Scattered activation problems during iPhone launch

While it would certainly be wrong to call the issue widespread, some iPhone users have reported delays while trying to activate their new iPhone 3G S.

CNET's own David Martin tried to activate his iPhone today and had to call AT&T customer support. AT&T customer service reps couldn't explain what the problem was, but it surely has to do with the number of people trying to activate their phones all at once.

For some users, iTunes is reporting that it could take up to 48 hours to complete the activation process. From experience, I know that this is a standard message. The "up to" part is the key. It could be done in an hour, there is just no way to tell.

The problem is not new, nor unexpected. During an iPhone launch day, tens of thousands of people around the country all try to activate their iPhones, which generates an incredible volume of attempts on the AT&T servers.

AppleInsider and other blogs around the Web are reporting similar scattered issues.

However frustrating for the users it's happening to, this year's activation issues are nothing like the server meltdown AT&T suffered from the previous two iPhone launches.

[Rafer32]

I didn't realize this when I left the store,but it seems one phone works and the other just says "no service". I had thought the guy in the store had activated both. I'm on the road now and don't have iTunes access. What can I do to activate the non-working one?

[skycorgan]

Try removing and reinserting the SIM card. I had the same problem, and this resolved it.

[ibeetle]

I would think the nearest AT&T Store (Company owned not an independent) or Apple store could assist in any activation problems.

Using your working iPhone you should have no problem finding the nearest AT&T or Apple store with the Google App.

[scuromag]

After updating my iPhone 3G to 3.0 this morning I received an error -9807 from iTunes. And, the phone would not reactivate. It only worked in emergency mode. I kept getting the error in iTunes on my MacPro so I connected to my iTunes account using my Acer Netbook...everything worked OK and my 3G if functioning great!

[Rafer32]

You want me to do what? How?

[B-Ri]

this is why trying to get it on launch day is probably not the best idea. I would probably have been one of the sheeple this time too except that due to circumstances out of my control I cant get it until the end of the month. Should be pretty smooth by then I'd guess.

[MyRightEye]

Hmm... Is your previous iPhone unusable if this happens or can you keep using both?

[myles taylor]

Comes with the territory. You can't expect Apple or AT&T to buy the necessary server space and power to make launch day go completely seamless while the rest of the year most of it goes unused. People just need to be patient and wait a day or so.

[Perry_Clease]

Can I boilerplate your comment.? How many times do we need to make that point.

Have a great afternoon Myles.

[ibmrg]

Removing and reinserting the SIM card worked for me also.....thanks skycorgan! Great tip.

[ranzic]

t might not be an overload on the servers that is causing activation woes...
After waiting over 5 hours for my iPhone 3GS to activate, and after reading forums, I decided to call AT&T. After first telling me I would have to go to an Apple Store and have it activated, the representative checked with an Apple Rep. I then gave her the IMEI # and the SIM CARD # of the new iPhone.
It turns out, AT&T did not have the new sim card #, they still had the old one from my first generation (non-3g) iphone. After they input the correct # and shutting down both phones, I connected the 3GS to iTunes and it was immediately activated- IMMEDIATELY!

So the problem may not be the servers, the problem may be a lack of communication between Apple and AT&T or someone at AT&T not inputting new Sim information.
I have been advised NOT to merely switch the old sim with the new. If you call AT&T have the NEW SIM # and your IMEI Number. Both are available on the sticker on the back of the box so you don't have to physically remove the sim card. (The sim card # is the one on the bottom left labelled ICCID)

[ikramerica--2008]

I got that message. Still no service. But my old phone is still active.

I wonder if they are prioritizing new customers over existing customers? I mean, I still have my sony phone until the 32GB is active, so ATT loses zero dollars, but annoying a "switcher" would be more of a sin, I guess.

So right now, I have a subsidized iPod Touch. With a compass, that works really nicely, BTW.

[MyRightEye]

OK, here goes nothing...

[The_happy_switcher]

Do this to activate, I just did it and took 10 mins.
1) Call 800-331-0500

(2) Dial 0 and then 0 again

(3) Ask the customer rep nicely to activate you.

(4) Give them your SIM Card # and IMEI. To find this quickly, go to "Settings" on your iPhone, click on "General," then "About." The "ICCID" is your SIM card and the one above that, IMEI is the other number they need.

(5) They will ask you to shut down your phone, wait 30 seconds and turn it on.

(6) When the phone turns back on, you should be activated.

[richrn]

Thanks for the tip. I did not even have to give my numbers. Less than 10 minutes.

[roxxan23]

i don't know why i didn't just call apple earlier! but yeah, i did this and after over 12 hours of waiting, i finally have an activated iphone. THANKS!

[gradbioboi]

Thanks for the tip, this totally worked and I now have an activated Iphone!!!
After waiting almost 15 hours I finally gave in and called AT&T. He tried a few things and had me power off and back on the phone...still "Waiting for Activation".
He was about to transfer me to Apple when I asked him (very politely) to check the IMEI and ICCID numbers...they were both incorrect.
The rep made the switch and after powering it back on it worked!
I think a lot of the reps are still unaware of this so insist they check it before you get the run-around!

[bonillae]

I just did what you recommended, I called 800-331-0500 using my home phone, the AT&T rep also needed that I agree with the acceptance to the terms and conditions of the contract and this will complete the activation process. She did a three-way call to their computer automated system, you only confirm your phone, zip code and last four digits of your social security #, this completes the acceptance process, then you turn off your iPhone, leave it off for about 3 minutes or less, turn it back on again, iPhone locked on to the system, signal came in and then you are ready to go!

[rachel_elisab]

Thank you happy_switcher! After waiting 43 hours I awoke to an email from Apple that said it might take ANOTHER 48 hours. I had previously called AT&T but they were no help. But armed with the specific information you provided, they were able to activate the phone within 10 minutes!

[htotpotriy]

I've been having the same problem since 2:45 CST. Still no service. My 1st generation iPhone is still working. Waiting on AT&T to throw the switch. Very annoying.

[The_happy_switcher]

Just do the above and you will get activated quickly.

[htotpotriy]

I have done it twice now. AT&T transfered me 3 times and then they transfered me to apple and apple now has transfered me back to AT&T and I'm back on another 5min hold.

[htotpotriy]

Got Apple credit from Apple Online $17.20 for S&H but still not activated. Looking for help................

[htotpotriy]

Now AT&T is blaming it on their Activation Server.

[ikramerica--2008]

Well, considering their activations server is not working, that's a pretty good thing to blame.

[htotpotriy]

I have been on the phone for 1:13.49 trying to get activated.

[brynn08]

and they said sprints customer srvc was bad....lol....**** ATT !!!

[ikramerica--2008]

Slow activation of millions of accounts within a few hours is not bad customer service.

I still have only heard from existing customers like me who've had activation problems, and only from those trying to do it after noon pacific time, which would be about the time Fedex would be starting to deliver most of the phones.

[domrob]

If you are upgrading to the 3GS from an earlier iPhone, you can activate almost immediately by taking your old SIM and putting it into the new phone. I went from a 3G to the 3Gs, so I'm not positive the SIM from the first generation iPhone is the same, but it won't hurt to try it. Note: make sure to shut down both phones when swapping SIMS.

[JasonFurtak]

New error to add to your list: http://twitpic.com/7v50n - this is with the SIM card that was sent with the phone and two new SIMs after they sent me to the mall.

[richrn]

Activated in less than 10 minutes. Call 800 331 0500. Follow the instructions by pressing 0 for a live representative. I did not need my SIM card number. Maybe because I am switching from my first generation iPhone. My representative asked some easy questions and then had me turn off the phone and then back on. He had me call a number to test calling and then called me to test the new S. It worked. Yay.

[rchung]

I switched from a Motorola V557 (on AT&T) to an iPhone 3GS. After booking and paying for my iPhone, the sales rep sent me to the "setup team" to help me setup my new iPhone. In order to transfer my contacts, I copied the contacts on the Motorola phone to the SIM card and then the setup crewmember placed my old AT&T SIM card in the new iPhone and transferred the contacts to my iPhone. Then he showed me how to use iTunes to sync with MobileMe. Because of the crowd at the Apple store, he was also helping another customer setup his iPhone at the same time. In the confusion, he left the old SIM in then new iPhone. Because I knew that there were activation delays in the past on rollout day, I was not surprised to encounter a delay in getting my iPhone activated, but after waiting six hours I called AT&T; the support rep was very helpful and patiently talked me through syncing with iTunes and MobileMe (I had a wi-fi connection) but couldn't get the iPhone activated. She checked with Apple, and was told that the delay was probably due to the backlog on the activation server. After reading some of the posts in this topic, I realized that the sales rep probably activated the new SIM and that the old SIM was in my new iPhone. I switched the SIMs, turned on the iPhone, and immediately got FIVE BARS....

[dwcerra]

For me they had my old SIM card info at ATT, I found this out whe I gave them a call after wating over 12 hours for my new 3Gs to become actived. With in 2 min after giving the ATT Tech the #'s on my SIM Card and the IMEI #'s on the back of the box my phone came in it was activated.