Child Item

Site Totals

61179 Questions Answered 267 Categories

Apple Watch Series 3 Cellular Activation

I cannot activate the cellular service through Verizon on my Apple Watch Series 3. I purchased directly from Apple. I have been on the phone for a day between Verizon and Apple. Verizon says the device is faulty because there is no ICCID number on the watch; however, Apple has told me this is because it isn't activated yet and the ICCID number will mirror the phone once it is activated.

I have restarted, installed all software updates on phone and watch, unpaired and repaired. My Apple Watch app shows my verizon plan is available but not in use and I cannot do anything but forget the plan.

I have read it could be because I have a Verizon business account and that I also need to remove the line they added for my device. At this point I don't know what to do other than return the product.

Thanks in advance,

Derek

Comments

SHATAN31

I have had 4 calls with Verizon and they have been unable to resolve. Verizon keeps telling me it may take a couple of days which is crazy. I M on day three and still no activation. I also took my watch to the apple store and they said it is a problem on Verizon’s end. I am tired of pairinng and unpairing the phone. It takes a lot of time and all for nothing. I am very disappointed and this message board does not seem to have any resolution.

Verizon_Support

SHATAN31,

Activating your device should be a breeze. We can relate to how important this is, and value your time. What feedback have you been provided? What steps have we taken?

KatiM_VZW

If my response answered your question please click the �Correct Answer� button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

SHATAN31

This was not a helpful response. First of all it is not a breeze partly because of your customer service protocol. I have to call and restate my problem and go through the same basic trouble shooting items which don’t work each time.

In regards to steps taken...As mentioned, I have called four times. Reset the watch, paired and unpaired my phone numerous times, gone to the apple store because Verizon said the device is defective. Apple said it’s a problem on Verizon’s end. Last time I spoke with someone at Verizon they said wait a few days it might mysteriously start working. 3 Days in and no such luck.

juand_vzw

That's definitely too long of a time to get this fixed. I know the activation of your Apple Watch is important to complete and I want to help resolve this for you once and for all. So I can provide you with more personalized help, I have sent you a private message.

SHATAN31

I responded to you over 2 hours ago. woth no response. Another example of Verizons bad customer service.

Ann154

SHATAN31 wrote:
I responded to you over 2 hours ago. woth no response. Another example of Verizons bad customer service.

This community forum is primarily a peer to peer public community forum and not a direct link to Customer Service. Immediate responses from the VZW reps that roam this community are NOT guaranteed.

Verizon_Support

droe2269, ensuring that you're able to activate your Apple Watch is vitally important. I apologize for the inconvenience this has caused you. I've noted that you purchased your Apple watch directly from Apple. The easiest way to tell if it is an Apple watch with cellular is that it has a red dot on the digital crown. The Wi-Fi only versions don't have the red dot.

Remember we cannot activate the Wi-Fi version. In this case, you would need to return it to Apple and purchase the cellular version that works on our network. I hope this is beneficial. - RobertC_VZW

If my response answered your question please click the �Correct Answer� button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!

Verizon_Support

Oh no, that is not the experience we want you to have. We're reaching out to you via Private Message now, Shatan31. Please be on the lookout.

TakendraW_VZW

If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

KEISCH74

Absolutely the worst service I've gotten over the phone from any company. First person transferred me to "tech support" and the person that answered my call was rude and not helpful. When she could not fix my issue she said "if you would like to cooperate I can help you". At that point I asked for a SUPERVISOR. I waited about 15 minutes and got her coworker, not a supervisor. She tried to help me but was surprised to when I asked if she was a supervisor and I asked her to listen to the tape. After some back and forth she told me the watch has a known issues. I was then transferred to 3rd level tech. I guess If I had "Cooperated" better maybe the known issue would have magically fixed itself?

Honestly - such horrible service that I'm going to return the watch and move to ATT. This company just does not understand that people with problems that can't be fixed immediately are actually "cooperating".

Never spoke to a supervisor, have been on the call for over an hour, I've been insulted, and the thing doesn't work.

Amazing

Verizon_Support

KEISCH74

Oh my goodness, this is not the experience that we strive to provide and I'm terribly sorry that we dropped the ball. We certainly don't want you to break up with us. I sent you a private message to your community inbox so we could better assist. Please reply there.

AmberK_VZW

B2THEWALL

I’m having the same issue. Can someone from Verizon PM me so I can get assistance? I’ve made three calls to Verizon with no results.

Verizon_Support

B2THEWALL, we don't want this to be an ongoing issue. Are you contacting us by dialing 800-922-0204? What resolution were you provided with, when you called us?

LasinaH_VZW

If my response answered your question please click the "Correct Answer" button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

B2THEWALL

Yes - I’ve called you guys four times and been in contact with a tech who claimed to have escalated the ticket with no resolution in sight. So far the tech told us to re-pair the watch three times and to contact Apple support, who of course told us it’s an issue with Verizon.

I’ve checked to make sure:

1. We’re on the latest software (11.2 for iPhone X and 4.2 for the Watch)

2. Ensured that cellular data options are on for both data and voice (Settings > Cellular > Cellular data options > Enable LTE, then switch to "Voice and Data")

3. We are in Maryland in the D.C. area and cellular service is strong and available where we live and work.

I’ve found a potential solution here: https://www.reddit.com/r/AppleWatch/comments/72ggu8/verizon_cellular_activation_finally_found_a/. Basically, it involves Verizon deleting the line created for the Apple Watch and the user recreating that line through the Watch app when setting it up as new.

I would appreciate your assistance as the Apple Watch hasn’t had cellular service through Verizon for about three weeks now. Thanks.

Verizon_Support

B2THEWALL, I definitely appreciate this information and the link provided as I see you have been working hard to get this resolved. Let's continue to work together as you deserve a properly working device. I know you have provided a lot of information but I must ask, did you purchase this device directly from us or Apple? Did you purchase the cellular version? To find out if you purchased the cellular version, the dial will show a red dot. Please keep us posted as assistance is here.

NatashaA_VZW

Borionfire

Hello there i have a question

well i have an iphone 6s plus non verizon is fully unlock and i currently haveit on my plan asnon verizon all everything works question is i would like to buy an apple watch 3 lte to be used with it , now will it work?

MikeH8616

I have been having this same problem since the device was purchased. I have about given up. My watch has not worked since the moment i bought it. I don't know why I am being charged a monthly cellular service for this product when in the four months I've owned it I haven't been able to use it as designed. It costs a lot of money each month and although I actually really like the device, it's my biggest purchase regret ever.

Ryankumar

+1 here, I am having the same issue with no resolution.

iChyna

Well [removed] , that is not what I want to read . . . I am having the same issue on a watch I purchased today from Apple directly. I have spent hours on the phone and in the Verizon store and still not activated. It shows an account created in My Verizon for the watch, but just runs in circles trying to get it activated. Seems this is a way for Verizon to get folks to only be able to purchase a watch from them? Not good Verizon, seems pretty deceitful to me.

I cannot believe that a $700 device cannot be activated easily and takes a tier 3 ticket to get it looked at.

I also heard form the store that deleting the TN that it self creates and adding a new one fixes the issue, but no one has gotten that far yet.

Profanity removed as required by the Verizon Wireless Terms of Service.

Message edited by Verizon Moderator.

DAWROS24

I purchased an Apple Watch series 3 cellular from my local Verizon store. Had to order. Received on Jan 9. spent 3+ hours on with tech support that night trying to get cellular seice. Returned it to the Verizon store the next day. Called Apple to ask if I purchased from them if I could get it activated. Absolutely! Purchased and was then told it was up to Verizon to get activated. Spent hours again with Verizon tech support. Then called Apple support. Still no resolution. AT&T here I come!

WILMYE77

Just received my watch today having same trouble and run around. Book marking this so when I go to Verizon store I can show theM the history everyone is having. I will not keep this watch long if I can’t get it work as advertised.

WILMYE77

This reply is oct and people in January is still having trouble , people are getting charged for data they can’t use. How can Verizon help us?

sonofagun

I've been having the same troubles. I got tired of having to reenter the apple watch pass code during my repeated attempts to activate. I turned passcode off in apple watch settings and the watch activated my plan on the very next attempt.

I recommend turning off passcode in settings and try to activate.

Ryankumar

No luck.

WILMYE77

Nope that didn’t work

sonofagun

I guess I got lucky. Maybe persistence is the key.

WILMYE77

Spent 2 hours in Verizon store hour at Apple store now sitting at Starbucks it’s some senior tech after voicibig my opinion on twitter

iChyna

Okay so the fix is this:

Reset network settings on phone.

Reset watch from watch.

Have Verizon tech support delete/deactivate the number that was created for the watch the first failed attempt.

Go through set up of watch again and it should work.

~Chyna Berben

Sent from my iPhone so typo and autocorrect mistakes are possible.

Ryankumar

Ok, I just got a text saying please go ahead and activate the watch. When I tapped on the cellular (in the watch app) the plan automatically loaded and looks like its working!

WILMYE77

Text from who

Ryankumar

Ok, I had escalated the case and VZW opened a ticket for my case and I had a ticket number Whenever there was a change made I got notification Looks like the problem was fixed but dont know what was the fix.

jbirdfunk

Called again and tried to do what iChyna suggested but got to T2 support

where they shot me down and said there was a critical ticket item for my

(our) issue and said it wouldn't do any good.

That was my 5th time talking to tech support and all seem to be unaware

there is an ongoing issue and I have to re-explain it.

On Thu, Jan 11, 2018 at 6:41 PM Ryankumar <forums@verizonwireless.com>

WILMYE77

After 2 hours online over twitter with som senior rep that’s what they did, told them have till Monday or I send back or we swap out . Cause I’m not waiting around 14 days and be stuck with this watch that won’t work

jbirdfunk

Please share Twitter user

WILMYE77

@vswsupport is who I spent the afternoon talking to

DAWROS24

Called Apple support after several failed attempts with Verizon. Apple tech walked me through some things I hadn’t done before. Scheduled a call back today. I turned off watch . When I turned it back on this morning, the cellular was lit up green. Try Apple.

Sent from my iPhone

WILMYE77

I was at the Apple store for a while today also

Verizon_Support

WILMYE77,

We're sorry to hear that your Apple Watch activation issue persists. Allow us to continue with addressing your concern. For us to gather more details, respond to private message.

CoreyM_VZW

Follow us on TWITTER @VZWSupport
If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

DAWROS24

I was told by your technical support that there was nothing else you could do and that it was on Apples end to fix. I’m not wasting more time.

Sent from my iPhone

WILMYE77

Well after talking And messaging with people from Apple and Verizon, and having to tell freaking snowflakes to stop reading from a script when they talk to me. I am in curren communications with a nice young women , amber from Verizoncs on Twitter and she is being more hopeful and acts like a real person when u talk to her. I’m xchanging my watch Monday and see if this fixes the problem.

Verizon_Support

sonofagun,

We're happy to know that your watch is working for you. If you have any questions or concerns, we'll be here.

CoreyM_VZW

WILMYE77

We’ll return it and I was talked to about reordering and promised several calls but no one seems to care and if I hear one more snow flake response I’ll go nuts, be with t-mobile soon

SJOHNSON1027

I’d like to say that I’ve also had a horrible experience connecting to cellular data on my watch 3 Watch. I’ve spent countless hours trying to get the issue resolved and the only clear answer is the so called feature just does not work and instead of apple and or verizon admitting to the failed feature they just continue to let unsuspecting consumers spend the extra money for the Watch with LTE function that doesn’t work and they even go one step further and verizon charges you a set up fee and a monthly fee to have this additional non working feature. If you’re wondering what prompted this response I just realized I left my phone at my office and wouldn’t you know I’m uable to use the feature I paid extra for with an additional monthly cost. If you’re reading this. Save your money. Don’t get the added feature. Maybe Apple Watch 4 will have figured it out but his version has not and it was and continues to be a complete waste of time and money.

WILMYE77

Yeah I returned my watch got promised they call and send me another watch to try but never got that phone call. on Twitter there people ask me why I’m mad and saying Verizon sucks and I tel them of all the problems to never hear from them again. Now my friend just got the same watch her’s work and she thinks I’m crazy for all the attitude but she is a pansy ass snowflake so what do u expect. I’m paying off my iPad and going to T-Mobile soon

WILMYE77

oh if u want a good smart watch get the one I just bought coach bleeker hybrid thing is amazing

Verizon_Support

I apologize for the issues you had with the watch WILME77. I sent you a message in order to address your experience. Please respond when you are available to begin. BobbyN_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport
If my response answered your question please click the "Correct Answer" button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

Verizon_Support

@SJHONSHON10 We're sorry to hear about the experience that you've had while using your apple watch. We're here to assist. I'm curious has your Apple watched ever worked properly while attempting to use LTE? What zip code are you located in?

JoelD_VZW

WILMYE77

That’s the problem, it never connected to LTE ,no network use at all. Also said no SIM card found. 32244 is zip code

Verizon_Support

WILMYE77, we always want to make sure you have service. I see we sent a you a private message regarding this issue. Have you been able to reply? Were we able to resolve this for you? -

TracyB_VZW

If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

irishND2001

I’m having to return my Apple Watch, too. I wasted 5 hours today with Verizon, only to be told that it‘s a known issue and that the ETA for the fix is 2/28. What a joke. I’ve never been so disappointed in Verizon before and I don't think I’ll stick around. I dropped my iPad service today and I may be moving my 3 phone lines to another carrier when the last contract on my phones expires next month.

Verizon_Support

IrishND2001, losing you as part of the VZW family. We always strive to provide you great services as your network connection to make sure your calls are processed and data is allowing excellent surfing. I am saddened that you were informed of a later than expected date for a remedy to the Apple Watch situation. Since Apple software and updates are not mandated or created by Verizon Wireless, we have to await the release for the fix of this matter. We really do apologize about this situation. I'm sure once the fix is released the watch will be working properly.

VeronicaM_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport
If my response answered your question please click the �Correct Answer� button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

irishND2001

With all due respect, do your research before mouthing off here. This has nothing to do with Apple and everything to do with Verizon. I've been told this not only by Apple, but by Verizon itself. The problem is due entirely to a systems issue on Verizon's end. Verizon is not waiting for Apple to release a "fix" for this. Verizon is simply taking its sweet time, betting that it won't lose that many customers by not correcting this problem in a timely manner. Sadly, they're probably right. But that just shows how little Verizon cares about its customers, and what an amazing hassle it is to simultaneously port multiple lines to another carrier.

AMASWO95

Has anyone had this resolved lately? Paid extra for the watch with cellular, and can't get it to work after 20 minutes on chat with Verizon and 30 minutes on the phone with them. They to,d me it may take a "while " to activate, but what does that even mean?

THESWEDE84

***SOLUTION*** I have had all the same issues and Verizon was unable to help. Here is what I did to fix the problem myself (I cannot guarantee it will work for you)

1. Start fresh by fully unpairing device (and "remove plan" for cellular option if it pops up)

2. Turn off WiFi (try to move far enough away from WiFi signal or unplug router)

3. While WiFi is off, pair device normally and go through cellular setup normally.

4. After full pairing is complete, completely turn off both devices.

5. **turn on Apple Watch first (do not turn on Cell Phone yet)

6. Look for Green Cellular icon in Swipe Up settings at watch face screen. (or green dots showing signal)

7. Now turn on Cell phone. As you turn on your cell phone the Green icon will turn white as watch connects to Cell Phone.

8. Test your watch cellular signal by walking far away from the cell phone or power down cell phone again. Green cellular icon should turn on once out of range of cell phone.

Hope that helps everyone!

Child Item