[Q] Using a cut-down sim to keep unlimited data

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cntryby429

cntryby429

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2013
658
258
Washington D.C.
My M8 arrives today and I'm hoping to activate it without losing my unlimited data. I'm month-to-month and I purchased it subsidized from the HTC website as "upgrade-keep my existing plan" which, by what appears to be an oversight, didn't make me chose a new data plan. Long story short, I plan to put the sim card from my Rezound into the M8 before I ever turn it on because apparently the new sim is provisioned for a capped plan and activating it will switch me from unlimited. My problem is that the Rezound takes a regular (mini) sim while the M8 takes a nano. I have a sim cutter also arriving today and I'm concerned about screwing up my sim in the process of cutting it. That's where my questions come from.

1. Is there much risk to cutting a regular sim to nano using one of these cutters (noosy 3rd gen)? It gets great reviews and has an image (for what that's worth) of being higher quality.

2. I have an old unactivated sim from an Asurion replacement Rezound. If I screw up my current sim cutting it down, will this older (but still unactivated) sim work in my phone and retain my unlimited data plan (same plan as when I got the replacement many months ago)?

3. Can I just go into a Verizon store with my new phone and say the sim doesn't work and get a new nano sim provisioned to my current unlimited data account, even though my "current" phone on their system is a rezound with a regular sim?
 
lucky_strike33

lucky_strike33

Senior Member
May 15, 2013
1,284
299
Google Pixel 6 Pro
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
cntryby429 said:
My M8 arrives today and I'm hoping to activate it without losing my unlimited data. I'm month-to-month and I purchased it subsidized from the HTC website as "upgrade-keep my existing plan" which, by what appears to be an oversight, didn't make me chose a new data plan. Long story short, I plan to put the sim card from my Rezound into the M8 before I ever turn it on because apparently the new sim is provisioned for a capped plan and activating it will switch me from unlimited. My problem is that the Rezound takes a regular (mini) sim while the M8 takes a nano. I have a sim cutter also arriving today and I'm concerned about screwing up my sim in the process of cutting it. That's where my questions come from.

1. Is there much risk to cutting a regular sim to nano using one of these cutters (noosy 3rd gen)? It gets great reviews and has an image (for what that's worth) of being higher quality.

2. I have an old unactivated sim from an Asurion replacement Rezound. If I screw up my current sim cutting it down, will this older (but still unactivated) sim work in my phone and retain my unlimited data plan (same plan as when I got the replacement many months ago)?

3. Can I just go into a Verizon store with my new phone and say the sim doesn't work and get a new nano sim provisioned to my current unlimited data account, even though my "current" phone on their system is a rezound with a regular sim?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I had the droid DNA before the m8. The DNA wasn't a nano SIM and I use the SIM cutter. I was able to use the SIM and kept my unlimited data.

You can go to the store and request a new SIM.

My All New One
 
M

MultiDev

Senior Member
Dec 17, 2010
378
178
Just go to a Verizon store (a corporate one) and ask for a nano SIM.

There is no charge for it. There is no change to your plan for asking for a new SIM, any kind of SIM.
 
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Abe21599

Senior Member
Apr 13, 2009
141
31
MultiDev said:
Just go to a Verizon store (a corporate one) and ask for a nano SIM.

There is no charge for it. There is no change to your plan for asking for a new SIM, any kind of SIM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

do this. theres no charge if its a corporate store, but "authorized retailers" will charge you for it. if you want to take your nano sim and use it for a mini or micro sim device, just buy an adapter off amazon (~$6)
 
I

ihavenolife008

Senior Member
Oct 9, 2008
121
18
Liverpool, NY
MultiDev said:
Just go to a Verizon store (a corporate one) and ask for a nano SIM.

There is no charge for it. There is no change to your plan for asking for a new SIM, any kind of SIM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

This. I've kept unlimited through all 3 sized SIM cards. It has NOTHING to do with data caps or anything. You can also go on the website to activate, and when its time to enter SIM card info select 'Send me a SIM Card' to avoid going into the store.
 
cntryby429

cntryby429

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2013
658
258
Washington D.C.
Nevermore said:
Could you let us know if this works and you get to keep your unlimited data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse


Sure thing. I think some folks may have missed that I kinda did use my upgrade insofar as I received the m8 at the subsidized price for extending my contract. I noticed just this morning that the VZW website has already changed my contract end date to 2016, "my device" is still the Rezound (I assume that'll change once I turn on my m8 with a SIM provisioned to my current unlimited account), and it still shows unlimited with my data usage. Fingers crossed.
 
Djay1809

Djay1809

Senior Member
Jan 7, 2011
277
14
HTC 10
Moto G Stylus 5G
cntryby429 said:
Sure thing. I think some folks may have missed that I kinda did use my upgrade insofar as I received the m8 at the subsidized price for extending my contract. I noticed just this morning that the VZW website has already changed my contract end date to 2016, "my device" is still the Rezound (I assume that'll change once I turn on my m8 with a SIM provisioned to my current unlimited account), and it still shows unlimited with my data usage. Fingers crossed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I have the exact same issue, Rezound to M8, but the problem for me was everywhere I go they want me to select a plan, where can I bypass this?
 
cntryby429

cntryby429

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2013
658
258
Washington D.C.
tech_head said:
Once that phone is activated, your plan will change.
You will have 14 days to go back to unlimited.

You didn't find a loophole.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I have it on good authority that it worked only a month ago from a Rezound to a One Max. It's not an m8 but it is a different sim size (mini to micro). I'm not saying it WILL work. I won't be convinced of that until a receive a bill with a whole month on the new contract with unlimited data, but I have reason to believe it MAY work and it seems worth trying...
 
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bebiisgod

bebiisgod

Member
Jan 30, 2012
16
2
I went to the Verizon store and bought the phone outright. Coming from a note 2 with a micro Sim to a m8 with a nano sim, I was worried. However I went on the phone with a customer service agent and they assured me that my unlimited data was going to be safe as long as I wasn't using an upgrade and paying full price for the phone. Sure enough there wasn't any issues keeping my unlimited data so I'm happy. Only issue I have is the phone says it's roaming when its not.

Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
 
Lazy8

Lazy8

Senior Member
Apr 24, 2011
157
37
Sacramento
I just got my m8 today....I used some scissors a template and a YouTube video for reference...I cut my sim from my rezound and swapped it for the one that came with the phone. I ordered mine thru HTC with my new every 2. Didn't have to change my plan when buying and after powering on the m8 with my cut sim....it activated successfully and all is good. My data is unlimited and my contract says 2016 now. :)

Sent from my Rezound on Tachyon using Tapatalk
 
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Djay1809

Djay1809

Senior Member
Jan 7, 2011
277
14
HTC 10
Moto G Stylus 5G
cntryby429 said:
Sure thing. I think some folks may have missed that I kinda did use my upgrade insofar as I received the m8 at the subsidized price for extending my contract. I noticed just this morning that the VZW website has already changed my contract end date to 2016, "my device" is still the Rezound (I assume that'll change once I turn on my m8 with a SIM provisioned to my current unlimited account), and it still shows unlimited with my data usage. Fingers crossed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

How did it turn out for you?

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
 
cntryby429

cntryby429

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2013
658
258
Washington D.C.
Djay1809 said:
How did it turn out for you?

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

It seems to have turned out beautifully. My M8 has been on for 3 days now and VZW still shows two more years under contract with unlimited data retained. I got ballsy and even went into the verizon store with my M8 activated on my cut sim. I asked for a new sim so that NFC would work. The guy looked a little puzzled when he pulled out my ghetto sim, In hindsight I should have taken it out before just to stay under the radar. The only reason it took 20 min vs 2 min was because the guy was trying to put the new sim into the SD card tray. My preliminary advice is get it while you can. The Best Buy website forces you to select a plan so the HTC website will surely be fixed soon.
 
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grizzen

New member
Feb 3, 2013
4
0
I currently have the m8 still in my 14 day window, gave up unlimited data to get this phone. Thinking about going tomorrow to return it and order off HTC's store (currently 150$). Just hope that it won't ask to change my plan on HTC's page...
 
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    MultiDev
    Just go to a Verizon store (a corporate one) and ask for a nano SIM.

    There is no charge for it. There is no change to your plan for asking for a new SIM, any kind of SIM.
    View
    1
    Lazy8
    Lazy8
    I just got my m8 today....I used some scissors a template and a YouTube video for reference...I cut my sim from my rezound and swapped it for the one that came with the phone. I ordered mine thru HTC with my new every 2. Didn't have to change my plan when buying and after powering on the m8 with my cut sim....it activated successfully and all is good. My data is unlimited and my contract says 2016 now. :)

    Sent from my Rezound on Tachyon using Tapatalk
    View
    1
    cntryby429
    cntryby429
    Djay1809 said:
    How did it turn out for you?

    Sent from my ADR6425LVW using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    It seems to have turned out beautifully. My M8 has been on for 3 days now and VZW still shows two more years under contract with unlimited data retained. I got ballsy and even went into the verizon store with my M8 activated on my cut sim. I asked for a new sim so that NFC would work. The guy looked a little puzzled when he pulled out my ghetto sim, In hindsight I should have taken it out before just to stay under the radar. The only reason it took 20 min vs 2 min was because the guy was trying to put the new sim into the SD card tray. My preliminary advice is get it while you can. The Best Buy website forces you to select a plan so the HTC website will surely be fixed soon.
    View
    1
    cntryby429
    cntryby429
    Morpheus991 said:
    I'm in a similar situation..I have the Rezound and unlimited on a family plan, trying to find the best way to go about it. Rezound started power cycling yesterday, had to do a factory reset and I'm getting fed up. All of you guys.. Keep us posted let us know if your plans get auto changed etc. I baught a SIM cutter adaptor today and I'm on a family plan unlimited with my Rez along with a 2gb iPhone 4s, and a no data flip phone; all eligible for updates. Lots of different stories from different sources. Even thinking about buying outright to avoid all the drama.
    Using the 4s line/update would be easy but it's on 3g so I'm sure there would be SIM drama there because the SIM doesn't really do much.
    Sorry side tracking a little: Any of you guys super nervous about the aluminum scratching and the camera resolution (slightly OCD and a Photographer)? Cant decide which finish would hold up better, they both seem very delicate. Feel free to ignore this part
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    I have many opinions on this comment:

    1: The Rezound, in my opinion, is still a pretty great phone. I was running an Evervolve KitKat rom and its nearly flawless. If you're ok with the screen size and you typically don't push it hard enough to notice that it doesn't have the processing power of today's phones then I'd suggest keeping it. I would absolutely unlock it and install a custom ROM. Mine ran so much better once I dove into the flashing world.

    2. If you have a dumb phone on your account that's eligible for upgrade, you should use that. I don't know exactly how the process goes but I THINK you use that upgrade and get a smart phone, select a data plan, activate the new smartphone on the dumb phone line. Switch the phone over to your line, and return the dumb phone to its line removing the data plan. You shouldn't follow these instructions alone. Other people on XDA, probably in this forum, have discussed it in great detail.

    3. Scratching the case isn't a concern for me. I've always been happy buying the silicone cases from Verizon. They're sleek, relatively thin, cover up annoying logos, and on this phone it gives me adequate grip. The metal case slips out of my hand too easily for my comfort. Plus, it's only $15 with my 25% discount.
    View
    1
    cntryby429
    cntryby429
    dante020 said:
    When selecting a line to upgrade, I get the warning "With Verizon's new Share Everything plan, unlimited data is no longer available. If you upgrade a line that has an existing unlimited data plan, you will lose unlimited data on that line."

    For the people who had success using this method, did you receive this warning too?
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    haitu said:
    How are people getting away with this? Op was actually able to purchase subsidized M8 from Verizon store and continue to keep his unlimited?
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    Dante: I assume you're talking about the one message at the beginning of the HTC ordering website? Yes, I got that too. This website is "powered by Best Buy" but if you go directly to the Best Buy website and try to purchase this phone as an upgrade, once it checks your account info, it forces you to select your new plan before continuing. However, this only happens if the M8 is in your cart. If you try and upgrade to a One M7, it doesn't force you to select your new plan (at least that was the case a week ago). I would think this is an oversight on BB's part, or maybe HTC, cause Verizon certainly wants to keep people from extending unlimited data contracts which I have (arguably) done. To build ammo in the event they try to switch me later on, I took screen shots all along the way to show how many times it told me that my plan/bill would not change.

    Haitu: See above. I will note that you cannot do this in a brick and mortar store because they will activate the phone with the new sim which seems to be what switches your contract :bad: Even some websites will force you to pick up the online-ordered phone in the store so that they can "assist" you with its setup where they inevitably turn it on :bad: The key seems to be a website that doesn't force you to select a new plan AND ships directly to you so that you can immediately remove and toss the included sim.

    Disclaimer: I can only speak to my personal experiences SO FAR. I started with an old 4G phone on a grandfathered UD plan out of contract (month to month). I upgraded at the subsidized price ($200), cut my mini sim to nano, and activated the new phone on my old (cut) sim. My online VZW account now shows the M8 as my device, a contract end date in 2016, and a data usage of "1.7 Gb of Unlimited". That's not to say that this won't change tomorrow and I'll be screwed. I'll cross that bridge if/when I get there.

    Should anything change I'll be sure and let folks know here.
    View

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