I recently purchased the new iPhone 16 Pro Max directly from Apple and paid the full amount for it. I chose to have it carrier unlocked on as i have FirstNet. However, when I try to set up cellular service, the only option I see is to transfer from a nearby iPhone, and this process fails every time. I've contacted customer support and tried to set it up using the IMEI, but it fails on their end as well. I even went to the ATT store and attempted to use 10 different eSIM cards, but they all failed. It's frustrating because I've spent a significant amount of money on this phone, and now it seems unusable. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions on how to resolve this issue?
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iPhone 16 Pro Max eSIM won’t activate no matter what
- Thread starter lilpolo
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its when you put the actual esim on the phone when you first get it. you also has the option to scan a qr code when sitting up your phone cellular service
I had issues activating my 15PM last year. Took multiple calls to Verizon CS each time they each tried what they thought would work. I restored the phone with each representative and tried everything they suggested with no luck. I almost gave up as my previous iPhone had a physical SIM and I never had a problem like this. I gave it one more try and got a representative that figured out what the issue was and walked me through the whole process until it was up an running. Still left a bad taste in my mouth about eSIM to this day. I suggest keep rattling the cage until you find someone who knows what they're doing
i had one of them tech specialist claim he was gonna do a back door activation and that failed and he would call me this morning so here's to hoping he actually does and we figure something out
Are you connected to Wi-Fi to download your new eSIM? That's how you get your FirstNet eSIM from AT&T:
First read Option 2 on this link:
https://www.firstnet.com/help/device-help/activate-esim/activate-esim-for-iphone-upgrade.html
If you still cannot get the eSIM to download after following the steps above, please call FirstNet Support 800-574-7000.
Dave
When I bought the phone (mine was outright purchase setup with whatever carrier later) they offered to activate the phone in-store and maybe I should of let them.
Yes when i do it i get a message that says "unable to transfer phone number. your phone number could not be transferred to this iphone. you can try again or contact first net for assistance
So what happens when you call the 800 number listed in my post? 800-574-7000
Yes it goes to AT&T but it should be a different group vs the general AT&T support line.
Dave
I mean when I picked it up at the Apple store they offered to activate it there before I left.
they tried to activate it thru their end and it kept failing. so they told me to go into a store and have them do it and it also did not work. they have no answer as to why its acting like this
Maybe you should try to go to an Apple store and see if they can help. I'm sure they want you to enjoy your new phone and not return it so they have inventive to get it activated.. Worth a shot if your carrier drops the ball
Same with me - I am waiting for the T Mobile store to open so that I can get my phone activated.
Stupid Apple rep didn't say that I would have an issue activating the new 16 Pro without having the old phone nearby.
Apple took my 14+ trade in and deleted it.
got it to work it was an issue on firstnets side with my jobs account and my personal account
I blame both, Apple and carriers. They push the issue without thinking through. SIM card exists for a reason.
With that being said, I switched my SIM card to eSIM out of both need and curiosity while I was overseas. Went surprisingly smooth and no hassle whatsoever. No QR code or anything really. Granted I use Telstra, not any US carrier.
iPhone 15 pro max, but this may help someone. After a total of 6 hours of in-person and telephone/messaging with three AT&T/FirstNet representatives and receiving the same unable to activate eSIM on FirstNet error with multiple eSIMs, we decided to let it settle overnight and see if it would activate. I got curious and tried something that seems to have worked. I went into Cellular settings and opened Network Selection. I toggled off the automatic setting. There was a list of networks that appeared including AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. I selected AT&T as that is what my previous network was. I suddenly had service, and “FirstNet” was then listed next to Network Selection. The FirstNet rep called me this evening to confirm I was on the FirstNet network, and I explained what I did. He was working nighshift and said he noticed late at night when it activated. This would have been at the time I changed that setting. He said that is not something that he had never heard of trying, but he will from now on.