Apple Watch 3 - Carrier Locked?

Question

Level 1

9 points

Apple Watch 3 - Carrier Locked?

Geography: U.S.A.

Region: Western U.S.

I have an iPhone 7 Plus with Verizon. I recently purchased an Apple Watch 3 Cellular version via a person-to-person sale. The original carrier appears to be AT&T. AT&T states the IMEI is clear, and is not associated with any account. However, Verizon insists it is totally unable to activate this Apple Watch 3. Their reason they stated is that since the watch has not been purchased either from Best Buy for their service, or purchased directly from them they are unable to add it to their system.

From numerous other discussions on the Communities site, the consistent answer from Apple has been that there is no carrier lock.

My question is: Which is it? Is it carrier locked, or not?

If it truly is not, this issue needs to be directly addressed from Apple to Verizon as their stance is that if it has not been bought directly from them, or Best Buy from their service they can't activate it. If needed, I have the emails of their official response.

Apple Watch Series 3, watchOS 4.2.3, Verizon

Posted on Feb 28, 2018 10:10 AM

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Answer 1

Jonathan UK

Level 10

163,763 points

Feb 28, 2018 10:14 AM in response to chpid

Hi

Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) is not locked to - and does not lock to - any specific carrier.

Apple's instructions for changing carriers are detailed in the first support article below, under the heading "Changing carriers" and, if necessary, also under the heading "Remove your cellular plan":

If your carrier is experiencing issues with implementing the change, then I suggest that you continue your dialogue with them and, if necessary, next contact Apple Support:

(Note that you are not talking to Apple here - this is a user-based technical support community).

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Answer 2

chpid Author

Level 1

9 points

Feb 28, 2018 1:43 PM in response to Jonathan UK

Unfortunately, Verizon has shut down all dialogue. Effectively stating that it cannot be activated in any way on their system. It actually gives their techs an error when looking up the IMEI that it’s not found.

That said, I have engaged Apple’s support structure to see if any progress can be made.

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Answer 3

Apr 14, 2018 7:09 PM in response to chpid

Was this problem ever resolved? I paid off my watch from AT&T, requested and had the unlock approved, and yet Verizon still can't activate my watch. I purchased another one straight from Best Buy, and it activated immediately. I don't understand what is going on with the watch I purchased from AT&T.

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Answer 4

Rudegar

Level 10

170,574 points

Apr 15, 2018 3:20 AM in response to cdominguez2007

the watch rely on a technology called eSIM this is a technology the carrier has to support before the watch can be used on their network, so it's not a lock or not lock question its a

"Hey Verizon do you support eSIM ?"

if they say no you can't use the apple watch on their network until they begin supporting it if they plan on it sooner or later

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Answer 5

Branta_uk

Level 7

32,428 points

Apr 15, 2018 3:46 PM in response to Jonathan UK

The watch is not locked by any technical method or settings. However it appears Verizon has a commercial policy to only accept devices onto the network which were sold or otherwise supplied through Verizon.

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Answer 6

deggie

Level 10

167,177 points

Apr 16, 2018 2:15 PM in response to Branta_uk

Verizon has had issues with any Apple Watch, even ones sold at their shop, in getting number sync to work. There have been many posts here from the day the cellular watch was released from people with Verizon service who could not get it to work. They were often told by Verizon first level personnel that it was an Apple problem. Those that persisted and went up to a higher tier got their service fixed.

Mind you I specifically said the Apple Watch. Bringing your own iPhone is an entirely different matter and depends on the model of the iPhone.

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Answer 7

Branta_uk

Level 7

32,428 points

Apr 16, 2018 4:58 PM in response to deggie

That makes more sense when you mention Verizon’s technical gremlins failing to make Apple Watch work. Good reply and it might help others who search Verizon as a keyword. Tagged as helpful.

Agreed the ongoing issues with legacy technology will continue to plague US phone users for some time yet. The final last post for CDMA can’t come too soon.

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