Verizon eSIM not activating: Causes, fixes, and the best alternatives

How to activate a Verizon eSIM

Before you start troubleshooting, make sure the activation process itself isn’t the issue. Depending on your phone, the process differs slightly, and if you miss a step or skip a key setting, you can get stuck in a loop where your eSIM isn’t activating, no matter how many times you try.

Below, you’ll find a step-by-step process for activating a Verizon eSIM on iPhones and Android devices. If you’re new to eSIMs in general, you can also check out our guide for the basics: What is an eSIM?

How to activate a Verizon eSIM on an iPhone

To get your Verizon eSIM working on an iPhone, you need to:

1. Open “Settings.”

2. Tap “Cellular” > “Add eSIM.”

3. Choose “Use QR code” or “Enter details manually” (depending on how Verizon sent you the eSIM info).

4. If you’re using a QR code, scan the code Verizon gave you. If you’re entering the info manually, input the SM-DP+ (Subscription Manager Data Preparation Plus) address and activation code Verizon provided.

5. Follow the prompts on the screen and wait for the activation to complete.

For a more detailed walkthrough, check out our full guide on how to install an eSIM on an iPhone.

If you’re using a physical SIM card or another eSIM on your iPhone, you’ll also need to:

1. Go to “Settings” > “Cellular” > “Cellular plans.”

2. Tap the new Verizon plan (it may appear as “Cellular plan” until you name it).

3. Assign a label (e.g., “Verizon” or “Work”) and tap “Done.”

4. Set your default line for calls, messages, and mobile data usage.

5. If you want your iPhone to automatically use the line with the best coverage, enable “Allow cellular data switching.”

You may also need to manually set the Verizon eSIM as your primary data line under “Settings” > “Cellular” > “Cellular data.”

Note: Some users report eSIM activation stalling on iOS versions 17/18. If that happens:

1. Restart your iPhone.

2. Toggle airplane mode on and off.

3. Delete the eSIM profile and re-add it manually.

How to activate a Verizon eSIM on Android devices

The exact menu names look slightly different depending on your device, but the general flow is mostly the same across Android phones:

1. Open “Settings.”

2. Tap “Network & internet” or “Connections.”

3. Go to “SIMs,” “Mobile network,” or “SIM manager.”

4. Select “Add eSIM” or “Download eSIM.”

5. Scan the QR code Verizon gave you or enter the details manually.

6. Wait for the profile to install.

7. Restart your phone if asked.

If you already have a SIM card, your phone may prompt you to pick which SIM to use for calls, texts, and data. You can always update those settings later in “SIM manager.”

Activate a Verizon eSIM via the My Verizon app

If the manual setup isn’t working, the My Verizon app gives you another way to activate your eSIM:

1. Open My Verizon and sign in.

2. Tap “Devices” > “Activate or switch device.”

3. Follow the on-screen steps to activate an eSIM on your phone.

Verizon will download the eSIM to your device and guide you through setup.

Use this method if:

• You’ve recently upgraded from an old phone.

• You requested a new eSIM or replacement via support.

• The manual QR/manual entry method isn’t working.

Why is my Verizon eSIM not activating?

Now that you know how to set it up, what if your Verizon eSIM still isn’t activating? Let’s walk through the most common causes — some specific to Verizon, but most applicable to any eSIM setup.

Device not compatible with the Verizon eSIM

Not all phones support eSIM technology, and not all eSIM-capable phones work with Verizon. Start by checking two things:

• Is your phone unlocked? If it’s locked to another carrier, you won’t be able to activate your eSIM from Verizon.

• Was your phone bought outside the US? Some non-US models don’t support the required bands for the Verizon network.

As a rule of thumb, a Verizon eSIM works on:

• iPhone XS and newer. 

• Google Pixel 4 and up.

• Samsung Galaxy S21 and newer.

Weak or unstable internet connection

An eSIM needs a strong internet connection to activate. Secure Wi-Fi is your best bet.

If you’re using public Wi-Fi or spotty mobile data:

• Try switching to a stable home or office network.

• Avoid activating eSIM while traveling unless you’re confident the connection is stable.

• If you’re abroad, try enabling data roaming — it will help complete activation when Wi-Fi isn’t an option. Learn more about data roaming from our guide: “What does data roaming do?”

VPNs creating a virtual IMEI conflict

Some VPNs interfere with how your phone identifies itself on the network. That includes spoofing or masking your IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity), which can throw off Verizon’s activation system. If you suspect this may be the case:

1. Turn off your VPN before starting the activation.

2. Restart your phone after disabling the VPN.

Once you’re set up, you can turn the VPN back on.

Incorrect eSIM configuration or expired profile

A few technical hiccups can block activation, including:

• Wrong or missing SM-DP+ address.

• Misconfigured APN (access point name) settings.

• Corrupted or expired eSIM profiles.

If the Verizon eSIM is still not working, and you’ve ruled out the technical issues above, don’t waste time tweaking settings. Just delete the profile and request a new one from Verizon — it’s usually the quickest fix.

Physical SIM card interference

If you’ve got both a physical SIM and an eSIM installed, they can conflict with each other. To fix the conflict:

1. Remove the physical SIM.

2. Set the eSIM as your primary line.

3. Restart your phone.

How to fix a Verizon eSIM that’s not working 

Whatever the problem is, let’s get to fixing it. The troubleshooting steps below cover both small misconfigurations and deeper issues that may be blocking activation.

Verify device compatibility

If you bought your phone outside of Verizon (especially outside the US), it may not work with Verizon’s eSIM network. If you’re switching from another US carrier (like T-Mobile or AT&T), your phone may be compatible, but that’s not guaranteed.

To check the compatibility:

• Make sure that your phone is unlocked or purchased directly from Verizon.

• Use Verizon’s “Bring your own device” compatibility tool to confirm compatibility.

Connect to stable Wi-Fi

eSIM activation depends on a reliable internet connection. A weak or unstable signal can cause the process to fail halfway through. To increase your chances of success, follow these tips:

• Connect to a private Wi-Fi network (home or office is best).

• Avoid public Wi-Fi or mobile hotspots during activation.

• If your connection is weak, restart your router or switch to a different network.

Restart your device

If activation stalls, a restart often clears up background app activity.

On an iPhone:

1. Hold the power and volume down buttons.

2. When the slider appears, swipe to turn off the phone.

3. Wait 30 seconds and turn it back on.

On an Android device:

1. Hold the power button.

2. Tap “Restart” or “Power off.”

3. Turn the phone back on.

Once your phone reboots, try the activation again. Sometimes, that’s all it takes.

Toggle airplane mode on and off

Sometimes, all your phone needs is a quick network reset:

1. Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open the control center.

2. Turn on airplane mode.

3. Wait 10-20 seconds.

4. Turn it off again.

These steps force your phone to reconnect to the network without doing a full restart.

Want to know when else it helps? Read our quick guide: When should I use airplane mode?

Update your device software

If you haven’t updated your phone in a while, that could be what’s blocking eSIM activation.

• On an iPhone: Go to “Settings” > “General” > “Software update.”

• On an Android device: Go to “Settings” > “System” > “Software update.”

Install any available updates, even minor ones. Then try activating your eSIM again.

Reset network settings

If your eSIM still isn’t activating, your phone’s network settings may be the problem. A reset clears out old connection data that could be causing conflicts.

On an iPhone:

1. Go to “Settings” > “General” > “Transfer or reset iPhone.”

2. Tap “Reset” > “Reset network settings.”

On an Android device (menu names and paths may vary by device):

1. Go to “Settings” > “System” > “Reset options.”

2. Tap “Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.”

Check and update APN settings

If your eSIM has activated but you’re not getting data, your APN settings may be wrong.

On an iPhone, go to “Settings” > “Cellular” > “Cellular data network.” Note that this option only shows up if Verizon allows edits.

On an Android device, go to “Settings” > “Mobile network” > “Access point names.”

Make sure these values are set:

• Name: Verizon

• APN: vzwinternet

If different values are listed, edit them or create a new APN using these values and set it as the default.

Disable a VPN and remove the virtual IMEI

Turn off any VPNs before activating your eSIM. Some VPN apps, especially on Android devices, interfere with how your phone identifies itself to the network.

If you’re using a VPN that modifies your IMEI (rare, but it happens), uninstall or fully disable it.

Once the eSIM is active, you can turn the VPN back on. But during setup, using a VPN may cause problems.

Remove the physical SIM card

Physical SIM cards and eSIMs don’t always play nice, especially during activation. If you’re using both, remove the SIM card to avoid conflicts.

Follow these steps to prevent your SIM card interfering with an eSIM:

1. Power off your device.

2. Remove the SIM tray and take the card out.

3. Power on and make sure the eSIM line is set as the primary.

Need help? See our guide on how to remove the SIM card from an iPhone.

Request a new eSIM

If your current eSIM profile has expired, is corrupted, or just isn’t working, the simplest fix is to replace it with a new one. You have a couple of ways to do it:

• If you’re switching to Verizon, open the My Verizon app and select “Bring your own device” to choose a mobile service plan and activate your eSIM. You can also do this on Verizon’s website under the same section.

• If you already have an existing Verizon account, go to “Add a line” (in the app or on the website) to set up a new eSIM on your current device.

Once you submit the request, Verizon will walk you through downloading and activating the eSIM.

Note that you’ll need to erase the old profile first before adding the new one. Your phone won’t let you install two versions of the same line.

Contact Verizon support

If you’ve hit a wall, it’s time to reach out to Verizon. You can:

• Use live chat on its website.

• Call customer service.

• Visit a Verizon store if you prefer face-to-face help.

The Verizon customer support team can check if your line is properly set up, push a new eSIM to your phone, or flag account issues on their end.

You can also browse Verizon’s support site for step-by-step guides and answers to common activation problems.

What to do if you deleted or lost a Verizon eSIM

Accidentally deleted your Verizon eSIM? Don’t panic — you can restore it:

1. Open Verizon’s app or sign in to your account online.

2. Request a new eSIM for your device.

3. Follow the activation steps above.

For more details, check out what happens if you delete an eSIM.

If your phone with a Verizon eSIM has been lost or stolen, you’ll need to create a new eSIM profile:

1. Log in to your Verizon account.

2. Suspend service or mark the device as lost.

3. Activate the eSIM on a new device using the app or customer support.

Verizon eSIM still not working? Try Saily instead

If you’ve hit a dead end with Verizon’s eSIM and don’t want to go back to a physical SIM card, it may be time to try something simpler.

Saily is an eSIM app for international and regional travel, with flexible data plans and smooth activation in seconds. As a Verizon alternative, Saily’s offers include:

• 200+ destinations covered globally.

• Unlimited data options for the most popular countries.

• 24/7 customer support in multiple languages.

• Instant activation with no need to call the carrier.

• Auto top-up so you never run out of data.

• Saily Ultra Plan for power users.