Verizon users face activation issues with unlocked Apple Watch Series 10

Verizon is assisting unlocked Apple Watch Series 10 owners who cannot activate their watches
An undated image of a person wearing Apple Watch Series 10. — Apple
An undated image of a person wearing Apple Watch Series 10. — Apple 

Activation remains impossible for many Verizon customers who bought unlocked Apple Watch Series 10 devices. Those Long Term Evolution (LTE) watches sold via third parties and not directly by Verizon cannot be activated because the carrier's database does not contain the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEIs) of such watches from third-party providers.

However, the activation problem arises because Verizon's database does not carry the IMEIs of the devices sold outside their particular lot. Once the hardware is supplied to Verizon by Apple, Verizon's database collates IMEIs in bulk and thus activates the device with ease when bought directly.

Devices sold elsewhere are not imputed in the bulk upload, hence the activation problem for those gadgets.

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The activation issue in the Apple Watch Series 10 has been reported by several Verizon customers on the carrier's community forums. The process of dealing with this issue may take a long time when dealing with customer service.

Activation of unlocked Apple Watch Series 10

To activate an unlocked Apple Watch Series 10, the user should undergo the following steps:

  1. Reach out to Verizon customer support.
  2. Undergo standard troubleshooting procedures.
  3. Wait for a response from the support team that they are aware of the issue with the IMEI.
  4. Wait for several days for Verizon to update the database with the IMEI.

Although this issue is frustrating it seems to be a temporary bug. The only solution so far is manual input of IMEI for a few users. Verizon has not publicly remarked on this problem, but it would eventually come up with a fix.

This challenge emanates from the root of Verizon's database management. Third-party IMEIs create barriers to activation for users. The issue provides a core reason why gadget users experience compatibility problems between devices and their carriers.

Verizon is assisting unlocked Apple Watch Series 10 owners who cannot activate their watches. Though this entire process is tiresome, users may include the IMEI number of the device in Verizon's database. This issue would be resolved within a brief time and would allow users to access the network wirelessly.