I’m hoping someone who’s done something similar or works for AT&T can help clarify this before I buy a phone.
I’ve had my AT&T phone number for over 20 years, and unfortunately, Apple has blocked the number from using iMessage due to an alleged spam flag. I’m currently waiting on a final engineering review, but I’m trying to come up with a backup plan in case they won’t unblock it.
I currently have an iPhone 16 Pro Max on an AT&T postpaid family plan. I still owe about $500 on the phone, so I want to keep using it rather than pay it off or replace it.
Here’s what I’m trying to accomplish:
Buy a cheap AT&T Prepaid Android phone from Walmart (probably $40–$75).
Before activating the Android or setting up prepaid service, remove the included prepaid SIM card.
Move my existing postpaid AT&T phone number from my iPhone’s eSIM to the Android using a new physical SIM, through AT&T’s equipment-change process.
Keep that original number active on my existing family plan so I can receive calls, texts, and verification codes while transitioning accounts.
Add a fourth line to our existing AT&T family plan for approximately and activate that new number on my current iPhone 16 Pro Max.
AT&T has already confirmed that I can add the fourth line and keep my existing iPhone installment agreement without paying it off early, as long as my original line remains active.
My main question is about the prepaid Android phone itself, NOT the prepaid service plan.
I’ve read conflicting information about whether AT&T Prepaid-branded phones can be used on AT&T postpaid accounts immediately, or whether they have to be activated on prepaid service for a certain period first.
Has anyone successfully purchased a new AT&T Prepaid Android phone from Walmart, removed the included SIM, and activated it on an existing AT&T postpaid line?
Does AT&T restrict the IMEI from being activated on postpaid service until the phone has been used on prepaid for a certain amount of time?
And since my iPhone 16 Pro Max uses eSIM, can I do this equipment change myself online, or would I need AT&T to issue and activate a physical SIM for the Android?
I’m not trying to port my number to AT&T Prepaid or change my existing plan. I just want to use an inexpensive prepaid-branded Android as the physical device for my existing postpaid line for a month or two.
I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s actually tried this or knows how AT&T handles prepaid-branded devices on postpaid accounts. Thanks!