If this were true, how do you explain others who claim they were able to use a sim that was activated in another device?
I'm not bothering with this because I can't even get Verizon or AT&T at my house so I use T-Mobile. It's not worth my time.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPad Can I use a T-mobile LTE iPad Air on Verizon? Will VZW activate it on their network?
- Thread starter easy-peasy
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
If this were true, how do you explain others who claim they were able to use a sim that was activated in another device?
I'm not bothering with this because I can't even get Verizon or AT&T at my house so I use T-Mobile. It's not worth my time.
Strike 2 & 3, buddy. You just admitted you have no Verizon or ATT reception there, which is another huge problem. Which begs the question, why are you even bothering with the two carriers?
Not only that, but you just said you use T-mobile, and previously said you have an ATT ipad. Doesn't that prove that you can use one carrier sim on a device that originally had anothers???
I understand CO legalized marijuana recently, but this is getting out of hand.
To your former question, you are trying to reactivate a plan in a different device. Others, including myself, just used an already-active plan in a different device.
I can use my iphone 5's SIM card in my T-mobile ipad just fine. It access Verizon's network without any problems, although sometimes it takes a restart first.
The Verizon sim was activated here in my house with no problem. I just get edge speeds.
Stop already. You cant activate an AT&T iPad on Verizon. I've proven that already.
I never said you could.
But I don't think you've proven anything. You are trying to do something completely different. And it has nothing to do with OP's original question.
I'm trying yo do exactly what the op asked, which is activate an AT&T iPad over version, which you can't.
No. But thanks for proving you lack reading comprehension.
He wants to know if you can activate T-mobile on a Verizon ipad.
Later, he edited his post to ask if he could activate T-mobile on an ATT ipad, but is still more interested in Verizon.
You have already activated T-mobile on an ATT ipad. Your answer should have been YES, you can (like I have said with regards to activated t-mobile on a verizon ipad).
But you went on this long tangent about activating Verizon on an ATT ipad, when you were ACTUALLY trying to REACTIVATE a pay-as-you-go account (originally activated on another device) on an ATT ipad, with (what you admitted yourself) poor reception. To answer your question, a quick search shows that people have been able to activate Verizon SIMs in ATT ipads.
I understand you are confused, and don't understand your mistakes. I am going to disengage from this conversation, and tell OP right now that you are confusing his questions and messing up this thread with information that doesn't pertain to his needs.
Last edited:
Anyone else think Verizon and Sprint should finally join this decade and just activate devices they didn't sell?
It's so aggravating that they won't! What the heck reason do they have for restricting it anyway? WE ARE TRYING TO GIVE THEM MONEY HERE! You'd think they'd bend over backwards to accept not just iPads, but unlocked iPhones and other phones from competitors.
Every time I see these threads my mind boggles at how idiotically stubborn Verizon and Sprint are.
It's so aggravating that they won't! What the heck reason do they have for restricting it anyway? WE ARE TRYING TO GIVE THEM MONEY HERE! You'd think they'd bend over backwards to accept not just iPads, but unlocked iPhones and other phones from competitors.
Every time I see these threads my mind boggles at how idiotically stubborn Verizon and Sprint are.
This is a different problem from activating a new SIM in an iPad. I've read reports of people who let their data plan lapse and then couldn't reactivate their plan when they tried to. They had to go get a new SIM from their carrier. Most of the reports I saw was from people using Verizon SIM. Personally, I had no problems when I cancelled my Verizon data plan for a few months then reactivated it. But other people apparently did.
In any case, because of this, we don't know if your problem is that you are trying to use a Verizon SIM in an AT&T iPad, or if it's because you cancelled your plan one month and are trying to restart it.
Yes sprint and verizon should change their policy.
I'll repeat. Verizon and sprint both have a database of meids for their devices. If it's not in there they won't activate, unless younger a rep nice enough to update it. Bringing a non-verizon ipad to verizon can be done but the sim needs to be activated, which will require a meid. So unless someone in cs is nice enough to update their database with your ipad, you'll need a meid already.
From my experience, Verizon doesn't tie SIM cards to devices. I've been able to switch Verizon SIM cards between various iPads just fine. However, T-Mobile does lock the SIM to the device it was activated on.
I don't think anyone here is arguing that there is only one model of the cellular iPad Air or retina Mini. However, at least back in November 2013 when the new iPads were just released, Verizon did limit activation on iPads with known MEID (so yes, they do/did have a database). The only workarounds at the time were to activate the SIM card in a Verizon iPad, have Verizon manually activate the SIM card based on ICCID or have Verizon add the IMEI of the non-Verizon iPad to their system.
I have no idea if Verizon has changed their policy since then. If they did, then that's a good thing for consumers.
same issue - help please!
I can confirm that JackieInCo is right and NovemberWhiskey isn't.
Back in November, I bought an AT&T iPad Mini Retina and used a company paid AT&T sim in it. My company took it back and I have not been trying to add this ipad into my Verizon post paid account (I have an iPhone 5 with Verizon already). Only $10 more to share my data and right now there is a promo where you get an additional 1GB of data for free for life (whatever that means...)
Long story short, this IMEI database is more than real and even with a fresh Verizon sim card, you cannot activate it in an AT&T iPad.
I have spoken to 5 different tech support on different days, have been in store where the rep called tech support also each time. They initially they would "try" and see if they could add the imei number. After these countless hours, they are telling me that they don't do that. Telling you I am frustrated would be a very strong understatement. I am trying to see if there any way I can do it anyway.
I even looked at purchasing a broken screen device just so I can activate the sim and then put it in my Mini. Which is crazy!
now I am down to considering getting an ipad at the apple store. activate MY sim (and remove the one that comes with the iPad), switch it back and return the ipad (I know I know.... I am not proud, just desperate).
my concern is this: if I return the ipad (with its original, never activated SIM), will the next person be able to activate it or can he and I have problems? This must happen all the time on the use ipad market.
The additional question is in relation to the IMEI and associated device that shows in Verizon system. I am told that once you switch your sim to another device, after a day or two, the new device's IMEI will be automatically updated in your account (and show online on your verizon account page). IF that is true, then me and the future owner of the ipad (that I will return) should be in the clear as his ipad's IMEI will no longer show associated with my sim card.
sorry for the long post. anyone can help? Thank you
I can confirm that JackieInCo is right and NovemberWhiskey isn't.
Back in November, I bought an AT&T iPad Mini Retina and used a company paid AT&T sim in it. My company took it back and I have not been trying to add this ipad into my Verizon post paid account (I have an iPhone 5 with Verizon already). Only $10 more to share my data and right now there is a promo where you get an additional 1GB of data for free for life (whatever that means...)
Long story short, this IMEI database is more than real and even with a fresh Verizon sim card, you cannot activate it in an AT&T iPad.
I have spoken to 5 different tech support on different days, have been in store where the rep called tech support also each time. They initially they would "try" and see if they could add the imei number. After these countless hours, they are telling me that they don't do that. Telling you I am frustrated would be a very strong understatement. I am trying to see if there any way I can do it anyway.
I even looked at purchasing a broken screen device just so I can activate the sim and then put it in my Mini. Which is crazy!
now I am down to considering getting an ipad at the apple store. activate MY sim (and remove the one that comes with the iPad), switch it back and return the ipad (I know I know.... I am not proud, just desperate).
my concern is this: if I return the ipad (with its original, never activated SIM), will the next person be able to activate it or can he and I have problems? This must happen all the time on the use ipad market.
The additional question is in relation to the IMEI and associated device that shows in Verizon system. I am told that once you switch your sim to another device, after a day or two, the new device's IMEI will be automatically updated in your account (and show online on your verizon account page). IF that is true, then me and the future owner of the ipad (that I will return) should be in the clear as his ipad's IMEI will no longer show associated with my sim card.
sorry for the long post. anyone can help? Thank you
Just make sure you choose a data plan will automatically renew each month. I originally activated a Verizon sim in the iPad and chose just the $5 for one day plan and so I was never able to renew the data plan once I exchanged the iPad for the AT&T one.
Just a follow up on this thread. I have a tmobile iPad lte that was purchase with the promo back on 4/12/14 cancelled that because of bad coverage and went straight to a Att store. took advantage of the $100 credit for new device. At first sales guy said it won't work , after telling him that iPads are unlock he popped in an AT&T SIM card to try it out and it work. Long story short, I'm a happy camper.
iPad rmini lte for the price of wifi.
$100 credit towards my bill
= WINNING !!!
iPad rmini lte for the price of wifi.
$100 credit towards my bill
= WINNING !!!
Same T-mobile to Verizon Sim issue
Before I bought an ipad Air I read lots of these and apparently misunderstood what could be done. Bought a T-mobile version Air, thinking I could slip a (non-activated) Verizon sim card in, have the device recognize it, set up account and have double coverage. No.
First, I have T-mobile cell coverage, but barely, as we live in a remote area, which is, in part, why I wanted to double up with Verizon. Was able to get T-mobile coverage on the air (I had to call in to set it up) when we left the area.
Picked up a Verizon chip at the V. outlet store here (they don't do setups) and got the screen someone posted above about how I needed to call V. to set up an account. I loaded up the V. sim in the Air and called. He couldn't get his end to recognize my V. sim. 45 mins. on phone. Went back to the store here and they said the sim # had probably expired~they'd just gotten word that can happen after 90 days. Gave me a new one, free. Tried again, same message. Called V. to set it up. Woman said the same, her system didn't recognize the #. She tried various ways and said she'd been doing this work for years. Expert at it. And the chips don't expire. FINALLY, it dawned on me to tell her I have a T-mobile Air. That changed the conversation tone, quickly. Apparently, V. DOES track numbers in their system, that's why my T-mobile Air (that came with a T-mobile sim) doesn't have a sim in their system. If the distributor had set the ipad up as a V. with a V. chip originally, there wouln't be any problem. She said I would have to find someone to essentially reset the ipad to be a V. version. She may have been shining me on. Not sure why V. is being so touchy, given they'd still get an account out of me to use their system.
I turned the Air off, then on this a.m. with the V. sim and got 1-3G, but also got the screen that said I'd have to call V. to set up an account. I was hoping to be able to go in and out of a V. account as I needed to use it (that was also suggested in a forum somewhere), but it seems like I'd lose my number and have to start with a new sim.
So, sorry this is long, but thanks to all the back and forth here. The answer may or may not be clear-cut, whether because of company policies or, as in my case, because I don't use this "phone" technology on a daily basis. My T-mobile is a pay-as-you-go, which I'd like for my V. Air sim, too. Doubt it's going to happen.
If anyone has clarity to add to help me out, that would be great.
Before I bought an ipad Air I read lots of these and apparently misunderstood what could be done. Bought a T-mobile version Air, thinking I could slip a (non-activated) Verizon sim card in, have the device recognize it, set up account and have double coverage. No.
First, I have T-mobile cell coverage, but barely, as we live in a remote area, which is, in part, why I wanted to double up with Verizon. Was able to get T-mobile coverage on the air (I had to call in to set it up) when we left the area.
Picked up a Verizon chip at the V. outlet store here (they don't do setups) and got the screen someone posted above about how I needed to call V. to set up an account. I loaded up the V. sim in the Air and called. He couldn't get his end to recognize my V. sim. 45 mins. on phone. Went back to the store here and they said the sim # had probably expired~they'd just gotten word that can happen after 90 days. Gave me a new one, free. Tried again, same message. Called V. to set it up. Woman said the same, her system didn't recognize the #. She tried various ways and said she'd been doing this work for years. Expert at it. And the chips don't expire. FINALLY, it dawned on me to tell her I have a T-mobile Air. That changed the conversation tone, quickly. Apparently, V. DOES track numbers in their system, that's why my T-mobile Air (that came with a T-mobile sim) doesn't have a sim in their system. If the distributor had set the ipad up as a V. with a V. chip originally, there wouln't be any problem. She said I would have to find someone to essentially reset the ipad to be a V. version. She may have been shining me on. Not sure why V. is being so touchy, given they'd still get an account out of me to use their system.
I turned the Air off, then on this a.m. with the V. sim and got 1-3G, but also got the screen that said I'd have to call V. to set up an account. I was hoping to be able to go in and out of a V. account as I needed to use it (that was also suggested in a forum somewhere), but it seems like I'd lose my number and have to start with a new sim.
So, sorry this is long, but thanks to all the back and forth here. The answer may or may not be clear-cut, whether because of company policies or, as in my case, because I don't use this "phone" technology on a daily basis. My T-mobile is a pay-as-you-go, which I'd like for my V. Air sim, too. Doubt it's going to happen.
If anyone has clarity to add to help me out, that would be great.
YES YOU CAN!
In this post I asked for an IMEI number and a friendly life savior posted one from a Verizon store. It's a Mini but it works for activation purposes. You can use it to activate from the website or by calling. I used the same exact number and they didn't bat an eye. The feature in the ipad does not work but I don't really care about that.
Be sure to thank them.
https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/20330296/
In this post I asked for an IMEI number and a friendly life savior posted one from a Verizon store. It's a Mini but it works for activation purposes. You can use it to activate from the website or by calling. I used the same exact number and they didn't bat an eye. The feature in the ipad does not work but I don't really care about that.
Be sure to thank them.
https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/20330296/
*** Warning ***, Do not do this unless you already have a Verizon account. You are unable to set up a Verizon account on a non-Verizon iPad or even create an account on-line. Without an account, you are unable to add data.
I did already have an account on the More Everything plan. So to clarify, if you already have Verizon it works, if not, I don't know.
THE LATEST on using T-mobile Ipad 2/3/4/mini on Verizon
Boy did I learn this the hard way through 2014. Finally have satisfactory result.
No, you cannot ACTIVATE a T-mobile Ipad on Verizon BUT, you can use an already-activated SIM card FROM ANY CARRIER IN ANY DEVICE. (But you wouldn't believe the trouble I went through.)
Don't read any more forum posts throughout the web on the subject; I already have, I did everything they said, and nothing worked but what I tell you below.
Don't go to the V store or Best Buy. Don't call them. Verizon's database only includes the MEID/ESN numbers for the Apple products labeled "Verizon." So there's no point. (Tried many times.) I even tried to take a fresh SIM card to the V-store and activate it in their Ipad there, but it didn't work.
1. You need someone else's late-model Ipad that takes a nanoSIM 4FF card. (I actually ended up buying a used on Ebay as I didn't know anyone with the right Ipad...even put a post on Craigs List telling folks I need 5 min. of time with their tablet at Starbucks and I'd give them $50. No takers. So I bought it on Ebay, cleaned it up and resold it so that i broke even. But what a hassle!)
2. You need as new SIM card from Verizon. Amazon has Verizon SIM cards for the Kindle Fire for $10 and they are the same as you get from Verizon.
3. Put your new SIM card in the OTHER Ipad. Activate the SIM (General>Cellular Data>View Account) using YOUR account information, not the current owners'.
4. Swap the newly activated SIM back to your Ipad and it should work fine. But, you may get some error messages as you will NOT be able to use the View Account function on your own Ipad to access Verizon....remember, their computer doesn't know your Ipad's MEID exists. If necessary, restart the Ipad.
Should work great from then on. Lesson learned: Only buy Apple products by Verizon, as only they can be activated on the V network, but they can also be activated on ANY network. (Another lesson, just buy direct from the Apples store. I got far better service from them than Verizon. They have the same stuff in stock at the same prices.)
CASE CLOSED.
----------
Now that's something I hadn't thought of! Should work, though.
I did everything: Tried it at the V store with my SIM on their IPad, posted a note on Craigs List offering to pay someone $50 for me to use their Ipad for 5 min. at Starbucks. Finally, I just bought the cheapest Ipad mini Retina on Ebay that I could find, activated my SIM in that one, and then resold it for break-even. Whew!
And to think I could have just CALLED Verizon and given this users MEID. PERFECT.
Boy did I learn this the hard way through 2014. Finally have satisfactory result.
No, you cannot ACTIVATE a T-mobile Ipad on Verizon BUT, you can use an already-activated SIM card FROM ANY CARRIER IN ANY DEVICE. (But you wouldn't believe the trouble I went through.)
Don't read any more forum posts throughout the web on the subject; I already have, I did everything they said, and nothing worked but what I tell you below.
Don't go to the V store or Best Buy. Don't call them. Verizon's database only includes the MEID/ESN numbers for the Apple products labeled "Verizon." So there's no point. (Tried many times.) I even tried to take a fresh SIM card to the V-store and activate it in their Ipad there, but it didn't work.
1. You need someone else's late-model Ipad that takes a nanoSIM 4FF card. (I actually ended up buying a used on Ebay as I didn't know anyone with the right Ipad...even put a post on Craigs List telling folks I need 5 min. of time with their tablet at Starbucks and I'd give them $50. No takers. So I bought it on Ebay, cleaned it up and resold it so that i broke even. But what a hassle!)
2. You need as new SIM card from Verizon. Amazon has Verizon SIM cards for the Kindle Fire for $10 and they are the same as you get from Verizon.
3. Put your new SIM card in the OTHER Ipad. Activate the SIM (General>Cellular Data>View Account) using YOUR account information, not the current owners'.
4. Swap the newly activated SIM back to your Ipad and it should work fine. But, you may get some error messages as you will NOT be able to use the View Account function on your own Ipad to access Verizon....remember, their computer doesn't know your Ipad's MEID exists. If necessary, restart the Ipad.
Should work great from then on. Lesson learned: Only buy Apple products by Verizon, as only they can be activated on the V network, but they can also be activated on ANY network. (Another lesson, just buy direct from the Apples store. I got far better service from them than Verizon. They have the same stuff in stock at the same prices.)
CASE CLOSED.
----------
Now that's something I hadn't thought of! Should work, though.
I did everything: Tried it at the V store with my SIM on their IPad, posted a note on Craigs List offering to pay someone $50 for me to use their Ipad for 5 min. at Starbucks. Finally, I just bought the cheapest Ipad mini Retina on Ebay that I could find, activated my SIM in that one, and then resold it for break-even. Whew!
And to think I could have just CALLED Verizon and given this users MEID. PERFECT.