iPhone 5 won't activate, what should I do? How to activate your iPad if you forgot your Apple iD

To the factory ones, and now I want to show in detail what activating an iPhone is and what the pitfalls may be.

What is iPhone activation

Activate iPhone = turn on for the first time, if we are considering new phone out of the box, or simply turning it on if you have previously reset or flashed it. Activation is initial setup phone: language, region, restoring from a backup and setting up some services. If you have already produced the first turning on iPhone, then you should know some of these points, otherwise, look below - I will describe step by step what to do and where the pitfalls may lie...

Before activating your iPhone or iPad (there is almost no difference in activation), make sure that you have a SIM card or WiFi network (for an iPad without a SIM card) - you cannot activate without them! You may also need a computer or fast internet, if you need to restore data from a backup copy. After all the preparations, you can safely click on Power button, at the top of the device, and as soon as the iPhone turns on, you will see a welcome splash screen on the screen various languages and an invitation to swipe your finger across the screen.

The next item will ask you to connect to any WiFi network, or will suggest using a SIM card for iPhone activation. If you don’t have a SIM card at hand, then even the presence wireless internet and computers will not help you... Let me explain - you need a SIM card, just like the Internet, it’s just that not all SIM cards come with the Internet, and in this case you will need WiFi or a computer with the Internet connected and iTunes installed!

If you have successfully completed the previous steps, then welcome to the “almost” activated iPhone. Why “almost”, you ask? Yes, because if you purchased the gadget secondhand, you may need to enter the iCloud account and password of the previous owner! If the old owner is not available and you don’t know the treasured login-password, then, alas, you have a “brick” on your hands :) In this case, you need to find the old owner, and in the right scenario, the reset before purchasing must be done with the seller, so as not to there was mutual misunderstanding!

If this is a new phone, then you will not have any obstacles. In the next step you will be offered a choice of 3 options: Set up as new iPhone, Restore from iCloud copies or Restore from iTunes copies ... What are the differences between these 3 points?

— set up like a new iPhone — you simply set up the phone at your discretion and there will be no data on it, except for what will be downloaded later from iCloud, if you have used iCloud before, of course :)

— restore from an iCloud copy — this option is needed for those who already have a backup copy in iCloud, for example, from a previous iPhone.

- restore from a copy of iTunes - just connect your iPhone to a computer where iTunes is installed and there is a backup copy of the phone, and follow the instructions on the computer. At this time, the phone will display iTunes icon and cable.

Set up like a new iPhone

If you chose the first option, then the next step you will see is an account entry window iCloud recordings, or creating a new account if this is your first Apple device. If you don't have an account yet, it's better to skip this step and set up iCloud after activating your iPhone.

Well, how can we do without legal information and acceptance of its terms:

If you are in the habit of protecting your iPhone/iPad with a password or Touch ID, then you will be able to make these settings right away. And these are the ones that shouldn’t be put off until later!

If there is a request to enable geolocation, it is advisable to agree. Geolocation, why else? And so that your phone understands where you are and provides you with the most relevant and correct information. For example, your location is on Maps, Google or Yandex, or correctly displayed weather and time data. I think it's worth turning on geolocation!

Next, if you want, you can enable or disable the sending of diagnostic data or give access to developers. Personally, I included all this so that data about failures and problems would be sent to Apple and developers, and they, in turn, would improve the quality of programs and services!

Recover from iCloud copy

If you already had an iPhone and backed it up to Apple cloud, then feel free to select this item. You will need to enter your Apple ID and password linked to iCloud and click next. If everything is entered correctly and you have access to the Internet, the device will begin downloading the backup copy.

After the restoration begins, you will be asked the same questions when setting up the device as if it were new, so I will not describe them again.

I’ll just focus on this: if you want the iPhone activation to go as smoothly as possible, make sure in advance that the Internet is fast, since recovery may take long time due to copy volumes. The biggest things that can take the longest to transfer are photos and videos. So try to do this at home when you have a lot of free time. Of course, after the initial setup, you can interrupt the recovery and continue later, however, I do not recommend interrupting the activation process.

Recover from iTunes copy

This method is best suited for those who have a computer at hand, as well as a backup copy of the old device, or the device itself, or the backup copy itself takes up a very large volume! In my memory, I have seen an iPhone where about 40 GB were taken up by photos - via iCloud it’s too long and expensive, but via iTunes it only takes an hour!

So on iPhone screen you need to select the appropriate item, after which you will see the iTunes icon on the device screen. After this, you will need to connect your gadget to a computer with iTunes running, where there is an old backup copy...

On your computer, in iTunes, you will need to select a specific backup copy if you have a lot of them or they are from different devices, and click on Restore. Then, depending on the volume of the backup, you can go to the kitchen for coffee, or start cooking dinner :) After the restoration from iTunes is completed, you will also be asked to enable geolocation, protect the device with a password, and an offer to send diagnostics to Apple. Please note that after the activation of the iPhone is completed, you should carefully look at iTunes and the iPhone desktop - it may well be that programs are being installed on the device, or music is being recorded. Do not disconnect the gadget from the computer!

Now you have learned what iPhone activation is and how it can be done. We have seen several methods, among which you can find the one that suits you! I hope that after reading my instructions, you will see something like this on your iPhone!

There are many reasons why you might see a "Could not activate iPhone" or "Could not activate iPhone" error when trying to set up your iPhone. In this tutorial we will look at the causes of activation error and possible ways error fixes that will help you set up your iPhone

Apparently, many people are having difficulty activating their new iPhone X, so if you've encountered this error, know that you're not alone.

But activation issues are not limited to the iPhone X. There have been issues with people being unable to activate their iPhone after updating to iOS 11. Although this issue mainly affects the iPhone 5S or earlier.

How to fix the “Unable to activate iPhone” error

There are many other reasons why you might not be able to activate your iPhone, and we'll list them below, along with a number of fixes that should allow you to activate your iPhone. Next, we will talk about possible ways to fix the “Unable to activate iPhone” error.

Reasons why you can't activate your iPhone

Activation lock set

You may have trouble activating if the iPhone you're using is still locked to another iCloud account with Activation Lock. Next, we will look at the solution to how to fix the “Unable to activate iPhone” error in this situation when starting the smartphone.

Your operator may have a problem

In the case of iPhone X activation issues, they seemed to be mostly limited to AT&T and Verizon customers in the US.

The activation server may be unavailable

The Apple server that verifies that your device can be activated may be down or experiencing a high volume of traffic. You can check if the Apple server is located here LINK https://www.apple.com/support/systemstatus/.

Your SIM card may not be supported

The SIM card in your device may not work with iPhone.

Activation could not be completed

There may be problems connecting to the Internet or iPhone.

How to fix iPhone activation errors

Make sure your iPhone has a SIM card

You cannot activate an iPhone without a SIM card. Find out more about it here: How to set up iPhone without SIM card.

Wait a little

It's possible that the servers at Apple are busy (especially if there's a new iPhone or an iOS update). Check server status Apple activation by visiting the status page Apple systems Here. LINK https://www.apple.com/support/systemstatus/

Remove the SIM card and reinsert it

It is possible that the SIM card is not seated in the SIM tray correctly, so insert it and check if this has changed. Now let's move on to other ways to fix the “Unable to activate iPhone” error.

Reset your iPhone
How you reset or reset your iPhone depends on the model. With older ones iPhone models you can hold the Home and Sleep/Wake buttons together for about 10 seconds. With the iPhone 7 and 8, the process is different in that the Home button is a sensor that depends on the system and if the software is functioning then the button does its job, so to speak. And with the iPhone X, the process is different because there is no Home button.

Unlocking the lock
The purpose of Activation Lock is to keep your iPhone and the data on it safe if your iPhone is stolen.

If the phone you're trying to activate has an activation lock, it may still be locked by a previous user (perhaps a used model). To disable Activation Lock, you will need to enter the ID and Apple password previous user or ask them to go into Find My iPhone and remove that iPhone from their iCloud account. Alternatively, you can call AppleCare or go to Apple Store, and as long as you can provide proof of ownership and Apple can confirm that it's your iPhone, they can remove Activation Lock for you.

Make sure you don't have a locked iPhone
If your iPhone is locked to a specific mobile network, you will not be able to use a SIM card from another network. The previous network must unlock your iPhone so you can use it with the new carrier's SIM card.

Check if your WiFi network is working

Try an alternative Wi-Fi network if you can block Apple servers blocked (if you don't have WiFi networks, connect iPhone to your Mac or PC and use iTunes, see next step).

Try activating your iPhone through iTunes

Below are the steps you should take if you want to try activating your iPhone through iTunes:

Make sure iTunes is up to date.
Turn off your iPhone and connect it to your computer via a USB cable.
Turn on your iPhone and it should launch iTunes to open (or open iTunes if it doesn't).
Once iTunes detects your iPhone, it will ask you to follow several steps to activate your iPhone.
If it doesn't happen automatically, select your device in the left pane and you should see how to activate your iPhone.
Sign in to your Apple ID and click Continue.
Call your carrier

If none of the above resolves the issue, please contact your retailer for advice. And if they can't solve the problem...

Contact Apple

There may be a bug in your iPhone that is preventing you from activating it. Apple should be able to help or replace the iPhone if it's faulty and still under warranty. In this case, contact support.

Conclusions

We hope you understand the possible ways to fix the “Unable to activate iPhone” error. If you know other solutions to this error, please write about them in the comment form.

iPhone activation failure / activation error - a problem that can best be solved by specialists professional service Repair My Apple, and quite quickly in your presence. Although you can take the first and quite simple steps yourself, but only if you clearly understand what to do.

When the need for activation arises. First you need to understand what this process is. First of all, you need to activate your iPhone immediately after purchasing it so that the smartphone can fully perform preinstalled functions: make calls, use the Internet, connect with other devices. The main task of activation is to identify your iPhone, its specification specifically for your needs and tasks. If the iPhone is not activated at this stage, we advise you to contact the store, since the warranty is still valid.

If a situation in which it is impossible to activate the iPhone arose already during its active use, it is worth thinking about what actions could provoke this problem. The developer does not recommend ignoring the activation procedure, as this may later lead to a lack of synchronization and loss of important data. Quite often the message “cannot activate iPhone” appears after the next system update, reset or iOS reinstallation smartphone.

What to do if you couldn't activate your iPhone.

In some cases, the activation process occurs quite easily, in others it requires exclusively professional intervention. If you cannot activate your iPhone, there can be only two main reasons: hardware or software. Each problem has its own solution, it is important to accurately determine its source. A hardware failure may reflect, for example, problems with the modem or its inoperability. The service center specialist must finally make such a “diagnosis” and find a solution. Errors software, as a rule, are solved by reinstalling the iOS system.

First of all, if your iPhone requires activation, use the most universal method– hard reboot it (the process depends on the model), perhaps the problem will be solved immediately after this action. A fairly common option is when the iPhone does not activate due to lack of connection to the server, because it is too large number users are trying to update immediately after it is released. If the system issues this exact message, the best way out- just wait. The second, best decision is to contact our company’s service center, since it is better to trust the solution of serious problems to professionals.

There are several other reasons that prevent iPhone activation. Firstly, the lack of a SIM card, or incorrect installation in the SIM tray, reinstalling this necessary element will solve the problem. Secondly, this procedure requires a stable signal from the network of the selected operator, as well as an Internet connection. Blocking iPhone activation is also possible if the smartphone has already been linked to another iCloud account and it has not been liquidated. Most often, this situation occurs if the smartphone has already had a different owner. The problem is solved by unlocking the system, for which the owner needs to enter the personal identifier of the previous user and his password. And finally, a fairly new, but very serious problem, the so-called “iOS 11 syndrome”. It lies in the fact that after the advent of iOS 11, Apple introduced control over iPhone repair. If after repair your iPhone contains non-original spare parts, or they were not installed in an authorized service center, the system may lock up.

Thus, there can be many reasons why iPhone activation fails - from simple ones (no Internet) to quite complex ones (the modem died). Some users can eliminate themselves, others can only be eliminated at a service center. If your iPhone has problems, do not put off solving them; they are unlikely to go away on their own.

Almost every device purchased from Apple requires activation. This option was invented to collect information about users and to prevent the theft of the gadget. The method for activating a tablet or phone is practically no different. In this article we will describe step by step how to activate iPad mini.

Activating the tablet

Activation of the device is possible in several ways. The first uses a computer, the second does not. Let's consider the second method:

First you need to turn on the device. The apple logo will appear. Next, a window will pop up asking you to select your country of location.
The second window will ask permission to activate special service geolocation. This is necessary so that all photos, videos and other data are equipped with geo-tags by default. You can refuse this option. At the same stage, the device will ask you to activate Wi-Fi function. It is needed to continue registration. iPad Activation mini is also possible using 3G networks mobile operators. In this case, you will need to take care of the availability nano-sim cards with paid internet.
The next stage of registration is connecting to world wide web and clicking the “next” button. The activation process will begin, which usually lasts no more than 30 seconds.
After completing the procedure, a notification will appear that will ask the user to log in with their Apple ID, create a new entry or restore it from the company’s services, for example, Icloud.
When creating new entry, you will need to fill out all necessary information. At the very bottom there will be a question - whether to use Icloud. This is a special complex from Apple that allows you to do backups all data. If the checkbox is checked, the device will ask you to select which data should be uploaded to the cloud.
The penultimate screen will ask you to use the “dictation” option; it is better not to activate it, and permission to send reports on the operation of the device. It is also better not to activate this function.
The last menu that appears in the process will be labeled “Start using the tablet.” After this, all functions of the gadget will be fully available.

Activating the tablet via computer

Now let's look at another option. You can activate your iPad mini via your computer by having special cable and the iTunes program. It is available for both operating shell from Microsoft and for MAC. After connecting the device and installing the program, a notification will pop up asking you to configure the connected gadget (by the way, this method is also suitable for iPhone). If you click "yes", everything will happen in automatic mode. iTunes is needed not only at the initial stage of using the device; updates, music, movies and other information will be downloaded through it.

Made iPhone and iPad users even more happy stable work operating system and the emergence of new functions. However, many users encountered problems activating their devices after installing the update.

The fact is that iOS 9.3, even after installing the update, requires entering your iCloud account information and its password (if before updating in iCloud settings Find My iPhone is turned on. It was at this stage that problems arose for several thousand users. When you try to activate your device after entering your account information, one of the following messages appears on its screen:

“Your iPhone could not be activated because the activation server is temporarily unavailable. Try connecting your iPhone to iTunes to activate, or try again in a few minutes."
"The iPhone is not recognized and cannot be activated for service."
"Apple ID cannot be used to unlock this iPhone."
"This account Apple entry ID disabled for security reasons."
"SIM card in this iPhone not supported."
"iTunes can't verify your device."

Most of the problems with activating devices after iOS updates 9.3 is associated with a heavy load on Apple activation servers, which at times of peak load simply cannot cope with processing requests. In this case, as a rule, a second activation attempt after some time is successful.

However, errors in activating an iPhone or iPad after updating to iOS 9.3 may also be related to the device’s firmware itself. At the moment, due to the massive spread of the problem and the various symptoms of its manifestation, a single solution cannot be given to eliminate a single solution. But this does not mean at all that the problem is not insoluble. We recommend to everyone who is faced with the problem of activating an iPhone or iPad on iOS 9.3 several recommendations about possible actions to solve the problem.

Use a different Wi-Fi connection

Your router settings may be blocking connections to Apple activation servers, causing your device to be unable to connect to them. Take advantage of another wireless connection and try activation again

Activate your device via iTunes

If iTunes is installed on your computer, update it to the latest current version. If iTunes is not installed, you should install it by downloading the distribution kit from the official Apple website. After that, connect your iPhone or iPad using a USB cable to your computer and launch iTunes. The device will be detected inside the program and activated.

Restart your iPhone or iPad

The advice, of course, is banal, but it often happens that simply rebooting the device solves the activation problem. Reboot and try activation again.

Update again via iTunes

If you updated to iOS 9.3 on your iPhone or iPad via Wi-Fi, the possibility of various errors and glitches increases significantly. Connect your device to your computer with installed program iTunes and reinstall through it operating system via pressing Shift buttons(on the keyboard) + "Update" (in iTunes). In this case, you must first download the firmware file for your device and insert it in the dialog box that opens.

If your device does not activate and requires you to enter your Apple ID account in the window iTunes programs, you need to enter it into a special mode Recovery mode so that it can be identified in iTunes. After this, you can either update the software or restore it (in the second case, all user data will be deleted).

Turn off Find My iPhone

If, when you try to activate an iPhone or iPad after updating to iOS 9.3, your Apple ID account is not accepted and you are sure that it was the one that was used on the device in iCloud settings, you should remotely disable the Find My iPhone function for your device.

Go to the site icloud.com, enter your Apple ID account information. Then on the website, go to the “Find iPhone” section, at the top of the page click “All devices”, select the device that you are having problems activating and click “Remove from Find iPhone”.

After this, restart your iPhone or iPad and try to activate it again. If the device is activated, you can turn on Find My iPhone again in the iCloud settings on the device itself.

If you enter your iCloud account information on your device and receive a message saying "This Apple ID has been disabled for security reasons" or " Account Apple ID is blocked", use our guide on what to do in such a situation.