Prepaid plans and service FAQs

Prepaid service is a wireless option that lets you pay in advance for monthly voice, text and data services on your mobile device. There's no credit check, deposit or long-term contract required like you'd have with a standard monthly account (which gives you a bill for your usage at the end of each month).

You can choose from one of our monthly plans that includes an allowance for a set price. As the balance of your allowance gets low or your service expiration date approaches, you can make a payment to your account to keep your service active.

Managing your prepaid account is convenient, and you can do it anytime online or from your smartphone:

• My Verizon for Prepaid: Manage your account from your computer
  
  To learn more, visit the My Verizon for Prepaid FAQs and How to Use Guide.


• My Verizon App for Prepaid: Manage your account from your compatible prepaid smartphone
  
  To learn more, visit our My Verizon App for Prepaid FAQs and App How to Use Guide.

Prepaid service is available in the Prepaid Rate and Coverage Area. Refer to our Coverage Locator for a map of where prepaid service is available.

Calls made or received outside of this calling area will be charged at a roaming rate. See the Prepaid International page for rate details.

Note: If your smartphone can use Wi-Fi Calling and the feature is turned on, you can call from anywhere with a Wi-Fi connection. Wi-Fi calls to US phone numbers are free, even while traveling internationally.

Your prepaid service includes:

• Voicemail*
• Data Alerts
• Verizon Cloud
• Caller ID
• Call Waiting
• Call Forwarding
• 3-Way Calling
• Caller ID Blocking
• Mobile Hotspot (on compatible devices)
• Free Visual Voicemail for iPhone®
  

Optional features** include:

• Games
• HD Voice
  
• Ringtones
• Ringback Tones
• VZ Navigator®
• Wi-Fi Calling
  

Visit the Media Store for more information.

* Voicemail may not be available in some areas. Voice mailboxes not set up within 60 days will be canceled. Airtime and other charges are incurred when using voicemail from your mobile phone. Mobile to Mobile Calling minutes don't apply to voicemail retrievals, and you'll be charged to maintain your connection to voicemail. Verizon Wireless is not responsible for missed messages or deletions of messages from your voice mailbox, even if you have saved them.
**Additional charges may apply for these services.

You can view all prepaid phones and other devices that are available for purchase on our Prepaid Shop page.

You can also check online for the prepaid eligibility of a phone you already have:

1. Go to the Activate Your Device page.
2. Scroll down to the Start Your Device Activation section.
3. Follow the steps listed to locate and enter your Device ID.
4. Click Check Your Device.
   

If your device is compatible with any prepaid plans, the plans will be listed for you.

Many devices are eligible to transfer from a standard monthly account to a prepaid account. You can check to see if your device is eligible online:

1. Go to the Activate Your Device page.
2. Scroll down to the Start Your Device Activation section.
3. Follow the steps listed to locate and enter your Device ID. For 4G devices, you'll also be prompted to enter your SIM Card ID.
4. Click Check Your Device.
   

If your device is compatible with any prepaid plans, the plans will be listed for you.

If your phone isn't compatible with our network, you'll need to purchase a new phone to activate prepaid service.

Yes, an active or inactive Verizon Wireless iPhone can be activated on certain prepaid plans. You can check complete eligibility of your iPhone online to see what plans it's compatible with.

We have several monthly plans available for smartphones and basic phones that include a flat monthly access fee. Depending on your needs, you can choose between a monthly plan with unlimited minutes, text and data usage or a plan that has a set amount for these features.

Check out our Prepaid Shop page to view all the options and find the right plan that fits your needs.

You can sign up for a prepaid plan online or by visiting a Verizon Wireless store, authorized agent or retailer.

There are a few ways you can activate your new prepaid phone:

• Online
• From your prepaid phone: Follow the prompts to activate when you turn on the phone or call *22898

Yes, you need to make a call from your device to complete your activation. If you don't make a call from your device within 60 days of adding funds to your account, any funds you added to your account will be forfeited and your service will be disconnected.

Carryover Data lets you keep your unused, high speed data until the end of the following month. It's available on the $40, $50 and $70 Monthly plans for prepaid smartphones.

Carryover Data will expire after 30 days or if your plan isn't renewed on time (i.e., there must be sufficient funds in your account when your plan reaches its expiration date).

Learn more in our Carryover Data FAQs.

Our Always-On Data feature lets you stay online and connected for the rest of your monthly billing cycle at speeds of 128 kbps, even after you've used all of your high speed data.

Always-On Data is always on and available at no additional charge. There's no account or phone setting to turn on.

You can purchase more high speed data through My Verizon or the My Verizon app on your prepaid smartphone.

Yes, with prepaid service you can make calls to international locations at your per-minute rate plus the per-minute charges found on the Prepaid International page.

International networks can change frequently, so certain locations may not be available at all times. Also, the pricing is subject to change without notice. Unlimited night and/or weekend minutes don't apply to international calls.

Also, some of our monthly plan options for prepaid smartphones include Mexico and Canada.

Yes, you can call 411 from your prepaid phone. A live operator will assist you when you request numbers, addresses and information for anything from restaurants and movies to the nearest florist. Calls to 411 Search are $1.99/call plus airtime.

Yes, you'll incur airtime and other charges when retrieving voicemail messages from your prepaid phone. Mobile to Mobile Calling minutes don't apply to voicemail retrievals.

You can use HD Voice on your prepaid device if it's compatible with HD Voice and if the HD Voice feature is turned on.

For more information, refer to our HD Voice FAQs.

Monthly plans are prepaid plans that are available for both smartphones and basic phones. They give you the freedom and flexibility to enjoy all the features of your phone with no annual contract or hidden fees.

With a monthly plan, you'll pay a set monthly access fee in advance to use your phone. Depending on the plan you choose, you'll have an allowance of minutes, texts or data that you can use during that monthly cycle for no additional charge. To renew your plan for another month, you simply pay the next access fee prior to your monthly renewal date. Monthly plans renew on the same date every month, regardless of how many days there are in the month.

There are different pricing and allowance options to choose from, so you can find the right plan to meet your needs.

Learn more about:

• Prepaid Smartphone Monthly Plans
  
• Prepaid Basic Phone Monthly Plans

There are currently 3 monthly plan options for prepaid smartphones:

• $40 Monthly plan - Pay a $40 monthly access fee upfront and get:
  
  • Unlimited Talk & Text to the US
  • Unlimited Text to over 200 countries including Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico
    
  • 2 GB of high speed data
  • Carryover Data
  • Always-On Data
  • Mobile Hotspot*

• $50 Monthly plan - Pay a $50 monthly access fee upfront and get:
  
  • Unlimited Talk & Text to the US
  • Unlimited Text to over 200 countries including Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico
    
  • 5 GB of high speed data
  • Carryover Data
  • Always-On Data
  • Mobile Hotspot*
• $70 Unlimited monthly plan - Pay a $70 monthly access fee upfront and get:
  
  • Unlimited Talk & Text to the US
  • Unlimited Talk to Mexico & Canada
  • Unlimited Text to over 200 countries including Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico
    
  • Unlimited high speed data**
  • Save $5/month with Auto Pay enrollment
  • Save $20/month with Prepaid Family Account

You can also purchase additional data allowances through My Verizon if you reach your high speed data limit during the month and need more.

For more details, go to our Prepaid Shop page and select SMARTPHONES.

*Available on capable devices.

Yes, we have a $30 monthly plan for prepaid basic phones. You'll pay a $30 monthly access fee upfront to get Unlimited Talk, Text and Mobile Web*.

For more details, go to our Prepaid Shop page and select BASIC PHONES.

*Due to recent internet privacy and security enhancements, you won't be able to access secure page (HTTPS) sites with Mobile Web.

Most smartphones on our network average between 1 and 2 GB of data each month. The chart below will give you an idea of how much data is used for many common activities.

When signing up for a new data plan, we recommend that you look at your history of data usage in My Verizon if you have any. You can also use our Data Calculator to help you estimate what your monthly data usage might be.

1 MB = 1,024 KB
1 GB = 1,024 MB

You can check your usage a number of ways at any time:

• From your computer: View your usage online from a computer with My Verizon for Prepaid
  
  To learn more, visit the My Verizon for Prepaid FAQs and How to Use Guide.


• From a smartphone: View your usage from your compatible prepaid smartphone with the My Verizon Mobile app for prepaid smartphones
  
  To learn more, visit our My Verizon Mobile for Prepaid Smartphones FAQs.


• Call #DATA from your prepaid phone
  
  Note: You can also get your account balance and plan expiration date using this # feature.

Unused high speed data from your monthly plan allowance will round up to the nearest megabyte (MB). It will carry over to your next monthly plan cycle when your plan renews on time (i.e., there must be sufficient funds in your account when your plan reaches its expiration date).

The maximum amount of Carryover Data you can have depends on your plan:

• $40 Monthly plan – 2 GB max
  
• $50 Monthly plan – 5 GB max
• $70 Monthly plan – 10 GB max
  

Yes, unused Carryover Data automatically expires after 30 days, or if your plan renewal payment isn't received on or before your plan's expiration date.

Carryover Data is only available on the following smartphone plans:

• $40 Monthly
  
• $50 Monthly
  
• $70 Monthly

There will be no impact to calling and texting, but the impact on apps depends on how much data the app uses. Video streaming and audio streaming may be impacted while at reduced data speeds.

Note: You won't experience any reduction in speed while using Wi-Fi.

You won't be stopped in your tracks whatever you decide to do.

If you have more basic internet needs, reduced speeds may suit you for the moment. If your online activities require more data, like video streaming and audio streaming, you can buy more high speed data for a better experience.

It's your call.

Yes, we'll send you a text message before your high speed data automatically switches to the Always-On Data 128 kbps speeds option for the rest of your current monthly bill cycle.

High speed data will automatically return at the start of your next bill cycle.

You purchase more high speed data through My Verizon.

If you consistently find that you need more data, you can purchase a plan with a larger monthly data allowance anytime.

Yes, you can bring any active or inactive Verizon Wireless device* or basic phone to a monthly plan. For more information, visit the Activate Your Prepaid Phone Online page.

*Excludes Windows Mobile® and push-to-talk devices (with the exception of BlackBerry® push-to-talk, which can be activated).

No, only active and funded monthly plans can use data. You'll need to pay your full monthly access fee to use data on your device. There's no "pay as you go" data rate.

Note: Pay as you go plans are no longer available to new accountsl. But if you’re already using a pay as you go or daily plan, you can continue to do so.

There are a number of ways you can refill your prepaid account:

• Online from a computer: Go to the Payment page in My Verizon for prepaid.
  
  To learn more, visit the Payment section of the My Verizon for Prepaid FAQs and How to Use Guide.


• My Verizon Mobile: Access My Verizon Mobile on your prepaid smartphone.
  
  To learn more, visit our My Verizon Mobile for Prepaid Smartphones FAQs.


• Auto Pay: Set up Auto Pay in My Verizon to automatically refill your account the same time each month or when it reaches a specific amount.
  
  
• #Functions: Manage your account from your prepaid device by dialing the below #function:
  
  • #PMT (#768) to make a payment

All payments are immediately applied to your account.

Once applied to your account, payments expire as follows:

If you make a payment to your account before your expiration date, any unused balance will carry over and expire on your new expiration date.

Auto Pay is a service that lets you set up automatic payments for your prepaid account. You can choose to have payments made to your account on a specific day of the month or when your account reaches a certain dollar amount. Your payments will be deducted automatically from a credit card (Visa®, Discover®, American Express® or MasterCard® only).

There are 2 types of Auto Pay:

• Pay by Day of the Month - Select which day(s) of the month to automatically make payments to your account. You can set up to 5 days each calendar month to have a payment automatically applied.
  
  Note: The minimum payment that can be made is $15, and the maximum payment is $250.
  

• Pay by Low Balance - Select a payment amount to be automatically applied to your account when your balance reaches or drops below $5, or 2 days before your expiration date.
  
  Note: Pay by Low Balance is only available for payments made with a major credit card. Debit and co-branded cards are not eligible for Auto Pay by Low Balance at this time.

If you're signed up to make payments on a particular day of the month and run out of minutes prior to your next Auto Pay date, you can make an additional payment to add more money to your account.

You can set up Auto Pay online through the Auto Pay Options page in My Verizon.

You can purchase refill cards online or from a Verizon Wireless store.

You can add a refill card or PIN to your account online by entering your refill card number or PIN in My Verizon.

If you're unable to use a refill card or PIN to add money to your account, please contact Prepaid Customer Service at (888) 294-6804.

If you're on a monthly prepaid plan and you don't have enough funds in your account to cover the full monthly access fee, you won't be able to use your device until you've paid the full amount of your monthly access fee.

Note: Your monthly access fee due date is different than your account expiration date, which is based on the last time you made a payment to your prepaid account. If you don't make a payment to your account before the expiration date, any remaining balance may be lost and you could lose your mobile number.

A new expiration date is set each time you make a payment to your account, and it's based on the amount you pay. View payment expiration chart.

If you don't make another payment before the expiration date, any remaining balance on your account will be lost and you may not be able to keep your mobile number.

You can view your account information in the My Verizon Mobile app on your phone or online from the My Verizon Home page.

You can see specific rates and allowances for the prepaid plan you currently have on the My Plan page in My Verizon.

You can get your account balance and expiration date through any of the following methods:

• My Verizon Mobile app on your prepaid smartphone
• The My Verizon Home page online
• Call the following # numbers from your prepaid phone airtime-free for account information:
  
  • #BAL (#225) - Account balance
  • #PMT (#768) - Payment information
• Call (888) 294-6804 from any phone and follow the prompts

If you have an eligible device, you can change your current prepaid plan anytime in a number of ways:

• Online from a computer: From the Payment page in My Verizon for Prepaid
  
  To learn more, visit the My Verizon for Prepaid FAQs and How to Use Guide.


• My Verizon Mobile: Access My Verizon Mobile on your prepaid smartphone
  
  To learn more, visit our My Verizon Mobile for Prepaid Smartphones FAQs.


• Visit a Verizon Wireless store


• Call Customer Service at (888) 294-6804

If you don't have an eligible device, you can purchase a compatible prepaid phone and plan online or at a Verizon Wireless store.

You won't be able to carry over minutes or data allowances when you change your monthly prepaid plan. If you're currently enrolled in a monthly prepaid plan and would like to change to a different monthly plan, we suggest you make the change close to your renewal date.

You can change your mobile number for your prepaid device online in My Verizon.

Visit our Change Mobile Number FAQs for more information.

Yes, you can use your prepaid phone to make and receive calls and send and receive text messages internationally while in the US. For service and availability, go to our International Services page.

Our Mexico & Canada Plan for Prepaid includes 1,000 minutes for $10/month, which you can use to call Mexico and Canada.

Also, some of our monthly plan options for prepaid smartphones include Mexico and Canada.

Yes, you can use your prepaid phone to make and receive calls and send and receive text messages in certain countries.

For service availability and rate information, visit the Prepaid International page.

Note: If your smartphone can use Wi-Fi Calling and the feature is turned on, you can call from anywhere with a Wi-Fi connection. Wi-Fi calls to US phone numbers are free, even while traveling internationally.

Rates for International Roaming vary by location. Please check the Prepaid International page to view the rates for a specific destination.

Note: If your smartphone can use Wi-Fi Calling and the feature is turned on, you can call from anywhere with a Wi-Fi connection. Wi-Fi calls to US phone numbers are free, even while traveling internationally.

The dialing pattern you should use depends on the destination of your call or message. Please refer to our Trip Planner online tool for detailed dialing instructions for the destination you're traveling to.

If you're going to travel abroad to any of the available countries, you should update the roaming capabilities of your prepaid phone before you leave. To do this, call *228 from your prepaid phone.

To check your voicemail while roaming with your prepaid phone:

1. Call your mobile number.
2. Press or tap the # key.
3. Follow the prompts.
   

You've successfully accessed your voicemail.

Certain features are subject to local capabilities and may not be available while roaming internationally.

If you need assistance with your prepaid service while traveling internationally, you can call Prepaid Customer Service at (888) 294-6804.

If your prepaid device is lost or stolen, you can temporarily suspend your service in My Verizon to prevent unauthorized usage and charges on your account.

If your prepaid device has been lost or stolen, go to the Suspend Your Service page in My Verizon to suspend your line and prevent unauthorized use. For step-by-step instructions, refer to the Suspend Your Service section in the My Verizon for Prepaid How to Use Guide.

Once you suspend your service, your prepaid device will be blocked from the Verizon network for calls, messages or data until you restore service. However, if your suspended device has Wi-Fi it can still be connected to a Wi-Fi network. Suspending your service will not prevent others from being able to access the content and apps on your device, especially if you're not using a password or other security to protect your phone.

Additionally, while your prepaid device is suspended you will not be able to activate it on any Verizon Wireless account.

No, we don't provide assistance finding a lost device.

If you believe your device may have been stolen, for your safety, do not attempt to locate the device. Instead, contact the police to report the theft.

Go to the Reconnect Your Service page in My Verizon to reconnect a suspended device. For step-by-step instructions refer to the Reconnect Your Service section in the My Verizon for Prepaid How to Use Guide.

Yes, if you have had to get a replacement prepaid phone since the time you suspended service, you can activate it when you reconnect service. For step-by-step instructions refer to the Reconnect Your Service for another device section in the My Verizon for Prepaid How to Use Guide.

No, you can't add any funds to your account while it's suspended.

As long as your account is suspended, you'll have limited or no access to the following:

• Manage Auto Pay
• Change your plan
• Change your data allowance
• Manage features
• Change your device

Once your device suspension takes effect, all future Auto Pay transaction activities will be suspended for as long as your device is suspended. However, your Auto Pay account indicator function isn't turned off, therefore we suggest that you manually turn off your Auto Pay function for as long as your account is in a suspended status. You'll have the option to manually turn off Auto Pay when you suspend your service, or you can turn it off from the Settings menu in My Verizon and My Verizon Mobile.

When you suspend your prepaid service on the Suspend Your Service page, you can turn of Auto Pay by checking the box next to Turn off auto pay so you don't get charged every month.

If you already suspended your service and didn't select the option to manually turn off Auto Pay, you can turn it off from the Settings screen in My Verizon and My Verizon Mobile.

Your service is in suspended mode not disconnected, and it will remain suspended until you reconnect service. If your account has available funds, we will continue to debit your account for any services or features. If there isn't any activity after 90 days, your number will be disabled and your account will be closed. Remember, you can always reconnect service on your existing device or another device.

If you find your lost prepaid device and want to reconnect service, go to the Reconnect Your Service page in My Verizon on your smartphone, tablet or computer browser. Once you reconnect service you will be able to send and receive calls, messages and data over the Verizon network again. You can also activate your device on a Verizon Wireless account.

For steps on reconnecting service, refer to the Reconnect Your Service section of the My Verizon for Prepaid How to Use Guide.

If you would like to cancel your service, call Prepaid Customer Service at (888) 294-6804.

Yes, you can move your Verizon prepaid phone to a different wireless carrier.

If you purchased a Phone-in-a-Box prepaid phone, certain restrictions apply. Please refer to our Device Unlocking Policy for more information.