Why can't I activate my sim card?
Jmyers95
Enthusiast - Level 2

I'm trying to add a new line of service to my account, using an old phone I once had with verizon. It's telling me the phone is compatible, but when I type in the Sim ID, it tells me it can't be activated at that time. I can't figure out why and it gives no explanation.

Labels (1)
Tags (1)
1 Solution

Correct answers
Re: Why can't I activate my sim card?
vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

Jmyers95,I want to make sure that we get your device up and running without any issues. 47seijar and Ann154 have given very good suggestions. There are times where the sim card will lock up with the old devices and cannot be re-activated once they've been deactivated. I would recommend on taking the device into a Corporate Store Location to get a new sim card for free or we can always help out and get one mailed out to you. You can always locate the nearest store location by following this link: http://bit.ly/3SdsA Please keep us posted if you have any further questions or concerns.

KevinR_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!!

View solution in original post

0 Likes
Re: Why can't I activate my sim card?
47seijar
Specialist - Level 2

Verizon has five or six different types of SIM cards. They even have different ones for phones with or without NFC. I have no clue why that would be important to a SIM card, but apparently it is.

You can try calling Verizon support to see if they can enable the SIM card you have. I had that help with a SIM issue some while back, when nothing else would work. If that doesn't do the trick it's time to visit a Verizon Store. I know they can get you sorted out in about 5 minutes. More convenient to do it yourself online, but sometimes you have to see the pros.

0 Likes
Re: Why can't I activate my sim card?
Ann154
Community Leader
Community Leader

You might have to call customer service at 1-800-922-0204 from a landline or *611 from another Verizon phone and ask them to reactivate the old SIM card on the new line.

I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.

Re: Why can't I activate my sim card?
vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

Jmyers95,I want to make sure that we get your device up and running without any issues. 47seijar and Ann154 have given very good suggestions. There are times where the sim card will lock up with the old devices and cannot be re-activated once they've been deactivated. I would recommend on taking the device into a Corporate Store Location to get a new sim card for free or we can always help out and get one mailed out to you. You can always locate the nearest store location by following this link: http://bit.ly/3SdsA Please keep us posted if you have any further questions or concerns.

KevinR_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!!

0 Likes
Re: Why can't I activate my sim card?
smith6612
Community Leader
Community Leader

Some SIMs have a secure element for payment services to utilize. That's why Verizon has multiple SIM types. Yeah, very annoying if you put an NFC-enabled SIM from an Android device and Verizon says they won't activate it despite the SIM otherwise working just fine to authenticate the device, but it is what it is.

I do have close to 200 blank SIMs in storage at the moment from Verizon. Have to keep a list of what device gets what SIM type. Of course Verizon doesn't give me that info whenever a new SIM type comes out lol.

0 Likes