During cell plan setup on iPad mini 3, Verizon not listed.

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Level 1

17 points

During cell plan setup on iPad mini 3, Verizon not listed.

I just purchased an iPad mini 3 in the United States from Best Buy. When I go to Settings=>Cellular Data=>Set Up Cellular Data, Verizon does not appear as one of my choices. I do see AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile. Do I need to get a different SIM card from Verizon?

I called Verizon. They said my SIM card number is not a valid Verizon SIM card number. They said all of their card numbers start with "89" but mine starts with "A". So, they said I have to buy a SIM card from them for $10.

They also asked me to look in General=>Settings=>About and tell me what the ICC ID number is. But ICC ID is not shown on that screen.

iPad Mini, iOS 8.1.1, iPad Mini 3 64G WiFi+Cellular

Posted on Dec 3, 2014 3:51 PM

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Answer 1

Lyssa

Level 8

41,405 points

Dec 3, 2014 5:57 PM in response to boboosta

The Apple SIM that comes with the iPads cannot be used with Verizon; you do need to get one from them instead.

Might be worth escalating your issue to see if you can get the SIM without being charged for it; not sure if that's possible but it won't hurt to try.

~Lyssa

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Answer 2

Dec 4, 2014 5:27 AM in response to boboosta

If you go into a Verizon corporate store, I do not believe they will charge you for a SIM.

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Answer 3

boboosta Author

Level 1

17 points

Dec 6, 2014 12:30 PM in response to boboosta

Success.

An online Apple tech support person said that the Apple SIM card that comes with the iPad mini 3 does not yet support Verizon. She said I had to go to a Verizon store to get a new SIM card. Verizon cannot use the SIM card in my old iPad because it is larger than the iPad mini 3 SIM card.

So, I went to the Verizon store. The whole process in the store took about 10-15 minutes. They waived the $35 activation fee--presumably because I have Verizon on the old iPad I am replacing. So, they created a new data plan account for my new iPad.

I can cancel the plan on my old iPad from Settings=>Cellular Data=View Account.

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