Could Not Sign In: A server problem is blocking Apple ID sign in. Try signing in later.

Question

Level 1

37 points

Could Not Sign In: A server problem is blocking Apple ID sign in. Try signing in later.

After a successful iOS 5 upgrade to my iPhone 3GS, I began going through the setup wizard the phone takes you through upon initial use. However, I'm unable to make it past the part where you are supposed to "Sign In with an Apple ID". The steps to reproduce the problem are:

Click "Sign In with an Apple ID".
Per the "Have MobileMe and an ITunes Account?" instructions, I opt to type in my MobileMe e-mail address (e.g. my_username@me.com) and password.
Click "Next".
Specify birthday.
Click "Next".
Click "Agree".
Click "Agree" on popup.
A popup error is produced which reads "Could Not Sign In: A server problem is blocking Apple ID sign in. Try signing in later.".
Click "OK" which takes you back to the initial sign in screen.

I have tried logging in since 2am ET. It is now 8:17am ET. The server should not be down for over 6 hours. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance for any assistance offered!

iPhone 3GS, Other OS

Posted on Oct 13, 2011 5:21 AM

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Answer 1

bgwallace Author

Level 1

37 points

Oct 16, 2011 7:41 AM in response to natalielouise86

Hi Natalie,

I was able to workaround this issue by clicking the "Skip" option on the first screen. Afterwards, I went back and manually entered my me.com Apple ID in Settings | iCloud and my iTunes Apple ID in Settings | Store. Doing it this way doesn't ask you to enter your birthday and I haven't yet found where that is supposed to be set. However, everything appears to be working correctly without it. Hope this helps!

Brad

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Answer 2

Oct 16, 2011 1:07 PM in response to bgwallace

I didn't notice the 'skip' option for about an hour! But once the phone had finished restoring from backup I checked on the iTunes app and I was signed in already. iOS 5 is running perfectly, so much better than 4.3.3!

Thanks for your help!

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Answer 3

plasko

Level 1

0 points

Nov 16, 2012 5:35 PM in response to bgwallace

Got my iPad mini today. I am sure millions of others did too. I do wonder if we are all blocking the serve by overloading it? I keep getting this message aswell in my attempts to set-up my iPad mini after creating my new Apple ID.

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Answer 4

Oct 15, 2011 5:07 PM in response to bgwallace

I'm having the same issue. Did you manage to sign in eventually?

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Answer 5

Nov 1, 2011 1:26 PM in response to bgwallace

Same error message here after going to iOS5 on iphone 4. Brad, your work-around of clicking "Skip this step" on the first screen (bottom right) worked successfully. Thank you!

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Answer 6

danuh

Level 1

0 points

Nov 7, 2011 4:38 PM in response to bgwallace

Thanks - this worked for me!

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Answer 7

Nov 7, 2011 4:39 PM in response to bgwallace

Im having the same problem too!

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Answer 8

Nov 7, 2011 5:26 PM in response to bgwallace

Worked like a charm, THANKS!

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Answer 9

Nov 15, 2011 11:39 PM in response to Weymuller

Having the same issue at the moment!!!

Anyone seeing this issue?

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Answer 10

rorish

Level 1

0 points

Aug 15, 2012 11:26 AM in response to bgwallace

thank you so much, it worked 🙂

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Answer 11

Aug 21, 2012 3:08 PM in response to bgwallace

So far so good thanks, I tried the skip button

Thanks

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Answer 12

i77

Level 1

0 points

Jul 6, 2015 6:49 PM in response to bgwallace

thnx ➕

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Answer 13

Dec 16, 2015 4:25 PM in response to bgwallace

I have the same issue, i have been trying to log in since 3 hours now. There's no way out of that screen, there isn't a skip button either. i don't know how to get rid of this? any suggestions ?

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