Unable to Activate iPhone 12/11/X/8/7/6? Here Are the Solutions

Part 1: Common "Unable to Activate iPhone" Scenes You Might Meet

Here are some common screenshots you may encounter when you cannot activate your iPhone.

Case 1: Unable to Activate Shutdown

You may see a blue warning and the screen reads "Unable to Activate. An update is required to activate your iPhone". And get one only choice to shut down your iPhone.

Case 2: Unable to Activate Try Using WLAN

Or you can see a red warning with the message "Unable to Activate. Your iPhone could not be activated because the activation server cannot be reached."

Case 3: Unable to Activate Try Again

There is another error you might encounter: Unable to Activate. Your iPhone could not be activated because the activation server cannot be reached.

Part 2: Possible Reasons for iPhone Unable to Activate

So, what cause your iPhone 7 unable to activate or any other models unable to activate? The reasons could be:

• Your iOS version is too old.
• The activation server goes wrong occasionally.
• the Apple activation server is too busy to be reached.
• Your network connection is poor.
• Your device is locked to a certain carrier.
• Fail to verify your iPhone via iTunes.

Part 3: Ultimate Way to Fix Unable to Activate Error

If you meet above problems, then try this PassFab Activation Unlocker. With powerful features, this tool can help you remove activation lock or fix iPhone unable to activate. Just follow 3 steps after launching the software on your computer.

• Step 1: Launch and Start PassFab Activation Unlocker

  • Download and launch PassFab Activation Unlocker, you will see its main interface. Select "Remove Activation Lock" feature.

    

  • Now, connect your device to the computer. Click "Start" to bypass the activation page. Read the agreement carefully and click Next then.

    

• Step 2: Jailbreak Your iPhone

  • Once your iPhone is recognized, PassFab Activation Unlocker will download a jailbreak tool for you. Just wait for a few seconds.

  • Now, plug in a USB and click "Start" to burn the jialbreak tool in. This will erase all your data in your USB.

    

  • Once the tool has been burned into your USB, you will see a detailed tutorial. Read it carefully and follow it to jailbreak your iPhone.

    

• Step 3: Bypass the Activation Page

  • Once you jailbreaked your iPhone successfully, restart your computer and run Passfab Activation Unlocker again. Confirm your device information. Click "Start".

    

  • Congratuations! You fixed unable to activate your iPhone successfully!

    

Part 4: 8 Worth to Try Methods

Here are some methods you coul have a try.

• Method 1: Check Apple System Status
• Method 2: Wait and Retry
• Method 3: Check Network Connection
• Method 4: Force to Restart
• Method 5: Connect to Mac or iTunes
• Method 6: Check SIM Card
• Method 7: Contact Carrier
• Method 8: Contact Apple

Method 1: Check Apple System Status

Sometimes, there are some bugs reported by Apple Server. So the easiest way to check if your problem is caused by these bugs is just to go to Apple System Status. If the problem you are facing is listed on the table, just wait Apple to solve it and retry when the dot in front your problem becomes green.

Method 2: Wait and Retry

When the Apple server is too busy to respond your request, it may be difficult to activate your iPhone immediately. So, you can just wait for some while. Then go back to net work page, re-enter your Apple ID and password to activate your iPhone. If you can't wait, you can also use PassFab Activation Unlocker.

Method 3: Check Network Connection

To activate iDevices, a stable network connection is essential.

So if you cannot activate your iPhone, try to change a WiFi or personal hot.

Method 4: Force to Restart

You have to admit that a force restart is a magic method when you don't know what to do.

If there is a "Shutdown" button, just tap it and restart your device. Or you can follow below instructions to restart your device:

• iPhone 8 and later models: Press and release the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons, then hold the Power button when the Apple logo appears.
• iPhone 7 series: Keep holding the Volume Down button and the Power button together until the device restarts.
• iPhone 6 series: Hold the Power button and Home button at the same time. Release the two buttons till the Apple logo appears.

Method 5: Connect to Mac or iTunes

If you can't activate your iPhone, you can connect it to your MAC or a pc with iTunes.

Through iTues, enter your Apple ID and password to activate it.

If your iPhone could not be recognized by iTunes or MAC, you can put your iPhone into recovery mode first. Then iTunes will remind you to restore or update your iPhone.

Now, you can update your iPhone to the latest iOS version to fix "unable to Activate an update is required to activate your iPhone".

Method 6: Check SIM Card

Make sure you have installed a SIM card. Or simply find your SIM tray, insert a pin to let your SIM card pop out. And put it again or put in another supported SIM card.

Now, you can restart your iPhone and try again.

Method 7: Contact Carrier

If your iPhone is locked to a certain carrier, and you are using a different carrier to activate your iPhone. You can only change a SIM card or contact your carrier and ask them to unlock your iPhone.

Method 8: Contact Apple

If above methods can’t solve your problem, you can contact Apple to report your issue. Or oder a technical support on the internet.

Read Also: How to Use Activation Lock Bypass Code on iPad

Part 4: FAQs About iPhone Activation

Q1: What does it mean when your iPhone cannot be activated?

It can be your iPhone goes wrong, or you network connection is unstable. Also, maybe the iOS system have some problems to be repaired, or your SIM card is not compatible or is invalid.

Q2: How do I know if my iPhone is activated?

Connect your iPhone to iTunes, if it prompts that Set up as new or Restore from backup, it indicates that your iPhone is activated.

Q3: Can you activate iPhone without SIM?

You can activate iPhone by connecting it to latest iTunes or using an R-SIM or X-SIM card. If these two all failed, you can try to jailbreak your iPhone.

Final Words

All in all, if you meet the problems we introduced in 3 cases or other activation issues, you can try 12 methods we mentioned before. Also we introduced a worthy Activation Lock Removal tool for you. With this software, you can bypass activation lock of your iDevce or fix activation error quickly and safe.

PassFab Activation Unlocker

• Bypass Activation Lock without Apple ID and password
• Remove Activation Lock without previous owner
• Turn off Find My without Apple ID password
• Unlock iCloud lock within a few minutes
• Support iPhone/iPad and iOS 12.0-14.4

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