Cannot activate Apple Watch LTE with current plan. Resolution?

[geneous]

I have an older grandfathered Verizon plan. It was nowhere advertised that I would not be able to use the LTE Apple Watch with it, which I received yesterday. After several hours on the phone with about 5 different people at Verizon, I was told that numbershare would not work with my watch. I was not provided an alternative solution. Can someone help?

[Ann154]

There is an activation issue with the watch and Apple is working on it. However the grandfathered plan might also be a factor in your situation.

[JEMONER]

i spent several hours with verizon tech support and apple support and nothing can be done. I have the new unlimited plan and they are having problems. the answer i got was we have a ticket in place and it will activate on its own.

[vzw_customer_support]

LINBUR3, I understand how upsetting that it is to have your new watch not being able to be activated. My goal is to make sure that we do everything we can to help out. I've sent you a Private Message. Can you please respond back to that message for me.

KevinR_VZW

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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!!

[vzw_customer_support]

Geneous, I know that I would be anxious to have such an amazing device activated. When looking at your watch, is there a small red dot on the digital crown?

LorenB_VZW

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[geneous]

LorenB,

Thanks so much for reaching out. I've chatted with AyaniB_VZW via PM and she's indicated that I cannot activate my apple watch (yes, with a red dot on the crown) unless I move to a different phone plan.

I am currently on an older Nationwide plan that I intend to keep. Though my data usage is usually about 22gb, I do occasionally travel and need to use my phone to tether for large amount of data, which would be unaffordable for me to use unless I maintain my current plan.

This is all very sad because I had no indication that it would be impossible to use the apple watch with my plan. All the marketing materials seemed to indicate that you just buy your watch and activate. But alas, this is a big caveat for me.

If it were possible to put my watch on a separate plan, without numbershare, I'd be interested in doing so, but AyaniB_VZW has indicated that this is not possible. If you have any other options for me, I'd be much obliged.

[vzw_customer_support]

Geneous, though I would love to say otherwise, this information is correct. While the wi-fi only version could be used in the same manner as previous versions, to have that on the go ability, you would need that number share.

LorenB_VZW

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[MICCHR5]

I called before ordering this because I tried ordering and it wanted me to change plans, I have to separate accounts and asked if I ordered it on a line on my sub account could I switch it to a number on primary account once I received it and not have to change my plan and was told yes I can, I also just called today asking the same questions and was told yes and sent an 800 number to call when ready. So these Verizon reps better be telling the truth.

[sprmankalel]

It is typical for new devices to NOT work with old plans. Verizon is more than able to determine what plans can go with which devices. It is their network and they can run it whichever way they choose. It has never been published in the past when calling/data plans were phased out and they weren't allowing newer devices to connect on these plans.

The biggest benefit of the LTE watch is that it can make calls without your phone being around. Do you see that happening that often that you can't get by with the non-LTE version?

[pjfla]

Almost a full week later, still unable to activate cellular.  Verizon is silent too...

[sprmankalel]

From my understanding, this is not a Verizon issue but an Apple issue where the device is not able to connect to the Apple servers.

[VA4Vols]

I'm having the same issue. I've put this on twitter and everyone should retweet so Verizon takes care of this. We cannot be the only ones. It needs to be seen on social media other than this community. #applewatch3notworkingonVerizon

[vzw_customer_support]

We want you to enjoy this new device, pjfla. Let's find out what happened. Where (i.e. Verizon store, Apple Store, etc.)did you purchase your new device ? What specifically happens when you try to activate it?

LynnD_VZW

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[andrewket]

I’m in the same boat. I called before ordering the watch as well as the day I received it when I couldn’t activate it, and I had 4 different CS reps tell me my gUDP plan was fine and not the problem. It was a problem with Apple, etc. Then a few days later I was told it’s my plan. The watch will use so little data. I just want to give Verizon another $10/mo...

I activated it on T-Mobile just to make sure the watch worked and it activated immediately. Unfortunately I really want it on my Verizon line. I’ve since disconnected it from T-Mobile.

On a whim I tried activating it again this morning on Verizon, and it got further than it ever has before. It said the plan was fine, asked me if I wanted to activate for $10, and then my 911 address. It went to activate and then after several seconds it failed and said to call. I’m not sure if this means anything. The T-Mobile profile has been removed, and the service disconnected there.

Verizon: are you now supporting the older unlimited plans? That would be great news.

A

[sprmankalel]

You are on an OLD unlimited plan? The phased out one? You probably won't be able to activate it on that plan as that is for a single device. Your phone.

Maybe try adding a sub account with a current plan attached to the watch. You will pay more for that, though.

It is really simple though. You can't attach a second device to a plan that is built for one device. Aside from the fact that Verizon does NOT have to let a new device activate on an old plan.

Get yourself a shareable plan.

[vzw_customer_support]

I know how important it is to get your Apple Watch activated andrewket. I apologize for all the troubles this has caused. We can definitely help.

We need to review your account and make sure everything is set up properly, and your plan supports the watch.

Please reply to the Direct Message I just sent you so we can further assist.

JohnB_VZW

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[fseth1122]

I received an apple watch 3 today. I have an unlimited data plan grandfathered in with Verizon for many years now. Found out I could not activate my watch, and prompted to call Verizon via my ipohone.

I called Verizon as prompted by the iphone. Told by three different members of Verizon customer service team that grandfathered plans (and only these plans) are not amenable to apple watch activation. I was further told that I could transition to a new unlimited plan (having to pay an additional 25 dollars per month) and then activate my i watch. Of course I refused this obvious attempt at coercing me into giving up my grandfathered true unlimited data plan. Note that this information was not available prior to purchasing iwatch, and that in fact this was found out by me (and many others like me) after the fact, and after the “bait and switch” deception by Verizon kicked into play.

So next I called Apple. They investigated, and got back to me that they also WERE NOT aware of this focused exclusion tactic being used by Verizon behind the scenes and after the fact. Apple further shared that based on the advertising, members of the public are correct to believe that any plan would be amenable to watch activation after paying a 10 dollar per month cellular plan fee (which I was happy to pay, as advertised).

Per Apple, there is another carrier who also has a focused exclusion tactic aimed at grandfathered unlimited plans (but they did not specify this other carrier). Apple was kept in the dark (or so I was told) and expressed that they would be submitting formal feedback to these carriers.

Having briefly reviewed Verizon forums, I am coming to learn that there are many other customers such as myself that are being denied the opportunity to activate their apple watch 3 unless they agree to submit to a new plan, thereby giving up their grandfathered plans.

I feel that this is deceptive (and potentially fraudulent) by Verizon. The public should be advised as to these focused exclusion tactics being used by Verizon (and at least one other carrier) as a behind the scenes coercive method aimed at forcing customers to give up existing plans in favor of more lucrative ones to the satisfaction of Verizon.

[sprmankalel]

You CAN'T activate a second device on a plane meant for ONE device.

[vzw_customer_support]

fseth1122, we definitely want to see you able to get your Apple Watch Series 3 activated. Regarding activating this device on a grandfathered plan, sprmankalel is correct as to why you are running into the activation issue. Your current plan was created before devices like this were commonly available, and were meant for one device/line. Please consider one of the newer plans to take full advantage of the feature set that is available through your watch model. You may also connect it through Bluetooth and WiFi as well.

NicandroN_VZW

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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!!

[LINBUR3]

First, I would like Verizon to train it employees and to admit publicly that it failed to prepare for the iWatch 3. Second, I would like you to waver the connection fee for everyone who is having trouble and has been lied to by your staff. It cost me double what it would of cost me to get a cracked screen fixed. They wanted me to return my phone first. That would of left me without a phone at all.

Linda

[KDalfaro]

It was not marketed/advertised as being compatible with only certain plans- this is why many of us are frustrated and disappointed. We feel scammed. And now we cannot enjoy the Apple-straight-out-of-the-box to use enjoymen they are known for.  Verizon certainly was aware of the incompatibility plan issues ahead of the launch and made a conscience decision not to devise a patch thereby reducing the customer satisfaction ratings of some of your longest and most loyal customers- the ones with grandfathered plans. Come on Verizon, you used to be better than this.