Major problems activating iPhone 8 Plus

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Level 1

30 points

Major problems activating iPhone 8 Plus

Hi everyone

I just bought a new-in-box sealed, (supposedly unlocked) A1864 iPhone 8 Plus from somebody on Craigslist. It had never been unwrapped.

I opened it, put in my AT&T SIM card from my iPhone 7 Plus, and I get a "SIM not supported message" and I can't get into the phone.

So I called AT&T, and got a new SIM card. Still the same problem. So I called Apple, and they said the phone is "locked" to Verizon. So I call Verizon, and they confirmed that they don't "lock" their 4G LTE phones, and the phone should work fine on AT&T. But with any SIM card except for a Verizon SIM card, the phone won't even pass the activation screen.

If I insert a Verizon SIM card, it tries to activate for a long time and then goes to the "connect to iTunes" logo. Connecting it to iTunes makes it go the the home screen for just one second, and then it immediately reverts to the "iPhone needs activation" screen.

I just paid a lot of money for this phone and have called AT&T, Verizon, and Apple tons of times! Does anyone have any ideas as to why this phone is acting so weird for me?

I have restored the iPhone with iTunes, and tried 5 different SIM cards.

iPhone 8 Plus, iOS 11.0.3

Posted on Oct 12, 2017 7:59 PM

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Answer 1

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,309 points

Oct 12, 2017 8:05 PM in response to LukeLindblom

I would try to get back in touch with the seller. It is possible they purchased the phone from an authorized retailer like Best Buy here in the US, and if that is the case, then it could have been one of the flex program unlocks, which locks the phone to the first carrier activated. It is possible the phone was not really new sealed in the box. While Verizon was correct that they do not lock the GSM side of their LTE phones, something obviously isn't right. If you look at the back of the phone, what is the model number there? Something like A18??

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Answer 2

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,309 points

Oct 12, 2017 8:16 PM in response to LukeLindblom

Interesting, while Verizon does not lock the GSM/LTE side of the phone, according to this article, that model will not work with AT&T. https://everymac.com/systems/apple/iphone/specs/apple-iphone-8-plus-verizon-spri nt-australia-hong-kong-china-a1864-specs…

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Answer 3

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,309 points

Oct 12, 2017 8:30 PM in response to LukeLindblom

Not what is considered a SIM-free unlocked phone, no. It is one designed for Verizon, but as indicated, the phone should not be locked. From what I have read, the actual unlocked phone model is A1863.

So, since you say you did not go to AT&T, you got the SIM card by mail?

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Answer 4

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,309 points

Oct 13, 2017 8:55 AM in response to LukeLindblom

From what I have read, some of the Verizon and Sprint models are set for CDMA only, based on the particular chip they have. I cannot verify this, since this is 3rd party information that I read. As far as what to do with the phone, except for what I said regarding contacting AT&T, I really couldn't tell you, however Apple should be able to answer that question. Unfortunately, when you make purchases of this type from the venue that you used, versus Apple or an Authorized Apple Reseller, you open yourself up for issues. I hope you can get some help or satisfaction about this device.

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Answer 5

LukeLindblom Author

Level 1

30 points

Oct 12, 2017 8:11 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

I tried to get in touch with the seller already, but he is not getting back to me. Hopefully there wasnt a problem with the phone he didn’t tell me about. But it was still wrapped in the plastic with the green tab from Apple.

Model A1864.

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Answer 6

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,309 points

Oct 12, 2017 8:22 PM in response to LukeLindblom

LukeLindblom wrote:

So there’s no way at all, and I should give up trying?

To be honest, I couldn't answer that question. What did AT&T say when you went to see them? Can they say whether or not they can activate that device on their network?

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