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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

204,998 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Your version of iTunes is out of date.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

dhanif

Level 1

4 points

Oct 16, 2017 7:16 AM in response to ro66i3

hey I also have the same problem here. I upgraded into ios 11 and need to reset my phone. It was working fine just before I upgraded and reset it, but now I can't activate my phone. It keep keep saying "The iPhone could not be activated because an unknown error". I've tried to recover my iPhone through iTunes, but my iTunes wont recognize my phone. After enter the recovery mode and update it still wont work.

Please anyone if having the same problem and know how to resolve this. I need to get my phone work again

Thanks

Oct 17, 2017 2:31 PM in response to ro66i3

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.

ro66i3 Author

Level 1

79 points

Oct 18, 2017 5:53 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

Hi Lawrence,

Thanks for the details. I presume majority of these devices will fall under point 6. The current owner will have no idea whether their device was jailbroken or not in the past if it has not been brought through Apple or an official Apple retailer.

ro66i3 Author

Level 1

79 points

Oct 18, 2017 6:07 AM in response to chiaraChiara

Hi chiaraChiara,

As Lawrence has already detailed it quite nicely, I would suggest you visit an Apple Store and get a response from them. If your device had been brought by you through official channels, Apple will get the device fixed (for a charge if applicable).

Give us an update if you do make the visit.

shawon5u

Level 1

4 points

Oct 19, 2017 1:12 AM in response to ro66i3

HELO SIR

..I have update my iphone 5s to ios 11 but unable to activateAlways get the error 0xE800013 iphone couldn't be activated try again later.The same when i try to activate it on wifi.tried other PCs and other cable.

What is this error and how to resolve this problem ???

Plese sir help me ..

vinu1317

Level 1

4 points

Oct 19, 2017 11:16 PM in response to ro66i3

I too am facing the same issues post update and reset of my iPhone 5s to iOS 11. I am unable to activate the phone over iTunes due to 0xE800013 error. On trying to activate over cellular data or WiFi the phone is unable to connect to apple servers. Did try to downgrade software but downgrade only possible to 11.0.01 and still the phone will not activate. Tried disabling the firewall of my PC too for activation, however ended up with same result. Does anyone have solutions please advise what to do?

XoXoL

Level 1

4 points

Oct 20, 2017 12:15 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

I am sorry but it doesn't make sense at all. Because before updating to ver. ios 11 I did a successful restore and activation. And used my phone of course. But after the update it keeps failing with activating. So it's obvious that ios 11 has this issue and Apple does nothing to fix it. At lease I haven't heard anything about it.

ro66i3 Author

Level 1

79 points

Oct 20, 2017 12:34 AM in response to XoXoL

Hi XoXoL,

Well this is something new. If the iPhone was restoring and activating before upgrading to iOS11 then technically the device is neither jailbroken nor has any other issues as listed by Lawrence. I am assuming your device is purchased from an official retailer.

I am not sure if Lawrence is following this thread, but if he is, it would be great if he could clarify whether jailbroken devices have activation issues on all iOS versions or not.

aliaszzz

Level 1

4 points

Oct 20, 2017 1:17 AM in response to ro66i3

After having hours of call to and fro Apple customer care and specialist yesterday, today Apple specialist called me with a good news from engineering side where this issue has been reported and they are aware that this is not the problem with the device. Therefore Apple are taking measure on this issue and to be rectified either in the next update or method.

vinu1317

Level 1

4 points

Oct 20, 2017 3:01 AM in response to aliaszzz

That is excellent news you have given us. I guess we don't have a choice but to wait for Apple to sort it out. However this episode has made me very circumspect of apple products now. I will definitely read reviews before any more apple updates and never be too eager like before. My iPad's update to latest iOS has now been held in abeyance.

Nungi

Level 1

8 points

Oct 20, 2017 3:45 AM in response to aliaszzz

Hi aliaszzz

Thats a very good news for everyone. I've also been calling them and the last time we spoke i.e wednesday they told me that they will contact the engineering team and contact me again but they haven't tho. Its a relief that they are aware of the problems.

ro66i3 Author

Level 1

79 points

Oct 22, 2017 5:06 AM in response to aliaszzz

Hi aliaszzz,

Thanks a lot for the update. This is great news. So we can now expect the fix to be available for 5S in iOS 11.1 which is already in beta and I presume the final beta version is already available for the developers.

Also personally this has been & still is a great learning experience of why not to be an early adopter of a major iOS release. No wonder people hold on for quite a few weeks before updating. Next time, I'll be on that waiting list as well.

Oct 22, 2017 9:28 AM in response to XoXoL

XoXoL wrote:

That’s truly sad. Does somebody from Apple read this forum? Will we hear their official statement on this issue?!

No. This is a user to user technical support forum. To get help from Apple use the Contact Apple Support link here or at the top of every page. Or install the Apple Support app from the app store and use it to contact Apple.

aliaszzz

Level 1

4 points

Oct 23, 2017 8:14 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

Hi Lawrence. i will try my best to explain here everything they said/asked during the call.

19th Oct 2017, 11.30 pm (MY) - Customer Care

i told them that my Apple Refurbished IP5s was not able to activate in ios 11.0.3. It was doing fine earlier until i had to reset it because i wanted to do clean installation for every apps. Then I was asked to provide them the error text (on device screen) and on itunes (0xE8000013). Then i was asked to do activation using wifi, mobile connection (with different sim) and also via itunes. When all of those method does not work later he directs me to one of their specialist.

19th Oct 2017, 12.15 pm (MY) - Apple Specialist

The specialist ask me for the device MEID, IMEI and SN. Later on, he had me set my device into recovery mode for restoration using Itunes. Restoration process succeed but not for activation process. Then he was on hold for a while to get more information regarding my device i think. Then he asked my permision for remote advisor (ara.apple.com) to view my desktop. He have verified everything including the itunes version and also drivers and also the written error in Itunes activation process. A couple of minutes later he sent an email regarding my device information to Engineering Depart for further investigation on this matter. I was told that he will contact back on 20th Oct 2017 at 4PM(Malaysia) with hope the Engineering Depart have read his email. And also he did left an email in case i need to contact him.

20th Oct 2017, 4.00 pm (MY) - Apple Specialist

Surprisingly he called me sharp at 4 pm. He told me he got feedback from the Engineering Depart and good news which is there is no problem with my device and they said that this error has been reported and they are figuring out the problem. And this problem will be rectified on either an ios update or any method specifically for the affected device.

olhays

Level 1

4 points

Oct 23, 2017 11:30 PM in response to ro66i3

There is a lot of people that says to be the problem, in the new policies from apple that detect if the iphone have non genuine display or touch id, if anyone can check if assembly a genuine display and can restore and check if then activate the phone, and assembly the old display.....

iPhone 5S activation error 0xE8000013