Top 8 Ways to Fix Can't Activate iPhone after iOS 16 Update

When you could not activate iPhone after iOS 16 update, it is obvious to get jittery nerves and feel frustrated. But, it won't be a permanent problem though. Most of these iPhone activation issues surface because of the network carriers. Make sure that your carrier is not undergoing any network issues, which might be deterring the activation process. You might get error messages or the activation process goes on for so long that you don't understand what to do next.

If you are in such a situation, we would recommend you to go through this article and discover the possibilities.

How to Fix Can't Activate iPhone after Update

Way 1: Wait for a While & Try Again

In case your iPhone could not be activated after repeated attempts, it's better to wait for some time. But, the condition gets better only if it was an error at the Apple activation server. In such a case you can wait and then try activating the iPhone successfully afterwards. If this also turns futile then it's time you need to find an alternate way to fix it.

Way 2: Force Restart Your iPhone

When iPhone fails activation after iOS 16 update, you can force restart the iPhone and fix the issue.

iPhone 6/6S/6 Plus/iPad/iPod Touch and older: Push down the 'Sleep/Wake' and 'Home' keys together until Apple logo glows on screen.

iPhone 7/7 Plus: Simultaneously press the 'Volume Down' and 'Sleep Wake' buttons till the Apple logo appears.

iPhone 8/8 Plus/X/X Max: Instantly tap the 'Volume Up' button followed by the 'Volume Down' button. Hold the 'Sleep/Wake' button unless the Apple logo shows up. Let the iPhone restart after that.

iPhone 12/11 Series: Quickly press and release 'Volume Up' button, and then quickly press and release 'Volume Down'. Then press and hold Side button or Sleep/Wake button until you see Apple logo, release Side button.

force restart iphone

Way 3: Restart Router or Change to Another Wi-Fi

You can also restart the router or connect to another stable Wi-Fi so that better connectivity might resolve the issue. The files needed to activate your iPhone might not be accessible by the device with a poor data connection.

Way 4: Check Apple System Status

If your iPhone could not be activated, you can always check the Apple System Status to know what's gone wrong. This is Apple's support page displaying the real-time status information about its stores, services and iCloud. Systems are monitored individually to indicate whether there is any issue or not. The common issues are listed with a detailed timeline. You can access the Apple Support System status page by clicking here.

apple system status

Way 5: Contact Your Carrier

If your phone is recently purchased from your carrier, and the iPhone activation errors coming up after iOS 16 update. You need to reach to the network carrier and ask for unlocking your iPhone and SIM card. Unless the SIM and iPhone are unlocked, you can't activate the iPhone.

Way 6: Reactivate Your iPhone via iTunes

If iPhone is not activated after iOS 16 update, it is better to reactivate it using iTunes. Here is how:

1. Update iTunes to the latest version and then run it on your PC. Get your iPhone connected with a genuine USB cable.

2. Tap on your device name from the left panel on iTunes and then hit 'Activate your iPhone'.

activate iphone itunes

3. Key in your Apple ID credentials followed by the 'Continue' button. It appears on the popup menu.

Way 7: Reactivate Your iPhone via iCloud

Your iPhone could not be activated after repeated attempts and you are stressed to the core. Here is a quick fix for you. You can make use of iCloud and reactivate your iPhone as given below :

1. Go offline and turn off your iPhone.

2. On your PC or other device, login to your iCloud account and launch 'Find my iPhone' option.

3. Choose the 'All devices' option and then pick your iPhone which is not getting activated.

find my iphone icloud

4. Tap on the 'Remove from Account' option at the bottom and then try activating the iPhone from scratch.

remove device from icloud

5. Now, you can easily activate the iPhone.

Way 8: System Repair Your iPhone with UltFone iOS System Repair

Well! In spite of going through the above solutions if you are still stuck at the same place as your iPhone is not activated after iOS 16 update. You can turn to UltFone iOS System Repair without any second thought. It can not only activate your iPhone but fix other day to day iOS issues as well. Whether your iPhone screen got stuck at Apple logo, black screen or became unresponsive, UltFone iOS System Repair has the answer for every iOS glitch. Compatibility with both Windows and Mac systems has rendered it more popularity over the market, as it works for all iOS devices including iPads. Using it's 'iOS System Repair' feature you can get rid of this activation error within no time.

Here is the step by step guide for UltFone iOS System Repair for fixing iPhone activation error due to iOS 16 update.

Free Download For PC Secure Download Free Download For Mac Secure Download
BUY NOW BUY NOW

Step 1: First of all, install this software on your Mac or Windows computer from the official website. Once the installation process is over, run the software and connect the iPhone that is not being activated. Trust the computer on your iPhone and then click the "Start" on the main interface.

iphone system repair

Step 2: Now, you will be navigated to the next screen. Click "Standard Repair" to continue.

fix all iOS issues

Step 3: Click on the "Repair Now" button in this step, to download the firmware. You need to tap on the 'Start Standard Repair' button again and wait a while.

initiate repair

Step 4: The software will start repairing the iPhone and then within a while all iOS issues will be fixed. You can now get activated your iPhone easily.

repair done

Conclusion

Now, when your iPhone could not be activated, you know what you need to do. From this article, we found that UltFone iOS System Repair is the only method that can completely get rid of the iPhone activation issues without any hassle. The other methods weren't fool-proof; they have something or the other restrictions that wouldn't assure you a successful activation. But, with UltFone iOS System Repair, everything got easier and there was no glitch to stop fixing the issue. Moreover, it resolves other iOS issues as well to help you at its best.

Fix 150+ iOS System Issues without Data Loss
  • 1-click to enter/exit iOS recovery mode free
  • Fix 100+ iPhone update/restore errors.
  • Factory reset iPhone without passcode.
  • Support iPhone 15/14/13/12/11 Pro/XR/XS/X and iOS 17/16/15/14.
iOS system repair