Activate your mobile device FAQs

How you activate a device on the Verizon network depends on your situation:

• New device, existing line: When you order a new device from Verizon for an existing line, it's ready to activate. Just turn it on and follow the on-screen prompts to activate.
  • After activation, Smart Setup can help you back up and transfer content from your old device if you need to.
• Your own device, existing line: You can bring a compatible device of your own to an existing Verizon line. Start in My Verizon by selecting the device you're replacing and follow the prompts.
  
  Note: If you need to activate eSIM on an Android™ device, call Customer Service (don't use Chat).
• Bringing a device, new line: If you're setting up a new line and bringing a device to it, activate on our Bring Your Own Device page.
• Swapping devices, existing lines: Learn how to activate and swap devices between lines on your account.
• Prepaid phones: Learn how to activate your prepaid phone.

If there are other phones on your account, you can choose to have the authorization code text sent to one of them. If there aren't, contact us.

No. To activate a new device online, you must first cancel any pending orders or wait until they're complete.

An Account Owner or Account Manager can remove a pending order from an account online in My Verizon.

Learn more about Pending Orders.