.

1. In My Verizon, click Settings.

   Note: If you're the Account Owner on a Prepaid Family Account, select the device you want to reconnect at the top of the screen.

2. Click Reconnect Device.
3. Select whether you're reconnecting your same device or a replacement device and click Continue.

   Note: If you suspended your device during a different bill cycle, you may be prompted to pay when you reconnect service. This is because you didn't pay for service for the line on your last renewal date. The amount you need to pay may be lower than you typically pay each month, because you're only paying for the days your device will be active during the current bill cycle.

4. If you're connecting a replacement device, follow the onscreen prompts to add the new device to your line.

   Note: You'll need to provide the Device ID (ESN/MEID/IMEI) of the replacement device. You can typically find it on the back of the device/battery or in the device's Settings. Get detailed instructions on how to find your Device ID.

5. If prompted, follow the onscreen prompts to add funds to your account.

You'll see a confirmation screen. You've successfully reconnected your service. Restart your device to start using your service.

How do you activate a used Verizon phone by yourself?

How do I activate a prepaid Verizon prepaid phone?

Can I activate my Verizon phone myself?

Can I activate my prepaid Verizon phone online?