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Anyone else unable to activate new Series 6 Cellular on Verizon?

T

techno96

macrumors regular
Original poster
Sep 10, 2009
110
272
I just got a new Series 6 today, first cellular Apple Watch, and I get an error that the device is not compatible with the Verizon wireless network.

Phone agent can't manually add it either.

They're telling me to call Apple. I'm sure we all know how that will go.
 
Yes this has happened every year since 2017 with the Series 3 Cellular. If you purchase from Apple or other retail outlet. In most cases the EID / IMEI are not registered in the Verizon system. They will have to manually enter the data and they make lots of mistakes.

techno96 said:
They're telling me to call Apple. I'm sure we all know how that will go.
Click to expand...
Apple can't fix it the carrier needs to update their system manually with the information. It is on the box to help you read it off.

Note: It is not just limited to Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile have had this issue.

Where did you purchase your Watch as that has the biggest impact in this process?

Dave
 
dave006 said:
Yes this has happened every year since 2017 with the Series 3 Cellular. If you purchase from Apple or other retail outlet. In most cases the EID / IMEI are not registered in the Verizon system. They will have to manually enter the data and they make lots of mistakes.

Note: It is not just limited to Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile have had this issue.

Where did you purchase your Watch as that has the biggest impact in this process?

Dave
Click to expand...

From the Apple Store.
 
Me too. On phone with Verizon. Guy is telling me they have not registered all the IMEI's in their systems yet for activation on network. App told me watch was incompatible. Guy told me their system didn't recognize IMEI as an activatible watch. I'm guessing the short turnaround in announcement is the issue. Guy was really nice and informed me he got articles and updates from Verizon on Series 6 this morning only. So I'm sure they're catching up...
 
OK how did you purchase / checkout. In the normal check-out step, when the clerk scans the bar codes on the box the data is processed correctly. Did you happen to mention to the Apple person at checkout that you were going to activate on Verizon?

Note: On big activation days like today this is one of the most common errors. Verizon should have a special Wearable group to help with watch activations.

Dave
 
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dave006 said:
OK how did you purchase / checkout. In the normal check-out step, when the clerk scans the bar codes on the box the data is processed correctly. Did you happen to mention to the Apple person at checkout that you were going to activate on Verizon?

Note: On big activation days like today this is one of the most common errors. Verizon should have a special Wearable group to help with watch activations.

Dave
Click to expand...

I didn't mention and they didn't ask. First time getting a cellular Apple Watch, if I had known I would have mentioned.
 
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cwosigns said:
Waiting to talk to the Apple team. As someone who creates training for a living, it saddens me that this is still an issue after 3 years. Surely a well-written SOP could alleviate this issue.
Click to expand...
Well it is the carriers that don't have a consistent process and it really comes down to how much effort do you put into a $10 activation vs thousands of regular cellular phone activations per day.

The same issue will happen if you later want to switch cellular carriers.

Dave
 
cwosigns said:
Waiting to talk to the Apple team. As someone who creates training for a living, it saddens me that this is still an issue after 3 years. Surely a well-written SOP could alleviate this issue.
Click to expand...
That will be a waste of everyone's time since Apple cant fix this, Verizon just needs to manually enter the data correctly.

Note: This does not happen if you purchase the watch from the individual cellular carrier since they scan the information into their system at point of purchase.

Dave
 
dave006 said:
OK how did you purchase / checkout. In the normal check-out step, when the clerk scans the bar codes on the box the data is processed correctly. Did you happen to mention to the Apple person at checkout that you were going to activate on Verizon?

Note: On big activation days like today this is one of the most common errors. Verizon should have a special Wearable group to help with watch activations.

Dave
Click to expand...
dave006 said:
Well it is the carriers that don't have a consistent process and it really comes down to how much effort do you put into a $10 activation vs thousands of regular cellular phone activations per day.

The same issue will happen if you later want to switch cellular carriers.

Dave
Click to expand...

There is no separate bar code or process for the watch to activate it on a carrier at the store, it is only done in the watch app during setup.
 
rbalkun said:
There is no separate bar code or process for the watch to activate it on a carrier at the store, it is only done in the watch app during setup.
Click to expand...
No not for activation but to pass the IMEI / ESD information to the carriers for device registration. That's the only way the carries get the updated information from Apple. Look at your box and you will see bar codes for the IMEI / ESD / SN.

You are correct the actual activation is activation-on-demand using your iPhone after you have paired (or as part of your initial activation) your watch. And as a reminder both the iPhone and Watch must be on the same carrier and the same Account to actually activate the initial paired iPhone (Family Setup is slightly more flexible).

ETA: add comment about activation of cellular as part of initial paring step...

Dave
 
Last edited:
Don't feel special they do that for every iPhone launch. I think it is just to clear calls while they figure out how to fix their own screw up.

Dave
 
Not sure how many new Apple Watch users here but just a general note to all that you can skip Cellular activation while initial set up your new watch and begin using it's other great features and simply activate Cellular later when Verizon, AT&T and or T-Mobile get their support process ramped up again for this launch.

Dave
 
cwosigns said:
Ugh. It's not Verizon's Apple Support center; they transferred me to Apple. Way to punt, Verizon. :(
Click to expand...

Verizon put in a ticket for mine. I was on the phone with Verizon and turns out my wife's had the same issue. CS rep at Verizon said he had to request activation access since IMEI for both is not showing in their systems yet. You'll need to have IMEI and EID for the watch in order for rep to start the ticket. CS rep told me could be 24 hours before It's resolved, scheduled a Monday call with me to check.

I then called Apple and they said it was a Verizon issue, not theirs. So I'm waiting until Monday and if its not resolved I'll call back.
 
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For me the resolution was to send them a picture of the box label with both and IMEI and EID and they submitted a ticket to get the entry created. Who knows how long that will take.
 
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I picked my watch up from the Apple Store today and was unable to activate on Verizon. I called and was initially told that the watch wasn't compatible with Verizon. After telling them they sell the exact same Apple Watch the rep relented and put in a ticket to activate my watch. He said I would get an e-mail confirmed this within 24 hours. We'll see what happens. I don't recall having an issue activating my previous Apple Watches.
 
Having the same issue. Purchased at Apple Store today and went back and forth between Verizon and Apple Support. My issue is the Verizon rep doesn't believe me when I tell him they need to add the IMEI manually to their database...even though that is what the Apple Senior Advisor told me to tell him! I'm wondering if we just wait long enough will the IMEI numbers eventually be transmitted to Verizon and loaded in their database?
 
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