Some of our customers with factory-unlocked iPhones were having trouble activating their iPhones after updating to iOS 4.3.1 over the past few days. A full restore will not resolve this issue. This is also not an issue with iTunes or Apple’s activation server.
UPDATE: Here’s the possible fix for iOS 6.1 activation problem.
“We are unable to complete your activation at this time. Please disconnect your iPhone from your computer and reconnect it later and we should be able to activate it. We apologize for the inconvenience this causes.”
iOS 4.3 and above no longer supports older version of SIM cards (12-digit ICCID).
Thankfully, there’s an easy fix. Simply put in another SIM (19 or 20 digit) card. Your friends, colleagues or family members may have this type of SIM card. The image above shows a 20 digit ICCID SIM card by AT&T.
If you are based in China and have been using an old SIM card, go to the nearest China Mobile or China Unicom outlet to upgrade your SIM card.
UPDATE: Are you trying to activate iOS 5 beta? You need to register your UDID.
Don't Miss:
Fix ‘There is No SIM Card Installed in the iPhone’ iTunes Error After iOS 6.1 Update
Install Ultrasn0w 1.2.5 to Unlock iPhone 4 and 3GS on iOS 5.0.1 (Old Basebands)
How to Activate iPhone 4S or iPhone 5 that Needs Zip and Social Security Number SSN
5 Easy Tips to Make Your iPhone IMEI Factory Unlock Process Successful
Here’s The Fix if You Cannot Send Out SMS on iPhone 4S, 4 or 3GS
what is a 19 or 20 digit sim card?? thanks if anyone can tell me
do you have the same issue? you don't really have to know the details, new type of SIM card should be able to activate it
no i was acually goona ask because i am geting a iphone 4 from canada factory unlocked to use in the US with tmobile. it will work right?
it will work with any network
thank you
How to use it in India ?? And Gevey Turbo Sim is better or Itunes Permanent IMEI Unlock ?? Plzzz help……….
if you can get NCK unlock that's better of course, if not, Gevey is your best and only option
You mean the Itunes Permanent Imei Unlock is a NCK unlock ?!?!?!
iPhone permanent unlock, not iTunes
WILL IT WORK ON IPHONE 4 4.2.1??? PLEASE HELP………….
http://tinyurl.com/5uq5mem
I have a HK unlocked iphone 3GS, and it won't work with my China Mobile SIM! It's not a 12 digit, its got 16 digits, and China mobile says there aren't any 20 digit cards… what should i do!? Thanks
did this happen after restore? is it used or brand new?
it's used, and my friend cleared it before he gave it to me. i went to china mobile today, and they said it was not a sim card issue, but a phone issue. help!
any idea if it was fixed before?
well, my friend was using it with no problems in HK. it's an unlocked phone, so not sure what is the problem! should i try a new SIM card?
Try with different SIM cards, friends' colleagues'…
And as for the 20 digit SIM, does it still have the 16 digit number on the card? Because the example you showed above has 16 digits… and i'm not sure if that is a 12, 16, or 20 digit card you are showing
When you say 12 digits, do you mean the digits printed on the card or the ICCID that comes up in my iphone? I am stuck with the can't connect to itunes problem on my iphone3gs from HK. On my phone's display I have an ICCID number that is only 12 digits, while the number printed on my China mobile card is 16 digits. Its the China mobile Shen Zhou Xing.
I was having problems with my phone (it was resetting/rebooting on lengthy calls) so I tried recovering it and was stuck in "recovery mode" I jail broke it and now I am stuck in "emergency calls only" and get the "unable to complete your activation" message when connecting to itunes. I went to the apple store when it was in recovery mode and got the "oh its past warranty and it will around 1600rmb to replace the whole back end of your phone". But my phone wasn't broken, just having some issues and had never been backed up and recovered before.
try with different SIM cards, or just use redsn0w to activate it
yes, used and overseas sim card and it worked.
that's great :)
I had the same problem, with my iPhone 3GS/China Mobile Card. I used a China Telecom card from my colleague – restarted it with iTunes and it was fine. Swapped my card back in and it worked fine.