Verizon followed AT&T's footsteps and killed their unlimited data plans for their smartphone (including iPhone) customers on July 7th, 2011.
But looks like some Verizon customers have figured out a way to trick the system to get the unlimited data plan. Surprisingly, it seems to also work for customers who purchased the iPhone after Verizon had stopped offering the unlimited data plans.
Folks at Slick Deals has posted a step-by-step guide to switch to the unlimited data plan, which according to the forum thread seems to have worked for some Verizon customers.
- Dial *611 from your Verizon phone, or 1-800-922-0204 from any phone.
- Wait for computer CSR to go through the main menu. You will need your Verizon phone # and account PIN or last 4 of SSN.
- Hit option 4.
- When it asks you what you would like to do today say “Add a feature.”
- If you have a 3G device (which includes all iPhones): Say you would like to add the $20 2GB 3G Mobile Hotspot FEATURE to your phone If you have a 4G device: Say you would like to add the $30 Unlimited 4G Mobile Hotspot FEATURE to your phone. According to http://stopthecap.com/2011/07/12/…r-account/ , they may be able to locate this feature via referencing feature code #76153.
- Your data plan will now be the $29.99 unlimited data plan, and you’ll have either the 2GB or unlimited Mobile Hotspot feature on top of that.
- {OPTIONAL – if you don’t want the Mobile Hotspot feature} Log into My Verizon and remove the Mobile Hotspot FEATURE from your account. Many people recommend waiting a few days (at a minimum) to remove the feature. The $29.99 unlimited data plan should remain on your account.
- If they say they can’t add that feature to your plan, or that you must bundle your data + mobile hotspot service together as a single data plan, tell them thank you, hang up, and repeat the steps above.
It goes without saying that Verizon could always switch you back to a tiered plan.
Please don't forget to let us know how it works in the comments if you plan to give it a shot.
[Slick Deals via App Advice]
Nice
I might have to try this
Wow, what a trick!
My question is, do they charge you for the mobile hotspot if you only have it for a few days/hours. I had a Verizon rep tell me once that if I only had a data plan on my phone for a few days, I wouldn’t get charged the full $30, just what ever fraction of days I had it. I wonder if the same thing applies here.
no they won’t. in fact, i removed the hotspot feature from my plan simply because i didn’t need it and the website gave me the option to make it retro active to the last month, so i pretty much didn’t pay for a month’s worth of it.
Hurry as supplies last!!!!!
L o L !
Well this isn’t going to last much longer now. Do it before it gets fixed.
These unlimited plans are almost useless now. They start throttling your speed so slow, it’s not worth using. I was at an AT&T store last week and a csr told me that while at&t doesn’t officially tell you, they throttle everyone after 2gb with or without unlimited. He said he had noticed it by researching customers usage and then asked an AT&T rep. The rep said “well, we don’t tell anyone, but yes we throttle down to Edge and lower after the 2gb mark on everyone”. This is why I’m not worried about having 4g. I’ll just get to my limit faster!
This is BS. The rep, like most reps at these stores, had no clue what he was talking about.
I got throttled last month and was averaging speeds of about 0.016-0.1 on a good day its nice to know that i pay 200+ a month for my family plan on unlimited to have a very nice paper waight. I canceled my ISP once i got a 4g phone. And last month 4 out of the 5 phones on my plan got throttled. They would of got the last one except it has no data. I can’t wait to drop at&t. And to top it off i get over billed every month and there is no way to figure it out they have so many hidden fees and
shiit that i h
Ok so I followed the direction, I said add a feature then the computer said “feature” then my call was being transferred to a live rep. Then I told him I would like to add a 2gb $20 mobile hotspot for 3g(iphone) and he added to my account pretty much instantly. I said thank you and hung up. Now, how do I verify that I have an unlimited data? My account still says 2gb limit and I just now see a mobile hotspot being activated. Did I screw up somewhere?
Ok got it to work now. My account was just took some time. I see it unlimited now.
did yours say unlimited or did it say 4 gb???
This works make sure to read
StoptheCap link above for help.
2 sections Q&A and Ordering advice is helpful
Especially if you purchased a 4G phone after 7/7 (which I did) checked online went from 4gb to unlimited data woohoo!
This worked for me. had to go through 3 reps. but the first 2 we guys and told me that it wasn’t offered unlimited data. the 3rd was a chick who added unlimited mobile hotspot and told me becuase the hotspot was unlimited it would change my data to unlimited.
I had my buddy on verizon try this, and he actually got in touch with a live rep who went ahead and added the hotspot and much to her surprise, the unlimited data went on automatically. Even if they do throttle back after so many gb, its nice that he no longer has to monitor his usage. He definitely plans to wait at least 2 days before cancelling the hotspot feature, and usually that price is prorated for the number of days active on the plan so he’s not too worried.
Got it to work. Hurry people!!
NICE! Worked like a charm. I had to call twice and ask them to look up the feature code number but completely worth the trouble. EXCITED! Now I just gotta cross my fingers and hope they don’t change me back after they realize what’s going on.
Ooops too late. Just tried it and the rep said they know about it “being all over the web” and they will be switching back everyone who took the hot spot feature off.
Thats why people should wait about a month or so before dropping the hotspot feature. Stay low, away from their radar then drop the feature.
I have the unlimited plan on my personal phone and yes I can confirm that verizon throttles the speed and quality of the data. For instance, if I hit the 2gb mark, all images that I view on my device are then compressed and has lower quality. Although, I don’t notice any difference when I watch videos such as online TV shows.
I tried it twice today. They are no longer offering it. It is now bundled for $50 with a 4GB limit.
I just did this on 2-2-2012 and it worked the first try. I have unlimited hotspot and unlimited data on my thunderbolt. 4G LTE .
It is still working if you get the right rep. and dont remove the hotspot feature right away ! keep it a while.
Doesn’t work, talked to two reps, they wont add the plan
I just tried it. It worked for me. I have iPhone 4s with unlimited data now
I just did it, iphone 4s with unlimited data
Worked for me, no problem! Thanks for the Tip!!
what did you do
This worked for me on both my iPhones. Has anyone taken the hotspot off and the unlimited has stayed on the account?
Does this trick still work or no. Someone please tell me.
Does this still work?
Try it and find out!!