8 Ways to Fix iPhone Activation Problems

Learn effective ways to fix iPhone activation problems quickly. Troubleshoot common issues and get your device up and running smoothly.

Often, iPhone owners are faced with the impossibility of activating the device, due to which it becomes impossible to use the smartphone. What is the cause of the error, and how to fix it? Let’s figure it out in this material.

iPhone Activation Failed Due to Problems with Apple Servers.

This often happens when problems are on Apple’s side. The company has many data centers and is constantly expanding its capacity. But even Apple sometimes has problems. 

In this case, there is only one way out. You will have to wait until the company’s specialists solve the problem and the servers start working again. Most often, this happens during the release of new versions of iOS, when the operating system begins to be downloaded en masse to users from all over the world. 

iPhone activation failed due to modem issues

It happens (though not often) that the iPhone modem fails. You can check this by connecting the iPhone to a PC and launching iTunes (or an alternative application “Apple Devices”). If you are sure that everything is fine with Apple servers, but activation does not occur, then it is highly likely that the activation problem is related to a dead modem. 

There is another way to check:

  • On the activation screen, click on the i icon in a circle;
  • If you see only the serial number without the IMEI, then this is also a sign of a dead modem.

What to do? Take your smartphone to a repair shop. You won’t be able to activate it with a broken modem. There is a more exotic method. You can put your iPhone in the freezer for 10-20 minutes or blow hot air on your iPhone (for example, from a hair dryer). There is a small chance that the contacts will snap into place at least for a time that will be enough for activation. 

iPhone Activation Failed Due to Non-Genuine Parts

Back in 2017, with the release of iOS 11, Apple banned Apple repairs in third-party workshops using non-original components. Many repairmen learned to bypass this restriction, but not all. If the iPhone understands that it has a non-original part, it will refuse to activate. 

This is because during the activation stage, the smartphone sends data about the parts to Apple servers. If a non-original component is detected, the gadget is automatically blocked. 

At risk are users who have replaced:

  • NAND storage;
  • Modem;
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules;
  • Screens;
  • Batteries. 

What to do? Either buy a new iPhone or take it to new technicians who know how to work with modern Apple technology. 

iPhone Activation Failed Due to SIM Card Issues

There is a possibility that the user has problems with the SIM card. For example, it simply does not work. Check it on another smartphone. And if it does not work there, just replace it with the operator. 

iPhone Activation Failed Due to Wi-Fi Issues

It is possible that your iPhone is not connected to Wi-Fi or has no network access. Try the following: 

  • Check Wi-Fi on another smartphone;
  • If it doesn’t work, connect to another one. 

iPhone activation failed due to lack of funds on the mobile phone account

It is possible that you forgot to top up your mobile phone account. You can check this way:

  • Press *102# (the combination may differ depending on the operator) and the call icon;
  • If there is no money in the account, add it and try activation again. 

iPhone activation failed due to mobile internet issues

If you activate your iPhone using a mobile network, make sure you are in the coverage area and the Internet is working. To do this, just look at the connection bars at the top. If there are none or only one, then you probably won’t be able to activate your iPhone. You need to find a place with a better signal. 

iPhone activation failed due to software glitch

Another option is an iOS crash, so it makes sense to do a hard reset and try again:

  • Press the volume up button on the side:
  • Then the volume down button;
  • Press and hold the power button until you see the apple icon.