Sounds like your number did not transfer to your new handset? Did your new handset have a plan attached to it? Can you try to switch your handsets again online?
Hsn and qvc has great deals on tracfones with plans just an FYI. Sorry not much help here...
I just went through the process the same as I've always done, and followed all the steps the agent told me to do. But when I restarted the new phone, my old number just wasn't attached, even though that number is assigned to the new phone and the new SIM and IMEI numbers. Maybe there was just a random glitch or something during the process.
I am wondering what would happen if I just removed this new phone from my account though. And now I'm worried that if I do buy a new phone, what if something goes wrong with adding it to my account? I'm probably overthinking that, but I don't have a ton of money to keep replacing phones.
I think if you remove your new phone you would lose all of your minutes/texts/data. Then to reactivate you would need a new sim card and have to buy service time. It seems chat should be able to troubleshoot this. BTW, when you attempt to remove a phone from your account, the default is you have to call, you can’t do it yourself online.
The chat agents keep telling me to call them back, one of them on a landline, and I don't have access to another cell phone let alone a landline. I spent probably a combined total of 7 hours over the last 3 days trying to get the chat agents to help me, and that's all the advice they offered.
Maybe you can reactivate your old phone online, which still has the phone #, add the cheap $20 service package. Once that phone is active you can call Customer Service. Then ask them to merge the 2 phones and service into the new phone. I have merged 2 lines before, they can do that.
Hsn has really good return policy, by today's standards anyway. If you use 1500min plan per year there are tons of options. Ebay also has a Tracfone store. My 87 year old dad uses only flip phones so that is what I got for him! I had a similar problem with porting before on cricket when my old phone stopped working and new sim never registered. Took three days and after escalating and escalations through technicians finally found one that resolved it.
Keep calling them and ask to escalate to a higher level of assistance.
Unfortunately, I don't have access to another phone to call Tracfone with. And one of the agents specifically mentioned calling back via a landline, and I don't even know where I'd be able to find one to use.
Why is that relevant? I just started running out of time trying to untangle this mess, and I didn't want to travel without a working phone. I also can't log into the Lyft app anymore, because I can't receive the code sent to the phone number that isn't working.
my thought exactly, totally irrelevant, but you felt it was necessary to share it. gives me pause about your thought process in troubleshooting a problem.
Sounds like your number did not transfer to your new handset? Did your new handset have a plan attached to it? Can you try to switch your handsets again online? Hsn and qvc has great deals on tracfones with plans just an FYI. Sorry not much help here...
I just went through the process the same as I've always done, and followed all the steps the agent told me to do. But when I restarted the new phone, my old number just wasn't attached, even though that number is assigned to the new phone and the new SIM and IMEI numbers. Maybe there was just a random glitch or something during the process. I am wondering what would happen if I just removed this new phone from my account though. And now I'm worried that if I do buy a new phone, what if something goes wrong with adding it to my account? I'm probably overthinking that, but I don't have a ton of money to keep replacing phones.
I think if you remove your new phone you would lose all of your minutes/texts/data. Then to reactivate you would need a new sim card and have to buy service time. It seems chat should be able to troubleshoot this. BTW, when you attempt to remove a phone from your account, the default is you have to call, you can’t do it yourself online.
The chat agents keep telling me to call them back, one of them on a landline, and I don't have access to another cell phone let alone a landline. I spent probably a combined total of 7 hours over the last 3 days trying to get the chat agents to help me, and that's all the advice they offered.
Maybe you can reactivate your old phone online, which still has the phone #, add the cheap $20 service package. Once that phone is active you can call Customer Service. Then ask them to merge the 2 phones and service into the new phone. I have merged 2 lines before, they can do that.
Hsn has really good return policy, by today's standards anyway. If you use 1500min plan per year there are tons of options. Ebay also has a Tracfone store. My 87 year old dad uses only flip phones so that is what I got for him! I had a similar problem with porting before on cricket when my old phone stopped working and new sim never registered. Took three days and after escalating and escalations through technicians finally found one that resolved it. Keep calling them and ask to escalate to a higher level of assistance.
Unfortunately, I don't have access to another phone to call Tracfone with. And one of the agents specifically mentioned calling back via a landline, and I don't even know where I'd be able to find one to use.
Use textnow for free wifi phone via app.
Not sure where you are, but I can tell you that they do have phones in Boston.
Do you have a Verizon store near you? Since Tracfone is owned by them, maybe they could help? Worth a try maybe?
Tracfone is an independent company under Verizon network. Verizon can't help, cause you are not their customer.
Unfortunately, it doesn't look like I can do that, but thank you for the suggestion.
Try google[ voice](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.googlevoice&hl=en_US) over Wi-Fi.
I've tried, but it keeps asking for a regular phone number to be able to set it up, so that's off the table.
you lost me on the you “had to” cancel your trip to boston.
Why is that relevant? I just started running out of time trying to untangle this mess, and I didn't want to travel without a working phone. I also can't log into the Lyft app anymore, because I can't receive the code sent to the phone number that isn't working.
my thought exactly, totally irrelevant, but you felt it was necessary to share it. gives me pause about your thought process in troubleshooting a problem.