Verizon eSIM not working: Possible causes and fixes

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Got an eSIM from Verizon, but it’s not working? Customers have encountered several recurring problems, so chances are yours is one of them.

Let’s talk about these issues and how you can solve them, and if your problem isn’t resolved by the end of this article, we show you an alternative solution to keep in mind.

Can’t activate my eSIM

If you are a new Verizon customer or have switched your physical SIM to a new eSIM, you’ll need clarity on activating it on your device. 

Here, you’ll find a step-by-step process for iPhone and Android devices to activate the eSIM from Verizon with prepaid plans, as well as some troubleshooting steps if your activation process has run into difficulties. 

How to activate a Verizon eSIM on iPhone

To activate your Verizon eSIM on iPhone, you need to:

1. Open the “Settings” app.
2. Tap on “Cellular” and press “Add eSIM”.
3. For iPhone 12 and later devices, press “Continue” and wait a few seconds until the eSIM activation is completed.
4. For iPhone 11 and earlier devices, tap on “Use QR code”, follow the instructions on the screen, and wait until the eSIM activation is completed.

If you previously had a SIM or eSIM on your iPhone, you’ll also need to do this for the Verizon eSIM to work:

1. Go to “Cellular Plan Labels”.
2. Press on “Secondary”, this is your new Verizon eSIM.
3. Select the desired label for your eSIM and press “Done”.
4. Press on “Continue” and choose a default line for text, phone calls, and data usage, and press on “Continue”.
5. If preferred, activate the “Allow Cellular Data Switching” on your device so your iPhone can use the one with the best coverage based on your location.

How to activate a Verizon eSIM on Android

To activate your Android’s Verizon eSIM:

1. Go to “Settings” and choose “Connections”.
2. Press on “SIM Manager” and then “Add eSIM”.
3. You can use a QR code or enter the eSIM details manually to continue the process.
4. Once the message “Add VZW eSIM?” appears, press “Add”.
5. If there’s an issue looking for your Verizon eSIM, press “Try again”.
6. After a few seconds, a message with the “Phone activation” will appear; press “Ok” and complete the activation process.

Request a new eSIM

To request a new eSIM from Verizon, you’ll find two alternatives based on your necessities.

• If you’re switching to Verizon, you can use the “My Verizon” app to request and activate a new line with an eSIM.
  • Verizon’s website has the “Bring your own device” option, where you can choose a mobile service plan and follow the steps to install and activate the eSIM on your phone.
• If you are adding an eSIM to an existing Verizon account, use the “Add a line” option on Verizon’s website to set up and activate your new Verizon eSIM.
  • If you have a device where you want to add a new eSIM in hand, you can use the “My Verizon” app and the “Bring your device” to complete the eSIM activation process.

Make sure your device works on the Verizon network

If you are switching from carriers or buying a new device outside Verizon stores or websites, check if it works with the Verizon eSIM network. 

Here’s what you need to do to check the eSIM compatibility:

• Ensure your phone is unlocked or bought on a Verizon website or physical store.
• If you have doubts about your device’s compatibility, or if you are switching from another US carrier, such as T-Mobile or AT&T with Verizon’s network, you can use their BYOD compatibility tool.

Contact Verizon customer support

Contacting Verizon customer support is helpful if you can’t solve these issues. You can do this via live chat on their site or visit a physical store, where you’ll get assistance from a customer support agent.

Also, there’s a support site on Verizon’s website where you can check all matters related to how their eSIM works and common issues.

Verizon eSIM stopped working

What happens if you activate your Verizon eSIM, but suddenly it stops working and you can’t use your phone service? 

Here’s what you need to do:

Turn the eSIM line off and back on

Sometimes, turning your line off and back on helps you solve the issue quickly. But how do you do this?

There are different ways, some which are easier and some which are a bit more complicated, so let’s see:

• Turn off/on the airplane mode, as this works as a “soft reset” and your Verizon service should return to normal. This works for iPhone and Android phones.
• If you want to do it manually, you can do the following on iOS: Go to “Settings,” then to “Cellular,” choose your eSIM plan, press “Turn on This Line,” and switch it off. After a few seconds, turn it back on and check if the service works.
• You can try to reset or turn your phone off, as this will reset the service issue you might have faster than expected.

Reset network settings

If turning off and on your line doesn’t work, you’ll have to go deeper to get your eSIM connection fixed.

This is what you’ll need to do on iPhone and Android devices:

• On iOS, go to “Settings”, then “General”, select “Reset”, and choose “Reset Network Settings”. 
• On Android, although steps might vary depending on your device, go to “Settings,” then “Mobile/Cellular Data,” choose “More connectivity options,” and press “Reset WiFi, Mobile Networks, and Bluetooth.”

After a few seconds, you should be able to add an eSIM to your phone, as this will leave your network as if it were a new device.

Deleted or lost Verizon eSIM card

If you lose your device, it is stolen, or it gets damaged, you must create a new eSIM profile.

Also, if you had a problem and your previous eSIM was blocked or erased when troubleshooting an issue (eSIM not working, network issues, etc.) from Verizon’s side and they created a new profile, you’ll need to erase the existing eSIM to add a new one.

To get the QR code, you’ll simply need to access your account through Verizon’s official site or app to add and activate the eSIM on your device.

Get an eSIM you can trust

If you’ve encountered issues with the Verizon eSIM, you may want to try a different carrier rather than reverting back to a physical SIM card.

For easy activation, low costs, and unlimited data, you can use the Holafly eSIM. You’ll connect to the main US networks while accessing up to 5G data speeds. Plus, if your eSIM is not working, 24/7 customer support is available to help you with your eSIM service!

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