[Fixed] iPhone Could Not Be Activated Because the Activation Information Could Not Be Obtained from the Device

If your iPhone says it could not be activated, the problem usually comes down to one of four things: Apple activation servers, your network, your SIM/eSIM or carrier status, or an iOS firmware problem after an update, restore, or setup attempt. It can happen on a new iPhone, an erased iPhone, or a device that just moved to a newer iOS version such as iOS 27.

This guide walks through the checks that are worth trying first, then explains when an iOS system repair path makes sense and when DFU restore or Apple Support is the better next step. If the device shows Activation Lock and asks for the previous owner's Apple Account, treat that as a different issue from a normal activation-server error.

What Does It Mean When iPhone Says 'Could Not Be Activated'

An iPhone activation error means the device could not complete Apple's activation check. During setup, your iPhone needs to contact Apple, verify the device, confirm carrier information when cellular activation is involved, and finish the iOS setup process. If any of those steps fails, you may see a message such as "The iPhone could not be activated because the activation information could not be obtained from the device."

The error can look similar across different situations, but the cause is not always the same. Before you erase the device or assume the iPhone is broken, check these common causes:

• Your network connection is not available, unstable, or blocking Apple's activation servers.
• Apple's activation service is temporarily unavailable or running slowly.
• The SIM card, eSIM setup, or carrier activation is not ready for this iPhone.
• Activation Lock is enabled and the iPhone needs the correct Apple Account credentials.
• The iPhone is running an iOS version or firmware build that is no longer valid for activation on that device.
• The iOS firmware was not installed correctly after an update, restore, downgrade, or failed setup process.

The fastest route is to separate simple activation blockers from deeper iOS system problems. The table below keeps the original troubleshooting paths, but updates the expectations so you can choose the next step more carefully.

Repair 'iPhone Could Not Be Activated' Error with Fixppo

If the activation error appeared after installing iOS 27, restoring from a computer, downgrading, or reinstalling firmware, the issue may be deeper than a weak Wi-Fi connection. In that case, iMyFone Fixppo is useful because it gives you a guided iOS repair workflow before you move to an erase-based DFU restore.

Fixppo helps with iOS system and firmware problems that block normal setup. If your iPhone can be detected by a computer but cannot finish activation, keeps returning to the setup screen, or asks for activation again after a failed update or restore, Fixppo is the solution.

• You can fix your iPhone/iPad/iPod touch without data loss.
• Standard Mode is designed for common iOS system issues and is the first mode to try before erase-based restore.
• It supports many recent iOS versions and iPhone models, including current iOS 27 troubleshooting scenarios.
• It can help with firmware-related issues such as iPhone stuck on activation, recovery mode, black screen, white Apple logo, and failed update or restore loops.
• It also includes tools for entering or exiting recovery mode and downloading matching firmware during the repair flow.
• If Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes fails during firmware installation, Fixppo gives you another guided repair route with clearer steps.
• Trusted by Macworld, Payetteforward, Makeuseof, and millions of users.

Follow these steps to repair an activation problem that looks related to iOS firmware rather than SIM, carrier, or Apple server status.

Step 1. Install and launch iMyFone Fixppo, then connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable. Choose Standard Mode first, because it is the appropriate starting point for many iOS system problems.

Step 2. If the device is detected, continue to the next screen. If it is not detected, follow the on-screen instructions to put the iPhone into Recovery Mode or DFU Mode so the software can recognize it.

Step 3. Let Fixppo detect the device model and show available firmware. Choose the firmware that matches your iPhone, then download it. Matching firmware matters because an activation error after restore can come from an incomplete or unsuitable firmware installation.

Step 4. After the firmware is downloaded and verified, click Start to begin the repair. Keep the iPhone connected until the process finishes. When it restarts, try activation again on a stable Wi-Fi network.

Many users choose this route before DFU restore because the workflow is easier to follow and does not begin with erasing the device. If activation still fails after repair, continue with the SIM, network, Apple server, and hardware checks below.

4 Common Activation Checks You Can Try

Do not skip the basic checks. A "activation information could not be obtained from the device" error can be caused by a network block, a SIM/eSIM problem, or an Apple service delay, and those problems do not require system repair or DFU restore.

Tip 1. Check SIM or eSIM Carrier Activation

If your iPhone needs cellular activation, make sure the SIM card is inserted correctly or the eSIM has been activated by your carrier. A working SIM from the same carrier can help you test whether the issue is the card, the account, or the iPhone itself. If both SIM and eSIM activation fail, contact your carrier and ask them to check account status, IMEI support, and whether the iPhone is locked to another carrier.

For physical SIM cards, remove the tray, check that the card is not damaged, then place it back firmly. If the iPhone says No SIM or Invalid SIM, solve that first before retrying activation.

Tip 2. Force Restart iPhone

A force restart will not erase your iPhone. It is worth trying when the activation screen freezes, the device keeps retrying activation, or the setup process gets stuck after an update. Use the button combination for your model:

iPhone 6S, iPhone SE (1st generation), or earlier:

1. Hold the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button at the same time.
2. Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears, then let the iPhone restart and try activation again.

iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus:

1. Hold the Sleep/Wake button and the Volume Down button at the same time.
2. Release the buttons when the Apple logo appears, then wait for the device to restart.

iPhone 8 and later models:

1. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
2. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
3. Hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears, then release it.

Tip 3. Check Internet Connection

Activation needs a clean connection to Apple. Try a stable Wi-Fi network first, then switch to another Wi-Fi network if the first one fails. Avoid public Wi-Fi that requires a login page, workplace networks that block device setup traffic, and VPN or proxy settings that may interrupt Apple's activation request.

If Wi-Fi still fails, try cellular data if the iPhone has an active SIM or eSIM. You can also restart the router, move closer to it, or use another phone's hotspot for a quick test. If activation works on a different network, the iPhone is probably fine and the original network was the blocker.

Tip 4. Check the Apple System Status

Sometimes the problem is not on your iPhone. Open Apple's System Status page and check whether the iOS Device Activation service is available. If the indicator is yellow or red, wait until Apple resolves the service issue, then restart the iPhone and try activation again.

This check is especially useful on major iOS update days, after large restore traffic, or when many users are setting up devices at the same time. If Apple's service is down, repeated restores will not help and can waste time.

Restore iPhone in DFU Mode (Data Erased)

If the iPhone still cannot activate after network, SIM/eSIM, Apple server, and system repair checks, DFU restore is the deeper firmware route. It reinstalls iOS through Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes, but it also erases the device. Use it only when you are prepared to restore from a backup or when there is no usable data left on the iPhone.

1. Open Finder on macOS Catalina or later, Apple Devices on supported Windows PCs, or iTunes on older Windows/macOS setups. Connect your iPhone to the computer.
2. Follow the instructions to put your iPhone into DFU mode.
3. When the iPhone enters DFU mode correctly, the screen stays black and the computer detects a device in recovery state.
4. Choose Restore when the computer prompts you. This downloads and installs the latest available firmware for the device.
5. Confirm the restore and keep the iPhone connected until the process finishes. After it restarts, try activation again and restore your backup if available.

Note: DFU restore cannot remove Activation Lock. If the iPhone asks for the Apple Account that was used to set it up, you need the correct credentials, the previous owner, or Apple Support with proof of ownership.

Contact Apple or Your Carrier

Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store if the iPhone still says it could not be activated after the steps above. The device may need diagnostics for a hardware fault, baseband issue, IMEI problem, or firmware state that cannot be fixed from the setup screen.

If the error mentions SIM not supported, carrier activation, or cellular plan activation, contact your carrier as well. Apple can check device-side problems, but your carrier controls cellular account activation, eSIM provisioning, and carrier lock status.

FAQ. Activation Error vs. Activation Lock

Can you bypass Apple Activation Lock in iOS 27?

A normal activation error is not the same thing as Activation Lock. Activation Lock is Apple's anti-theft protection and requires the Apple Account credentials linked to the device, or help from the previous owner or Apple Support with proof of ownership.

If this is your own iPhone and you forgot the Apple Account or password, use Apple's official account recovery and Activation Lock support options. If you bought the iPhone from someone else, ask the seller to remove the device from their Apple Account through iCloud or provide the correct credentials. Do not try to unlock a device you do not own or are not authorized to use.

Why does activation fail after an iOS update or restore?

It can happen when the update did not finish cleanly, the firmware does not match the device, the iPhone cannot reach Apple's servers, or the carrier check fails. Start with network and SIM/eSIM checks, then use system repair or DFU restore depending on whether you need to preserve data and how serious the firmware problem appears.

Will restoring in DFU mode fix every activation error?

No. DFU restore can help when the issue is firmware-related, but it will erase the iPhone and it cannot solve Activation Lock, a blocked IMEI, an unsupported carrier, or hardware damage. If those are involved, Apple or the carrier must help.

Conclusion

When an iPhone shows "could not be activated because the activation information could not be obtained" error, start with the checks that do not erase anything: SIM or eSIM status, a force restart, a different network, and Apple's System Status page. If the error began after an iOS 27 update, restore, downgrade, or firmware install, repair the iOS system before you choose DFU restore. If activation still fails after that, Apple Support or your carrier can confirm whether the remaining problem is account, carrier, IMEI, or hardware related.