How to Activate a New Phone on an Existing Verizon Account

Whenever you upgrade a phone on a Verizon Wireless business line, or purchase a new device, the phone arrives pre-activated on the line you indicated when you ordered it. All you need to do is program the new phone to complete activation and remove the old phone from the account. The programming process in most cases is simple and automated; just enter a star code and follow the instructions.

Create a backup of your current phone’s contacts on Verizon’s servers using Backup Assistant if you don’t want to lose them. Backup Assistant comes preinstalled on many Verizon smartphones and is available in the Application menu. If you don’t have a smartphone, you can download it via Media Center on your basic phone.

Turn your current phone off.

Install the battery in the new phone and charge it fully.

Turn the phone on, press “*228” and the “Send” key. Follow the prompts to program the phone. You’ll receive a “Programming was successful” message on the display when the process completes.

Launch Backup Assistant (or download it from Media Center if the phone is not a smartphone), and follow the on-screen instructions to import your contacts. You need to do this only if you chose to export your address book beforehand.