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Level 1

79 points

iPhone 5S activation error 0xE8000013

Hi,

I have an unlocked iPhone 5s which was recently updated from iOS 10.0.2 to iOS 11.0.1 through iTunes on a Macbook running OSX Sierra with all latest updates. The update went without a hitch. After the initial setup screens of choosing country, language etc., iTunes gave the following error:

The iPhone "iPhone" could not be activated because an unknown error occurred (0xE8000013). Please try again later.

If I try to activate the iPhone using a working SIM (either on WiFi or Mobile Network), the the following message is displayed:

Your iPhone could not be activated because the activation server cannot be reached. Try connecting your iPhone to iTunes to activate it or try again in a few minutes.

So, I started troubleshooting in the following order:

Check the Apple System Status (iOS Device Activation is online continously)
Followed Apple's guide on 0xE errors
Tried the setup on a Windows 10 with all latest updates but ran into the same aforementioned issue with iTunes (both Macbook & Windows laptops have the latest iTunes installed)
Changed USB cables but to no avail

I am sure the issue is specific to the iPhone 5s & iOS 11 because using the same cables and laptops both my iPhone 6S & iPad Mini 2 updated to iOS 11 smoothly.

If any other iPhone user have this issue I would like to hear from them & how they got it resolved (if they could).

Thanks!

iPhone 5s, iOS 11.0.2, Unlocked iPhone 5S

Posted on Oct 6, 2017 5:54 AM

Best reply

Lawrence Finch

Level 10

204,610 points

Posted on Oct 18, 2017 5:53 AM

chiaraChiara wrote:

Hi ro66i3,

Unfortunately Iphone 5c does not support IOS 11. The last release is IOS 10.3.3 i guess.

This is a really stressfull situation. A software issue is preventing me to use my phone.

Is there any method for flashing a previous release? Am I stuck with 10.3.3?

Thanks.

A software issue is not preventing you from using your phone. The fact that updating iOS requires that the phone be reactivated, and that reactivation is failing, is preventing you from using your phone.

Here are the reasons you might get the message that the Activation Server is unavailable:

It really is unavailable. Rare, but it happens. You can check its status here: https://www.apple.com/support/systemstatus/
Your version of iTunes is out of date. You need 12.6.3 or later.
The phone does not have a valid SIM installed.
Your antivirus or firewall is blocking access to gs.apple.com. Try temporarily disabling it.
Your router's firewall is blocking access to gs.apple.com or to a port that it requires (443).
Your phone is jailbroken, or it was at some time in the past.
Your computer was used to hack or jailbreak some iOS device in the past (not necessarily the device with the current problem), and its network database was corrupted. Hacking includes using some questionable apps such as recboot, reiboot, Tinyumbrella, redsn0w, etc. If this is a possibility inspect your computer's hosts file. If there are any lines in the file that reference gs.apple.com that is the explanation. You will need to rebuild the hosts file.
Your phone has a hardware problem. Take it to an Apple store for diagnosis.

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297 replies

ro66i3 Author

Level 1

79 points

Nov 26, 2017 2:51 AM in response to Faisalazi

Hi Faisalazi,

Lawrence has already covered the reason I was going towards. Now as for your current queries:

These people are not your average thieves or run of the mill hackers. They work in groups and are pretty nifty in their tradecraft with access to custom software & mostly deal in the black market (is in the news every time there is a new launch). Metal back casings are printed to match the original device's information & put on
As I was replying to v33d on an earlier post, device information to be displayed in iOS can be forged after jailbreaking. Hackers used to do it since the days of iPhone 4. (maybe earlier, I did not research as much)
If you look closely at the rear of box, you should be able to see a layer of paper over which the new information has been printed. The font & coloring matches the original box (its all over the web). If the layer does not exist, then they are also printing these boxes 😮
Apple really has no control over other entities, who copy their products, parts & packaging; and are situated in geographical locations that do not have strict copyright laws. As such, these items are used to create the counterfeit products & then sold in the market. Apple can only stop these devices from working & hence the strict enforcement since iOS 11
A counterfeit product will match serial numbers, IMEI & model numbers with Apple's database. The color & storage capacity of the concerned device do not match with Apple.

ro66i3 Author

Level 1

79 points

Jan 8, 2018 7:57 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

I appreciate that you find my post enjoyable. I assume you found, one or more, of the following "laughable" at the least:

Slowing down iPhones which are not 8/8 Plus/X
Not making profits off batteries (discounted or not)
Stealthily pushing code within iOS updates which renders them inoperable without any prior warnings/release notes or at the most "post installation messages"
Responding & accepting breach of trust of customers only when there is outburst over both unpaid/paid media
Keeping repair/replacement costs of out of warranty devices as close as possible to the price of a new one

Jan 9, 2018 6:11 AM in response to ro66i3

ro66i3 wrote:

I appreciate that you find my post enjoyable. I assume you found, one or more, of the following "laughable" at the least:

Slowing down iPhones which are not 8/8 Plus/X

Not making profits off batteries (discounted or not)

Stealthily pushing code within iOS updates which renders them inoperable without any prior warnings/release notes or at the most "post installation messages"

Responding & accepting breach of trust of customers only when there is outburst over both unpaid/paid media

Keeping repair/replacement costs of out of warranty devices as close as possible to the price of a new one

Let's take these one at a time to explain why your post was laughable:

1. WRONG. iOS 11 slows down phones that have FAILING BATTERIES that could cause abrupt shutdowns. It has nothing to do with the model, just the condition of the battery. If your phone doesn't have a failing battery that might cause it to shut down under load it is not slowed down.

2. I don't see your point. Apple does not make profit off batteries. If you consider the cost of the battery and the salary of the technician that installs it they are lucky if they break even.

3. There is no evidence of this.

4. Nonsense; not even worth a response.

5. Let's see: A 64 GB iPhone 7 Plus costs about $900 (I know, I have one). The replacement cost is $349 if it fails out of warranty or if I break it. That is NOT close to $900. Or, If I was smart enough to purchase AppleCare+ it is $99. No other manufacturer offers ANY discount on replacement of a damaged phone.

Oct 9, 2017 5:46 PM in response to ro66i3

I have the same issue with my 5s...everything was working fine after the update from 10.3.3 to 11.0.2 till I had to reset the device to factory settings... After that I've not been able to activate the phone again....tried everything I know still activation server cannot be reached

sag180

Level 1

4 points

Oct 9, 2017 8:49 PM in response to ro66i3

ebodat

Level 1

4 points

Oct 10, 2017 10:46 AM in response to ro66i3

I am having the same problem here. My iPhone 5s was working fine on 10.3.3 before I updated to iOS 11.0.2.

the update went through smoothly but then after the update I couldnt activate both with iTunes and cellular data.

some one should please help cos I really need the phone too bad

olhays

Level 1

4 points

Oct 12, 2017 8:47 AM in response to ro66i3

Me too, i have a 5S AT&T simfree, i tried with different spanish sim cards, a AT&T sim card, differents wifi's, with itunes on mac, windows, new and older version and is impossible activate, tried restore several times, tried with 11.0.2, 11.0.3, 11.1(beta) but nothing, i called to apple care and they says that have more cases, he says that can solve if i go to and official technical services, but here says can't make nothing because the iphone is from at&t, but apple care online says that this isn't the problem because the iphone is unlocked, tomorrow i need to go to another technical service.....

Oct 13, 2017 10:57 PM in response to ro66i3

I have even downgraded to ios 11.0.1 but still the same problem. I wanted to downgrade to ios 10.3.3 but they say the ios is no longer signed by apple. I am so confused because i was helping a friend who bought a new phone from someone and now this has become my lack of sleep for two days now.. anyone with help.. it’ll be much appreciated. iphone 5s

olhays

Level 1

4 points

Oct 14, 2017 2:11 PM in response to ro66i3

Finaly I took it to the genius bar and there they restored it, seeing that it was not activated their solution was to pay 360 € since for 2 months was out of warranty and could not do more.

In Apple Care online they passed a note to a superior department stating that all the tests have been done, and his solution is pay the 360 € or I buy a new iphone.

Minimal interest in escalating the case

Nungi

Level 1

8 points

Oct 15, 2017 11:25 AM in response to ro66i3

Im also having the same problem with my 6 plus. Today i went to apple service center and they told me that they couldn't find the problem and to call apple support. Please help whoever knows the solution.

Oct 16, 2017 12:00 AM in response to ro66i3

sorry gyus my eng is bad.i from russia. i have this problem too. i look at my iphone 5s 11 days!

Apple.do something!!!!

after this bags,i dont' want by iphone x... it's big mistake for company. 0xE8000013.....How joke in Russia-"This is fiasco,bro"😁

Oct 16, 2017 12:40 AM in response to ro66i3

There is the same problem on the Iphone 6. After the firmware on ios11,0,3 can not activate. All specified ways of solution on the site are passed and are not successful. On the phone ios10.3.3 did not work touch-ID, activated well. The same phone does not want to be activated with ios 11.0.3. Please, solve the problem sooner

shawon5u

Level 1

4 points

Oct 16, 2017 5:52 AM in response to ro66i3

plz sir help me

ro66i3 Author

Level 1

79 points

Oct 16, 2017 6:10 AM in response to Cythun

Hi Cythun,

Thanks for the update. Now we know that iPhone 6 users are facing the same issue as well since until now only the 5s users were congregating to voice the issue. I am in communication with Apple Support on this & will update the thread when there will be a solution.

If you have contacted Apple with your issue, it would be great if you could update it with the resolution received.

ro66i3 Author

Level 1

79 points

Oct 16, 2017 6:19 AM in response to olhays

Hi olhays,

All of the 5s users are out of warranty since the phone was discontinued on March 2016 so it would not be correct for them to start charging on the basis of this specific issue since it is not an one off. Its being faced by users all over the world post iOS11 update and there is no official word on it.

Let us know if you hear anything from them after submitting the feedback.

iPhone 5S activation error 0xE8000013