How to Fix Can’t Activate iPhone/iPad Problem After iOS 10/10.1/10.2/10.3.2 Update

Summary

Can’t activate iPhone, iPad, iPod touch when updating to iOS 10/10.1/10.2/10.3.2? This guide list several solutions to help you fix this annoying problem. And we will also tell you how to activate iPhone via iTunes or without SIM card.

May. 18, 2017

by Lena

Follow @iMobie_Inc

AnyTrans – Powerful iOS Data Transfer Tool

Download this easy-to-use iOS data transfer tool to help you manage iDevice data in a smart way. It will not let you down.

Updating to the latest iOS version is great, but you may meet some problems during the process, like having trouble activating your iPhone or iPad. Actually, this is a quite common issue and there are a couple of solutions to fix it. At the same time, we will also show you how to activate iPhone via iTunes or without SIM card.

If you just get a new iPhone, and want to know how to activate it, then you can refer to this guide to get the detailed steps: How to Set Up and Activate New iPhone 6/6s/SE/7 with Ease >

Fix Can't Activate iPhone/iPad/iPod touch After iOS 10/10.1/10.2/10.3.2 Update

Solution 1: Wait and Retry

If you see “Cannot activate because activation server is temporarily not available”, then you can wait and try again later. There might be too many users waiting for activation, and Apple's activation server has shut down for the high demand.

Solution 2: Check Your Network Connection

Make sure the network connection is stable. You can switch from cellular to WLAN and vice versa. Generally, the Wi-Fi network is more reliable. And you can also connect your iPhone to a different Wi-Fi to have a try.

Solution 3: Reset Your iDevice

This simple method can fix many iPhone/iPad/iPod related problems and you can also try it to fix activation issue. Press and hold the on/off button and Home button until the Apple logo appears.

Solution 4: Release the Activation Lock in iCloud

Step 1. Turn off your device to make it offline.

Step 2. Go to iCloud.com and sign in with your Apple ID.

Step 3. Open Find My iPhone > Confirm your password > Select All Devices > Select the device that can't be activated > Choose Remove from Account.

Step 4. Turn on your device and activate it again.

Solution 5: Restore Your Device via iTunes

If all the above methods cannot help you activate your device, then you can restore your iPhone/iPad/iPod touch through iTunes. You can follow this guide to make it: How to Restore iPhone iPad via iTunes >

How to Activate iPhone via iTunes/without SIM Card

Activate iPhone via iTunes

Step 1. Download and install the latest version of iTunes > Open it.

Step 2. Connect your iPhone/iPad to computer > Select your device and you should see Activate screen on iTunes.

Step 3. Input your Apple ID and password > Click on Continue.

Activate iPhone without SIM Card

Step 1. Turn on your iPhone > Click on Home button.

Step 2. Tap on Emergency call and make a call to 112/999.

Step 3. Press the power button immediately.

Step 4. Tap on cancel on the pop-up window.

Hope this guide can help you solve can't activate iPhone/iPad/iPod touch problem successfully. If you have other solutions to fix it, please share it the Comment Section.

After updating to iOS 10.3.2, if you find your iPhone or iPad perform more and more slowly, then can go to Tips to Speed Up iOS 10 Devices to get some basic tips. You can also read Tips to Free Up iOS 10 Devices to get more space.

Join the Discussion on iOS 10 Upgrade