HT201210: If you see an error when you update or restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod

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guedes-r
Level 1 (2 points)

Q: your iphone could not be activated because the activation server is temporarily unavailable

your iphone could not be activated because the activation server is temporarily unavailable

iPhone 3GS, Windows 7

Posted on Feb 9, 2013 12:16 PM

by deggie,Solvedanswer
deggie deggie
Level 9 (54,612 points)
iPhone
A:

Call AppleCare and give them the model and serial number of your iPhone and find out which cell carrier it has now relocked with. Then contact the cell carrier and see what their process is for officially unlocking the iPhone and see if you qualify.

Posted on Feb 9, 2013 12:19 PM

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guedes-r

Q: your iphone could not be activated because the activation server is temporarily unavailable

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  • Helpful answers

  • by deggie,Solvedanswer

    deggie deggie Feb 9, 2013 12:19 PM in response to guedes-r
    Level 9 (54,612 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 9, 2013 12:19 PM in response to guedes-r

    Call AppleCare and give them the model and serial number of your iPhone and find out which cell carrier it has now relocked with. Then contact the cell carrier and see what their process is for officially unlocking the iPhone and see if you qualify.

  • by riveranaruth,Helpful

    riveranaruth riveranaruth Mar 7, 2013 11:51 PM in response to deggie
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mar 7, 2013 11:51 PM in response to deggie

    is your problem solved?

  • by riveranaruth,

    riveranaruth riveranaruth Mar 9, 2013 12:01 AM in response to riveranaruth
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mar 9, 2013 12:01 AM in response to riveranaruth

    i have the same problem...what didi you do to yours?i still cant use my phone thus is the 4th day..

  • by deggie,

    deggie deggie Mar 9, 2013 12:03 AM in response to riveranaruth
    Level 9 (54,612 points)
    iPhone
    Mar 9, 2013 12:03 AM in response to riveranaruth

    Have you called AppleCare as I outlined above?

  • by melaniefromcrane,

    melaniefromcrane melaniefromcrane Mar 23, 2013 10:03 PM in response to deggie
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Mar 23, 2013 10:03 PM in response to deggie

    You have to have bought applecare, right? I didn't. Have had my phone for over a year now. And I have the same problem. I tried to do the update....and lost my phone!! It will not activate. Keeps telling me the activation server is unavailable try again later. I have been trying all day. This is VERY frustrating and has me looking for a different than apple phone. I have GOT to have my phone for family and work reasons. I am not happy about this...and nothing helps. I've searched online and apple communities all day. Nothing helps. This is the most current post I can find. I have a question - how do you call applecare anyway - when you have no phone?????

  • by deggie,

    deggie deggie Mar 24, 2013 9:19 AM in response to melaniefromcrane
    Level 9 (54,612 points)
    iPhone
    Mar 24, 2013 9:19 AM in response to melaniefromcrane

    No, if you are just wanting to know what cell carrier it is locked with tell them that when they first answer and then give them the model and serial number.

     

    Did you buy this iPhone new from an authorized seller?

  • by melaniefromcrane,

    melaniefromcrane melaniefromcrane Mar 24, 2013 2:42 PM in response to deggie
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Mar 24, 2013 2:42 PM in response to deggie

    Yes, bought this phone from Apple itself. I actually have been on the phone (landline) with a manager from Apple all day. It is a legit phone, no jail breaking done (no matter how many don't believe that - it's true)...there is a problem with the server and my phone - they are not recognzing each other. Something happened when my laptop shut off in the middle of the update. Have tried on another computer with same results. Problem has been sent to engineers with highest priority and should have some sort of answer in a day or two. And because it's an issue that happened with update, I wasn't charged anything for the help

  • by lbeav3,

    lbeav3 lbeav3 May 6, 2013 11:49 AM in response to melaniefromcrane
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 6, 2013 11:49 AM in response to melaniefromcrane

    melanie... what ended up happening?  This has happened to me as well.  What did engineering do? 

  • by Jerry Wall,

    Jerry Wall Jerry Wall Jun 6, 2013 3:21 PM in response to lbeav3
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 6, 2013 3:21 PM in response to lbeav3

    I had the same problem with my at&t iphone 3gs.  I called at&t and got the following web site address from them.

    www.att.com/deviceunlock.  I accepted the terms and then filled out the request form and within 24 hours they approved my request to have my phone unlocked.  They sent me an email with directions to unlock my phone in itunes.