iLounge and a number of readers are experiencing SIM card issues with just-delivered Verizon iPhone 5s units. Affected iPhones display a message reading, “The SIM card that you currently have inserted in this iPhone is from a carrier that is not supported under the activation policy that is currently assigned by the activation server.” The message suggests that the iPhone needs to be used with another SIM card, or unlocked by a carrier, pointing users to Apple for additional information.
Telephone calls to Apple have led to mystified AppleCare personnel, and follow-ups with Verizon have had the same results. One reader noted that the Verizon SIM card shipped with the iPhone 5s works in a Verizon iPhone 5.
Update: After seeking solutions throughout the day, a number of users have reported that performing a complete iPhone restore through iTunes may work to resolve the issue. Alternately, phones that reported SIM failures may not have been registered properly in Verizon’s system, leading users to be locked out from activating their phones. Some iPhones, including our unit, spontaneously activated roughly 12 hours after initial purchase. If you’re continuing to have issues, please let us know in the comments.