To the factory ones, and now I want to show in detail what iPhone activation is and what pitfalls can be.
What is iPhone activation
Activate iPhone = turn on for the first time if we are considering a new phone out of the box, or simply turn it on if we have previously reset or flashed it. Activation is the initial setting of the phone: language, region, restoring from a backup and setting up some services. If you have already turned on the iPhone for the first time, then you should know some of these points, otherwise, see below - I will describe step by step what to do and where pitfalls can wait ...
Before activating an iPhone or iPad (there is almost no difference in activation), make sure you have a SIM card or WiFi network (for an iPad without a SIM card) - you can't activate without them! Also, you may need a computer or a fast Internet connection if you need to restore data from a backup. After all the preparations, you can safely press the Power button at the top of the device, and as soon as the iPhone turns on, you will see a welcome splash screen in various languages and a prompt to swipe across the screen.
The next item will prompt you to connect to any WiFi network, or you will be prompted to use a SIM card to activate your iPhone. If you don’t have a SIM card at hand, then even the presence of wireless Internet and a computer will not help you ... Let me explain - a SIM card is required, like the Internet, just not all SIM cards come with the Internet, and in this case you need WiFi or a computer, with an internet connection and iTunes installed!
If you have successfully completed the previous points, then welcome to the "almost" activated iPhone. Why "almost", you ask? Yes, because if you purchased the gadget with your hands, you may need to enter the iCloud account and password of the previous owner! If the old owner is not available and you don’t know the cherished login-password, then, alas, you have a “brick” on your hands 🙁 In this case, you need to find the old owner, and in the right scenario, you must reset before buying at the seller, so there were mutual misunderstandings!
If this is a new phone, then you will not have any obstacles. In the next step, you will be offered a choice of 3 items: Set up as new iPhone, Restore from iCloud backup, or Restore from iTunes backup… What are the differences between these 3 points?
- set up as a new iPhone - just set up the phone as you wish and there will be no data on it, except for what will be downloaded later from iCloud, if you used iCloud before, of course 🙂
- restore from iCloud copy - this option is needed for those who already have a backup in iCloud, for example, from a previous iPhone.
- restore from a copy of iTunes - just connect your iPhone to a computer that has iTunes and a backup copy of your phone, and follow the instructions on the computer. At this time, the iTunes and cable icon will be displayed on the phone.
Set up like a new iPhone
If you chose the first option, then the next step you will have is a window for entering an iCloud account, or creating a new account if this is your first apple device. If you don't have an account yet, it's best to skip this step and set up iCloud after activating your iPhone.
Well, how to do without legal information and acceptance of its conditions:
If you are in the habit of password-protecting your iPhone/iPad or Touch ID, then you will be able to make these settings right away. And here they are, just, you should not put off for later!
If there is a request to enable geolocation, it is advisable to agree. Geolocation, why else? And for the fact that your phone understands where you are and provides you with the most relevant and correct information. For example, your location on Maps, Google or Yandex maps, or correctly displayed weather and time data. I think it's worth turning on geolocation!
Further, if you want, you can enable or disable the sending of diagnostic data or give access to developers. Personally, I turned it all on so that data about crashes and problems would be sent to Apple and developers, and they, in turn, would improve the quality of programs and services!
Restore from iCloud copy
If you already had an iPhone and a backup copy was created from it to the Apple cloud, then feel free to select this item. You will need to enter your Apple ID and password associated with iCloud and click next. If everything is entered correctly and you have access to the Internet, the device will start downloading the backup. 
After the start of the recovery, you will be asked the same questions when setting up the device as new, so I will not re-describe them.
I will only focus on this - if you want iPhone activation to go as smoothly as possible, make sure that the Internet is fast, as recovery can take a long time due to the volume of the copy. The biggest things that can take the longest to transfer are photos and videos. So try to do it at home when you have a lot of free time. Of course, after the initial setup, it will be possible to abort the recovery and continue later, however, I do not recommend interrupting the activation process.
Restore from iTunes copy
This method is best for those who have a computer at hand, as well as a backup of the old device, or it itself, or the backup itself takes up a very large amount! In my memory, I saw an iPhone where about 40 GB were taken up by photos - via iCloud it is too long and expensive, but via iTunes - it's only an hour!
So, on the iPhone screen, you need to select the appropriate item, after which you will see the iTunes icon on the device screen. After that, you will need to connect your gadget to a computer running iTunes, where there is an old backup ...
On a computer, in iTunes, you will need to select a specific backup if you have a lot of them or they are from different devices, and click on Restore. Then, depending on the size of the backup, you can go to the kitchen for coffee, or start cooking dinner 🙂 After restoring from iTunes, you will also be prompted to enable geolocation, protect the device with a password and offer to send diagnostics to Apple. Please note that after the iPhone activation is completed, you should carefully look at iTunes and the iPhone desktop - it may well be that programs are being installed on the device, or music is being recorded. Do not disconnect the gadget from the computer!
Now you have learned what iPhone activation is and how it can be done. We saw several ways, among which you can find the right one for you! I hope that after reading my instructions, you will see such an inscription on your iPhone!
One of the most popular gadgets is the iPhone. This device is a mobile device for receiving and making calls over the GSM network, sending and receiving SMS messages, as well as a set of various USSD requests. In addition, the gadget has numerous additional functions of the smartphone. Working with the iPhone begins with the activation of the device - a necessary condition for registering the phone in the cellular network.
iphone activation: using the iTunes utility
Have you just purchased a new device and can't wait to get started with it? Then let's start.
- Insert a compatible active SIM card into your iPhone. If you are a contract subscriber and the phone was purchased simultaneously with the execution of the contract, then your card is “locked” (“locked”), in other words, tied. This means that only the card of your telecom operator is suitable for activating your mobile gadget. In all other cases, there is no binding to a mobile operator.
- Turn on your gadget. To do this, press the power key and hold it for a few seconds.
- Unlock the screen with a swipe .
- Next, select the device menu language, your country and connect, if possible, to a Wi-Fi network.
- Now you need to activate your mobile device.
To implement this method, in addition to the iphone itself, you will need a personal computer (or laptop).
- Download the latest version of iTunes for Windows or OS X to your computer.
- Connect your iphone device to your computer (for example, using a USB cable).
- When the utility recognizes the connected gadget, click on the small icon of the latter and go to the control menu.
- Next, iTunes will “take an interest” what needs to be done with the smartphone - set it up as a new device or restore from a backup. If copies are in iTunes or iCloud is not present, choose the option to set up your device as new.
- Next, enter Apple Id and create a new account.
- If there is no desire to create a new entry, skip this step by successively clicking on the items “No Apple ID or forgot it”, then “Set up later” and then “Do not use”.
- After a window will appear Siri assistant (you can skip this step) and an offer to customize the screen as you wish.
- Activation completed.
iphone activation: internet usage
When else may you need to activate your mobile gadget? In addition to starting work with a new device, the activation procedure must be performed:
- If you choose to "Erase content and settings". By the way, resetting all settings does not lead to the need to reactivate the smartphone.
- If there was an update ( recovery) of the iphone device data in iTunes.
iphone activation: mobile internet
If you have a connected 3G or LTE Internet service, you can activate iphone by installing a card in a mobile gadget.
- Next, the smartphone will contact the Apple center and check the status of the phone.
- After receiving permission on the phone screen, you will see a screensaver-logo of your mobile operator.
Activating iphone over Wi-Fi
This method is suitable in cases where there is Wi-Fi access in internet (no mobile internet).
- Choose a Wi-Fi network.
- Wait a few minutes until the activation of the smartphone is completed.
- Go to the "Settings" section and set the parameters of the mobile device.
Activating iphone without a card - call 112
In practice, the situation when you need to activate iphone without a card is not so uncommon. You may not have a card at all, or the last one does not fit the type. How to activate in this case? This method involves the following sequence of actions:
- Turn on your cellular device.
- Press the "Home" key.
- Then select the "Emergency call" field and dial the number 112.
- As soon as the signal has gone, reset the call by pressing the "Cancel" key.
- After the call ends, you will have a fully working iphone with a traditional home screen picture.
When buying a new iPhone, it must be registered. If you do not know how to do this, then our article will help you.
After purchasing a new iPhone and unpacking it, you need to activate it. This is a must from Apple as they value the originality of their devices.
The procedure is not difficult at all and if you have at least some skills, then you can do it in just a couple of minutes. Especially if you previously used an iPhone of the fourth version, and you changed it to 4S. Activation has become mandatory since version 5. This is due to the fact that too many Chinese fakes have appeared that are very similar to the originals.
But, if at the first switch-on with or without a SIM card the phone does not register itself, then claims must be made to the supplier. In other situations, you will have to go through activation, which will depend on the presence of a SIM card in the device. So, how to activate iPhone?
SIM card activation
After unpacking the smartphone, first of all, insert a SIM card into it. iPhones 4 and 4S only support micro-sim, which is placed in the appropriate slot. Take a paperclip, open the pocket and put the SIM card in, then close the pocket. Make sure the SIM card is inserted correctly, otherwise problems may arise. In the future, if you inserted the SIM card incorrectly, then you will definitely find it.
When everything is ready, turn on your phone.
- Press the power button for a short while
- The operation will start, during which you can register the iPhone for its use
- First, you need to select the language and country of residence in the menu. Next, choose whether you need a location service, which should typically be responsible for navigation and map usage. This option does not have to be turned on right away, it can be turned on later.
- Wifi activation
- Next, the activation will start directly. Select a network to connect to the Internet and further activate the device. It can be a cellular network or Wi-fi, but there is one feature here: registration cannot be done via the Internet distributed from another phone. If the access point is selected correctly, the smartphone will be quickly activated
- Next, you will be offered three options for the operation of the smartphone. Among them, choose to make it work like new and proceed to the next steps
- Create and activate an Apple ID. It is a unique identifier for each host.
- Accept the terms of use
- Activation is almost complete. It remains only to configure the services, including the search for a smartphone that is able to find a lost smartphone. You can skip this item, without it the activation will still be completed
Activating a smartphone without a SIM card
If you purchased a gadget, for example, on Aliexpress, then it may be unofficial. In this case, activation is not so easy, but possible.
For this:
- You need to install a jailbreak for your version of the system and download iPhone Cydia. It has a special tweak Subscriber Artificial Module that allows you to activate the gadget
- Otherwise, it simply will not be able to activate. Such a fate awaits every Chinese smartphone. The mechanism is very simple. Jailbreak, then dial an emergency call, but don't wait for an answer. A green bar will appear on top, the smartphone will connect to Wi-fi and activate
- To do this, add the repo.bingner.com repository in advance, to activate the Tweak SAM and SAMPrefs
- Now the device needs to be rebooted and it will be activated
Video: How to activate iPhone? Or what to do with the new iPhone?
Today, there is a huge choice of methods for activating the Iphone 4 mobile technology.
We present to your attention the known activation methods:
— Gevey Activation is a SIM card that can activate any iPhone technology, any version and the presence of any modem.
— Multisim- programmable SIM card. For its full-fledged operation, the original SIM card of the operator on which the mobile device is flashed is required. A dump is taken from it and recorded on the "multisim". Such an operation is also performed with a user SIM card. After that, "multisim" comes out as two SIM cards, and the user receives the original unlock.
Such techniques are very good, but require material costs, time and training. Moreover, such methods are not used in all countries.
Alternative activation methods
There are so-called alternative methods for activating iPhone 4 that try to "trick" the device and get activated for a while, that is, be on the main screen without using the classic activation option.
The first method is based on this: when your device asks for activation, insert the SIM card of your own operator into it. Unlock it and press the "Home" button, and select "emergency call", type number 112 and call him. After the call process begins, press the "Power" button, and press it until you are prompted to turn off the device. Click "Cancel".
The second method is to unlock the device and press the Home button, then select "Emergency Call". We also dial the number 112, but there is no need to make a call here. Click on the arrow to return to the previous menu. Almost at the same time with the previous action, click on the "Call" button. A black display appears for a short period of time, and at this time, press the key Home.
Result of alternative methods
As you already understood, alternative activation methods will not give you full activation, as official methods do. They are useful only in order to log in after the jailbreak. Cydia and install everything required for the lock using the Sam package method. Next, you need to restore Activation Ticket Sam.
Now the activation process can be performed, as on an updated device using iTunes, and a SIM card.
On the back, it means you may have questions about the Iphone. Indeed, in the products of competing brands HTC, Samsung, etc., activation is not applied. But this is the whole Apple, the guys know how to create difficulties for their users out of the blue.
The material is suitable for verification with any phone running iOS 5 (it is set to 4S by default).
First, get your micro-sim ready.
Since iPhone activation is only possible via the Internet, you need to take care of finding a Wi-Fi zone, or connect to a computer using the included cable (I hope it is clear that it must be connected to the computer. Then download iTunes.
If the phone is connected to the network, carefully read the instructions that appear on the screen and follow them. First you need to select the country and interface language (I advise you to choose Russia and Russian).
The next question will be: Allow me to locate my phone (useful if you plan to use maps and navigation). Here you can either allow or reject the offer, in any case later, in the phone menu, you can change this setting.
Then iphone activation will ask if you allow your phone to connect to the Internet, given that this phone needs a network all the time, and not only for web surfing, but also for iCloud and other Apple online services, I advise you to answer yes to this question.
Then it will connect to the network of the telecom operator, with the settings for connecting to its sms, mms, gprs, etc. services.
After successfully downloading the communication settings, you will be asked if you had a phone of this corporation before, if you did, then you will be prompted to restore all settings from a backup stored in iCloud and iTunes, but since you have the first device, you should select the item menu "Set up a new phone".
All subsequent menus and questions can be passed, or you can skip them, they are not required. Iphone 4s basic activation completed successfully. But in order to feel the full power of the iPhone 4S, I recommend that you go through the rest of the steps to the end.
So, we connect again to the Internet via Wi-Fi or GPRS, log in with our ID if you have one, or create a new one (it's free) and enable or disable Siri (voice assistant).
We choose to agree or refuse to send reports about the work of your iPhone to Apple, and in the end, click the "start using the phone" button.
But what about those who own an unofficial iPhone, because in this case, with standard activation, the user will face great difficulties?
Indeed, such a problem usually occurs for those who have reflashed their phone and received a non-working brick as a result. Now the screen says “iPhone activation required”, and when you try to go through this procedure, an error appears about the inability to complete the process.
Best of all, of course, if you have a SIM card of those operators for whose service your gadget is blocked: Vodafone, T-Mobile, AT&T. In this case, immediately after flashing the phone, install this SIM card in the iPhone and connect to iTunes. Then the device will do everything itself. But those who do not have such a card will have to deal with their phone on their own.
In such situations, Cydia will help, or rather, a tweak called Subscriber Artificial Module, with its help it is quite possible to activate a “locked” iPhone without an operator’s SIM card.
In order to find out exactly how this is done, refer to the Internet, where you will find a lot of useful instructions on the topic of unlocking and jailbreaking. It remains only to remind you that this is not entirely legal, and you will certainly lose the guarantee for your phone (if it was, of course,).
