iPhone reactivation for replacement phone problems..

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Level 1

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iPhone reactivation for replacement phone problems..

I received a new iPhone tonight because mine had a defective battery. I had the last appointment at the genius bar and he swapped out my phone and said I could activate it when I got home. Well, I've plugged in the phone to the usb port and iTunes opens up and says it is contacting AT&T to verify activation and that it could take up to one minute. After that, a screen comes up saying that AT&T verification is unavailable at this time. All I'm trying to do is sync my stuff onto my phone (same SIM and everything). I was able to set up my email directly on the phone and everything is working, I just can't get iTunes/AT&T to activate the phone so I can sync it. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks so much!

MacBookPro, Mac OS X (10.5)

Posted on Nov 1, 2007 10:12 PM

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Answer 1

Ducman

Level 1

105 points

Nov 1, 2007 10:20 PM in response to amkeppler

Just have to wait, When I got my Iphone last weekend, I got the same message and tried again after a couple hours and it work, it may be their server...dunno.

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Answer 2

Smeagol7

Level 1

58 points

Nov 1, 2007 10:21 PM in response to amkeppler

Hello!

When you left the Apple Stiore, did they tell you that you had to go home and "Activate" your phone?

I had the same situation, battery, but when I was at the Apple store they did everything for me. So in essence, when I left the Apple store, I was making phone calls and everything. When I went home, I just had to sync all of my data, but did NOT have to activate.

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Gunny

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Answer 3

Avesh

Level 1

0 points

Nov 2, 2007 9:28 AM in response to Smeagol7

I am having exactly the same problem. I trying to work on it for the last two days. If you find any solution please let me know.
I think it has something to do with AT&T. Apple is much ahead of AT&T in technology. AT&T is still lagging.

Thanks

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Answer 4

Boggs

Level 1

0 points

Nov 4, 2007 4:05 PM in response to Avesh

I am in the same boat as everyone else. Apple replaced my iphone tonight with a new one because the rubber seal around the screen was coming out. The sim card was swapped, so I can make calls and use all functionality, but I cannot successfully sync back my stuff. The error encountered is the same AT&T activation message.

I have re-connected to iTunes several times in the past hour with no luck. Hopefully, it will magically work before tomorrow morning...

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Answer 5

thesnake

Level 1

0 points

Nov 4, 2007 4:10 PM in response to Boggs

Same boat here as well. Spoke with 4 ATT rep since yesterday and no luck. The lady I spoke with now 1730 CST told me that it should be up by tomorrow morning.
Hope this helps. Do reply if anyone is able to activate today.

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Answer 6

pmed

Level 1

0 points

Nov 5, 2007 4:47 PM in response to Avesh

Same thing here. I just replaced my iPhone due to a broken screen. I was pretty satisfied to be walking out a short 30 minutes after breaking my phone with a brand new working phone. That is, until I came home to sync my data and iTunes wants me to reactivate. I'll report back if it starts working sometime.

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Answer 7

Nov 5, 2007 7:51 PM in response to pmed

I'm having the same issue. I was able to sync the temporary applecare phone just fine but it gives me the AT&T activation screen when I try to sync the replacement phone.

Any solutions?

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Answer 8

pmed

Level 1

0 points

Nov 6, 2007 2:37 PM in response to pmed

Still the same problem. I'm now nearly 24 hours in and have restarted my phone. I may try to reinstall iTunes later today.

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Answer 9

Nov 6, 2007 3:42 PM in response to amkeppler

Any new information on this?

I had to have my phone replaced last night due to a battery problem. Now my phone "works" but I can't sync it with iTunes. I've tried phone support (Apple & AT&T) and an AT&T store. Each just says it's the other's fault. I've been issued new SIMs, tried to create new accounts. Nothing. I have an appointment at the Genius Bar is a couple of hours but I'm well into my 2nd day of iPhone limbo...

This royally *****.

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Answer 10

Nov 6, 2007 3:50 PM in response to Adam Drew2

I spoke to Apple's iPhone support today and she told me that the AT&T activation screen was normal and to just go through it. I told her that was confusing...I haven't tried it yet because I don't want to sign up for another AT&T plan - and it worked fine on the replacement phone (which I'm keeping until I can update the new one).

Confusing.

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Answer 11

Nov 6, 2007 4:15 PM in response to Adam Drew2

And let us know how it goes with the Genius.

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Answer 12

pmed

Level 1

0 points

Nov 6, 2007 6:42 PM in response to Adam Drew2

I was looking online, and it looks like lots of people are saying to just go through the activation process again, which will be already filled in for you. I can't seem to figure out if this means I'll basically replace my old ATT 2-year plan or (worst case scenario) add a new one, or just relink my new phone + old SIM to my ATT account. Feel free to read up:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=5353804&#5353804

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=5431646&#5431646

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1141402&tstart=0

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Answer 13

pmed

Level 1

0 points

Nov 6, 2007 6:44 PM in response to pmed

I reinstalled iTunes and saw no improvement.

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Answer 14

pmed

Level 1

0 points

Nov 6, 2007 7:05 PM in response to pmed

I got tired of waiting, so I went though the activation screens. It was very fast, much faster than the first time I activated. I had to sign in with my Apple ID and it warned me that it'd sign me up for a new ATT plan, but like I said, I was tired of waiting. I went to my ATT bill online immediately after activating and I didn't see any changes. I'll report back when I get my bill at the end of the month.

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Answer 15

Nov 6, 2007 7:16 PM in response to amkeppler

hi .. i have some problems with my iphone because the first time i turn it on it appears like your iphone cont make or receive calls... :S:S what i have to do please i need a reply..

thank you

David

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