Error "unable to activate" message on my new iPhone 15

Question

Error "unable to activate" message on my new iPhone 15

New iPhone 15 shows connection to wifi (accepted the password, shows the active symbol), yes wifi works on other devices. But I get an error message "unable to activate". and "this iPhone cannot be activated without internet." Then I used the cable to connect it to both my old iPhone and my MacBook (both are updated). With the MacBook it said I need a device with "apple devices." And got stuck there.

Can anyone help.

I am wondering from researching this if the new phone needs to be updated but I can't update it if I can't even activate it.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: "unable to activate" error new iPhone 15

Posted on Jun 5, 2025 7:01 PM

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Answer 1

SravanKrA

Level 10

433,196 points

Jun 5, 2025 11:02 PM in response to RobinHoodWard

If you connect to Wifi, doesn't necessarily mean you are connected to the internet. --> Internet not available WiFi and Cellular … - Apple Community

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Answer 2

SravanKrA

Level 10

433,196 points

Jun 5, 2025 11:01 PM in response to RobinHoodWard

This may help --> Activate iPhone - Apple Community

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Answer 3

Jun 6, 2025 11:14 AM in response to SravanKrA

I feel like this is the problem, but I can't open anything like a browser or settings on the phone until it's activated. I also have a SIM card and it registers both airplane mode and the dots showing wifi is active. But I can't technically activate the SIM either. It just stays stuck on this screen saying "unable to activate without a wifi connection." When I hook it up to my computer it says I need to install "apple devices" but this is a Windows app and mine is a MacBook. It's as if the phone is stuck in some cycle of wrong errors... Any thoughts?

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Error "unable to activate" message on my new iPhone 15

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