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Cellular Plan Cannot Be Added Esim Verizon? (Quick Fix!)

Finn Wheatley Updated on13 January 2025
cellular plan cannot be added esim verizon

We understand how annoying it can be to get the Cellular plan cannot be added eSIM Verizon error.

We’re here to offer you guidance on how to resolve this issue and get your eSIM set up on your phone in no time.

Let’s dive in!

To get your Verizon eSIM added to your phone, you want to connect to a stable WiFi connection so it activates correctly. You’ll also need to remove the old eSIM profiles saved and reactivate your new one from Verizon.

Before we move on to the ways you can fix your eSIM cannot be added to the cellular plan problem. Below is the list of common causes. 

Reasons Why Verizon eSIM Cellular Plan Cannot Be Added

why esim cannot be added to cellular plans

A few things could go wrong, leading to your Verizon eSIM cannot be added to your cellular plan. If you just activated your eSIM plan, wait a few minutes.

Then, check if your device is running the latest software.

  • Your phone is network locked from the previous carrier
  • Your Phone is not compatible with your eSIM carrier
  • Installed too many eSIMs
  • Unstable internet connection 
  • Your eSIM plan is not activated

These are the possible reasons your Verizon eSIM cannot be added to your cellular plan. Now, let’s proceed to the fixes. 

Ways to Fix Cellular Plan Cannot Be Added eSIM Verizon

few ways to fix cellular plan cannot be added

Before we detail all the fixes to your cellular plan cannot be added eSIM Verizon problem, verify your phone supports eSIM and that its software is up to date.

Performing a hard reset on your phone can also help resolve any software bugs or glitches.

If restarting your iPhone doesn’t fix the issue, proceed to more advanced solutions below. 

1. Make Sure Your iPhone is Unlocked

If you encounter the Cellular Plan Cannot be Added error on your Verizon eSIM phone, one of the first things you need to do is check if your phone is unlocked.

If you’re using an old phone and moving it to Verizon, there’s a good chance it’s locked, and you won’t be able to use it.

An unlocked phone should not encounter this problem and allow you to set up your new eSIM with Verizon.

It’s best to verify your device’s status before adding your eSIM and activating it to avoid further errors.

Here’s how to check your phone’s unlock status:

  1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
  2. Scroll down to General.
  3. Select About.
  4. Navigate to the bottom of the page to Carrier Lock.
  5. It should say No SIM Restrictions if your phone is unlocked.
Pro Tip: If the Carrier Lock status says otherwise, you will need to contact your previous carrier to get your phone unlocked.

3. Toggle Your eSIM Line Off And Then On Again

toggle the esim line

Another way to make sure that your phone accepts your newly set up Verizon eSIM profile is to reset it.

This means you must disable and re-enable your eSIM to add a new one to your phone.

It’s likely a software issue where your phone cannot recognize your profiles, so it stops you from adding a new one.

Disabling your eSIM should do the trick, as it’s like giving it a quick restart so it reboots normally with all the bugs and glitches flushed out of the system.

Here’s how to toggle your eSIM line off and turn it back on again:

  1. Go to your phone’s Settings.
  2. Select the Cellular or Mobile options.
  3. Navigate to the SIMs section, and tap the line you want to disable.
  4. Tap on Turn Off This Line to switch it off.
  5. Wait for 1 to 2 minutes, then tap on it again to turn it on.
Note: After toggling your eSIM lines, you can add your Verizon profile and check if it gets saved.

3. Connect to a Stable and Reliable Internet Connection

connect a stable and reliable connection

When adding a new eSIM line on your phone, one of the most basic requirements is to ensure you’re connected to the internet.

Adding or activating a new line while connected on a bad connection can wreak havoc with the entire process.

Your phone cannot install it properly and connect to your eSIM’s network to retrieve the configuration.

You want to make sure that your device is connected to the best possible connection before you even set up your eSIM.

This way, you minimize any errors and avoid having to troubleshoot them.

Here’s how to connect your device to a stable internet connection:

  1. Before setting up your eSIM, check your phone’s connectivity options.
  2. Perform a network speed test on Speedtest.net.
  3. If your current connection is slower than usual, consider an alternative source.
  4. If you’re connected to your network’s data, connect to WiFi.
Note: If you still can’t set up your eSIM, check if Verizon has coverage in your area and if there are no network outages. 

4. Reset Your Phone’s Network Settings

reset the network settings

Any of your existing network configurations can cause your phone to reject any new eSIM profiles you’re setting up.

To make sure that there are no settings that are causing this, one of the things you can do is reset your phone’s network settings.

It’s a surefire way to flush out any corrupted or redundant configurations that can cause problems with your eSIM setup.

Here are the steps to reset your phone’s network settings:

  1. Go to your phone’s Settings menu.
  2. Select General.
  3. Choose Transfer or Reset.
  4. Tap on Reset.
  5. Select Reset Network Settings.
Note: After the reset process is complete, you can reboot your phone and try adding your new Verizon eSIM.

5. Remove Old eSIMs Installed on Your Phone

remove your old esims installed

Your phone’s eSIM module does not have unlimited capacity. It’s understandable, though, as you don’t need that many eSIM profiles activated on your phone anyway.

One reason you are unable to add a new cellular plan is that your eSIM cannot add more profiles.

Even if your eSIM says it can handle up to 5 or 6 profiles, it helps to be below that count so you can successfully add a new one.

To achieve this, you will need to remove those that are not active.

Here’s how to remove old eSIMs that you’re not using on your phone:

  1. Open your phone’s Settings.
  2. Select the Cellular or Mobile Data option.
  3. Tap on the plan you want to remove.
  4. Choose Delete eSIM.
Note: Remove as many old profiles as possible before adding your Verizon eSIM.

6. Reactivate Your eSIM

reactivate the esim

If none of these solutions work in getting your eSIM added to your phone, you will need to reactivate it manually.

To do this, you will remove the current eSIM profile on your phone and then set up the one from Verizon.

You will need to start from the beginning by checking on your Verizon account to see if the eSIM is added to your account properly.

You will need to set it up, then reactivate the eSIM on your phone.

Here are the steps on how to reactivate the eSIM on your phone:

  1. Remove the current eSIM profile on your phone.
  2. Open the Verizon app on your phone.
  3. Go to the Devices page on the app.
  4. Select your phone and get a new eSIM profile.
  5. Choose your phone’s eSIM IMEI number.
Note: If you have an iPhone 13 or earlier model, you will need to choose IMEI 2. For iPhone 14, select IMEI.

By following these different solutions, you will be able to successfully add your Verizon eSIM to your device.

If you continue to experience issues, you can always contact Verizon customer support so they can check your account and help you set up your eSIM on your device.

Bottom Line

Now that you know why your cellular plan cannot be added eSIM Verizon and the methods to fix it, you can start using your phone.

Connecting your phone’s eSIM to the Verizon network gives you better flexibility as you can use their services.

Read Next: Verizon eSim QR Code No Longer Valid? – Quick Solutions

finn wheatley xtrium
Finn Wheatley

Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London.  He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.

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