IMPORTANT TIP: do not *228 when you receive it!!

JRunSW20 · Mar 17, 2011

Hey guys,

Just letting you know when you all receive your Thunderbolt, do NOT *228 to program it. I'm sure there will be a paper inside the package box to call and accept Terms and Conditions for the 2 year contract but after the call just place the 4G SIM card inside your phone. It can only be placed one way as the metal tray is shaped to fit the card properly. Once you place the 4G SIM card inside, power up the phone and let it activate on it's own

If you do decide to *228, it will jack up the SIM! I work for VZW Retail and activated both of our demo's yesterday. Awesome phone in which you won't regret the purchase :cool:

Ordered mine today as well!

Deleted User · Mar 17, 2011

I've heard conflicting reports, one saying that it may mess up SIM provisioning and another saying that "it shouldn't affect it negatively if it's done, but is unnecessary". Thanks so much, I'll make sure to pass this post around work and it should definitely be a Sticky.

redraider1 · Mar 17, 2011

Thanks for the info hopefully there is a sheet stating this in the box with the phone otherwise there may be some angry folks if they do the old *228 and mess up their phone.

rcyphermd · Mar 17, 2011

I did the *228....nothing happens. How do you update roaming towers without *228?

domdepo · Mar 17, 2011

rcyphermd said:
I did the *228....nothing happens. How do you update roaming towers without *228?

I did the same it just ended the call, I better not have messed up my phone ill be pissed!!

TxGoat · Mar 18, 2011

All it did on my phone was immediately hang up. As previously asked, how does one update their roaming capabilities without *228?!

bjanow · Mar 18, 2011

Bump.

howarmat · Mar 18, 2011

anyone have any actual info on this before i activate my phone?

redraider1 · Mar 18, 2011

Was there a paper or anything with the phone saying what you needed to do to activate it?

rs4ever · Mar 18, 2011

howarmat said:
anyone have any actual info on this before i activate my phone?

I got an email from verizon saying that you should call 877-807-4646 before you even turn the phone on... It will ask you for a few things then once that is done then turn the phone on and dial *228 to finish the activation

garnto · Mar 18, 2011

the sim card doesn't affect 3g does it? customer support said to call *228(before I saw this thread)

I am not in a 4g area but I am in a 3g area and i'm only getting 1x

redraider1 · Mar 18, 2011

rs4ever said:
I got an email from verizon saying that you should call 877-807-4646 before you even turn the phone on... It will ask you for a few things then once that is done then turn the phone on and dial *228 to finish the activation

I got that same email

dbgoolsby · Mar 18, 2011

rs4ever said:
I got an email from verizon saying that you should call 877-807-4646 before you even turn the phone on... It will ask you for a few things then once that is done then turn the phone on and dial *228 to finish the activation

I received the same email as well

ska.t73 · Mar 18, 2011

You can't actually dial *228 on the phone, I tried it, it simply hangs up before it even connects. I'm not sure how you update roaming, could there be an option in the settings menu?

rs4ever · Mar 18, 2011

ska.t73 said:
You can't actually dial *228 on the phone, I tried it, it simply hangs up before it even connects. I'm not sure how you update roaming, could there be an option in the settings menu?

Does that happen even after the phone has been activated? If so, that's really weird... Hopefully I know will know soon enough as my phone will be delivered today... Will report back

ska.t73 · Mar 18, 2011

rs4ever said:
Does that happen even after the phone has been activated? If so, that's really weird... Hopefully I know will know soon enough as my phone will be delivered today... Will report back

Yep, had a bit of a panic moment last night when I couldn't get a data connection over 3G or 4G, turns out when you have the phone hooked up to the computer with internet pass through mode it does that (duh). So I tried to *228 and it just hung up. Unplugged it from the computer and all was fine and I have had no issues with my connection at all.

rs4ever · Mar 18, 2011

ska.t73 said:
Yep, had a bit of a panic moment last night when I couldn't get a data connection over 3G or 4G, turns out when you have the phone hooked up to the computer with internet pass through mode it does that (duh). So I tried to *228 and it just hung up. Unplugged it from the computer and all was fine and I have had no issues with my connection at all.

Interesting... Once I get my phone I will follow the activation instructions to the letter and once its working will try and dial *228 and see what happens... Will report back with my findings

Nidisa · Mar 18, 2011

Well, my phone has been activated since yesterday, and just now I tried to dial *228 and it just hangs up! Not connected to computer, not charging; the call just won't go through.

rexdog1888 · Mar 18, 2011

I dialed *228 but my phone still works fine...& if you don't believe me I'm using it on 4g right now to read this thread with no problems.

Binglut9 · Mar 18, 2011

Yea it won't mess up just not necessary to do and sim cards automatically update towers that's why you don't need to call that number

dbgoolsby · Mar 18, 2011

Just got mine from Fed Ex and a start-up guide was in the box. I scanned it for everyone else.

rdubbs007 · Mar 18, 2011

The automated system phone number is not working for me and the Online activation is not working either.

Nidisa · Mar 18, 2011

I called CS today, because I have been having data (txt messages) and poor reception, GPS taking wayyy to long to connect etc. The tech asked if I had dialed *228; I said YES, it was dialed yesterday when I bought the phone, and then again today when I tried, thinking that I needed updating to solve the above connection issues.

She stated categorically, that *228 BORKS your sim card. She called my local VZ store and told them that I was coming in for another Sim card, for free.

Went to the store, replaced the sim.....and they did not dial *228.

The phone activates without, although it took about 15 mins before calls could be made or received.

Apparently, 4G phones do not require any manual updating....they do it by themselves.

My phone is now fine, my reception is better, and I am receiving text messages. Also, GPS is finding the signal immediately.

YMMV.

IMPORTANT TIP: do not *228 when you receive it!!

Member

Deleted User

Guest

Android Expert

Newbie

TxGoat

Guest

Android Expert

Android Expert

Newbie

Android Enthusiast

Android Enthusiast

Android Expert

Newbie

Android Expert

Newbie

Well-Known Member

Android Enthusiast

Well-Known Member

Android Enthusiast

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

BEST TECH IN 2023

Smartphones

Best Android Phones

Upcoming

Best iPhones

Upcoming

Tablets

Best Tablets

Upcoming

Laptops

Best Laptops

Upcoming

Televisions

Best TVs

Upcoming

Game Consoles

Best Game Consoles

Upcoming

Wearables

Best Wearables

Upcoming

Smart Home

Smart Home Tech

Upcoming

Similar threads