Phone trying to set up after turning on phone.

Question

Phone trying to set up after turning on phone.

Earlier today I turned off my phone after my imessages stopped working properly (They wouldn't send, only text messages). When I turned the phone back on, it brought me to the "hello" screen and wanted me to set up the phone using Wifi.

I don't want to set up my phone and lose 3 years worth of notes and messages. However, even if I try to do the set up I get an activation error where it tells me to restore the phone and install latest version of IOS.

Strangely, the phone still has my passcode, still knows my wifi password, and still can take screenshots, which I've been able to upload to my computer.

Connecting to Itunes gives me the same error message. Please help me, I really do not want to lose all my stuff randomly like this.

iPhone SE

Posted on Aug 22, 2019 2:48 PM

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Answer 1

razmee209

Level 10

199,920 points

Aug 22, 2019 3:02 PM in response to Pleasehelpme0000

IF it states you need to restore and update then do so, if you want to continue using your phone. You can always restore back from your icloud or itunes backup.

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Answer 2

Kappy

Level 10

362,023 points

Aug 22, 2019 3:03 PM in response to Pleasehelpme0000

I don't want to set up my phone and lose 3 years worth of notes and messages. However, even if I try to do the set up I get an activation error where it tells me to restore the phone and install latest version of IOS.

I'm afraid you have no choice at this point, but see if the following helps:

Try Some Troubleshooting?

Restart: Press On/Off button until the Slide to Power Off slider appears, select Slide to Power Off and, after It shuts down, press the On/Off button until the Apple logo appears. Also, see Restart your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support.
Reset: Press the Home and On/Off buttons at the same time and hold them until the Apple logo appears (about 10-15 seconds). Also, see iPhone, iPad, iPod touch- Turning off and on (restarting) and resetting.
Restore: Connect your iPhone to iTunes on your computer, backup, and then select Restore to Factory. Also, see Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings and If you forgot the passcode for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, or your device is disabled - Apple.

For help with the above on later models, including iPhone 7, 7s, 8 or later, iPad Pro 11" and iPad Pro 12.9" models, please refer to If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch won't turn on or is frozen.

If all else fails then make an appointment at the Apple Genius Bar for service. If you need to find an Apple Store - Find a Store - Apple. If you did not purchase it from Apple then you will need to look to the vendor for service or How to find your nearest Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) or Distributor (AAD).

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

362,023 points

Aug 22, 2019 3:37 PM in response to Pleasehelpme0000

How to erase your iOS device & then set it up as a new device or restore it from backups

For help with the above or later models including iPhone 7, 7s, 8 or later, iPad Pro 11" and iPad Pro 12.9" models please refer to If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch won't turn on or is frozen.

If the above doesn’t work for you, then:

Follow these steps to place your iOS device into recovery mode: iPhone DFU mode explained, and how to enter DFU mode on your device.

If all fails then make an appointment at the Apple Genius Bar for service. If you need to find an Apple Store - Find a Store - Apple. If you did not purchase it from Apple then you will need to look to the vendor for service.

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Answer 4

Sep 10, 2019 3:09 PM in response to Kappy

Just wanted to let you know, after having to go through a loophole to download iTunes off of apples site and not windows store, (as windows store version doesn't download the necessary files, not matter how many times you reinstall) I was able to use recovery mode to update my phone and keep all of my notes and messages and whatnot, no restore needed.

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