Question about iPhone

[killua]

My iPhone got flagged and i can’t add more cards from the same bank, how can i fix this? Do i have to change the IMEI?

 

[Mutt]

If your iPhone has been flagged and you’re unable to add more cards from the same bank to Apple Wallet, this issue is likely related to security measures implemented by Apple, the bank, or the payment network (e.g., Visa, Mastercard). Changing the IMEI number is not a recommended or necessary solution and could lead to legal issues, void your warranty, and potentially disable your device. Below, I’ll outline steps to troubleshoot and resolve the issue, focusing on addressing the flagging of your device.

Why Your iPhone Might Be Flagged​

Your device may be flagged due to:

• Suspected Fraud: The bank or payment network may have flagged your device for suspicious activity, such as multiple failed attempts to add cards or unusual account behavior.
• Apple Trust Score Issue: As mentioned in some user reports, a low “Apple trust score” (an internal security metric) could prevent card additions, especially after signing out and back into your Apple ID or switching devices.
• Payment Network Restrictions: The payment network (e.g., Visa, Mastercard) may have blocked your device’s token, a security measure to prevent unauthorized card additions.
• Device-Specific Issue: The issue may be tied to your iPhone’s unique identifier (not necessarily the IMEI), causing the Wallet app to fail handshaking with the bank or payment network.
• Regional or Bank Restrictions: Your bank or card issuer may not support adding multiple cards, or there may be regional restrictions for Apple Pay.

Steps to Fix the Issue​

Here are practical steps to resolve the problem without resorting to changing the IMEI:

1. Verify Bank and Card Compatibility
   • Ensure your bank and the specific cards support Apple Pay. Check Apple’s list of participating banks and card issuers for your region.
   • Contact your bank to confirm there are no restrictions on your account or cards (e.g., fraud alerts, spending limits, or verification issues). Ask if the bank or payment network has flagged your device.
2. Check for Error Messages
   • Note any specific error messages in the Wallet app (e.g., “Could Not Add Card,” “Invalid Card,” “Card Device Limit”). These can indicate whether the issue lies with the bank, payment network, or your device.
   • If you see “Card Not Added,” try adding a card from a different bank to determine if the issue is bank-specific or device-specific.
3. Troubleshoot Device Settings
   • Sign Out and Back Into iCloud: Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out, then sign back in. This can reset your Apple trust score and device token.
   • Reset Passcode: Disable your passcode (Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Turn Passcode Off), restart your iPhone, then re-enable the passcode and try adding the card again.
   • Check Region Settings: Ensure your device’s region matches your bank’s supported region (Settings > General > Language & Region). If correct, try re-selecting the region.
   • Update iOS: Ensure your iPhone is running the latest iOS version (Settings > General > Software Update). Some bugs, like issues with adding cards, may be fixed in updates.
   • Reset Network Settings: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This can resolve connectivity issues with the Wallet app.
   • Check Screen Time Restrictions: Ensure “Adding Cards” is not restricted (Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allow Changes).
4. Contact Your Bank and Payment Network
   • If the bank confirms no issues on their end, ask them to escalate the issue to the payment network operator (PNO) (e.g., Visa, Mastercard). The PNO may need to reset the device token or clear a fraud flag.
   • Some banks require manual verification (e.g., calling to confirm your identity) before allowing additional cards to be added.
5. Contact Apple Support
   • If the issue persists, reach out to Apple Support for diagnostics on theස
6. Test with Another Device
   • If possible, try adding the same cards to another Apple device (e.g., an iPad or another iPhone) signed into the same Apple ID. If the cards add successfully on another device, the issue is likely specific to your iPhone’s security token or settings.
7. Avoid Changing the IMEI
   • Changing the IMEI is not a practical solution. It requires jailbreaking your iPhone, which voids the warranty, risks device instability, and may be illegal in some regions. It’s also unlikely to resolve the issue, as the flagging is likely tied to your Apple ID or device token, not the IMEI.
   • If your iPhone’s IMEI is blacklisted (e.g., due to being reported stolen or linked to fraud), you’ll need to resolve this with your carrier or the original owner, not by changing the IMEI.

Additional Notes​

• Time-Based Resolution: Some users report that waiting a few weeks and retrying can resolve issues related to Apple’s trust score or temporary fraud flags.
• Apple Trust Score: This is an internal metric not publicly disclosed by Apple. Repeatedly signing out/in or rapid device changes can lower this score, triggering security restrictions. If this is the case, using the device normally for a period may help restore trust.
• Escalation: If both Apple and the bank claim no issue on their end, insist that the bank escalates to the PNO, as they control the final verification process.

Recommendations​

Start by confirming with your bank that your cards and account are compatible with Apple Pay and have no restrictions. Then, try the troubleshooting steps (signing out of iCloud, resetting passcode, updating iOS, resetting network settings). If the issue persists, test on another device to isolate whether it’s device-specific. If it’s specific to your iPhone, escalate through your bank to the payment network or contact Apple Support for further diagnostics. Avoid attempting to change the IMEI, as it’s risky and unlikely to help.

If you need further assistance or want to share specific error messages, let me know!

 

[Professor]

If your iPhone has been flagged and you're unable to add more cards from the same bank to Apple Wallet or Apple Pay, it’s likely due to fraud detection or security measures on Apple’s or your bank’s end — not necessarily a hardware issue like the IMEI.

Here's a breakdown of what might be happening and how to fix it:

First: Understand What’s Going On​

When Apple or your bank flags a device or account:

• It often blocks adding new cards from that bank to prevent fraud.
• This can happen if:
  • You've added too many cards recently.
  • Multiple devices are trying to use the same card or bank.
  • There were suspicious transactions or attempts.
  • Your Apple ID or device has been flagged due to unusual behavior.

Steps to Fix the Issue​

1. Contact Your Bank​

• Reach out to your bank’s customer service or fraud department.
• Ask if:
  • Your card or account has been flagged.
  • There are restrictions on Apple Pay usage.
• Request to unflag the device or card if it was mistakenly flagged.

2. Contact Apple Support​

• Explain the issue and ask:
  • If your device or Apple ID has been flagged .
  • If there's a temporary restriction in place.
• Apple may be able to reset or unflag your device if it was a false positive.

3. Check Apple ID Activity​

• Go to apple.com/account/devices
• Review all devices signed in to your Apple ID.
• Remove any unknown or unused devices.
• This helps reduce suspicion from Apple’s fraud systems.

4. Avoid Rapid Card Additions​

• Don’t try to add too many cards in a short time.
• If you're testing or developing, use sandbox environments or test accounts.

5. Use a Different Apple ID (Optional)​

• Try adding the card using a different Apple ID.
• This can help if the original Apple ID is permanently flagged.

6. Erase and Reset Your iPhone (Last Resort)​

• Back up your data first.
• Go to: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings .
• Set up the iPhone as new (don’t restore from backup immediately).
• Try adding the card again.

What to Do​

• Change your IMEI – it’s illegal and won’t help.
• Try to jailbreak your device – this can void warranties and make things worse.
• Keep trying to add cards repeatedly – this may trigger stronger flags.

Summary​

STEP	ACTION
1.	Contact your bank and ask if the card or device is flagged
2.	Contact Apple Support to check device or Apple ID status
3.	Remove unused devices from your Apple ID
4.	Avoid adding too many cards quickly
5.	Try a different Apple ID or erase and reset the device
6.	Change your IMEI or jailbreak your phone

If you give me more context (e.g., what exactly happened, error message, etc.), I can give you more specific steps.

 

[Cloned Boy]

If your iPhone has been flagged by your bank, preventing you from adding more cards from the same bank, changing the IMEI is not the right solution (and may be illegal in some regions). Instead, try these steps:

Possible Reasons & Fixes:​

1. Bank’s Security Restrictions
   • Some banks flag devices if they detect suspicious activity (e.g., too many card additions in a short time).
   • Solution: Contact your bank’s customer support and ask why your device was restricted. They may unflag it after verification.
2. Apple Pay or Wallet Issue
   • Sometimes, Apple’s servers or Wallet app may have a temporary glitch.
   • Solution:
     • Restart your iPhone.
     • Sign out and back into your Apple ID (Settings > [Your Name]).
     • Remove and re-add the card.
3. Device-Specific Block
   • If the bank blocked your device (not just the card), they may track your iPhone’s identifier (not necessarily IMEI).
   • Solution:
     • Reset network settings (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings).
     • If the issue persists, try adding the card on another Apple device (like an iPad) to check if it’s device-specific.
4. Card or Account Limitations
   • Your bank might have a limit on how many cards can be linked per device.
   • Solution: Ask the bank if they can lift the restriction.
5. Fraud or Suspicious Activity
   • If your account was flagged for fraud, the bank may require identity verification.
   • Solution: Visit a bank branch or call their fraud department.

Avoid IMEI Changes​

• Apple does not allow IMEI modification, and doing so may brick your device or violate terms of service.

Best Approach:​

Try adding the card on another device to confirm if it’s an iPhone-specific issue.
Reset network settings or reinstall the banking app if needed.

If the bank confirms the block is device-related, they may provide further instructions (like using a different phone or waiting for a cooldown period). Let me know if you need more help!