After reset, iPhone 12 not able to activate (update required)

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After reset, iPhone 12 not able to activate (update required)

My iPhone 12 had been acting up of late, regularly saying it had detected a 'mobile network issue' causing mobile data not to work - however this would be fixed after a restart. This would come up every morning, with the phone asking for my passcode instead of Face ID as if it had restarted.

It also would try automatically several times to update itself to 18.6.2, every time, including one time where I tried it manually, getting endlessly stuck on Verifying Update (including in the morning after having been left to 'update' overnight), each time necessitating a force restart.

So this morning I decided to back it up to my Mac (successful) before erasing it through the iPhone. Couldn't set it up again due to 'update required'. Then I tried to update it, on iPhone Recovery Mode, through Finder on the Mac, successful apparently. Still 'update required'. Then, putting it back in Recovery Mode again, I tried restoring it again to factory settings from the Mac, same result. Remembering my Mac has been begging me for the latest macOS update for a while now, I updated the Mac, then tried restoring again to no avail, same issue.

Research tells me it's probably something to do with the baseband chip. If this requires repair, I'll simply upgrade instead (to a secondhand 15 likely) as I was planning this reasonably soon anyway. Is there anything else I could try or any other reason for this activation issue in your knowledge?

iPhone 12, iOS 18

Posted on Sep 4, 2025 10:12 AM

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Answer 1

Sep 5, 2025 01:21 AM in response to vigmario21

Activate iPhone

Turn on and set up iPhone.
Wake and unlock.
Set up cellular service.
Use Dual SIM.
Connect to the internet.
Apple ID and iCloud. Sign in with Apple ID. Use iCloud. Subscribe to iCloud+
Find settings.
Set up mail, contacts, and calendar accounts.

More items...

Turn on and set up iPhone - Apple Support (IN)

Please look at this --> If you can't activate your iPhone - Apple Support

Carrier Lock:- Request your iPhone’s original Carrier to unlock your iPhone and if they agree and do it, then you may know the further process here --> How to unlock your iPhone for use with a different carrier ...

Device Unlocking Policies | Verizon Privacy Policy

Unlock a Phone or Device - AT&T Device Unlock Portal

Unlocking your Sprint device - T-Mobile

FAQs about unlocking your Sprint device

Unlock Your Phone for Spectrum Mobile

If you are the owner or the owner has shared all information with you then, in order to open the Activation Lock:- read here --> Turn off Activation Lock - Apple Support Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

If you have an unknown Apple ID on the App Store and Apple ID page. (See the pic below)

Learn how to remove a device from a previous owner's account.

If you are not the owner and do not have the Apple ID and Password then there is no way that you can get into this iPhone unless the original owner shares the Apple ID and password with you. If you are lucky, you can get into this iPhone if they (owner) accidentally removes the device from their Apple ID.

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Answer 2

Sep 5, 2025 01:21 AM in response to vigmario21

Few Carrier (Cellular Service Provider) does not provide Carrier Settings in full but they offer APN settings for example

Google FI which has APN to be entered manually as h2g2
MTN Ghana which provides APN pin to be updated manually as the internet
BSNL in India which provides APN pin to be updated manually as bsnlnet (Watch teh GIF below)

Settings > Mobile Data > APN [under Mobile Data APN] enter the APN pin

View and edit your APN settings

If your carrier allows it, you can view your APN settings in one of the following locations: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Cellular Network. Settings> Mobile Data > Mobile Data Options > Mobile Data Network.

View and edit your Access Point Name (APN) on your iPhone ...

Use the APN pin based on your carrier. Ask them (Your Carrrier) or search using any search engine.

If you do see the option to enter APN then the only option is given below

Carrier Update (Required): Released by your Cellular Service provider (Carrier Update), affects your Outgoing / Incoming calls, SMS, Data etc..

How to Update Carrier Settings

You can manually check for and install a carrier settings, update with these steps: Make sure your device is connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network. Tap Settings > General > About. If an update is available, you'll see an option to update your carrier settings.

Update your carrier settings on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

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