iPad air 2 (direct from Apple) and Verizon -- not possible?

You can. If you log in to my verizon wireless -> devices -> device overview it will show all your devices and their numbers.

I don't mean to resurrect an old issue but for anyone searching on this issue, I wanted to explain, as I work at an indirect verizon retailer. The reason most stores tell you that it has to be the "Verizon version" is that (at least with the system we currently have at my store) if the device's serial number is not in verizon's system, then the system will outright refuse to activate it as it's not a "recognized device". BUT, there is a workaround: if the sim is already active, then it can be put into an unlocked device and it'll work (providing it supports the networks you're trying to connect to). The problem here though is in the case of ipads, we get several people that come through with the ipad air 2 and as we're a small store, I don't have another ipad I can activate your sim in AND it would ruin the warranty on the ipad I use to activate it in.

Long story short, complain to verizon about their serial number lockout, they're the ones causing the issue, they just don't want people using devices that they didn't sell and haven't gotten the opportunity to load their software on!

ahostmadsen wrote:

Thanks. I will try to bring this to a Verizon or Apple store. It seems they are just uninformed. However, one detail is not clear. What I want from Verizon is a pre-paid plan, and the Verizon store person said specifically that a pre-paid plan is only possible if you buy the iPad from Verizon. But that doesn't make a lot of sense. A SIM card is a SIM card. I will try again. I prefer the Verizon plans to AT & T, but I can live with AT & T if Verizon is too stubborn.

That may be so but Verizon can choose how you can get it. If they have chosen only to sell pre-paid plans with the purchase of the iPad then they can do that.

This all sounds like confusion that a Verizon Franchise store would make, because they make money on commission, so they would NOT investigate it further, and of course would sway you into purchasing another iPad from them.

keep us updated....I just last week purchased a new iPad Air 2 only because it was advertized to be swappable between all four carriers..

keep us updated...I have delayed a week in activity ting cellular on my new iPad Air 2. I invested a thousand dollars solely because of the promise to freely swap carriers.....Apple is certainly concealing this secret restriction from verizon....in fact out of the box Apple allows ONLY ATT, SPRINT AND T MOBILE. that gave me pause....my intention was to use the new Wikipedia foundation service that donate 15% of billings to Charity...they can do this because they do not. Spend on advertising ...that option is blocked by Apple.

ahostmadsen wrote:

ahostmadsen wrote:

I bought a cellular iPad Air 2 directly from Apple. I would like to (also) use it with Verizon. I went to a Verizon store and asked if I could get a Verizon SIM card, but the they claimed that is not possible. You can only use the iPad Air 2 on Verizon if you buy directly from Verizon. Is that true? I asked in the Apple store, but did not get a clear answer.

Following up a year later. I use my iPad with T-mobile, but when traveling I don't quite want to trust T-mobile coverage (when to Lake Tahoe. Zero T-mobile signal on my iPhone, but plenty on my previous Verizon iPad.). I went to Verizon store again and asked to buy a SIM card. I thought that by now they should have sorted it out. But no. Same answer: "go to AT & T." said the store sales person! So, I bought an Apple SIM card and activated with AT & T. I was positively surprised by their coverage and data plans. So, goodbye Verizon!

Good decision. They don't want your money so don't give it to them.

I just got off the phone with Apple. First, I had to ask to get transferred to the US, as the Asian accent of the first "call director" with whom I was connected made her utterly incomprehensible.

The second fellow insisted that he had no idea whether I would have to incur additional cos to equip an iPad Air 2 with the necessary hardware to work on Verizon's network. I deliberately refrained from using the term "SIM card", wondering whether this telephone monkey would supply the term himself. Nope. His best - and only - advice was that I should contact Verizon.

Really? Come on, Apple, enough is enough. The MS Surface and Samsung tablets on the market are decent enough that it's about time you actually begin to provide some genuine customer support that lacks the arrogance of a monopoly.

The following article states that if an iPad is activated on AT&T, T-Mobile or Sprint first it cannot then be activated on Verizon. See "The Verizon Factor" in the article (link below).

http://www.imore.com/how-to-pick-ipad-data-plan

A Year and a half after the last comment, Verizon store employees told my husband that he should sell our two brand new iPad Air 2 and get one through them in order to get Verizon cellular! After reading several articles online and this wonderful conversation!! we simply went to the Apple Store. My husband walked in and told the greeter that he wanted two Verizon SIM cards for our iPads. In a few short minutes he received them and they are still free!!! Love it! Thanks for the info everyone.