How to transfer your number from Visible to Verizon?

Visible uses Verizon network so porting from Verizon into Verizon technically is not possible. You will get an error on the Verizon website when trying to port a Visible number in. There's a simple way to get past this error and that is to transfer to an interim carrier that uses a network other than Verizon.

I found Tello the perfect candidate for the interim carrier. It uses T-Mobile network and the plans are really cheap to port in. I used the $5 plan with 100 min talk and no data for the port. Here is the step by step (I used an iPhone with eSim support but the steps could be modified for any phone with or without eSim):

  1. Get your port out details from Visible. You can either use the app or its website to request port out information. It will email and text you the details. The PIN it provides you will be valid for 7 days only so you need to make sure you can start the port out process in 7 days (or else you can request the port out details again which will generate a new PIN valid for another 7 days).
  2. Create an account on Tello. Get the $5 plan. It will generate a new number for you but don't worry, once the activation process finishes you can port your existing number in. It will also send you your security PIN, please make sure to save it somewhere as it will be used during port out.
  3. Activate Tello eSim using the QR code it provides you. Once activation is successful, restart your phone. Make a phone call and test cellular data by turning off WiFi and opening up any webpage.
  4. Log in to your account on Tello website and go to the Porting tab. You will see the option to port in your existing number. Enter the details provided by Visible and start the port. You will get an email from Visible that a port out was requested but you don't need to do anything. The porting process may take a few hours (I have noticed it usually completes at around 2 am). Once the port completes, you will get an email confirmation from both Visible and Tello.
  5. Restart your phone, make a test call and data usage to make sure the port in to Tello is working fine.
  6. Again, log in to your account on Tello website and go to the Porting tab. This time request the port out information. It will ask for your security PIN that you saved in Step 2. Once you provide that, it will give you your account number and port out PIN.
  7. Go to Verizon and follow the usual steps for BYOD with existing number transfer. It will first ask you for your phone number that you are porting in and your IMEI. Make sure to give out the IMEI that's currently free on your phone (not being used by Tello). It will then ask you for Tello's account number and PIN. Once you fill in everything, it will start the port in process. You will get an email confirmation from Tello stating that a port out was requested.
  8. Wait for the Verizon process to complete. I have seen it take hours but may be that was just me. I usually had to call in to Verizon when my Tello network got away but I still didn't have Verizon service (shows SOS on the phone). Verizon may ask you the second IMEI number (that was being used by Tello earlier). Sometimes you may even have to delete the Tello eSim to make Verizon port in successful. Don't worry, as you are out of Tello already, deleting the eSim is totally fine. In any case, Verizon customer support will make sure your activation is successful.
Congrats.. you now have ported out from Visible and into Verizon in a matter of hours! These steps could also work for any other MVNO that's based on Verizon.

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