Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Some Apple Watch Series 3 Owners Facing LTE Activation Issues [Updated]

Same issues here... and I’m an employee... they said a fix should come this week MAYBE...

sirozha said:
Got a direct call from T-Mobile with the confirmation. The LTE activation issue with the "Activation Failed" message when submitting last four digits of one's SSN is affecting ALL Apple Watches purchased from Apple. There is no LTE activation issues with Apple Watches purchased from T-Mobile. T-Mobile is working with Apple on this, and Apple already has a workaround, which is to "pair your LTE watch with the iPhone via Bluetooth and use it together with the iPhone." This is a direct quote from T-Mobile allegedly re-quoting Apple. There is no ETR on this issue. If one needs LTE feature today or in the next few days, Apple suggests returning the LTE watch to the local Apple Store and buying it from T-Mobile directly. The problem is that T-Mobile has almost no stock of LTE watches.
Click to expand...
[doublepost=1506458491][/doublepost]I am an employee with tmo have the same Ssn issue as regular... they said a fix should be done by some point this week maybe... this is effecting everyone just an FYI... use on Bluetooth and WiFi is the response. Some people are getting lucky some aren’t
 
  • Like
Reactions: sherryintexas
anyone lucky in activating T-Mobile today?
I chat with their senior support team today again and basically they all are saying same thing what was mentioned earlier on this thread: its a known issue and any Apple Watch bought directly from Apple are not activating and we are actively working with Apple to resolve this issue. NO ETA.
 
zacheryjensen said:
I hope this helps you become less ignorant: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivorship_bias
Click to expand...

bizzy045 the world just might not revolve around you and only you. They did not exaggerate the amount of people having issues and those issues still are not fixed. You may have gotten lucky and for that you should simply be thankful, not insulting the many who are having to deal with ridiculous issues on a very expensive device. Or next time you get a device you have a tech issue on which truly is not your fault you can remember you said it was merely because you, the user, is ignorant.
 
greatestash said:
anyone lucky in activating T-Mobile today?
I chat with their senior support team today again and basically they all are saying same thing what was mentioned earlier on this thread: its a known issue and any Apple Watch bought directly from Apple are not activating and we are actively working with Apple to resolve this issue. NO ETA.
Click to expand...

Got the same response yesterday and today. What’s funny now is that all the employees I speak with seem to have Apple Watches, too. I think they added a misery loves company line to the official response script.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nschmidt7
I received the Series 3 on Monday. When attempting to activate on T-Mobile, I received a basic “activation error - try again later” message. I just tried again and now it’s saying, “your account type may not support this activation.” Anyone else seeing this change? Error code is now 412-002. Any luck activating?

This is this first time I’ve regretted purchasing something from Apple :( Hella bummer.
 
I called and switched my account to a personal account. It worked seconds after I hang up the phone.
 
Used to check stocks and refresh instagram feeds, now (in those spare 2-3 minutes scattered throughout the day), I just try activate my watch...this is my life now.
[doublepost=1506524605][/doublepost]
frogywill said:
I called and switched my account to a personal account. It worked seconds after I hang up the phone.
Click to expand...

Any downsides to switching from Business to Personal? Price/Perk differences?

If they don't have this figured out by Friday, I'm tempted to do the same.
 
Anyone using AT&T has the same problem as mine shown in the image below?
The watch registers AT&T network but has no connection to LTE.
 

Attachments

  • image1.jpeg
    image1.jpeg
    203.4 KB · Views: 152
For T-Mobile Customers on a Business Plan. You need to have them manually setup the device using the IMEI and ICID on the box. They will set up a new digits line. They will have you unpair, turn off both devices. Restart, pair and the line will now connect. e911 and all info should be put in by T-Mobile.

FYI. I didn't call normal customer care. I emailed 'john.legere@t-mobile.com' which I believe is an account used by a group they call Office of the President. Within 8 hours I was contacted by them. It took 45 minutes to complete, mainly due to the time the watch takes to pair. The person I dealt with was very good.

I am live and can make and recieve calls without being connected to my watch.
 
Un(Prepared)Carrier said:
For T-Mobile Customers on a Business Plan. You need to have them manually setup the device using the IMEI and ICID on the box. They will set up a new digits line. They will have you unpair, turn off both devices. Restart, pair and the line will now connect. e911 and all info should be put in by T-Mobile.

FYI. I didn't call normal customer care. I emailed 'john.legere@t-mobile.com' which I believe is an account used by a group they call Office of the President. Within 8 hours I was contacted by them. It took 45 minutes to complete, mainly due to the time the watch takes to pair. The person I dealt with was very good.

I am live and can make and recieve calls without being connected to my watch.
Click to expand...

T-Mobile also contacted me and asked me to go to the store; they recently published the steps required to activate the watch on their internal forum (knowledge base) and without hassle, they were able to activate my watch.

Here are the steps:
* Activate new Digits line
* Instead of Sim number, enter EID number of the watch
* Choose BYOD (buy your own device option when asked in their tool which i believe is called quickview).
* Once activated, go to your watch, setup cellular and it will go straight to the page which says congratulations, your apple watch is activated.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: rayskyy and QwertyMC
Un(Prepared)Carrier said:
For T-Mobile Customers on a Business Plan. You need to have them manually setup the device using the IMEI and ICID on the box. They will set up a new digits line. They will have you unpair, turn off both devices. Restart, pair and the line will now connect. e911 and all info should be put in by T-Mobile.

FYI. I didn't call normal customer care. I emailed 'john.legere@t-mobile.com' which I believe is an account used by a group they call Office of the President. Within 8 hours I was contacted by them. It took 45 minutes to complete, mainly due to the time the watch takes to pair. The person I dealt with was very good.

I am live and can make and recieve calls without being connected to my watch.
Click to expand...

Was this all done over the phone? Or did you go into the store?
 
greatestash said:
T-Mobile also contacted me and asked me to go to the store; they recently published the steps required to activate the watch on their internal forum (knowledge base) and without hassle, they were able to activate my watch.

Here are the steps:
* Activate new Digits line
* Instead of Sim number, enter EID number of the watch
* Choose BYOD (buy your own device option when asked in their tool which i believe is called quickview).
* Once activated, go to your watch, setup cellular and it will go straight to the page which says congratulations, your apple watch is activated.
Click to expand...

I can confirm this process works. I didnt go into the store, did it over twitter DM with @TMobileHelp

Thanks!
 
  • Like
Reactions: rayskyy
greatestash said:
T-Mobile also contacted me and asked me to go to the store; they recently published the steps required to activate the watch on their internal forum (knowledge base) and without hassle, they were able to activate my watch.

Here are the steps:
* Activate new Digits line
* Instead of Sim number, enter EID number of the watch
* Choose BYOD (buy your own device option when asked in their tool which i believe is called quickview).
* Once activated, go to your watch, setup cellular and it will go straight to the page which says congratulations, your apple watch is activated.
Click to expand...

This is awesome. actually worked. Just modifying the steps a bit for clarity:

1. call customer support. (you do not have to go to the store)
2. tell them you have a apple watch 3 and issues with activating it on digits. And you now have the answer :)
3. Have them activate a digits line
4. Make sure they chose BYOD (their tool is called Quickview)
5. Once activated, you will get a text - stating new number
6. Go through the apple watch App on your phone and cellular setup and enter e911 address
7. Now, at this time it may take a little while to activate your watch. I closed the app, waited for 10mins ,then went back in and voila.

whole process, 15mins from start to finish. Rep was very good though - better than most. he also transferred me to a senior tech to check things out because I called in on my phone and my watch was next to me paired to the phone (so could not really test it there and then).
 
Last edited:
rayskyy said:
This is awesome. actually worked. Just modifying the steps a bit for clarity:

1. call customer support. (you do not have to go to the store)
2. tell them you have a apple watch 3 and issues with activating it on digits. And you now have the answer :)
3. Have them activate a digits line
4. Make sure they chose BYOD (their tool is called Quickview)
5. Once activated, you will get a text - stating new number
6. Go through the apple watch App on your phone and cellular setup and enter e911 address
7. Now, at this time it may take a little while to activate your watch. I closed the app, waited for 10mins ,then went back in and voila.

whole process, 15mins from start to finish. Rep was very good though - better than most. he also transferred me to a senior tech to check things out because I called in on my phone and my watch was next to me paired to the phone (so could not really test it there and then).
Click to expand...


I can also confirm that this works. Took the directions to my local TMob and just like above, activated within 15 minutes.
 
I can confirm the above processes work as well! Anyone having connectivity issues? My friend tried to call me (I turned my phone off and walked a block away from my house/wifi) and it went straight to voicemail :( texting, siri, etc. seem to work though.
 
joshuamj said:
I can confirm the above processes work as well! Anyone having connectivity issues? My friend tried to call me (I turned my phone off and walked a block away from my house/wifi) and it went straight to voicemail :( texting, siri, etc. seem to work though.
Click to expand...
It was happening earlier when i activated too but then i checked my tmobile account and this is what i did which fixed the issue:
* Login to your tmobile account
* Choose the line which is activated for digits
* Click Manage Digits for that line
* It will open a new page and it will show all the numbers under your account
* Choose the digits number which is activated for your watch
* On next page, it will ask you with which number you want to Pair
* Choose your phone number from the list and click save.
* You will receive text that your digits phone number is paired with your other number.

After that, whoever calls on your phone, watch will ring as well (even if the phone is in airplane mode or off). Tested it myself and its working for me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nschmidt7
greatestash said:
T-Mobile also contacted me and asked me to go to the store; they recently published the steps required to activate the watch on their internal forum (knowledge base) and without hassle, they were able to activate my watch.

Here are the steps:
* Activate new Digits line
* Instead of Sim number, enter EID number of the watch
* Choose BYOD (buy your own device option when asked in their tool which i believe is called quickview).
* Once activated, go to your watch, setup cellular and it will go straight to the page which says congratulations, your apple watch is activated.
Click to expand...

This worked for me! Thanks!

They had actually already added a new digits number last friday while trying to troubleshoot, so as soon as I switched the SIM number with the Watch EID it started to activate within a few minutes.
 
nschmidt7 said:
This worked for me! Thanks!

They had actually already added a new digits number last friday while trying to troubleshoot, so as soon as I switched the SIM number with the Watch EID it started to activate within a few minutes.
Click to expand...

Do you have a business account or a personal account?
 
Lithe1 said:
Do you have a business account or a personal account?
Click to expand...

Business account.
[doublepost=1506554407][/doublepost]
joshuamj said:
I can confirm the above processes work as well! Anyone having connectivity issues? My friend tried to call me (I turned my phone off and walked a block away from my house/wifi) and it went straight to voicemail :( texting, siri, etc. seem to work though.
Click to expand...

Ugh, same. I can receive texts and stuff, but can't make or receive phone calls yet.
 
rayskyy said:
This is awesome. actually worked. Just modifying the steps a bit for clarity:

1. call customer support. (you do not have to go to the store)
2. tell them you have a apple watch 3 and issues with activating it on digits. And you now have the answer :)
3. Have them activate a digits line
4. Make sure they chose BYOD (their tool is called Quickview)
5. Once activated, you will get a text - stating new number
6. Go through the apple watch App on your phone and cellular setup and enter e911 address
7. Now, at this time it may take a little while to activate your watch. I closed the app, waited for 10mins ,then went back in and voila.

whole process, 15mins from start to finish. Rep was very good though - better than most. he also transferred me to a senior tech to check things out because I called in on my phone and my watch was next to me paired to the phone (so could not really test it there and then).
Click to expand...
Been on the phone with T-Mobile for an hour going over the “fix”. After much back and forth, I was told that this will not work for business accounts when the Watch was purchase From Apple. Utter nonsense!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back