Apple Watch ultra activation

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Level 1

12 points

Apple Watch ultra activation

Does anyone have any insight into why verizon couldn’t activate my watch ultra? They keep on saying the imei is not valid and or not recognized by their system

Posted on Sep 24, 2022 8:44 PM

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Answer 1

ilocawit Author

Level 1

12 points

Sep 25, 2022 6:42 AM in response to lllaass

Sure did. I spent a few hours since I got the watch on the 23rd. A couple of Verizon tech are pretty useless. I also called Apple Care and spoke to 2 reps. The first one confirmed the watch should work with Verizon and also confirmed Apple Watch are not or never carrier locked but referred me back to Verizon. The second Apple rep was as useless as the Verizon reps. This rep was asking me if I’m using an actual SIM card on the watch. He was also asking me questions fishing for information about the watch like it was his first time hearing about the watch or its existence. I had to drop the call cause I was getting heated up. What I don’t get is both Apple care reps and Verizon don’t have any or very idea about how the Watch works or how to activate it. The watch is expensive to buy and not able to use its full capability cause both the manufacturer and the carrier don’t know how to activate the device as it was intended. Apple just know to market and sell. Verizon also just want customers to buy the device from them and if it’s not bought from them they don’t recognize the device. A pretty sad

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Answer 2

lllaass

Level 10

210,471 points

Sep 25, 2022 7:08 AM in response to ilocawit

I would return the watch for a full refund.

Maybe there is a problem with that watch and another watch will activate.

Or maybe Verizon has not update their activation software to reflect the imea's use on the new watch.

2 ½ years ago I had a problem insuring, the all electric Mini Cooper was just released in the USA and my insurance company's software said the VIN was not valid.

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Answer 3

steven32

Level 1

13 points

Sep 25, 2022 2:37 PM in response to ilocawit

I am having the same problem with the Ultra and Verizon/Apple. No one, so far, can activate this watch, including the Tier 2 Verizon Tier 2 techs. FWIW, after giving up on the Ultra, I tried to reactivate cellular on my old Series 4, and now having the same problem activating cellular on that watch. Ugh.

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Answer 4

ilocawit Author

Level 1

12 points

Sep 25, 2022 2:43 PM in response to steven32

I spent hours with Verizon Tier 2 and Apple Care team. All I got was pointing fingers. Verizon doesn’t know how to deal with this problem. I was just told to return/exchange the watch and try again. Useless techs

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Answer 5

eTron

Level 1

8 points

Oct 2, 2022 4:47 PM in response to ilocawit

Spent 3 1/2 hours on the phone with ATT today. And then spent another 1 1/2 at the store. The activation of these things is botched. So frustrated. The ATT reps are referring people to Apple to return the watch as defective. I will be returning mine and keeping my series 7 if they don't figure it out by the end of the day. 👎🏻

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Answer 6

ilocawit Author

Level 1

12 points

Oct 2, 2022 7:31 PM in response to eTron

Mine has been fixed. I spent 1 hour at the genius bar. I scheduled an appointment since I have apple care. I showed them the issue when trying to add the watch to my Verizon account. They did some diagnostic and whatever they do. And they also was not able to determine why it won't activate. So they told me to check back daily to see if they have some stock so they can replace it. When I left the store and got back to my house about 1 hour or so, I tried to activate it again and this time it went through the process like a breeze. So I don't know if Verizon did something or Apple did something. Verizon never called me back for an update for my filed service request. So I don't know who actually fixed it. But it's fixed for me.

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Answer 7

steven32

Level 1

13 points

Oct 24, 2022 9:04 AM in response to Winnerwinnercxdinner

I was finally able to connect Verizon cellular to the Ultra. I found the issue to be related to my E911 address listed in my Verizon account. After I matched the location of the watch with the E911 address, the cellular service activated on the watch.

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Answer 8

Eldorren

Level 1

8 points

Oct 24, 2022 9:04 AM in response to ilocawit

Same issue. I'm currently at tier 2 Verizon support and have unpaired, re-paired the device twice and they still cannot get it activated on their side. I've been on support for 1.5 hours. If I don't get much further, will likely return the watch for a full refund. I never had any similar issues on previous apple watches. To think I chose this watch over a Garmin. Now I'm regretting it.

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Answer 9

Oct 28, 2022 8:02 PM in response to Eldorren

I called Verizon 3 times and spoke with reps in 2 different countries, spending 3 hours on the phone. Went to a corporate store and spent 2 hours there, 4 days of trying to activate the watch. I sent it back to Apple for a refund. Had issues activating the E-SIM with the first 14 pro max for 3 days. Had to send it back and order a second,, that one worked. Verizon fiasco!

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Answer 10

lllaass

Level 10

210,471 points

Sep 25, 2022 3:49 AM in response to ilocawit

Have you contacted Verizon support since it is not clear if you got message on phone or watch saying the imea is not valid)?

Next would be to contact Apple Support.

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Answer 11

ilocawit Author

Level 1

12 points

Sep 25, 2022 7:15 AM in response to lllaass

I have a Verizon tech tier 2 phone appointment today. Hopefully they can solve it. If not I’m gonna return or exchange the watch at Apple. Thaanks

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Answer 12

Oct 23, 2022 2:42 PM in response to ilocawit

Do not buy the Apple watch Ultra... 3 days 4 Apple techs and 5 Verizon reps later and no has any answers as to why they cannot connect a carrier and cellular to this watch.

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Answer 13

Oct 28, 2022 7:55 PM in response to steven32

Verizon would not recognize my address for 911, yet my bill comes to my address, go figure!

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Apple Watch ultra activation

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