iPhone 6S Activation Issues
Legacy777
Newbie

So I've got an interesting and a bit of challenging problem here.  My wife recently moved from London to the US.  She purchased an iPhone 6s from the Apple store and has been using it with a Vodafone SIM card in London with out any issues.  The specific iPhone 6S model is an A1688, and from everything that I can research is the same model Verizon would have provided.

The plan was to get a Verizon SIM card and just add her to my plan as a new line.  We and two separate Verizon stores did the checks of the IMEI and other information to see if the phone was compatible with the Verizon network.  All checks came back good and that the phone would work.  However, when we put in the Verizon SIM card there is an initial several seconds that it appears that it will work and then it goes to NO SERVICE.  We looked into things a little more and when you go to the "Cellular" option, "Cellular Data Options", and then "Enable LTE" Data Only is selected.  When you try and select "Voice & Data" it brings up a prompt that says "Cannot Activate LTE Calls" and gives you a link to the following page:  Wi Fi Calling "Cannot Activate LTE Calls" error message | Verizon Wireless

I did some more testing last night and wiped the phone.  Upon my surprise after wiping the phone it was showing signal and connected to the Verizon network.  However, when I moved to the "Activation" phase of the phone it loses signal and then says No Service.  Check out the video below.  I'm not sure if there is any additional activation or configuration that is needed from Verizon.  If anybody has any suggestions or input it is very welcome!

iPhone 6s Activation Issues - YouTube

Thanks

Josh

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Re: iPhone 6S Activation Issues
vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

Legacy777, I hope your wife has transitioned to the U.S. well. I know change can be hard for all of us, especially such a drastic change. 

 

I did get a chance to watch the video. From what I can see, you have the phone connected to WiFi. Upon initial activation, WiFi needs to be OFF, and connected to Cellular Data only. Please try turning WiFi OFF, restart the phone, and then power it back ON. Once it is ON, it should complete the activation and programming. 

 

Please confirm if you are able to activate the phone successfully. 

 

Vanessa_VZW
Follow us on TWITTER @VZWSupport
If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this.

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Re: iPhone 6S Activation Issues
Legacy777
Newbie

Vanessa,

Thank you for the feedback.  I tried the suggestion you provided and it did not work.  I also called and spoke with a tier 2 Verizon Support person and they indicated that the phone needed to be added to the Verizon database.  They submitted a form and we tried activating it again.  Unfortunately that did not work so we've kind of resolved ourselves that this phone isn't going to activate on the Verizon network.

Thanks

Josh

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Re: iPhone 6S Activation Issues
tracyb_vzw
Verizon Employee

We definitely want to resolve this for you, Legacy777. Your efforts so far are appreciated. I would like to check more information. Please check your private messages so I can gather details.

TracyB_VZW

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If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

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Re: iPhone 6S Activation Issues
Salisbury
Specialist - Level 2

Hi Legacy777, based on reading your post that iPhone would be locked and will not activate on a Verizon network unless it is unlocked. My guess is the iPhone was purchased at a Apple store in London and locked to Vodafone, a British telecommunications company based out of London, England. iPhones sold by Verizon are sold unlocked.

Basically what locked and unlocked means. Is a locked iPhone is locked to a specific carrier, in this case Vodafone. Where an unlocked iPhone will activate with any carriers by way of - subscriber identity module card or SIM card.

Now this iPhone can probably be unlocked to accept a Verizon SIM card and activate on the Verizon network. How to go about that, I am not

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Re: iPhone 6S Activation Issues
Legacy777
Newbie

Salisbury,

Thank you for the reply.  As noted it was purchased as unlocked directly from Apple.  All indications we have is that it was and still is unlocked.  Is there a way you would suggest to determine whether the phone is truly locked to Vodafone?

Thanks

Josh

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Re: iPhone 6S Activation Issues
Salisbury
Specialist - Level 2

Legacy777, if a iPhone was purchased at a Apple Store in the USA it would be unlocked. Where was it purchased? From what I've read an iPhone purchased in the UK is not necessarily unlocked. And in some cases will not work with non UK SIMS. I believe the iPhone is locked. Because if not, when installing a Verizon SIM it would more than likely work, and with other carrier SIM cards as well.

I don't have the knowledge to tell you how to get it unlocked. I would suggest doing an online internet search that can provide more info. But do post back, your post is very interesting.

regards Salisbury

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Re: iPhone 6S Activation Issues
Legacy777
Newbie

Well I've done some more research and from the checks I performed online with free IMEI checkers the phone is not locked.  I also checked vodafone's website and they say the phone is not locked.

Use your Network Unlock Code | Unlock your phone | Vodafone

I just tried swapping the SIM cards to see if it could be an issue with the phone's info not populating in the database, but it's been several days now so I don't think that's the case either.

At this point I'm all out of ideas, but if anyone has any info/feedback please let me know.

Thanks
Josh

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Re: iPhone 6S Activation Issues
Salisbury
Specialist - Level 2

Josh, the iPhone is definitely locked with Vodafone. If not a Verizon SIM would work immediately, Verizon has not been known to turn down $$$ lol

In the link that you posted the menu refers to unlocking your device when Vodafone is sure if it belongs to you, a free pass as you go SIM, etc. etc. it seems you have not confirmed those steps. There's no mystery here

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Re: iPhone 6S Activation Issues
lorenzop_vzw
Verizon Employee

Legacy777, we appreciate the effort you've put into activating your wife's iPhone 6s on our network, and I want to ensure that we don't overlook any options to complete activation. Have you used our self-service page to verify compatibility on our network? Bring Your Own Phone or Device - BYOD | Verizon Wireless In addition, I have sent you a Private Message. Please check your inbox.

LorenzoP_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

If my response answered your question please click the "Correct Answer" button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!

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