Fixed! Unable to Activate iPhone an Update Is Required

When you set up a new iPhone or restore an old device, you may encounter a message saying, “An update is required to activate your iPhone.” This notification can be quite confusing and may leave you wondering why it appears and what steps you should take next. It can be quite frustrating to encounter the iPhone activation issue, especially when you are seeking to use your new iPhone.

In this article, we’ll delve into the possible reasons why you are facing the message “unable to activate an update is required to activate your iPhone”. Whether you’re running an old iOS version, suffering from a weak network connection, or experiencing other technical issues, we’ll help you out of the trouble and get your iPhone activated smoothly.

Why an Update Is Required to Activate Your iPhone?

Sometimes, you may need an iOS system update to enjoy the newest features and services, download security patches, fix bugs, and enhance performance and usability. However, this doesn’t include an unexpected update during the activation. Before learning how to bypass this information, we’ll explore why it shows up, helping you understand the possible reasons behind the requirement.

• If you’re using an unstable internet connection, you may suffer from activation issues.
• If you’re setting up a brand-new iPhone, or if you’ve erased your iPhone, you may be required to update to the latest iOS version for activation.
• If the version of your iPhone can no longer support activation, it will prompt you to update.
• Your iPhone has encountered an iOS system issue.
• Sometimes, carriers or network providers may require the latest iOS version to activate the device.
• Apple’s activation servers may no longer support older iOS versions, so you need to update your system to ensure compatibility.

What to Do When an Update Is Required to Activate Your iPhone?

You’re not the only one who’s seen the “An update is required to start your iPhone” message. Typically, this notification appears when there is an issue with iOS compatibility or Apple's launch servers. Based on the possible reasons, we’ll introduce several measures you can take to resolve this problem.

Check Your Internet Connection

You may fail to connect to Apple’s activation servers when using weak or unstable internet. To get it right, ensure your iPhone is connected to reliable Wi-Fi or cellular data. Also, you can toggle the Airplane mode on and off, restart your device, or reset the network settings. If the network connection is good, consider other methods to bypass the notification.

Restart Your iPhone

Usually, a simple restart can resolve most temporary glitches. By pressing a combination of buttons, you can resolve a list of temporary issues, such as an update stuck, a black screen, or slow performance. This process clears your device’s memory and resets its process. The specific way varies from one model to another. Thus, check your iPhone model before initiating a restart.

Reinsert Your SIM Card

A SIM card is a crucial component for connecting to the network. If your iPhone is engaged in an unstable or disrupted internet connection, it may encounter activation problems. By removing and reinserting the SIM card, you can rebuild a proper connection between your device and the carrier network. Then, you can activate your iPhone without additional updates.

Here is how to reinsert your SIM card:

1. Power off your iPhone.
2. Remove your SIM card and reinsert it into the device.
3. Turn your iPhone on.

Update Carrier Settings

As indicated, your carrier’s settings can also influence how your iPhone is connected to the network. If your carrier has made changes to its network or introduced new features, you may need to update the carrier settings to have your iPhone compatible with these changes. Besides, outdated carrier settings can cause activation issues, as your iPhone may not be able to properly connect to the carrier’s network to complete the activation process. By updating the carrier settings, you can ensure your device is up to the latest network configurations.

Here is how to update carrier settings:

1. Go to Settings on your iPhone. Scroll down and click on General.
2. Choose the “About” option. If the carrier settings update is available, tap “Update” to proceed.
3. When the update completes, restart your iPhone.

Activate Your iPhone via iTunes

You can use iTunes to complete the activation process when an update is required to activate your iPhone. iTunes can facilitate the activation by downloading and installing the needed updates directly from Apple’s servers. It is beneficial when you cannot connect to Wi-Fi, as it can bypass the wireless connection and ensure the device has the latest software.

Install the latest version of iTunes or Finder on your computer and take the following steps:

1. Connect your iPhone via a USB cable. Wait for a few seconds until iTunes detects your device.
2. Choose “Set up as New” or “Restore from Backup” to complete the activation process.
3. If you still fail to activate your device, you may need to put your iPhone into recovery mode and restore it via iTunes.

Fix iOS System Issue

An unexpected iOS system issue can also lead to “an update is required to activate your iPhone”. In this situation, you should use an iOS system repair tool. Among the most popular ones in 2025, BuhoRepair is worth your attention. This professional tool can help you fix various iOS problems that occur during the activation process. As it mainly repairs your system issue, it won’t cause data loss. Install BuhoRepair and let it do the rest of the job.

Step 1. Launch BuhoRepair on your Windows or Mac computer and connect your iPhone to the computer via a USB cable.

Step 2. On the main interface, find and click on the System Repair option.

Step 3. Read the instructions and choose the repair mode. Follow the on-screen steps to fix the iOS system issue.

Contact Apple Support

If you fail to resolve the problem by using the solutions mentioned above, reach out to Apple Support. You can navigate to Apple Support's official website, communicate through the Apple Support app on another device, or visit a local Apple Store. Prepare your iPhone’s model, serial number, and error message screenshot, as this information will help the support team diagnose the issue.

Conclusion

It is frustrating when you're facing the “unable to activate an update is required to activate your iPhone” message. Don’t worry! There are several measures you can take to resolve the issue. For a successful activation, make sure that you’ve connected to a reliable Wi-Fi network and have sufficient battery volume. If the issue persists, you can try restarting your iPhone, reinserting your SIM card, or activating your iPhone via iTunes or Finder. As a last resort, you can restore your iPhone to factory settings after backing it up. With these solutions, you can complete the iOS activation process and use all the features on your iPhone.