Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

bammargera3176

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 16, 2015
107
8
So I am getting kicked off my parents phone plan and I want to join on with my brother/cousins. My parents phone plan is ATT, and the plan that I want to switch to it Verizon. My two year contract ends with ATT this September I believe. Am I able to seamlessly transfer to Verizon by just getting a SIM card? I want to make sure I don't lose my chance at upgrading when the new iPhone comes out in September. If I transfer say this June and lose that chance of upgrading because I switched to Verizon, I may aks my parents if I can hold off on the switch when my contract ends. If I'm able to switch in June, and then enroll in the iPhone upgrade program in September when the new iPhone comes out, I may be fine switching now. What's it gunna be?
 

QueenTyrone

macrumors 6502a
Sep 21, 2016
914
1,084
So I am getting kicked off my parents phone plan and I want to join on with my brother/cousins. My parents phone plan is ATT, and the plan that I want to switch to it Verizon. My two year contract ends with ATT this September I believe. Am I able to seamlessly transfer to Verizon by just getting a SIM card? I want to make sure I don't lose my chance at upgrading when the new iPhone comes out in September. If I transfer say this June and lose that chance of upgrading because I switched to Verizon, I may aks my parents if I can hold off on the switch when my contract ends. If I'm able to switch in June, and then enroll in the iPhone upgrade program in September when the new iPhone comes out, I may be fine switching now. What's it gunna be?

Only if your iPhone is 7/7+ global version or 5s-6s/plus. Then you'll need att or a 3rd party to unlock your phone.
 

bammargera3176

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 16, 2015
107
8
Wait what do you mean? I can switch to Verizon and still upgrade if I have a global phone? Also how do I find out if I have the global phone? I have the iPhone 7+ and I got it in the middle of the contract so I think it's unlocked
 

Shadowbech

macrumors G3
Oct 18, 2011
9,038
5,894
Apple has 2 different models for the 7 Plus, do you have model that starts with A1661 or A1784?

A1661 is Sim Free model/Verizon/Sprint, which has the Qualcomm Chip and can be used on either CDMA or GSM.

A1784 is ATT/T-mobile, which has the Intel chip and can only work on GSM. If you have this model and you want to move to Verizon, it will not work as it won't work, even if you request to unlock it from AT&T, it still won't work. You can take this other country, which will work on any GSM network but not CDMA.
 

bammargera3176

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 16, 2015
107
8
Apple has 2 different models for the 7 Plus, do you have model that starts with A1661 or A1784?

A1661 is Sim Free model/Verizon/Sprint, which has the Qualcomm Chip and can be used on either CDMA or GSM.

A1784 is ATT/T-mobile, which has the Intel chip and can only work on GSM. If you have this model and you want to move to Verizon, it will not work as it won't work, even if you request to unlock it from AT&T, it still won't work. You can take this other country, which will work on any GSM network but not CDMA.
I got the A1784. Would it make more sense for me to ask to stay on the plan until September when the new iPhone gets released so I can get out of my contract at that time (my two year contract runs out then and the new iPhone likely is released then)? What you're pretty much saying is if I switch to Verizon right now I would have to start a whole new plan and wouldn't be able to upgrade when the new iPhone comes out in September/October unless I get the unlocked one
 
  • Like
Reactions: jbachandouris

Shadowbech

macrumors G3
Oct 18, 2011
9,038
5,894
I got the A1784. Would it make more sense for me to ask to stay on the plan until September when the new iPhone gets released so I can get out of my contract at that time (my two year contract runs out then and the new iPhone likely is released then)? What you're pretty much saying is if I switch to Verizon right now I would have to start a whole new plan and wouldn't be able to upgrade when the new iPhone comes out in September/October unless I get the unlocked one
Yea the A1784 is incompatible with Verizon. It's only 3-4 months away. I don't see why not ask them if you can stay till then and then move to Verizon and get the new device then?

If you start Verizon right now, you will have to get a new device. Unless you know of someone who has a Verizon phone laying around, you can sign up as a BYOD and ask to see if you can borrow that till September and then upgrade to the new iphone when it comes out?
 

bammargera3176

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 16, 2015
107
8
Yea the A1784 is incompatible with Verizon. It's only 3-4 months away. I don't see why not ask them if you can stay till then and then move to Verizon and get the new device then?

If you start Verizon right now, you will have to get a new device. Unless you know of someone who has a Verizon phone laying around, you can sign up as a BYOD and ask to see if you can borrow that till September and then upgrade to the new iphone when it comes out?
There's such a thing as signing up for BYOD phones? Is this with Verizon too? Can you still get an iPhone? I may have to do that as worst case scenario
 

geoff5093

macrumors 68020
Sep 16, 2014
2,251
2,564
There's such a thing as signing up for BYOD phones? Is this with Verizon too? Can you still get an iPhone? I may have to do that as worst case scenario
Yes you can BYOD with Verizon, but you need a Verizon-compatible phone, which the AT&T iPhone 7 is not.
 

Brandonjr36

macrumors 68000
Sep 12, 2016
1,624
563
Joplin
If your parents won't allow you to stay til September then just go to Walmart and get a straight talk kit til September. You can still use your iphone. You just don't get any hotspot.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BigMcGuire

BigMcGuire

Cancelled
Jan 10, 2012
9,832
14,032
Have any other family members? I'm not on my parent's Verizon family plan but I have my own with my wife, a sister, and a friend. Though family plans really only help when you want a nice sum of data and split it evenly (we have unlimited on our plan and we all chip in to pay for it).
 

bammargera3176

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 16, 2015
107
8
If your parents won't allow you to stay til September then just go to Walmart and get a straight talk kit til September. You can still use your iphone. You just don't get any hotspot.

Wow that's great. So you essentially can pay for your own data plan I assume month by month? Does it work with the iPhone 7 plus?

Also, when September does arrive, I know I am going to enroll in the upgrade program. Just not sure if I should do the apple one or the Verizon one. What do people think has a better upgrade program, Verizon or apple?
 

Brandonjr36

macrumors 68000
Sep 12, 2016
1,624
563
Joplin
Wow that's great. So you essentially can pay for your own data plan I assume month by month? Does it work with the iPhone 7 plus?

Also, when September does arrive, I know I am going to enroll in the upgrade program. Just not sure if I should do the apple one or the Verizon one. What do people think has a better upgrade program, Verizon or apple?
Yes it's unlimited data but it slows down after 5 gigs. It's $45 for 5 gigs or $55 for 10 gigs, every 30 days you just go in and buy a card from Walmart or use your debit card. Just make sure the first time you buy the $55-60 kit that comes with a SIM card so you can get it to work on your 7 plus. Prety simple actually.

Also on your upgrade program I have verizon and I use them to get my phones through I suggest you do the same so you can upgrade every year if you choose.
 

bammargera3176

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 16, 2015
107
8
Yes it's unlimited data but it slows down after 5 gigs. It's $45 for 5 gigs or $55 for 10 gigs, every 30 days you just go in and buy a card from Walmart or use your debit card. Just make sure the first time you buy the $55-60 kit that comes with a SIM card so you can get it to work on your 7 plus. Prety simple actually.

Also on your upgrade program I have verizon and I use them to get my phones through I suggest you do the same so you can upgrade every year if you choose.

Why do you recommend the $55 one..is it just because it has more data. Also, when you get the straight talk does it come equipped with a device to insert the SIM card into your phone? Also, once you insert the SIM card, does my data plan with the other carrier automatically end, or do I have to go tell them that I am getting off their line?

Edit** I just did some research and saw on the walmart website that straight talk is e-delivery. So I'm assuming you enter in a pin or something from the email on the phone that you want to use straight talk on and then that works? And then I'm assuming whatever ATT plan I was on before the straight talk automatically discontinues once I activate straight talk, or is there something I have to do to tell my parents I want to get kicked off their att plan(well not actually but you know what I mean)
 
Last edited:

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,908
13,237
My recommendation, just buy a $100 used Verizon iPhone 5s from Swappa and just go on your brother/cousins' plan directly. That way, you're still upgrade eligible when the new iPhone is released in September and you won't need to deal with the hassle of porting your number twice.
 

Givmeabrek

macrumors 68040
Apr 20, 2009
3,468
1,169
NY
Bump, anyone got an answer for my post two above this?
You can change a Sim by using a small paper clip. No problem
Not sure how you set up Straight Talk but it should be very simple as you describe. Once you port over your number your phone line with ATT will be automatically canceled and your parents/you will be billed whatever is owed on that line. No need to contact ATT.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Phillyphil0302

rok8man

macrumors newbie
Jan 30, 2013
19
1
Frisco, TX
I am on Verizon and my iPhone takes a SIM card. One good thing about my iPhone is that it is GSM world unlocked for me meaning that if I went to Europe and I got a GSM SIM card it would work without having to get it unlocked. I have done it many times and it works very well. Never had an issue with it.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.