[2020] Best Solutions for iPhone Activation Error

Part 1: 12 Troubleshooting Ways to Solve Activation Error

Before you try the method to bypass iPhone activation error, you may need to figure out why you are getting the activation error in iPhone, and sometimes you can easily fix the activation error by troubleshooting.

So first of all, you can troubleshoot by following the steps below:

• 1. Restart The iPhone
• 2. Make Sure You Have SIM Card Installed
• 3. Check Apple’s System Status Page
• 4. Verify Network Connection
• 5. Wait A Bit
• 6. Restore via iTunes
• 7. Sign In with Apple
• 8. Reset the iPhone
• 9. Contact Carrier
• 10. Visit An Apple Store
• 11. Remove the Activation Lock in iCloud
• 12. Using PassFab Activation Unlocker

1. Restart The iPhone

When it comes to problems like activation errors, it’s always recommended to restart the device to fix the problem. Simply restart your iPhone and see if the activation error can be fixed. Sometimes this works like a magic!

2. Make Sure You Have SIM Card Installed

If there is no SIM card installed in your iPhone, or if the SIM card that is currently installed is not supported by your iPhone, then you will run into the activation error like “SIM card not supported”.

Therefore, locate the SIM tray for your iPhone, insert the paper clip or SIM-eject tool into the hole beside the tray, then see if there is a SIM card inside. If not, insert a supported SIM and then put the tray back; if there is a SIM, be sure it is supported by the carrier.

If the SIM card is not a problem, check the next step.

3. Check Apple’s System Status Page

Sometimes you see the iPhone activation error when activating your iPhone just because there is a problem with the Apple System Status. When the Apple system service is under maintained or requires fixing, it may cause activating problem for iOS devices.

So visit Apple System Status page in your browser, and see if all the services are available. If yes, then the system status is not the cause and move to the next step; if one or some of the services go wrong, you can wait until the services become available, then activate iPhone again.

4. Verify Network Connection

Generally, if gs.apple.com is blocked by your network ports, you won’t be able to activate your device and thus an activation error occurs.

It is recommended to verify your network connection, or simply switch to another network connection and see if it works out.

5. Wait A Bit

If it is the first time that you see this activation error in iPhone, you can just wait for a while and then try it again later. It is likely that the Apple server is busy in processing your request and responds with this error. It doesn’t mean you have done anything wrong and you don’t need to do anything at all. Just try it again in a couple of minutes later and your problem can be resolved.

6. Restore via iTunes

If you are still receiving the iPhone activation error after troubleshooting the steps above, try to restore iPhone via iTunes. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Reboot iPhone, and then connect your iPhone with your computer using a USB cable.

Step 2: Launch iTunes in your computer, and select your iPhone.

Step 3: Then you will see the “Activate your iPhone” screen from iTunes.

Step 4: Enter your Apple ID and password, and click Continue.

Step 5: Follow the on-screen prompts and it will activate your iPhone.

This is one of the most common methods to activate iOS devices.

7. Sign In with Apple

In some cases the iPhone activation error occurs because you are entering the Apple ID that isn’t the first Apple ID when the iPhone was firstly activated, and this happens when it is a second-hand iPhone you are using.

That is to say, you can enter the Apple ID and password that was used to sign in at the very beginning. You will need to contact the previous owner of your iPhone for more information.

8. Reset the iPhone

If re-activating your iPhone through iTunes didn’t work, you can also reset your iPhone in order to stop the activation error.

For iPhone 8, iPhone X/XS/XR, iPhone 11, and iPhone SE2:

1. Press and release the volume up button, and press and release the volume down button.

2. Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears on your screen.

For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:

1. Press and hold the side button and volume down button at the same time for a few seconds.

2. When the Apple logo appears on your screen, release the buttons.

For iPhone 6 and older models:

1. Press and hold the power button and home button at the same time for a few seconds.

2. When the Apple logo appears on your screen, release the buttons.

9. Contact Carrier

If the above method didn’t help troubleshoot and locate the cause of your problem, try to contact the carrier. Sometimes there are tech support from the carrier service that can help you with the problem.

10. Visit An Apple Store

If the carrier didn’t help, try to contact the Apple support, or take your iPhone with the activation error to the local Apple Store, and the Apple tech support will resolve the problem for you.

11. Remove the Activation Lock in iCloud

However, if you don’t want to waste your time and do all the troubleshooting steps and wait forever for the Apple support for help you out, you can try to remove the activation lock in iCloud to fix this problem.

There are programs and services out there that can help you bypass or remove the iCloud activation lock to fix your iPhone activation error. If you are interested in giving it a shot, move on to the next part for more detailed instructions.