"Unable to activate" error received when trying to supervise iPads

Question

Level 1

3 points

"Unable to activate" error received when trying to supervise iPads

I am receiving an "Unable to activate" error when trying to supervise iPads. I've already done 500+ using the same method, so it's weird that it's happening now.

The full error is "Unable to activate. The device failed to activate with a valid activation record."

Error details:

Description: Unknown (AMDevice Error = 2)

Code: 2

Domain: com.apple.mdk.amderror

Any help to get this up and running again would be great. Thanks in advance!

Apple Configurator Version 1.3 (264)

iPad 2

Mac Mini (Mid 2011)

Configurator-OTHER, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Jul 25, 2013 7:34 AM

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Answer 1

nsdjoey

Level 3

961 points

Jul 25, 2013 7:45 AM in response to WDC2155

Hi WDC2155,

That's strange that it worked for 500+ already... Usually this error means that the computer needs to be authorized in iTunes (in the iTunes menu bar go to Store -> Authorize this Computer). Maybe try unauthorizing and re-authorizing the computer? You'll also want to be sure that the Apple ID you entered in Apple Configurator is the same as the Apple ID you authorized in iTunes.

Hope this helps!

~Joe

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Answer 2

Jul 25, 2013 8:00 AM in response to WDC2155

Where are you located. We are having the same situation in the Eastern time zone. Started to occur us around 10:00 AM EST. Was just curious when this issue started...folks in Chicago are seeing the same error

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Answer 3

WDC2155 Author

Level 1

3 points

Jul 25, 2013 8:14 AM in response to swordfish7769

We are in CST and I would say ours started happening around 9 AM or so here also. I was even able to do some earlier this morning, but then it just started giving me this error. I'd appreciate it if you'd let me know if yours starts working again, and I'll update this post if mine does also. Must be a higher level problem, as I know my machine is authenticated and working just fine. Thanks for the update.

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Answer 4

Jul 25, 2013 8:18 AM in response to WDC2155

about 11:00 EST it started working again. We are getting back in and getting some activated now.

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Answer 5

Savaship

Level 1

0 points

Jul 25, 2013 8:28 AM in response to WDC2155

I am in Minnesota, this problem started occurring yesterday at 2:55PM Central time. This morning it was still an issue. At 7:55AM 2 iPads out of a group of 6 decided to authenticate, and I've had no luck since. We've tried DFU mode and attempting to authenticate via iTunes, that failed. We have an open call with Apple Enterprise Support, as of 10:28AM Central Time, this is still an issue for us.

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Answer 6

MDM IOS

Level 1

0 points

Jul 25, 2013 8:29 AM in response to WDC2155

Their servers where being flooded and wasnt working correctly. You can now activate your devices.

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Answer 7

WDC2155 Author

Level 1

3 points

Jul 25, 2013 8:32 AM in response to Savaship

Thanks for the update.

I gave it another shot and got a new error.....

"Download Activation Record failed"

Description: The network connection was lost.

Code: -1005

Domain: NSURLErrorDomain

Description: The network connection was lost.

Code: -1005

Domain: kCFErrorDomainCFNetwork

I just refreshed it again after that error, and got the "Unable to activate" error again.

I shouldn't have any connection issues, as the Configurator machine is wide open on the network, and again, it has worked fine for several hundred already.

It's 10:38 AM here in MN and I'm still having the same issues.

My errors now vary between the original "Unable to activate" error and the new "Download Activation Record failed" error. Is anyone else receiving this new error also?

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Answer 8

Savaship

Level 1

0 points

Jul 25, 2013 8:33 AM in response to MDM IOS

Thanks for your update!

After reading your post, I restarted our server, and device have now begun to authenticate again. They didn't authenticate until I rebooted though, odd? Oh well, thanks!

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Answer 9

Jul 25, 2013 8:36 AM in response to Savaship

We have hit the error once again. Slow going this morning. Glad we don't have hundreds to do today like you guys.

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Answer 10

Savaship

Level 1

0 points

Jul 25, 2013 8:46 AM in response to swordfish7769

Thanks for the warning. We just got the ""Internet Connection Appears to be Offline" -1009 NSURLErrorDomain" during the phase where our MDM profile calls home to Apple. I also noticed, the MDM profile call-home process eats up a good 26Mbits/s for up to 45 seconds. Perhaps these servers are tied to the authentication ones, and it's us crazy MDM users that are causing the jam up? 80 iPads done, only 520 to go! Let's hope this gets fixed!

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Answer 11

WDC2155 Author

Level 1

3 points

Jul 25, 2013 8:48 AM in response to Savaship

And I only have about 50 left to go.....

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Answer 12

Jul 25, 2013 8:53 AM in response to WDC2155

We cannot activate the devices either

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Answer 13

WDC2155 Author

Level 1

3 points

Jul 25, 2013 9:53 AM in response to WDC2155

From our Apple Education Systems Engineer here in MN:

"I have been told that there have been issues with our activation servers this morning and engineering has been working on it. If I hear any more about I'll let all of you know."

Also, someone else called in and got this response:

"I had activation errors also and finally called Apple..800-800-2775, the

tech told me they are having Server Activation errors and to just keep

trying or wait until tomorrow."

Hope that helps.

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Answer 14

Nov 6, 2013 8:58 AM in response to WDC2155

I've had the same issue off and on with iOS7 and different versions of Apple Configurator as they make changes to their software.
The one item I've read that has helped every time is quit Configurator and start it again. It's helped.

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Answer 15

PPH-User

Level 1

0 points

Nov 7, 2013 7:49 AM in response to GothamCowboy

This was occuring to us this morning 8:40AM Mountain Time on several devices. Waited 5 minutes, rebooted, and worked.

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