Need help activating / transferring from Verizon iPhone to unlocked iPhone

[CatalinaSnowLeopard]

Hi, was wondering if anyone could help me figure out how to activate a "new" (refurbished) iPhone of the same model, essentially transferring from one that I bought through Verizon (i.e. at the store) to an "unlocked" one that I bought myself.

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"First" iPhone :
iPhone SE 2020, 64GB, purchased and activated at Verizon store

"Second" iPhone :
iPhone SE 2020, 256GB, "unlocked," purchased via Amazon, is not activated yet

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I took the second iPhone out of the box and followed the instructions on the screen to transfer over the data from the first IPhone.  With a few negligible exceptions in the settings that I was able to fix manually (like Display Zoom and some duplicated contacts), I was able to transfer everything from the first iPhone to the second iPhone without any problems.

The main issue that I have is that the second iPhone did not activate over the Verizon network, i.e. it did not transfer my actual phone number / service from the first iPhone (bought through Verizon) to the second one ("unlocked"). I tried using the "Verizon Transfer" app but it seems to be mainly a Verizon-specific / Verizon-branded wizard that performs the same functions as Apple's own transfer function, i.e. only for the data on your phone and not the service itself.

On the second iPhone, I went to Settings -> Cellular -> Set Up Cellular. I get an error:

"Your SIM is not supported. The SIM in your old iPhone does not support eSIM transfer. Contact Verizon for assistance."

On that same screen, I tried choosing Other Options -> Transfer from nearby iPhone. A screen comes up:

"To transfer a phone number from another iPhone, make sure your other iPhone is nearby, unlocked, has Bluetooth on, and is running iOS 16 or later."

I'm assuming by "unlocked" it means the screen is unlocked and not the phone itself? Both phones were updated to the latest iOS, and Bluetooth is turned on in settings. However, on the first iPhone, on the screen that says

"Transfer Phone Number:  Transfer a phone number from this iPhone to your other iPhone"

and I choose "Unlock to continue", then a verification code shows up on the second iPhone to be entered on the first phone, I get an error message on the second phone:

"Your SIM is not supported. This phone number can't be transferred because your account is ineligible."

So, the first iPhone is still showing the Verizon network in the corner, while the second iPhone is stuck on "SOS Only."

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Do I have to go into the Verizon store in person to do this, or is there a way that I can transfer the number myself, a step that I missed? Or did I just buy for all intents and purposes an iPod brick that I can't use as a phone? Back in the days when we all had flip phones on our family plan, it was as simple as dialing customer service (I think *611 was the code), and it would activate for you via an automated prompt. No muss, no fuss.

But this is the first such smartphone that I have ever had, after about 20 years of clinging to flip phones, and it seems very different now, more complicated.  I am very wary of doing things like dismantling the hardware to see if there is a "swappable" SIM Card inside either of the phones, as some other results online have suggested be done. I have health issues that prevent me from going out much anymore, and if there is something that I can do at home without venturing out to the Verizon store, that would be ideal. Thanks very much in advance to anyone who can help.

[vzw_customer_support]

Hey, CatalinaSnowLeopard. We definitely want to make sure that you're able to activate your device! Please tell us, where was your phone purchased? Did we verify network compatibility for the new device here: http://spr.ly/6606ny1E0

~Izzy

[CatalinaSnowLeopard]

Hi Izzy, thank you for your reply.

The first phone (iPhone SE 2020, 64GB) was purchased a couple of years ago at a Verizon store, and activated there. I am a member of a family plan, though not the "primary" if that means anything.

The second phone (iPhone SE 2020, 256GB), I bought from Amazon last year on Black Friday, but did not have a chance to open it up until now.

I cannot seem to do anything on the  Verizon page that you linked to. I tried opening it on my computer and on my second phone and get an error "Looks like something went wrong. Please give us a call at 1.800.922.0204."

[vzw_customer_support]

I appreciate the information, CatalinaSnowLeopard! To better assist, I'll be sending you a Private Message. This way, we can review some account and device specific issues. 👍

~Izzy

[CatalinaSnowLeopard]

Message sent, thanks again for your continued help.