Unable to activate. iPhone activation failure: what to do? What is iPhone activation

If you've ever factory reset your iPhone and then tried again, you may well have encountered an activation error. It is difficult to understand the causes of this problem, since no useful information on the iPhone screen in this case, it does not give, but only advises contacting Apple technical support. But since this process is quite long, you can try to fix it yourself.

Try again

While an error occurs, hold down the Home button until the bottom menu appears, and then click "Try Again". You will be taken to the initial settings page and you can try activating your iPhone again. Often, to obtain the desired result, it is necessary to do this procedure 5-7 times.


If it doesn't help, go to the next step.

Use a working SIM card

Usually, activation problems occur when they try to activate the phone without a SIM card. Insert a working SIM card into your iPhone and try to activate your smartphone again. In case this does not help, start the activation using the cellular network, turning off Wi-Fi. Most users are helped by this decision.

Sometimes an activation error occurs due to the fault of the telecom operator, which, for unknown reasons, rejects it. I think many people remember what problems Beeline subscribers had to face, although in this case we are talking about something else. Try inserting a SIM card from another carrier and activate your iPhone. After that, you will be able to use your old number again.

Sourced from www.osxdaily.com

Immediately after purchase iPhone smartphone, before you start using it, you must first activate and configure it. This process is quite simple and does not take much time.

What is iPhone Activation?

iPhone activation- a process in which new iPhone communicates with Apple servers via the Internet and receives permission or prohibition to use a smartphone with a SIM card installed.

What is a locked (unlocked, carrier-bound, factory unlocked, SIM Free) iPhone?

  • iPhone that was purchased with a carrier contract(synonyms: locked, contract, locked, carrier-bound, carrier-based, SIM-locked) can only be activated with the SIM card of the operator to which it is linked. In other words, such an iPhone cannot be activated and used with any SIM cards.
  • iPhone bought without being tied to a carrier(synonyms: officially unlocked, official, factory unlocked, SIM Free) can be activated with a SIM card of any mobile operator.

How are Apple Activation and Warranty related?

The iPhone activation process automatically turns on the start of the countdown Apple warranty. In other words, the count warranty period on the new iPhone will not start from the date of purchase, but from the date of activation of the smartphone.

ATTENTION! Inscription " Hello» (Hello, etc.) on the screen the first time turning on iPhone does not mean that the iPhone is really new. To check that you have bought and are activating a new iPhone, the article at the link below will help you:

2. Turn on iPhone

After the working SIM card is placed in the slot, turn on the iPhone (press and hold the Inclusions for 3-4 seconds), wait until the welcome screen appears and press the " Home” to open the presets;

3. Then select the language and indicate the region of residence;

4. After that, connect to WiFi networks or, if there is no access to it, to the cellular network (button Use cellular network) or to a computer with advance installed program iTunes (you can download) and with the ability to access the Internet.

5 . Starting with iOS 11, it became possible quick setup, which consists in copying the credentials from your other device running iOS 11 or later.

6. In the next window, set up the Touch ID sensor by storing your fingerprint. This will allow you to unlock the device in the future by simply touching the sensor, as well as make purchases on the Web and quickly log in to various resources.


Then enter a four to six character password that will be used to unlock the device. Pushing a button Passcode settings you can choose the type of passcode;

7. The next window will prompt you to restore programs and data from a copy to iCloud / iTunes or transfer data from Android.

If this is not necessary, then select the item " Set up like a new iPhone»;

8. After that, a window will open with a field for entering your Apple ID, but if Account was not previously created by the user, then registering an account directly at this stage is not worth it.

To cancel registration, click on the buttons " No Apple ID or forgot it», « Set up later in Settings" and " Do not use».

Correctly create an Apple ID without being tied to credit card will help you;

A screen that frightens users with an activation error message may appear for a number of reasons. Regardless of what exactly led to the "breakdown", the user should know that the further scenario will require, if not repair in the service, then exactly the rollback of the system and a number of other manipulations. Unfortunately, the more “killed” the smartphone model, the less likely it is that the iPhone activation failure can be fixed. It is important not only to conduct an external inspection of the phone, but also to restore the picture that preceded the breakdown. This will help you understand why the iPhone activation failed at all, as well as how you should behave further. It is likely that you will need to not only roll back (revert old version) changes made into a smartphone, but also to clean the device itself. However, it is fair to say that there are still chances for the restoration of the smartphone.

Why is activation needed?

Before thinking about the question of what to do if the activation of the iPhone fails, some angry users will reproach Apple Inc. developers for the imperfection of the device. Many adherents of the "apple" have repeatedly seriously criticized the activation procedure as inefficient and problematic.

In fact, the process of activating a smartphone helps to individualize it and specify it to the needs of the owner. It is not recommended to skip such a process, as this may lead to data loss or disruption of the synchronization process in the future. Therefore, the corporation strongly recommends that users go through the activation process every time the device requires it.

What is the reason for the failure

The most common are two specific iPhone activation failure problems. The first is the hardware, both the device itself and Apple servers.

If the user is asked to wait with the activation process until a certain conditional period, then it is quite possible that the matter is in the hardware. This happened at iOS update 9.3, when the company's servers went down due to the simultaneous start of the download process from several million devices. This problem can be solved by a banal reboot during the least peak periods. I would like to add that technical Apple support promptly eliminates platform load problems.

Modem failure

If the problem is hardware in nature, but the Apple servers are in order, then the problem is in the device. If "iPhone" writes about the failure of the operation, but the other device is updated without problems, then the matter is most likely in data processing specific device. Checking this is quite simple, just select the item with the letter “i” circled in a circle, after which it will become clear whether the device is capable of receiving data. This item also shows devices. If this is not the case, then the matter is almost 100% in the smartphone modem.

How to fix it

A hardware failure in the activation of the iPhone can be eliminated either at a licensed service center for a rather tangible amount, or with artisanal technologies.

The latter include common private services, but even in such an organization, the master will take up the repair of the phone with great reluctance. The more expensive the device, the more expedient it is to transfer it to service center rather than trying to solve the problem on your own.

Also, the reason for the iPhone activation failure may be a short circuit in the contacts of the board where the modem is located. In some cases, a sharp change in temperature can help, when the smartphone is sharply cooled or, on the contrary, heated. However, such manipulations are at your own peril and risk.

Software failure

In the event of a software failure, we are talking about installing suspicious software or the shell as a whole. In this case, saving the entire smartphone, as well as fragments of the system and user data, is possible only by rolling back all changes in the gadget to the previous version.

Therefore, it is recommended to perform these functions not only at the request of the software, but also independently. A system rollback can also be performed in a regular service, after which the chances of resuscitating the device are high. AT otherwise the gadget will also have to be given to an official service, in which the system will simply be demolished and reinstalled, which will also be expensive. Moreover, the owner will have to say goodbye to their files.

Several other reasons for iPhone activation failure

The iPhone activation procedure itself can be terminated for a number of other reasons, independent of software. Before going to the service center, you should first carry out a few simple manipulations with the device: check the presence of a SIM card in the slot, rearrange it, and then try to activate the device with a new one. It is also recommended to change the Internet channel. It is quite possible that another update the device is too “heavy” or the data packet transmission channel is busy with another gadget. Another option is to activate the device through iTunes. If this does not help, then the service will offer to restore the data, after which the device will automatically return to the previous state.

If the device is not registered

The failure to activate the iPhone on the network during the correct operation of the gadget and Apple servers can also be dictated by the fact that a beta version of the firmware was installed on the smartphone. In this case, at release full version with fixes, a certain number of devices may “fall out” of the register. In this case, you can fix the iPhone activation failure by going to the developers' website, where the gadget will have to be entered into the database manual ways by entering information. If this does not help, then you need to contact the official service center, after which the device will be working properly. If the "iPhone" writes an activation failure, then this is always a reason to contact the service center.

Sometimes it is difficult to say for sure why the activation of the iPhone failed. Some of the factors leading to the error may be interrelated. The owner can only be recommended to conduct a complete external inspection of the device, after which not to resort to artisanal methods of restoring the gadget, but immediately turn to professionals. Almost any use case for activation failure can be fixed, with the exception of a broken modem. Much more destructive are the attempts of users to solve the problem on their own, after which the gadget can no longer be repaired.

This is a common problem for all iPhone models. Depending on the version operating system, it appears due to a technical or software failure. In the article we will talk about the sources cellular network activation failureiPhone and how to solve the problem.

Possible reasons

The first thing you need to pay attention to is the place of purchase of the device. This problem appears more often in people who bought a phone from unofficial suppliers or used equipment sellers. At the first inspection, it is difficult to determine the initial state and performance of all internal modules and adapters.

A used smartphone may not have a communication module that has failed either due to old age, or due to improper handling by the previous owner. Unofficial suppliers like to sell rebuilt versions of iPhones that are not made on Apple factories, but somewhere in the basements and at the level of "if only it worked." From 11 iOS versions, the Apple Corporation has revised the rules for the use of smartphones with non-original parts installed.

talking plain language If you take your iPhone to a service center where they promise to make repairs 50% cheaper than anywhere else, unlicensed parts will definitely be installed on your phone. This is about replacing:

  • Wi-Fi modules;
  • Nand memory;
  • bluetooth;
  • Communication modem.

This is the saddest outcome of events, but there is a more positive one. Cellular network activation failure on a iphone The associated with a software bug. For example, during the release new version iOS, Apple servers cannot cope with the received load and are turned off. Activation will not be available during this period because the device will not be able to send the required data. Find out the benefits and disadvantages of iOS, in the article: ""

Note: This problem often occurs when there are failures on the part of the cellular operator. It's very easy to check, try calling another number or check your balance. If the command does not work, and the call is dropped, then the problem is on the side of the telecom operator.

How to solve the error

If a mobile connection works, but on iPhone appears cellular network activation failure pdp authentication error, you need to check the functionality of the communication module. On the welcome screen, you need to click on the icon in the lower right corner. An IMEI code should appear, its absence means that the modem is broken. We recommend that you contact the official service center. A well-chosen browser will allow you to quickly find a page with the address of the nearest service, we recommend that you read the article: ""

For information: it is possible to revive a smartphone by freezing it in the freezer or heating it with hot air through a hair dryer. Methods are controversial and ineffective.

Other solutions:


If the phone was purchased from a "gray" seller, the options presented above will not work. There is a way to reprogram Nand memory, but only a few use it and there is no guarantee that the iPhone will work again.

When first setting up, restoring, performing a factory reset or flashing iPhone user every time you have to carry out the activation procedure. Unfortunately, very often this process fails due to an iPhone activation error. In this article, we will consider in detail how to solve the problem.

The “iPhone activation failed” error does not always mean that the phone needs to be taken to a service center: in most cases, it can be solved on its own. To do this, follow the steps below in sequence.

To exclude a system failure that occurred on the device, you should perform a forced reboot. The option to restart the iPhone will depend on the model, since physical keys will be involved here.

Method 2: Using a stable internet connection

Very often, the reason for the inability to activate the iPhone is an unstable or completely inoperative Internet connection. The fact is that during the setup process, the iPhone accesses Apple servers. And if this fails, the error we are considering is displayed on the screen.

To do this, click the button "Back" and return to the Wi-Fi connection selection window. Select suitable network, enter the password for it and try to activate the phone again.

Method 3: Activate via iTunes

You should not exclude a hardware malfunction - if the modem on the phone is out of order, it will not work to activate it without the help of a computer. In this case, you will need to connect the gadget to the computer using the original USB cable and run iTunes. Read more about activating iPhone via iTunes in a separate article.

Method 4: Flashing the smartphone

In case of various software errors, Apple provides a special DFU mode - an emergency environment that is used to clean install firmware on the device.

Method 5: Replacing the SIM card

The problem may lie in a non-working SIM card installed in the smartphone. Very often, this problem occurs if the card has been cut manually. In this case, contact the nearest operator's salon and replace the SIM card with a new one. As a rule, the reissue procedure is free of charge.

Method 6: Retry activation later

The problem with activation may not be on your side at all, but on the side of Apple servers, which for some reason do not respond. In such a situation, you should try again, but after a while, for example, after two or three hours.

If, as a result, none of their methods has brought a positive result, contact the service center: the specialists will diagnose and be able to quickly fix the problem.

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