How to Activate a Verizon Phone

Cellphones must be activated before they can be used.

All cellphones require activation before they can work with their designated cellular providers. Verizon phones are no exception. Activating a phone for the first time requires an ESN/MEID number, which is unique for each cellphone. You can find that information under the phone's battery. Once you have that, you're ready to activate the phone for use.

Things You'll Need

• Cellphone number
• Billing ZIP code
• Order number (found on receipt)
• Last 4 digits of account member's Social Security number

Instructions

1. Navigate to verizon.wireless.com/b2c/activation/activatephone.jsp and click the "Get Started" button to back up the contacts in your old phone. Once that's done, turn the old phone off.

2. Open the back cover of your new phone and remove the battery. Write the down the MEID or ESN number. The ESN is 11 digits or eight hexadecimal characters. The MEID is made up of numbers and letters in a string of 14 characters.

3. Put the battery back in the phone, attach the cover and turn the phone on.

4. Enter your cellphone number, billing ZIP code and new ESN/MEID numbers where indicated. Click "Continue."

5. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process of activating your phone.

References

• Verizon Wireless: Backup Your Contacts & Activate a New Phone
• Verizon Wireless: Activate Verizon Phone