I cannot activate my new upgraded iPhone 16 Pro Max.
I am getting SOS only. I don't see the upgraded phone in my account. I purchased from Verizon.
I also have a secondary number (the $10 version) attached to the main number that is not activating, either.
The original iPhone 14 Pro Max is turned off. I've tried everything online to try to get the new phone to register with Verizon, but nothing works.
Please advise.
Solved! Go to Correct Answer
UPDATE:
You don't have to go into a store to fix this. Level 2 phone Techs can help you if you find the right one.
In SOS mode you cannot verify your phone. You can use your email address to verify if you have it set up when you call the Tech 2 line for help -- here's the Google-accessible phone number for that (if you can get past the Robocall AI and actually speak to a tech) 1-[phone number removed per the Verizon Terms of Service].
I spent 90 minutes on the phone last night with a Tech 2 who could not help me. My phone numbers were "stuck" in the activation system. He said he'd call back later, but never did.
This morning I called back to the Tech 2 line and got in touch with a wonderful woman who solved my problem. For some reason, none of our upgraded phones were in the system, so she had to reset that, then we reset a bunch of cellular settings to get Verizon to "forget" the failed SOS numbers. We deleted the existing eSIMS and turned off and on and off again and reset and deleted and it took an hour, but she fixed it for me! IMEI is the key to the secret sauce solution; and you have to find various ways in the system to pound on it -- and she found them all to a solution!
The Tech 2 is calling me back in 2 hours to help fix my wife's upgraded phone because, as she said, "I can see right now it will have the same problem, too."
Hi If your having issues with your Apple iPhone going in SOS mode you can also use our troubleshooting assistant. To learn more able SOS mode on apple devices please visit our FAQs. Thank you
We're sorry to hear that you're having problems with your iPhone activation. Just to be sure, have you already been able to set up your phone and were you able to get to the home screen, but just showing SOS instead of a usable signal?
~Jesse
Hi there!
Yes, the phone is all good and working. Just no cellular service on either number. The second number didn't appear to transfer from the iPhone 14 -- tried that and failed several times. Tried airplane mode. Turned off and on again. Just SOS only.
Thanks for the details. I'm sending you a Private Message so we can gather more details and better help you.
~Jesse
Hi @jesse, any update on how to fix, same SOS issue with iphone 16 pro max
Hello, chandanpasunoori, thanks for reaching out in reference to your new phone! Are you still running into an issue with service? Have you been able to complete the activation setup?
-Lauren
I'm still facing same issue, already 2 days over, still new phone in SOS mode, I don't understand why verizon is taking $35 fee if it can't handle basic functionality
We're sorry to read that you are having issues with activating your device. We're here to help. Are you getting any error when trying to activate? ~Peter
I’m having the same issue. Upgraded from 13 pro max to the 16pro max and Verizon turned off the 13. It also said 13 wasn’t compatible with the old sim to switch to the new eSIM. I did the chat and gave them my imei and imei2 and they coudjnt get it activated. Help. I have no service now! 10+ yr customer.
We never want to see you have a non activated phone. We would love to help. Learn more here: https://www.verizon.com/support/esim-activation-instructions/ -Joe
Yeah that doesnt work. All it says is transfer from nearby iPhone when I do that, it says it’s not compatible! This is ridiculous! I have no service now. What an embarrassment
I'm sorry you are having difficulties activating your phone. Let's look further into this. What zip code are you in? Here's a link that gives specific instructions: https://www.verizon.com/support/knowledge-base-220955/ -Joe
i am in peculiar mo 64078
Thanks for that info, we're not showing any known issues at this location so far. Are you still running into issues with activation? If so, have you been able to power your phone off and back on and then retry? Is there a particular step in the setup that you are getting stuck on?
-Lauren
I have this issue on my wife's phone now. Iphone 16 Pro worked great for me and auto activated, but no such luck on her Iphone 16 Pro Max.... Your call center is terrible where it texts you to go to the website, then tells you to call when that fails. I find it ridiculous you guys removed the tech 2 number provided in the solution as well given I can't even get a real person on the phone.
We want to make sure your phone is up and running, we'll be glad to help out. What happens with your device when going through the activation? Did you make sure to power off the old phone before activating the new one?
~Freddy
after multiple times calling verizon and trying to explain that others also facing same thing, they finally forwarded to porting team where they found that my number is in limbo, so they mapped order with new phone again, it took 140 minutes on call to resolve finally.
Hello chandanpasunoori, we're sorry to learn you're having issues with your service. Are you still experiencing these issues?
~Ivone
I have the same issue. My iPhone 16 plus is stuck in SOS and has been since I activated it earlier this evening. My old phone is now inactive and my elderly parents are not able to contact me bacause we have no landline!! Very frustrating!
Hello, Hap33, we certainly don't want your phone to continue to show the SOS message. Are you still seeing that indicator? To make sure we're on the same page, does your MY Verizon account show your new phone on your number?
-Lauren
having the same issue. Just recvd my iPhone 16 Pro and it won't get service, We've contacted Verizon multiple times and they can't get it working. I was told they needed to make a service ticket and someone would call back next week. I shouldn't have to wait to get my new phone working!!! Apparently they have MULTIPLE records of this same issue!!!
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