Verizon Cellular and New Apple Watches SE3 and Series 11 Incompatibility

Question

Level 1

14 points

Verizon Cellular and New Apple Watches SE3 and Series 11 Incompatibility

Verizon is refusing to activate replacement watches on member accounts with certain older plans. I currently have a Series 6 phone activated and was replacing it with a SE3. Verizon is saying that because the new watches are 5G capable these SE3 and Series 11 watches are "incompatible" with certain older plans such as my "Unlimited55+Loyalty" plan. I believe this is really not a technical issue but a way for Verizon to try to force customers to higher priced plans.

iPhone 16 Pro

Posted on Sep 20, 2025 10:47 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Mac Jim ID

Level 9

60,602 points

Sep 20, 2025 11:09 AM in response to massonal

You are correct that is a Verizon issue. That is how they get you out of a "grandfathered" plan that offered cheaper rates. Nothing anything Apple can do about it. You may want to post over at the Verizon Community forums as if any resolution is provided, it would have to come from Verizon.

https://community.verizon.com/

May be time to compare rates elsewhere if they don't have you trapped in a contract.

Reply

Answer 2

massonal Author

Level 1

14 points

Sep 26, 2025 5:38 AM in response to Mac Jim ID

As of yesterday I've signed up with Verizon for a new plan which they call their "Unlimited Welcome" plan. This plan actually saves me a few dollars a month after a Military Discount of $25/month and (theoretically) will allow my new SE3 watch to activate when the new plan is effective on Oct 3rd. Time will tell if this actually works. All this after many hours on the phone with Verizon about this issue and how they can fix it. I'll confirm on Oct 3rd if this actually worked. The new plan rates are "guaranteed" for 3 years...sigh....

Reply

Answer 3

massonal Author

Level 1

14 points

Sep 20, 2025 12:21 PM in response to Mac Jim ID

Thanks I've posted a similar issue/request for resolution on the Verizon Community board.

Reply