You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

💡 Did you know?

⏺ If you can't accept iCloud Terms and Conditions... Learn more >

⏺ If you don't see your iCloud notes in the Notes app... Learn more >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Unable to activate

I restore my iphone but it says unable to activate why?

iPhone 8

Posted on Jun 4, 2019 4:46 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jun 4, 2019 8:47 AM

If you can't activate your iPhone

If your iPhone can't be activated or an alert says the activation server is unavailable or the SIM card is unsupported, learn what to do.


Check these things first

Still need help? Use the next section.


Follow these steps

  1. Check the list on the System Status page. If the box by iOS Device Activation isn't green, try to activate your iPhone later.
  2. If asked to enter your password as you activate your iPhone, enter the password. (A password prompt means that Activation Lock might be enabled in Find My iPhone.)
  3. Restart your iPhone.
  4. If you're using a cellular data connection, connect to a reliable Wi-Fi network instead. 

If you still can't activate, here's how to activate your iPhone through iTunes instead:

  1. Make sure that you have the latest version of iTunes.
  2. Check that your computer has an Internet connection.
  3. Open iTunes on your computer. With the cable that came with your iPhone, connect your iPhone to your computer.
  4. Wait while iTunes detects and activates your iPhone: 
    • If iTunes shows, "Set up as New" or "Restore from Backup," it means that iTunes activated your iPhone. 
    • If an error in iTunes says that the SIM card isn't compatible, contact your carrier.


If you can't activate your iPhone - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201407

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jun 4, 2019 8:47 AM in response to vanny van

If you can't activate your iPhone

If your iPhone can't be activated or an alert says the activation server is unavailable or the SIM card is unsupported, learn what to do.


Check these things first

Still need help? Use the next section.


Follow these steps

  1. Check the list on the System Status page. If the box by iOS Device Activation isn't green, try to activate your iPhone later.
  2. If asked to enter your password as you activate your iPhone, enter the password. (A password prompt means that Activation Lock might be enabled in Find My iPhone.)
  3. Restart your iPhone.
  4. If you're using a cellular data connection, connect to a reliable Wi-Fi network instead. 

If you still can't activate, here's how to activate your iPhone through iTunes instead:

  1. Make sure that you have the latest version of iTunes.
  2. Check that your computer has an Internet connection.
  3. Open iTunes on your computer. With the cable that came with your iPhone, connect your iPhone to your computer.
  4. Wait while iTunes detects and activates your iPhone: 
    • If iTunes shows, "Set up as New" or "Restore from Backup," it means that iTunes activated your iPhone. 
    • If an error in iTunes says that the SIM card isn't compatible, contact your carrier.


If you can't activate your iPhone - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201407

Unable to activate

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.