iPhone 11 Pro unable to activate

Spizz

Spizz

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I’ve got an iPhone 11 Pro that is stuck in some kind of loop after an OTA update. It starts as normal, select language/country, then tries to activate for a few minutes until it show the screens below.

261F0D85-F58B-4CBB-9106-02C38F36F7AB.jpeg
5A056CA3-5421-4585-963F-B0C9EC7D4357.jpeg

I’ve tried it plugged into my Mac as well after a hard reset and I get the same message. It even downloaded 15.4.1 and tried to install but again, end up at same screen. The 15.4.1 update stops a few times while downloading as it seems to eject the phone and I have to hard reset again until the screen shows the cable being shown to plug into phone.

I’m off to UK in a couple of weeks and had planned to take to an Apple store and get them to diagnose and fix it, in the meantime anyone got a solution or had a similar situation?

For clarity, I took a gamble and bought it from a friend who has a new phone and can’t be arsed with the hassle of trying to fix it. It was bought in the US and it takes any sim. He used it here with Vodacom and is open to all networks.
 
Connected to WiFi or using the SIM card?

If using WiFi possible you are running something on the network like a Pi Hole or Adguard that is blocking Apple services? Could you give it a "pure" connection and try it again?
 
SauRoNZA said:
Connected to WiFi or using the SIM card?

If using WiFi possible you are running something on the network like a Pi Hole or Adguard that is blocking Apple services? Could you give it a "pure" connection and try it again?
Click to expand...

On home Wi-Fi and we all have iPhones at home and we all have no issues connecting updating etc. I tried a sim but it just doesn't recognise it and doesn't produce a signal. My friend also had the same issue at his place and same results. But even plugged into the Macbook it starts the process like it should do but drops connection a few times. It does get to install eventually after downloading the 7.5gb update but we end up at the same screen.
 
Spizz said:
On home Wi-Fi and we all have iPhones at home and we all have no issues connecting updating etc. I tried a sim but it just doesn't recognise it and doesn't produce a signal. My friend also had the same issue at his place and same results. But even plugged into the Macbook it starts the process like it should do but drops connection a few times. It does get to install eventually after downloading the 7.5gb update but we end up at the same screen.
Click to expand...

What you may need to do it force load the update from the MacBook.

But it sounds like you may have some buggered hardware there.
 
Grab the IPSW from here.

ipsw.me

Choose an IPSW for the iPhone 11 Pro

Download iOS IPSW files for iPhone 11 Pro. IPSW Downloads provides download links and information for Apple's operating systems, including signing window information.
ipsw.me ipsw.me

Then you need to hold in either Option or Command as you click update and it will pop up the File Browser and you can just point it to the IPSW.

Then it will load it directly to the phone from your Mac instead of trying to get it off the internet.
 
SauRoNZA said:
What you may need to do it force load the update from the MacBook.
Click to expand...

I think that was what I was trying. Vol up, vol down, power button until the cable to iPhone logo appears.

SauRoNZA said:
But it sounds like you may have some buggered hardware there.
Click to expand...

Yep, I thought it was a software issue seeing as it buggered up during an OS update but beginning to think it may be hardware. Plan was to take it to a proper Apple store in the UK and see what they say. I paid R3k for it so still quite a bit of wiggle room for a profit.
 
Spizz said:
I think that was what I was trying. Vol up, vol down, power button until the cable to iPhone logo appears.



Yep, I thought it was a software issue seeing as it buggered up during an OS update but beginning to think it may be hardware. Plan was to take it to a proper Apple store in the UK and see what they say. I paid R3k for it so still quite a bit of wiggle room for a profit.
Click to expand...
Oh wow if it works at the end of this that is a bargain and a half.
 
SauRoNZA said:
Oh wow if it works at the end of this that is a bargain and a half.
Click to expand...

If worst comes to worst and it needs some hardware fixed, I reckon I've still got R5k or R6k to play with before it becomes not such a bargain. But I've always loved a flutter ;)
 
SauRoNZA said:
Any luck?
Click to expand...

Nope. Recovery mode just goes round in circles and I’m unable to get the phone into DFU mode to update the firmware that way. The phone is recognised, gives the serial number and basic details but there seems to be several steps that keep repeating themselves when I get to certain stages of installation. I’ve tried by downloading the IPSW and forcing it to use that both in Mac and iTunes for windows, but in recovery it gets to a stage where it says “connect phone to your Mac or pc” even though it’s connected. Happens time and again.

But no worries, I’ll put it in the suitcase and try in the Apple store when I get to Scotland in a couple of weeks and get them to sort it. I’m pretty sure it’s not a complicated fix but I just don’t have the tools to do it. I’m convinced now it’s a firmware issue but without DFU mode I can’t do it. Everything is there and everything appears to be working, I’ll post back when I get some news in a couple of weeks.
 
What type of cable are you using when connecting to iTunes? When I used another cable I always had issues with iTunes. Try a genuine cable it might help.
 
Bad luck jizz, you should have bought an Android.
 
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