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iPhone 13 Pro Max Verizon eSim Activation Problem

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StoneCold X

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 22, 2015
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Is anyone else having issues with getting the eSim activated on Verizon with the new iPhones? After almost 2 hours, the eSim never activated and I had to call Verizon for help. They said I shouldn't use the eSim as my main Sim and that I need a physical sim. Is this true?

I popped my previous sim in and everything is fine, but I was under the impression that I no longer needed the physical sim and the new phone would automatically activate once I turned it on on the eSim.
 
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I posted a thread a few minutes before you with the same problem. I have my SIM from my old phone, but haven't inserted it as was told to do it through the eSim at the Apple Store. Hoping to hear more.
 
StoneCold X said:
Is anyone else having issues with getting the eSim activated on Verizon with the new iPhones? After almost 2 hours, the eSim never activated and I had to call Verizon for help. They said I shouldn't use the eSim as my main Sim and that I need a physical sim. Is this true?

I popped my previous sim in and everything is fine, but I was under the impression that I no longer needed the physical sim and the new phone would automatically activate once I turned it on on the eSim.
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Mine was activated in-store via eSIM, which I had no idea was even going to be the case. Turns out the phone didn’t even come with a physical SIM card. But the Apple salesperson had no issues activating it. No idea what the process was though. Usually I just transfer the physical cards from phone to phone.

Are you coming from a 12? If not, you need to make sure you have a new 5G card (unless you go eSIM apparently).
 
I actually had a similar issue on T-Mobile. The eSIM was added to my new phone, but the SIM number linked to my phone number never got updated in their system by the activation process. Fortunately on T-Mobile, SIM changes can be self-service so I just took the number from the new eSIM and updated my account myself.
 
Tried Device to Device 2x, no luck.

Plugged into MacBook, said I had to call the phone number.

Automated phone number said power off device, moment of silence, phone is activated.

Proceeded to do Device to Device again, success!
 
Update: When I put the physical SIM in, I disabled the eSim so that both lines weren't showing. I just turned it back on to check it, and it is now activated
 
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DDustiNN said:
Mine was activated in-store via eSIM, which I had no idea was even going to be the case. Turns out the phone didn’t even come with a physical SIM card. But the Apple salesperson had no issues activating it. No idea what the process was though. Usually I just transfer the physical cards from phone to phone.

Are you coming from a 12? If not, you need to make sure you have a new 5G card (unless you go eSIM apparently).
Click to expand...
I had the same process for my 13 mini on T-Mobile. In a matter of moments, the Apple rep pushed my phone number and account to the new phone with his hand-held device.
 
Same as above. Left SIM card in my old phone. Called 611 on old phone. Told the automated line “activate my new phone”. New iPhone is turned off. Old iPhone disconnects call. Turn on new iPhone and it’s all ready to go on the eSIM
 
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pcorrado said:
Ok. So I had to call 611 from my old phone to activate- it’s automated. Kind of scary as you’ll get disconnected since service will end on that phone but the new phone was activated within 3 minutes of that.
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Thanks for that advice; calling 611 from the old phone worked for me too.
 
Apple_Robert said:
I had the same process for my 13 mini on T-Mobile. In a matter of moments, the Apple rep pushed my phone number and account to the new phone with his hand-held device.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately I didn't have the brightest rep assisting me this morning. Struggled with everything and didn't have a clue about me turning my old phone in for the Upgrade Program.
 
pcorrado said:
Ok. So I had to call 611 from my old phone to activate- it’s automated. Kind of scary as you’ll get disconnected since service will end on that phone but the new phone was activated within 3 minutes of that.
Click to expand...

Calling *611 and doing this is what finally worked for me after having tried just about everything else. Thanks!
 
Stratus Fear said:
I actually had a similar issue on T-Mobile. The eSIM was added to my new phone, but the SIM number linked to my phone number never got updated in their system by the activation process. Fortunately on T-Mobile, SIM changes can be self-service so I just took the number from the new eSIM and updated my account myself.
Click to expand...
I think I have to do this as iMessage won't verify. Is it just under the T-Mobile account?
 
Who did you guys have to chat with to get this working? Apple or T-Mobile? Ive been working since 8 to get this working unsuccessfully.
 
Mine did the same thing. Didn't feel like screwing with Verizon so I shoved my 12 Pro's SIM into it and removed the eSIM line in Settings > Carrier. No issues.
 
My phone hasn’t activated either after two hours. Still restoring so I will try the 611 trick
 
Calling *611 just wants me to wait or setup a call back with a verizon rep. How do I go through the automated process? My new phone hasn't activated yet either. Been about an hour.
 
DJAKO said:
Calling *611 just wants me to wait or setup a call back with a verizon rep. How do I go through the automated process? My new phone hasn't activated yet either. Been about an hour.
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Had this issue. I called Verizon. Told the automated rep: “phone won’t activate.” Automated had me turn off my phone, it activated and was good to go a minute later. I would definitely suggested the automated route.
 
ThePeacemaker02 said:
I think I have to do this as iMessage won't verify. Is it just under the T-Mobile account?
Click to expand...
Log into your account via web (can’t do this on app, I used the mobile site). Hamburger/menu button on upper right, click Account, on next page tap on the line you need to do this to. On the next page hit “change SIM.” On the next page it will ask if it’s a physical SIM or an eSIM. If you already have the eSIM on your phone but calling isn’t working, choose “physical” here (counterintuitive I know). Grab the ICCID for your eSIM from the about page in Settings, put it in the box on the following page, and continue through until it confirms it’s updated. After a couple minutes the line should work on your new phone and the old phone will drop to no service.
 
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oats555 said:
Had this issue. I called Verizon. Told the automated rep: “phone won’t activate.” Automated had me turn off my phone, it activated and was good to go a minute later. I would definitely suggested the automated route.
Click to expand...
I used +1-800-922-0204 from a different phone.
 
I turned on the new iPhone and did Device to device transfer first without touching either SIM slot. Then I got in a chat with Verizon where they asked for the IMEI2. A few minutes later the phone activated and I am now on the 13 pro with eSim! I would just suggest asking for an agent immediately on the chat (otherwise it just directs you to an FAQ) and then ask them to activate your esim. Hope everyone gets setup ironed out today!
 
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