Learn 10 Simple & Easy Solutions to Fix Error Message “iPhone Could Not Be Activated Because The Activation Information Could Not Be Obtained From The Device” Or “The Activation Server Cannot Be Reached”!
Summary: Have you receive the error message that says “iPhone Could Not Be Activated Because The Activation Information Could Not Be Obtained From The Device”? If so, then don’t panic. You can fix this error message easily. In this guide, I have shared some effective solutions that will help you to fix the “Could Not Activate iPhone” error.
Expert Tip: The easiest way to fix “iPhone could not be activated because the activation server cannot be reached” error is to use iOS Repair Software.With the help of iPhone Repair Software, one can:
- Effectively fix the error message “iPhone could not be activated because the activation information could not be obtained from the device” on iPhone.
- Also, fix other iPhone issues like iPhone black/white screen of death, iPhone frozen, iPhone keeps restarting, iPhone stuck in Recovery Mode/DFU Mode, etc.
- Fix many iOS issues without losing data from your iPhone.
- Supports all models of iPhone like iPhone SE, iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max, iPhone XS/XS Max/XR, iPhone 8/8 Plus/7/7 Plus/6/6s Plus/6Plus, etc.
- Available for both Windows and Mac computers.
- 100% safe, secure and easy to use.
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Why Is My iPhone Saying Not Activated?
There can be various reasons that can cause “iPhone could not be activated because the activation information could not be obtained”. Some of the common reasons are mentioned below.
- Having some problems with your iPhone.
- Internet connection is not good.
- You have set an activation lock on your iPhone.
- When you update your iPhone to a new version.
- Your iPhone battery drains fast.
- iPhone has heated.
- Your carrier has some problems.
- SIM card is not working on your iPhone.
- The activation server is down.
After knowing the reasons behind the error “We’re sorry, we are unable to continue with your activation at this time”, let us see a real user practical scenario.
Also Read: [Fixed] iTunes Could Not Connect To This iPad. An Unknown Error Occurred
Practical Scenario: A User Getting iPhone Could Not Be Activated Error Message
So I have a two iPhone 5S’es that customers originally bought from eBay advertised as “brand new sealed in box” or something like that, but they were brought to me when they couldn’t be activated after factory resetting/restoring in iTunes. Of course these iPhones turned out to be refurbished ones, with nearly no original components inside. Screen, housing, battery, etc. have all been replaced, and the logic board has warranty stickers all over.
They were sold as international unlocked A1530 units, but are in fact AT&T A1533. The iPhones have configurations that don’t match their IMEI/SN (i.e. phone is 32 GB space gray, but IMEI belongs to 64 GB gold 5S), and one of them even had an entirely different IMEI after being restored (used to be 35 XXXXXX XXXXX X but then changed to 01 XXXXXX XXXXX X).
If you try to activate the iPhone over Wi-Fi or mobile data, it will say “Your iPhone could not be activated because the activation server cannot be reached
“, and using iTunes it will say “The iPhone could not be activated because the activation information could not be obtained from the device.
Source: Reddit
Like the above example, there are lots of users who are also facing the same error and searching the solutions to fix the error messages “SIM Not Supported. The SIM card that you currently have installed in this iPhone is from a carrier that is not supported under the activation server”.
Now, the question is – How do you fix the activation error on your iPhone?
Well, not to worry, the solutions are mentioned below, just go through them one by one!
Solution 1: Check Internet Connection
You should first check the internet connection to fix iPhone could not be activated because the activation server cannot be reached iOS 11. You should activate your iPhone using Wi-Fi and check that Apple’s server on your iPhone is not blocked. You can also try another Wi-Fi connection and check it is working or not.
Also Read: How To Fix iMessage “Waiting For Activation” Error
Solution 2: Check SIM Card
If your iPhone does not have a SIM card then you can’t activate your iPhone. So, check that you have a SIM card on your iPhone.
Solution 3: Check Apple Server Status
If the Apple server is busy then it can also create a problem in activating your iPhone. So you should check the status of Apple’s activation server here. If the Apple Server status is good then try another solution.
Solution 4: Put Out SIM Card And Insert It Again
If your SIM card is not setting on its tray properly then it can also be the result of “iPhone could not be activated” error. So, you should put out the SIM card and insert it again. You can also use an old SIM card that worked on your iPhone.
Now, check that the error message is coming or not. If still, you are getting the error then try the next solution.
Solution 5: Check Is Your iPhone Is Locked
Have you locked your iPhone to a specific mobile network? If so, then you can’t use a SIM card from another network on your iPhone. So, you should check this and unlock it to fix the issue.
Also Read: [iOS] How To Fix Ghost Touch Problem On iPhone/iPad
Solution 6: Force Reboot Your iPhone
You can also activate your iOS device by force restarting your iPhone.
Here, follow the steps to force restart your iPhone to fix the activation issue on your iPhone.
For iPhone SE/6S Or Earlier: Press and hold both Sleep/Wake + Home buttons simultaneously until the Apple logo appears on the screen. After that release both buttons to restart your iPhone.
For iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and hold the Volume Down + Power/Lock buttons simultaneously. Keep holding both buttons until the Apple logo displayed on the iPhone screen. Then leave the buttons to restart your iPhone.
For iPhone X/11/8: Press and quickly release Volume UP button. Then press and quickly release Volume Down button. Next, press and hold Power button unless you see the Apple logo. Then leave the button to restart your iPhone.
Solution 7: Unlock Activation Lock
The feature of Activation lock on iPhone keeps your device data safe even when it gets stolen. If you are still unable to unlock the activation lock after following the above solutions then we can say that it is made by the previous user from whom you have brought this iPhone.
So, to unlock the activation lock you need to contact that owner and ask him/her to tell you the Apple ID and password that the user has set on his/her iPhone. Or you can tell him/her to log in to Find My iPhone and delete that iPhone from his/her iCloud account.
You can also contact Apple Care or visit Apple Store and present proof that you are the owner of this iPhone and then Apple may turn off the activation lock for you.
Also Read: iPhone Stuck In Headphone Mode? Here Is The Real Fix!
Solution 8: Restore iPhone With iTunes Using DFU Mode
You can also restore your iPhone with iTunes using DFU mode to fix “Unable to activate an update is required to activate your iPhone” error.
Note: Restoring iPhone from iTunes in DFU mode will wipe all your data that you have saved on your iPhone.
Now, follow the below steps to restore your iPhone using iTunes in DFU mode to fix the error message “Your iPhone could not be activated because the activation server is temporarily unavailable”.
Step 1: Connect your iPhone to your computer using USB cable.
Step 2: Now, launch the latest version of iTunes on your computer.
Step 3: After that press and hold both Wake/Sleep + Volume Down buttons (for iPhone 7 and later) Sleep/Wake + Home (for iPhone 6s and earlier) simultaneously for few seconds.
Step 4: Release Sleep/Wake button. When “iTunes has detected an iPhone in recovery mode” notification appears on your iPhone screen then leave Volume Down button (For iPhone 7 and later), Home button (for iPhone 6S and earlier).
Step 5: Once your iPhone enters DFU Mode, you will see your iPhone screen turns black. Hit on “Restore iPhone” option and then hit on “Restore” button to confirm it.
Note: When your iPhone is restored in DFU Mode then you can restore your iPhone data using current iTunes backup.
Also Read: Learn To Fix iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max Keeps Restarting
Solution 9: Fix iPhone Activation Error Via iPhone Repair Software
You can also try third party iPhone Repair software to fix “iPhone could not be activated because the activation could not be obtained from the device” error on your iPhone.
This iOS Repair Tool also fixes many iOS issues like Activation request could not be completed – contact customer care, stuck in Recovery Mode/DFU Mode, black/white screen of death, Apple logo, screen get frozen, etc. without losing data from the device.
The best part about this iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch Repair Software is that it is available for both Windows and Mac computers.
*Trial version only shows how it works and not fix iOS to Normal. | |
*Trial version only shows how it works and not fix iOS to Normal. | |
It supports all models of iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch like iPhone SE, iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max, iPhone XS/XS Max/XR, iPhone 8/8 Plus/7/7 Plus/6/6s Plus/6Plus, etc.
Here, follow the steps to fix “iPhone could not be activated because the activation could not be obtained from the device” error by using iOS Repair Software.
Also Read: [Fixed]: iPhone XS (Max), XR, X Stuck In Recovery Mode
Solution 10: Call Your Carrier & If Fails Then Contact Apple Store
If you are still unable to activate iPhone then you can call your carrier and take help from them. But if they are failed to solve the issue then visit the nearest Apple Store. Maybe your iPhone has some hardware issue and due to this, you are receiving the error message. They will see it and fix it. But if your iPhone still under warranty period then don’t hesitate to exchange it.
Wrap Up
So, these were the 10 easy solutions to fix iPhone Could Not Be Activated Because The Activation Could Not Be Obtained From The Device” error message on your iPhone. Try the simple solutions first and if you don’t fix the error message with all those simple solutions then I would recommend you to try iOS Repair software to easily fix the Activation error on your iPhone.
Max Field
Max Field is a founder of recoveriphone-data.com. He is an iOS lover and loves to write tips, tricks, fixes for errors, data recovery solutions and more related to iOS, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, iTunes and iCloud.
