8 Ways to Fix iPhone 16e/SE 4 Unable to Activate

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By Jenefey Aaron

2025-04-02 / iPhone SE 4

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Got your iPhone SE 4? The first thing you’ll have to do after unboxing it is activating it. It’s a smoother process, just requires a few steps, and you’re ready to set up your new iPhone. However, sometimes this can get frustrating due to an error showing up “unable to activate iphone an update is required”, lolling it’s tongue at you. This error can occur due to various reasons, depending on the scenarios. However most of these are common, and can easily be resolved with simple troubleshooting methods. And this guide will provide you the best ways to fix iPhone SE 4 unable to activate the issue.

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Part 1: Why Does Your iPhone SE 4 Unable to Activate

The first thing you may want to know when facing iPhone SE 4 Unable to activate, is why does it occur? There can be several reasons for it, depending on the scenarios. The iPhone devices with dual sims are mostly likely to face this as compared to single sim devices.

Followings are the potential reasons:

  • Sim card isn’t properly inserted, or it’s not supported by your iPhone SE 4.
  • Your iPhone SE 4 is locked by a mobile service provider.
  • The mobile carriers have technical problems.
  • There’s no internet connection on the device, or it’s not working.
  • Apple activation server status is down, or it’s overloaded with too many requests in the queue.
  • Your iPhone SE 4 is carried locked.
  • iOS bugs or glitches are interfering with the activation process.

Part 2: How to Fix iPhone SE 4 Unable to Activate?

Way 1: Restart Your iPhone SE 4

Sometimes system settings or features aren’t configured properly. Restarting your device can give it a fresh start to proceed with iPhone SE 4 activation smoothly. Before trying advanced methods, consider restarting your device to fix iPhone SE 4 unable to activate error:

  • Quickly press Volume Up, and Volume Down respectively.
  • Press and hold the Power button until the Apple logo appears.
  • Release the Power button once you see the Apple logo.

Way 2: Check if Your iPhone is Carrier-Locked

iPhone SE 4 unable to activate issues can arise when you’re trying to use the non-supported carrier on a carrier-locked device. If your iPhone is carrier-locked, it’s locked to a specific carrier. You won’t be able to use any other carrier sim, other than the supported ones. You can check it in the iPhone settings whether your device is carrier-locked or not.

Here’s how to check if your iPhone is carried-locked:

  • Go to the Settings on iPhone > About.
  • Located the Carrier lock option.
  • If it says, SIM-locked that means it’s locked and you can’t use any other carrier’s SIM.
  • Right below that SIM-locked option, you can see the supported carrier.

Way 3: Reinsert the SIM Card Properly

You might be unable to activate the iPhone after factory reset or even setting up a new device, if the SIM card isn’t properly inserted. The device won’t be able to recognize it, thus failing to establish a network connection. Take out the SIM card, and reinsert it carefully in the SIM card tray. If it’s a dual SIM variant, ensure both SIM cards are inserted, and fully compatible.

Way 4: Verify if Activation Lock is Enabled

You may be unable to activate iPhone SE 4 if you bought a second-hand, and Activation lock is turned on by the previous owner. You can simply disable it by entering the previously used Apple ID of the previous owner. If that’s not possible like in most cases, try contacting the previous owner, and ask them to remove your iPhone SE 4 from their iCloud account.

As a last resort, you can also contact Apple Support for help, and prove your ownership on the device to get it deactivated. This might be difficult to accomplish, so the best possible solution is to contact the previous owner.

Way 5: Connect to a Stable Wi-Fi Network

During the activation process, your iPhone verifies specific information with Apple's servers to get approval. If your device is connected to an unstable Wi-Fi network, the process may be interrupted, leading to the "iPhone SE 4 Unable to Activate" error. Ensure you have a strong and stable internet connection to avoid activation issues.

Part 3: What Else Ways to Fix iPhone SE 4 Unable to Activate

Way 1: Update iOS via iTunes for Activation

If you’re still unable to activate iPhone SE 4, possibly there are iOS bugs or glitches in your device firmware interfering with the activation process. Updating the iOS to the latest version can help get rid of the temporary bugs. Since you can’t access the OTA updates in the device due to the iPhone SE 4 unable to activate error, you can initiate the update via iTunes.

Follow the steps below to learn how to update your iPhone SE 4 via iTunes:

  1. Put your iPhone SE 4 into the recovery mode, and launch iTunes on the computer.
  2. Connect the device to the computer using a compatible device.
  3. As soon as it detects it’ll show two options: Restore and Update.
  4. Select the Update option, and wait for it to complete.

Way 2: One-Click Solution: Fix iPhone Activation Safely

The iOS bugs and glitches are hard to catch and eliminate on the iPhone. Mostly they’re the culprits behind the stubborn iPhone SE 4 unable to activate errors. An automotive tool like Tenorshare ReiBoot can help fix this problem with just one-click operation.

It’s a powerful tool designed to help iPhone/iPad users fix iOS related issues without seeking any professional help. It can fix 150+ software problems, including iPhone stuck on Apple logo, black screen, frozen and more. The best part is, even a novice user can navigate the steps, and fix the issues within the device within no time.

Key Features:

  • Fix 150+ iOS Issues: Resolve iOS related issues such iPhone SE 4 unable to activate, stuck Apple on logo, black screen.
  • Without Data Loss: Fix any type of iOS related issues without losing data loss.
  • Upgrade/Downgrade: Safely upgrade and downgrade to any available iOS versions without requiring Jailbreak or iTunes.
  • Intuitive and Userfriendly: The self-explanatory user interface that even a non-technical user can navigate you through the steps of fixing any type of iOS related problem.
  • Support Latest iOS 18: Compatible with all iOS versions including the latest iOS 18.

Here’s how to bypass unable to activate iPhone using Tenorshare ReiBoot:

  • Install, and launch the Tenorshare ReiBoot on your computer. Connect the device, and click on the Start button.
  • launch reiboot
  • Select the Standard Repair option, then click on the Standard Repair button at the bottom.
  • fix now
  • Select the latest iOS firmware for your device, and click on Download.
  • download firmware
  • Once downloaded, click on the Start Standard Repair button to initiate the repairing process.
  • start standard repair
  • Your device will reboot automatically once the repairing process is finished.
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Way 3: Reach Out to Apple

If all the above mentioned failed to fix unable to activate iPhone after factory reset issue, as the last resort seek help from Apple Support. Reach out to them, and explain the problem you’re facing with your device in the activation process. They’ll check if there’s any problem from their end, and will resolve it as soon as possible.

Part 4: FAQ

Q 1: What Means iPhone SE 4 Unable to Activate

The "iPhone SE 4 Unable to Activate" error means the device cannot complete the activation process and remains unusable. This prevents access to the home screen and essential functions.

Q 2: What do you do if your iPhone SE 4 won't turn on at all?

If your iPhone SE 4 won't turn on, try force restarting it by pressing and holding the power and volume buttons. If that doesn’t work, charge the device or connect it to a computer for a possible software recovery.

Q 3: Why is my iPhone SE 4 unable to activate Touch ID?

Your iPhone SE 4 may be unable to activate Touch ID due to improper fingerprint setup or a software issue. Ensure your fingers are clean and dry, then try resetting Touch ID in settings.

Final Words

Activating your iPhone SE 4 is an essential process you’ve to complete before you set it up for the first time you've bought it or factory reset it. However, unable to activate iPhone after factory reset error can feel frustrating to resolve, as the error message doesn’t give a clue for a solution.

This guide provides the best method to fix iPhone SE 4 unable to activate problems with simple steps. An effective, and reliable way to fix such iOS related issues is using the Tenorshare ReiBoot, which ensures 99% bugs & glitches are removed from your device.

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Fix 150+ iOS Issues, No Data Loss