PP SIM card in Moto G Play - "We're sorry, but we're currently unable to authenticate your phone."

[Relztrah]

I have an unlocked--or so I assume--Moto G Play that I put my active PagePlus SIM card in. The phone recognizes my SIM card.




When I attempt to make a call I hear, "Welcome to Verizion Wireless. We're sorry, but we're currently unable to authenticate your phone."

For what it's worth, the phone was previously with Consumer Cellular, but the owner called and asked for it to be unlocked. That's why I am assuming that it is unlocked. But does that mean that my Moto G Play is in fact not unlocked? Or is there another reason?

[Boz1]

If you put your G Play IMEI into https://www.pagepluscellular.com/byop-eligibility/, what does it show?

[Relztrah]

Here's the screenshot:

[rpz1]

Well even if unlocked a ConsumerCell phone may not have all the bands for Verizon. Not all unlocked phones can be used on any network. -116dBm isn't a great signal. What's the model number?
Also what APN is the phone using ?

[Serial Port]

OP, reach out to PP customer support, they may need to make some internal updates and should be able to diagnose the issue. Let us know what happens.

[loboheeler]

Well even if unlocked a ConsumerCell phone may not have all the bands for Verizon. Not all unlocked phones can be used on any network.

There is a difference between carrier unlocked and factory unlocked. Even if otherwise compatible, the phone has to be on the Verizon whitelist. Also, it is tricky these days to swap SIMs in Verizon service. Over on the Tracfone Forum people are usually advised to always use a new SIM and transfer service.

[whacker]

This will be a good one to follow.

But if I had the device in my hands I'd check the APN lickety-split. Adjust if necessary between (since this is a BYOP device on PPC) VZWINTERNET and TRACFONE.VZWENTP.

On my two Moto G 2020s (on PPC but sourced from the old Total Wireless and using the included TW SIMs) the one that worked was the latter, unlike the one most commonly used on TracFone, the former.

Easy to check and rule out.

[rpz1]

There is a difference between carrier unlocked and factory unlocked. Even if otherwise compatible, the phone has to be on the Verizon whitelist. Also, it is tricky these days to swap SIMs in Verizon service. Over on the Tracfone Forum people are usually advised to always use a new SIM and transfer service.

Sim swap to a new "compatible" phone has always been PagePlus' MO even before TF bought them. It never changed, unless it has in the last month when I last checked with them. IMEI/SIM auto re-pair after the first call after the swap. PP may be the only TF brand that tells you to do that when getting a new phone. But they emphasize "compatible" phone. There's other Vzw mvnos that allow swaps. Even Verizon proper allows it.

BUT, they still prefer you do it officially through CS so they can assure your phone is indeed "compatible" and assure any provisioning differences between the phones. They recommend, but don't require, doing it officially to avoid potential function issues and having customers blaming them.
For the $1 cost of a new sim, and an official transfer, that's the best way too avoid a migraine.

[rpz1]

This will be a good one to follow.

But if I had the device in my hands I'd check the APN lickety-split. Adjust if necessary between (since this is a BYOP device on PPC) VZWINTERNET and TRACFONE.VZWENTP.

On my two Moto G 2020s (on PPC but sourced from the old Total Wireless and using the included TW SIMs) the one that worked was the latter, unlike the one most commonly used on TracFone, the former.

Easy to check and rule out.

Ditto on my PP phones. TRACFONE.VZWENTP.

I once had a Vzw branded LG phone didn't activate right. Changed APN to TRACFONE.VZWENTP and wallah!

[Relztrah]

The APN is TRACFONE.VZWENTP

I chatted with an agent who is going to "escalate" it. But I doubt that anything will happen.

Fortunately this is a backup phone, not my normal daily driver. This same SIM card was working in an Alcatel MyFlip, so I'll probably just put it back in there.

[SoNic67]

IMEI/SIM auto re-pair after the first call after the swap. PP may be the only TF brand that tells you to do that when getting a new phone.

As a side-note, I swapped the SIM in my wife's new phone, on Total by Verizon, and I saw on the website that "autorepair" and didn't know what it was.
I have the old phone IMEI as "old phone", in the deactivated list below active phones (4 line plan).

[rpz1]

As a side-note, I swapped the SIM in my wife's new phone, on Total by Verizon, and I saw on the website that "autorepair" and didn't know what it was.
I have the old phone IMEI as "old phone", in the deactivated list below active phones (4 line plan).

I haven't done a sim swap on PP in awhile. They must have more recently started showing that in your account.