An update is required to activate your iphone

i've restored the phone 6 times and i have a phone that has been rendered useless all because i did the latest update 12.1 which i think is a conspiracy from apple i have a phone shop and previously all four phones were working on all four networks now they work on Fxxxxall thank you apple

If you see "Software update is required to connect to your iOS device" on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

Lock the screen and bottom right corner u can see that i icon in that check ur imei

If you are activating using iTunes there is an iTunes update required for iOS 12. There should be a button on your computer to install the update. If there isn't reboot your computer and restart iTunes, then try to update using iTunes. You should get a prompt to install the update. It's a small update and should only take a few seconds.

Why is say that new is a new phone and it have never been use before

I have the same problem too - its amazing that so many of us have this issue (and many more all over the world) but no one has a solution to fix it. I've also taken mine to the Apple Store, they could not fix, I called Apple Support, they just gave me the same instructions and could not fix either. Are our phones bricked?

i also have this problem , try to solve by restore by using iTunes many time , not success.

send my phone to apple service center , after a week they said can not solve. this happened after iOS update to 12

if vrcoolvicky have solution , can you share?

It’s an software problem . iOS 12 update erased your imei information. This can b fixed by resoldering some ic . Go to repair centre they ll fix . If u have iPhone 7 replace with new one in apple centre

In regards to iphone 7, i have had this same issue on the original phone i purchased as well as one of the replacements provided to me by apple.

https://www.apple.com/support/iphone-7-no-service/

This was the issue and it was fixed by having the phone replaced entirely.

The baseband chip was damaged either by liquid or physical damage either way apple does not repair but offer to replace for $300 plus for iPhone 7’s and newer. I sent mine out to get the chip replaced to a trusted board level repair shop out of Brooklyn. When iPhone starts up it goes through a series of checks and if something is off such as unable to see WiFi networks to activate it gives this error. I found this out because my friend forgot her passcode and asked me to restore phone. She neglected to tell me she was having issues with the WiFi prior and also neglected to inform me of using phone in shower.

I also have similar this problem, After deleted my phone on find my iphone on icloud. it was automatically restore my iphone then I set up again and it displayed the Unable to Activate and update is required to activate your iphone, Besides it also lost my IME

Please tell me How to fix it?

I have a new inactivated iPad. It tells me I need to update the software My iPhone has that software. The New iPad tell me to connect to itunes. ( won’t let me connect to iCloud backup) But ... the new iPad has not been activated. So how do I get it updated??

Hello, I also have this problem.. My phone was working fine, is GSM unlocked to all carriers and now cannot be activated saying "An update is required to activate your iphone"....What should I do?

Hallo,

I also have this Problem.Did you find a Solution?