Level 1

86 points

iPhone 12 stuck verifying phone number

My iPhone 12 pro, running iOs 14.1 has been stuck verifying my phone number for almost a day now. I wasn't getting messages after transferring data from my prior phone (iPhone 7), so I added my number in Settings>General>Messages. Since then, I've tried:

hard rebooting with the older device on, off, and on airplane mode (upwards of 10 times),
plugging iPhone 12 into laptop and rebooting from iTunes,
removed the number from Messages (in settings), restarted and added it back in

What else is missing? Anyone else having this problem? This is very frustrating...

Posted on Oct 24, 2020 8:35 AM

Top-ranking reply

Forest Ray Author

Level 1

86 points

Posted on Oct 31, 2020 11:16 AM

I seem to have solved this - it was the network settings from my telecoms provider. I called T-Mobile and a technician said that my carrier settings won't change over to the new device automatically (annoying...). He asked for the phone's IMEI, found in Settings>General>About, did something on his terminal and said that it was all set. The call dropped, as I had to call from my old device, and now the new phone seems to be fully operational.

Rather frustrating having to figure that out on my own, but hopefully this works for the rest of you as well.

Cheers!

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39 replies

Mar 25, 2021 12:53 PM in response to Forest Ray

SIMPLE. Switch your old SIM card into your new iPhone.

Sutphen

Level 1

4 points

Mar 16, 2021 8:50 PM in response to Forest Ray

I did the Activate now pamphlet that came with the new phone, going to att.com/getstarted. Result: No Joy--phone number still frozen in "verifying" mode in Facetime and Message, lots of error messages.

After hours of googling and trying offered solutions, then talking to AT&T customer service (they were helpful with some issues) and searching for answers at my AT&T account support center to remedy this issue, I just happened to read in this forum about the Phone Trade-in "Miracle Cure."

Sure enough when I registered my old phone with the AT&T Phone Trade-in program, the new phone was no longer in frozen "verifying. . . " mode. That's my saga. . . .might work for some of you. Namaste.

jeayan

Level 1

4 points

Feb 27, 2021 11:52 AM in response to Woody_McLovin

It’s totally normal everything is going to be okay. Just call your carrier and tell them that you want to verify your number. They will ask you some questions based off of your information and you should be set :))

Mar 4, 2021 6:49 PM in response to Forest Ray

You can try logging into your carrier account and click on activate.

at least that’s how I did it. I have Cricket; logged in and clicked on activate. Than it asked me to type in my order number since I purchased it online and also I had to type in my phone number. After that it told me to insert my SIM card and BAMM!! Activation complete 😃

hope I helped

Dohone

Level 1

4 points

Dec 31, 2020 12:28 PM in response to Forest Ray

Same issue. I went to my t noble account and edited the phone sim number replacing it with the new phones SIM card number worked perfect

Nov 2, 2020 4:10 PM in response to Forest Ray

Yup this is what did it for me. I realized after I read your post that there was actually a sheet I hadn’t read that came in the box....guess what it said? It gave instructions in activating the phone on the ATT site. Lol. Thanks for the pointer!

Oct 25, 2020 12:28 PM in response to Forest Ray

Forest Ray, I’m having exactly the same problem. I just transferred my data from iPhone 7 Plus to my new 12 and it’s been trying to verify my phone number ever since. I can’t send or receive any messages. I’ve tried all the things you have tried with no luck either. Beyond frustrated....

gms004

Level 1

13 points

Oct 31, 2020 6:17 AM in response to Ava_39

Has anyone figured out how to fix this? I got the 12 yesterday and my dad got the 11, and both of our phones are still stuck saying “verifying...”

I can receive imessages but not regular texts, but my dad isn’t receiving anything.

Ava_39

Level 1

13 points

Oct 29, 2020 8:41 PM in response to brendab909

Have you had any luck yet? I just got my new iPhone 12 today and the same thing is happening to me.

iMJ12

Level 1

14 points

Oct 31, 2020 11:10 AM in response to Forest Ray

I have the same problem. Why hasn't Apple responded?

iMJ12

Level 1

14 points

Oct 31, 2020 11:12 AM in response to Forest Ray

My iMessage still is green and have the similar issues.

Apr 7, 2021 9:11 AM in response to Forest Ray

This is what I did when I upgraded from iPhone 6 to iPhone 11 Pro through AT&T (I have a business plan); to activate new phone went to:

att.com/getstartedbiz

click phone

follow instructions

Nov 27, 2020 6:12 PM in response to brendab909

This was helpful and I have activate my phone with AT&T which automatically deactivated my old phone. When I go to messages, it is still trying to verify my phone number. Any thoughts on why that would be?

Nov 10, 2020 7:36 PM in response to Forest Ray

My wife and I both called T-mobile, they activated the sim and both our phones are still 'activating'... I could see if this was 2007.

Nov 11, 2020 8:50 PM in response to brendab909

I also have at&t and this worked! Thank you:)

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iPhone 12 stuck verifying phone number