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iPhone XS Max Unlocked iPhones

Does Verizon recognize your IMEI from sim-free and unlocked iPhone XS Max.

  • Sim-Free, Verizon DOES NOT recognize IMEI

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Unlocked (any carrier other than Verizon), Verizon DOES NOT recognize IMEI

    Votes: 3 60.0%

  • Sim-Free, Verizon recognizes IMEI

    Votes: 2 40.0%

  • Unlocked (any other carrier than Verizon), Sim-Free, Verizon recognizes IMEI

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    5
K

KamiQuazi

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 27, 2011
71
16
I purchased a launch day iPhone XS Max using the iUP program for AT&T. I have transitioned the AT&T to the eSim and use a traditional Verizon sim. Verizon does not recognize that the iPhone via IMEI that it can be used on their network and so I am not able to use advanced features like Visual Voicemail, HD Calling, Wifi Calling, etc. The iPhone is factory unlocked as I tried a wipe and received the unlocked message. Verizon / Apple have been very confused on why this is and point the finger to each other. This is what I have attempted:
Removing AT&T and use Verizon solely with no luck.
Downgrade to iOS 12.0.1 with no luck.
Swapped Verizon SIM cards with no luck.
Purchased a new unlocked, sim-free iPhone XS Max and it will not provision to Verizon either. (Today)
Purchased an unlocked, sim-free iPhone XS and it does provision. (Wife's from launch day)
Purchased an unlocked, Verizon-sim iPhone XS Max and it does provision. (Today)

Any other clues? All my other iPhones 6, 6s, X all were unlocked and Verizon was able to use them using the IMEI. Verified using Verizon BYOD site to check IMEIs.

Error from Verizon, "The phone associated with the Device ID you entered is not compatible with the Verizon Wireless network."
 
I didn’t think eSIM was possible until 12.1 is available. Does AT&T already support eSIM on beta software? Does Verizon support dial sim already?
 
I acquired an eSim from att and Verizon is using the traditional. I’m wondering if this is a wide spread problems one unlocked (either sim-free or iUP). Very using Verizon BYOD site and see if they accept your IMEI. I think this is limited to XS Max.
Also, I have gotten dual sim to work in 12.0.1 and 12.1 Beta 5.
 
Vermifuge said:
I didn’t think eSIM was possible until 12.1 is available. Does AT&T already support eSIM on beta software? Does Verizon support dial sim already?
Click to expand...
Yes AT&T is supporting esim on beta but not officially. Some stores have esim cards and are willing to activate them.
 
Bobhill said:
Yes AT&T is supporting esim on beta but not officially. Some stores have esim cards and are willing to activate them.
Click to expand...

What about Verizon. Does it support dial sim on beta? I understand he’s using a regular sim for Verizon but will it work on the beta of ios?
 
Vermifuge said:
What about Verizon. Does it support dial sim on beta? I understand he’s using a regular sim for Verizon but will it work on the beta of ios?
Click to expand...
Traditional sim works for Verizon. They dont seem to have eSim yet.
 
KamiQuazi said:
Traditional sim works for Verizon. They dont seem to have eSim yet.
Click to expand...

I understand that. But Verizon sims can work when dual sim is being used? Maybe a switch needs to be flipped on there end or something
[doublepost=1540692835][/doublepost]
Starship67 said:
Hmm... Are you sure about this? You do know what the e stands for right?
Click to expand...

I thought eSIM was activated through scanning a barcode, downloading a profile or something... not “buying an eSIM card”
 
Last edited:
I believe it may be Verizon system since I tried a few IMEI of XS/XS Max on their BYOD website and all showed incompatible despite all are sim-free version but works on other carriers websites. It's possible their IMEI checker isn't pulling up the correct model.

Some of the features are not possible if you are using dual sim function. Read the link below for limitation.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/esim-active-on-at-t.2147268/page-7#post-26706499
 
There will be growing pains with this, but sounds like you can't get those features on your phone even without eSim. Think you need to work with Verizon to get them to recognize phone.
 
Vermifuge said:
[doublepost=1540692835][/doublepost]
I thought eSIM was activated through scanning a barcode, downloading a profile or something... not “buying and eSIM card”
Click to expand...

Correct. That’s why I was asking him if he was sure and knew why the e stood for. There is no such thing as an esim card that any carrier will sell you or have in stock.
 
Starship67 said:
Correct. That’s why I was asking him if he was sure and knew why the e stood for. There is no such thing as an esim card that any carrier will sell you or have in stock.
Click to expand...

Yeah that’s why I had so many questions in my first post. I didn’t want to make assumptions but nothing is adding up.
 
Banglazed said:
I believe it may be Verizon system since I tried a few IMEI of XS/XS Max on their BYOD website and all showed incompatible despite all are sim-free version but works on other carriers websites.

Some of the features are not possible if you are using dual sim function. Read the link below for limitation.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/esim-active-on-at-t.2147268/page-7#post-26706499
Click to expand...

What I’m trying to hint at is some features should work on both but since Verizon doesn’t recognize the IMEI, they don’t. Specifically the VV (if default line), WiFi calling, etc.

Lobwedgephil said:
There will be growing pains with this, but sounds like you can't get those features on your phone even without eSim. Think you need to work with Verizon to get them to recognize phone.
Click to expand...

Already attempted that and they sent me to Apple. My iPhone XS is registered with Verizon IMEI system and its a sim-free unlock. This afternoon I purchased another iPhone XS Max Sim-free and it wasn’t registered with Verizon.
 
There are limitations to dual sim on iOS. There are some things the primarily line can do that the secondary can not.
 
Vermifuge said:
There are limitations to dual sim on iOS. There are some things the primarily line can do that the secondary can not.
Click to expand...
More or less at this point I’m attempting to see if there is an issue with iPhone XS / XS Max IMEIs not being registered with Verizon when they are purchased as sim-free or unlocked version.
 
KamiQuazi said:
More or less at this point I’m attempting to see if there is an issue with iPhone XS / XS Max IMEIs not being registered with Verizon when they are purchased as sim-free or unlocked version.
Click to expand...

My Max is from IUP, I get those features on Verizon, well at least voicemail and wifi calling.
 
At&t, how do I verify it with Verizon? I have used phone with Verizon SIM and works as it should, now using dual sim and still works.

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