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.

User profile for user: whymereally
whymereally Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

activation failed The iPhone “iPhone” cannot be synced. The operation timed out.

I went through the recovery mode process but after I set my location and wifi I received an error message saying Unable to Activate. This is the initial error message that made me do recovery mode. I tried to update instead of restore first but it would only allow me to click on restore. My iphone is connected to my mac mini M1. After I restored my phone I tried to set it up both ways manually, and by pair with my other iphone. No matter how many ways I try, once I get passed the network page it goes to Unable to Activate on the phone. On my computer it will show it's activating but then it times out and I receive the message: Activation Failed The iPhone “iPhone” cannot be synced. The operation timed out

Posted on Aug 30, 2021 1:11 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: SravanKrA
SravanKrA
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
413,940 points

Posted on Aug 30, 2021 3:46 AM

Please look at this --> If you can't activate your iPhone - Apple Support

If you are the owner or the owner has shared all information with you then to open Activation Lock:- If it is Activation locked, read here --> Turn off Activation Lock - Apple Support Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support


Learn how to remove a device from a previous owner's account.


If you are not the owner and do not have the Apple ID and Password then there is no way that you can get into this iPhone unless the original owner shares the Apple ID and password with you. If you are lucky you can get into this iPhone if they (owner) accidentally remove the device from their apple ID.


View in context

Similar questions

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: SravanKrA
SravanKrA
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
413,940 points

Aug 30, 2021 3:46 AM in response to whymereally

Please look at this --> If you can't activate your iPhone - Apple Support

If you are the owner or the owner has shared all information with you then to open Activation Lock:- If it is Activation locked, read here --> Turn off Activation Lock - Apple Support Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support


Learn how to remove a device from a previous owner's account.


If you are not the owner and do not have the Apple ID and Password then there is no way that you can get into this iPhone unless the original owner shares the Apple ID and password with you. If you are lucky you can get into this iPhone if they (owner) accidentally remove the device from their apple ID.


Reply

activation failed The iPhone “iPhone” cannot be synced. The operation timed out.

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