Can't add eSIM on Google Pixel 8 Pro with Verizon

[jeffreykey]

Problem: Can't add eSIM on Verizon Pixel 8 Pro

I have a Google Pixel 8 Pro. So does my son and a friend of his. We're all on Verizon, and got our phones from Verizon. The problem is that none of us can download an eSIM. After trying to add an eSIM in the settings, I get to the "Connect to mobile network" screen. However, clicking "Download a new eSIM" immediately goes to a "Contact Verizon" screen. I've tried rebooting the phone, disabling the Verizon physical SIM, turning off mobile data and roaming, removing the SIM card, resetting the network, and multiple combinations of all this.

The phone is not SIM-locked. I put a friend's T-Mobile SIM card in the phone to verify that it is unlocked.

My wife's iPhone 15 Pro, also on Verizon, doesn't have this problem. Of course it doesn't. It's an iPhone.

This is maddening. My son and his friend discovered this issue while in an airport on their way to Europe. They wanted to add an eSIM, just as we have all done before with Pixel 6's. They talked to a Verizon tech who was helpful but couldn't resolve the issue. Verizon thinks it's a Google problem.

I talked to Google technical support after submitting the issue from my phone (Contact Support on the Troubleshoot mobile connection screen). It was a long call because the support person kept putting me on hold to investigate this or that. Ultimately she said that the phone is operating as it should. Obviously it isn't. So is it a Verizon problem?

[jeffreykey]

I'm glad to see that somebody besides me cares about this! Thanks for posting. I too have spent a couple hours on the phone with Verizon tech support. They were interested and helpful, but both times the conclusion was that it's Google's problem. I called Google support once early on, and they said that the phone was operating as it should. So that was useless. I also submitted feedback to Google on my phone. No response or action. 

If you haven't already seen it, I posted a workaround above (February 4). That may or may not help you. 

[vzw_customer_support]

Wisegye, we're sorry to read about the issues you're experiencing when trying to add an eSIM on your device, and would love to help. To clarify, are you trying to activate your existing Verizon number the eSIM, or add a different number on the eSIM?
~Izzy