SE2 iOS update fails; 'Unable to Activate' after restart

Cellular Update Failed —> If you see an Update Failed or Apple Pay Not Available alert after iOS update or restart

Settings > Mobile Data > APN [under Mobile Data APN] enter the APN pin

View and edit your APN settings

If your carrier allows it, you can view your APN settings in one of the following locations: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Cellular Network. Settings> Mobile Data > Mobile Data Options > Mobile Data Network.

View and edit your Access Point Name (APN) on your iPhone ...

Carrier Update (Required): Released by your Cellular Service provider (Carrier Update), affects your Outgoing / Incoming calls, SMS, Data etc..

How to Update Carrier Settings

You can manually check for and install carrier settings, and update with these steps: Make sure your device is connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network. Tap Settings > General > About. If an update is available, you'll see an option to update your carrier settings.

Update your carrier settings on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

If nothing helps then --> If you see a Cellular, Ultra Wideband, or Apple Pay Issue message after an iOS update or restart

Reset Network Settings: Only network settings are removed.

• When you reset network settings, previously used networks and VPN settings that weren’t installed by a configuration profile or mobile device management (MDM) are removed. Wi-Fi is turned off and then back on, disconnecting you from any network you’re on. The Wi-Fi and Ask to Join Networks settings remain turned on.
• To remove VPN settings installed by a configuration profile, go to Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management, select the configuration profile, then tap Remove Profile. This also removes other settings and accounts provided by the profile. See Install or Remove configuration profiles on iPhone in this guide.
• To remove network settings installed by MDM, go to Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management, select the management, then tap Remove Management. This also removes other settings and certificates provided by MDM. See “Mobile device management (MDM)” in the iOS Deployment Reference.
• Reset your Network Settings. Tap Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This also resets Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings that you've used before.

If the above fails...

Reset All Settings: All settings—including network settings, the keyboard dictionary, the Home screen layout, location settings, privacy settings, and Apple Pay cards—are removed or reset to their defaults. No data or media are deleted.

1. Reset All Settings: Return iPhone settings to their defaults - Apple Support:- Return iPhone settings to their defaults
2. You can return settings to their defaults without erasing your content.
3. If you want to save your settings, back up your iPhone before returning them to their defaults. For example, if you’re trying to solve a problem but returning settings to their defaults doesn’t help, you might want to restore your previous settings from a backup.

If you see No Service or Searching on your iPhone or iPad

1. Check your coverage area. Make sure that you're in an area with cellular network coverage. ... 
2. Restart your iPhone or iPad. Restart your device. ... 
3. Check for a Carrier Settings update. ... 
4. Take out the SIM card. ... 
5. Reset your Network Settings. ... 
6. Update your iPhone or iPad. ... 
7. Contact your carrier. ... 
8. Get more help.

If you see No Service or Searching on your iPhone or iPad ...

Remove your SIM card from the SIM card tray and then put the SIM card back. ... Make sure that the SIM tray closes completely and isn't loose. If you use a SIM tray from a different model iPhone, iPad, or from another phone manufacturer, it might not fit properly.

If you see 'invalid SIM' or 'no SIM' on your iPhone or iPad ...

Learn what to do if you see a SIM not supported alert.

If you see No Service, Searching, or SOS on your iPhone or iPad

1. Check your coverage area. ... 
2. If you see SOS or SOS only. ... 
3. If you're on a 3G network. ... 
4. Restart your iPhone or iPad. ... 
5. Check for a Carrier Settings update. ... 
6. Turn your cellular line off and back on. ... 
7. Reset your Network Settings. ... 
8. Update your iPhone or iPad.

More items...•

If you see No Service, Searching, or SOS on your iPhone or iPad

To be able to use any SIM across the globe you must have "No SIM Restriction" against Network Provider Lock. Please refer to the pic below.

“SE2 iOS update fails; 'Unable to Activate' after restart: SE2 would not update from iOS 26.1 to iOS 26.2. I Did a full restart and when trying to restart device I received an Unable to Activate message.“

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Troubleshoot "Unable to Activate":

A. Start Here: If you can't Activate your iPhone - Apple Support

As it Reads: "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."

B. Install a Cellular Update:

Your device is quite old. So, that may be the culprit. But, before making that assertion, try the following. It might be prompting you for a cellular update to install. So, go here for that. Update your carrier settings manually on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Suppor

LineChief wrote:

I received a Unable to Activate message.

To activate iMessage and FaceTime using your Phone number

1. First, check to know whether you have an SMS plan enabled for at least one SMS*** with your carrier. Contact your Carrier (Cellular Service Provider), the agency that issued the SIM to you
2. If your iPhone is used with a carrier not found in the wireless carrier articles, make sure you can send and receive international SMS. (One international SMS*** Only)
3. If you can't turn on or sign in to iMessage or FaceTime - Apple ...

*** You may not have an SMS plan (Domestic & International) enabled by your carrier for the SIM/eSIM that you use on your device. Apple Inc. does not provide SMS services.