It's a common dilemma: you're ready to cut ties with Verizon, but your @verizon.net email address has become a central part of your online life. Many people use their ISP-provided email for years, linking it to online accounts, personal contacts, and even professional correspondence. The thought of losing it can be daunting.
Unfortunately, it's crucial to understand upfront that Verizon has largely retired its standalone email service. As of December 2017, Verizon no longer offers the option to directly keep your @verizon.net email address or extract its data if it wasn't migrated to AOL or Yahoo. This means if you are reading this post now, and you didn't migrate your verizon.net email to AOL or Yahoo before December 15, 2017, your email address and all its content have likely been deleted.
However, if your @verizon.net email was previously migrated to AOL or Yahoo Mail, there's still a path forward! This guide will focus on how to manage your @verizon.net email address if it's currently hosted by AOL or Yahoo Mail after canceling your Verizon services.
The Reality Check: Verizon Email Retirement
Before we dive into the steps, let's reiterate the core fact: Verizon itself is out of the email business. They transitioned existing @verizon.net email accounts to either AOL Mail or Yahoo Mail.
If your
@verizon.netemail was accessible via AOL, you now access it throughmail.aol.com.If your
@verizon.netemail was accessible via Yahoo, you now access it throughverizon.yahoo.com.
The good news is that if your email was successfully migrated, it should continue to function through AOL or Yahoo even after you cancel your Verizon internet service. The key is that the email service is no longer directly provided by Verizon, but by their partners.
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| How To Keep Verizon Email After Cancellation |
Step 1: Engage and Identify Your Current Verizon Email Host!
Before we do anything else, let's figure out where your Verizon email actually lives now. This is the most critical first step.
Think back: When you last accessed your
@verizon.netemail, what website did you go to? Did you see "AOL Mail" prominently displayed, or "Yahoo Mail"?Log in and check: Go to
mail.aol.comandverizon.yahoo.com. Try logging in with your full@verizon.netemail address (e.g.,yourusername@verizon.net) and your associated password.If you successfully log into AOL Mail, your email is now managed by AOL.
If you successfully log into Yahoo Mail (via the
verizon.yahoo.comportal), your email is now managed by Yahoo.If neither works, and you haven't accessed it since before December 2017, it's highly likely your email and its contents are gone.
Once you've identified your email host (AOL or Yahoo), you can proceed with the relevant steps below.
Step 2: Safeguarding Your Email Data (Exporting & Archiving)
Even if your @verizon.net email is now with AOL or Yahoo, it's always a good idea to back up your important emails, contacts, and calendar data. This gives you a local copy and ensures you have everything in case of unforeseen issues or if you decide to fully switch providers later.
QuickTip: Keep a notepad handy.
Sub-heading: Exporting from AOL Mail
Access AOL Mail: Log in to
mail.aol.comwith your@verizon.netemail address and password.Export Contacts:
Click on the "Contacts" icon (usually a silhouette of a person or address book).
Look for an "Actions" or "More" menu, or a gear/settings icon within the contacts section.
You should find an option to "Export" contacts. Common formats include CSV (Comma Separated Values), which is compatible with most other email services and spreadsheet programs.
Follow the on-screen prompts to save the file to your computer.
Export Emails (Manual/Client-Based): AOL Mail itself might not offer a direct "export all emails" button. Here's how you can do it:
Using an Email Client (Recommended): This is the most efficient way to download all your emails.
Download and Install a Desktop Email Client: Popular free options include Mozilla Thunderbird, or if you have Microsoft Office, Outlook.
Add Your AOL Account to the Client:
Open your chosen email client.
Go to "Add Account" or "Account Settings."
Enter your full
@verizon.netemail address and your AOL password.The client should automatically detect the IMAP settings for AOL. If it asks for manual settings, use:
Incoming Mail Server (IMAP):
imap.aol.comOutgoing Mail Server (SMTP):
smtp.aol.comIMAP Port:
993(SSL/TLS)SMTP Port:
465(SSL/TLS)
Allow the client to sync all your emails. This might take some time depending on how many emails you have.
Export from the Email Client: Once all your emails are downloaded to the client, you can typically export them.
In Thunderbird, you can use an add-on like "ImportExportTools NG" to export folders to MBOX or EML files.
In Outlook, you can export your mailbox to a PST (Outlook Data File) which contains emails, contacts, and calendar items. Go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export > Export to a file > Outlook Data File (.pst).
"Print to PDF" (for individual important emails): For crucial emails, you can open them in AOL Mail and use your browser's print function (Ctrl+P or Cmd+P) to "Print to PDF" and save them individually. This is not for bulk export but useful for specific documents.
Sub-heading: Exporting from Yahoo Mail
Access Yahoo Mail: Log in to
verizon.yahoo.comwith your@verizon.netemail address and password.Export Contacts:
Click on the "Contacts" icon.
Look for a menu option (often three dots or "More") and select "Export."
Choose the CSV format.
Save the file to your computer.
Export Emails (Manual/Client-Based): Similar to AOL, direct bulk export isn't always straightforward.
Using an Email Client (Recommended):
Download and Install a Desktop Email Client: (e.g., Thunderbird, Outlook).
Add Your Yahoo Account to the Client:
Open your chosen email client.
Go to "Add Account" or "Account Settings."
Enter your full
@verizon.netemail address and your Yahoo password.The client should automatically detect the IMAP settings for Yahoo. If not, use:
Incoming Mail Server (IMAP):
imap.mail.yahoo.comOutgoing Mail Server (SMTP):
smtp.mail.yahoo.comIMAP Port:
993(SSL/TLS)SMTP Port:
465(SSL/TLS)
Allow the client to sync all your emails.
Export from the Email Client: Once synced, use the email client's export features (PST for Outlook, ImportExportTools NG for Thunderbird).
"Download Message" (for individual emails): Yahoo Mail might have a "Download Message" option when viewing an individual email, typically under a "More" or three-dot menu. This downloads the email as an EML file. Again, this is for individual emails, not bulk.
Step 3: Updating Your Online Accounts
This is a crucial, albeit tedious, step. Your @verizon.net email address is likely tied to countless online services.
Create a New, Permanent Email Address: If you haven't already, establish a new, independent email address that isn't tied to any ISP. Excellent free options include:
Gmail (Google): Offers robust features, large storage, and widespread integration.
Outlook.com (Microsoft): Similar to Gmail, with good integration with Microsoft services.
ProtonMail/Tutanota: If privacy is a primary concern, these offer end-to-end encryption.
Make a List of All Accounts: Start by thinking about all the places you use your
@verizon.netemail:Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.
Shopping Websites: Amazon, eBay, online retailers.
Financial Institutions: Banks, credit card companies, investment platforms.
Utilities: Electricity, gas, water, other internet providers.
Streaming Services: Netflix, Spotify, Disney+.
Subscriptions: Newsletters, magazines, software.
Personal Contacts: Inform friends, family, and colleagues.
Work-related (if applicable): Professional organizations, freelance clients.
Update Each Account Individually:
Log into each online account.
Navigate to your "Profile," "Account Settings," "Security Settings," or similar section.
Locate the field for your email address and change it to your new, permanent email address.
Be prepared for some services to require a verification step to your old Verizon email before confirming the change. This is why it's vital to do this before you lose access to the Verizon email.
Take your time and be thorough. This process can prevent a lot of headaches down the line.
Step 4: Setting Up Email Forwarding (If Available & Timely)
While Verizon no longer directly manages forwarding, your AOL or Yahoo Mail account will have forwarding options. This is a temporary measure to catch any emails you might have missed during the account update process.
Sub-heading: Forwarding from AOL Mail
Log in to AOL Mail: Go to
mail.aol.com.Access Settings: Click on the "Settings" icon (gear icon) in the top right corner.
Navigate to Forwarding:
Click on "More Settings" or "All Settings."
Look for "Mailboxes" or "Email Forwarding."
Select your
@verizon.netmailbox.
Enable Forwarding:
Find the "Forward your email" or "Email Forwarding" section.
Enter your new, permanent email address in the forwarding field.
Crucially, select the option to "Keep a copy of forwarded messages" or "Retain a copy." This ensures emails still land in your AOL/Verizon inbox, giving you a backup. If you don't do this, once forwarded, the email might not be retained in your AOL inbox.
Save your changes.
QuickTip: Skim the ending to preview key takeaways.
Sub-heading: Forwarding from Yahoo Mail
Log in to Yahoo Mail: Go to
verizon.yahoo.com.Access Settings: Click on the "Settings" icon (gear icon) in the top right corner.
Navigate to More Settings: Click on "More Settings" at the bottom of the settings sidebar.
Find Mailboxes: In the left-hand menu, click on "Mailboxes."
Select Your Verizon Mailbox: Click on your
@verizon.netemail address listed there.Enable Forwarding:
Scroll down to the "Email forwarding" section.
Check the box to "Forward your mail to another email address."
Enter your new, permanent email address.
Yahoo Mail typically keeps a copy by default, but confirm there isn't an option to not keep a copy.
Save your changes.
Step 5: Gradually Phasing Out the Old Address
Once you've updated critical accounts and set up forwarding, you can start to phase out the use of your @verizon.net address.
Inform Key Contacts: Send an email to your most frequent contacts (friends, family, important colleagues) from your new email address, letting them know about the change.
Monitor Forwarded Emails: Regularly check your new email inbox for forwarded messages. This helps you identify any accounts you might have missed in Step 3. As you find them, go back and update those accounts.
Avoid Using the Old Address: Make a conscious effort to stop using your
@verizon.netemail for new sign-ups or correspondence.Consider Alias/Disposable Emails for New Sign-ups: For less important online sign-ups (e.g., newsletters you might unsubscribe from later), consider using an alias or disposable email service to keep your primary inbox clean and secure.
Step 6: Final Cancellation of Verizon Service
Once you're confident that your email is managed by AOL or Yahoo, and you've updated most of your critical online accounts, you can proceed with canceling your Verizon internet service.
Contact Verizon Customer Service: This is usually done by phone or online chat. Be prepared for retention offers, but stick to your decision.
Confirm No Email Impact (Reiterate): While speaking with Verizon, you can reiterate that you understand your email service is handled by AOL/Yahoo and should remain active. They will likely confirm this.
Keep Records: Note down the date and time of your cancellation, the representative's name, and any confirmation numbers.
Step 7: Ongoing Monitoring and Maintenance
Even after cancellation, continue to monitor your new email address for forwarded messages for a few months. This "catch-all" period is crucial for ensuring you haven't missed anything vital.
Periodically Check Old Inbox: Even with forwarding, it's a good idea to occasionally log directly into your AOL or Yahoo Mail account (using your
@verizon.netlogin) to ensure everything is functioning as expected and to double-check for any emails that might not be forwarding correctly.Review Account Settings: From time to time, review your new email account settings and security to ensure optimal performance and protection.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Tip: Stop when you find something useful.
How to keep my Verizon email address after canceling my internet service?
You can keep your @verizon.net email address if it was successfully migrated to AOL Mail or Yahoo Mail before Verizon's email service retirement in 2017. You will continue to access it through mail.aol.com or verizon.yahoo.com respectively, independent of your Verizon internet service.
How to find out if my Verizon email is hosted by AOL or Yahoo?
Log in to your @verizon.net email address at both mail.aol.com and verizon.yahoo.com. Whichever site allows you to log in successfully and displays your emails is your current host.
How to transfer my Verizon email to a new Gmail account?
First, ensure your @verizon.net email is active on AOL or Yahoo. Then, you can use Gmail's "Import mail and contacts" feature found in Gmail Settings under the "Accounts and Import" tab. You'll need your @verizon.net email address and its password (which is now your AOL or Yahoo password).
How to back up my Verizon email data before canceling service?
The most effective way is to set up a desktop email client (like Mozilla Thunderbird or Microsoft Outlook) using IMAP settings for AOL (imap.aol.com) or Yahoo (imap.mail.yahoo.com). Once all emails are synced, use the client's export function (e.g., to PST for Outlook, or MBOX/EML for Thunderbird via add-ons).
How to export contacts from my Verizon email (now AOL/Yahoo)?
QuickTip: Read again with fresh eyes.
Log into your AOL Mail or Yahoo Mail account, navigate to the "Contacts" section, and look for an "Export" option, usually saving to a CSV file.
How to forward emails from my Verizon email (now AOL/Yahoo) to another address?
Log into your AOL Mail or Yahoo Mail account, go to "Settings," then "More Settings" or "All Settings," and find the "Email Forwarding" or "Mailboxes" section. Enter your new email address and enable forwarding, ensuring you select the option to keep a copy in the original inbox.
How to update online accounts linked to my Verizon email?
Create a new, permanent email address (e.g., Gmail, Outlook.com). Then, systematically log into every online service where you used your @verizon.net email and change the primary email address in your profile or account settings.
How to inform my contacts about my new email address?
Send a mass email from your new email address to your important contacts, clearly stating your new address and that your old Verizon email will be phased out.
How to ensure my Verizon email doesn't get deleted after cancellation?
As long as your @verizon.net email was successfully migrated to and is actively managed by AOL or Yahoo Mail before Verizon's email retirement, it should remain active with AOL or Yahoo even after canceling Verizon internet service. The key is that the email service is no longer tied directly to your Verizon internet subscription.
How to deal with old emails if I didn't migrate my Verizon email before 2017?
Unfortunately, if your @verizon.net email was not migrated to AOL or Yahoo before December 15, 2017, Verizon has confirmed that all associated email content, calendars, and address book data have been permanently deleted from their systems. There is no recovery option in this scenario.
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