How to switch phones easily with Verizon Wireless

1. first go get your phones. the one your want to change to, and the one you use currently
2. now your want to jump onto the internet at http://www.verizonwireless.com and you'll go to my account. if you do not have one you'll need to setup and account. if you don't have verizon, then you'll really in the wrong place now aren't you? :p
3. after you've setup the account, you'll surf for a link in 'my account' that denotes 'activate equipment'. this will take you to a screen that allows you to change your equipment.
4. now remove the battery from your 'new' phone and look for a set of numbers and/or numbers with letters. the verizonwireless website tells you what to look for. you'll enter this number to the proper place on the site and select continue.
5. if you have certain features available to you on your current phone, the website may ask you to confirm you want these features on your 'new' phone. if you're going from a data phone to a regular phone the site will confirm that you want to change to a certain plan for that type of phone.
6. after all is done it will say you've successfully activated your equipment. now power down your current phone and power up your 'new' phone. when it is up and running you'll dial *228 and SEND. a very nice lady will ask you what you want to do. you want to program your phone, so select 1.
7. in most cases it will program easily and successfully. in certain cases it may not, fear not. just call the verizon number and the tech will get you on your way. i've done this countless times and they don't bother me about it as long as i try online first.
8. after it programs it will reset. upon power up do a test call to voicemail or a friend. then you'll want to dial *228 again, this time select option 2. this will update the phone's roaming capabilities and let it recognize the new towers that verizon places.it helps to do this every month or so even if you don't change phones. verizon does work continually. i never got service where i work and one day BAM i had 4 bars in the deepest corners of our lead based rooms.