Back from Aruba and my iPhone is unactivated.

[lthompson]

Just got back from Aruba where I used my unlocked 5. Turned it on to get the photos off it and it is not activated and I have tried everything to do so. It says it is linked to an Apple ID but when I put it in i get the following message. I have tried restoring from iTunes but it says Find my Phone has to be turned off. I would call Apple but I had the phone unlocked by a third party. Any suggestions?

 

[WolfSnap]

So, what version of ios is on there?

 

[Carlanga]

What happens when you connect it to the computer?

 

[photodesign]

That's what happens when you don't update the expired beta version of ios7.

 

[asleep]

...I had the phone unlocked by a third party. Any suggestions?

Don't do that.

 

[lthompson]

Running IOS 7 Not sure if I upgraded to 7.0.2 before I left but I'm pretty sure I did. And when I hook it to the computer it says the IOS is update but when I try a restore it says to turn find my phone on the phone.

 

[jaseone]

That's what happens when you don't update the expired beta version of ios7.

Yep this happened to a lot of people right around this time and is yet another example of why you shouldn't mess with beta software unless you know what you are doing.

 

[photodesign]

Running IOS 7 Not sure if I upgraded to 7.0.2 before I left but I'm pretty sure I did. And when I hook it to the computer it says the IOS is update but when I try a restore it says to turn find my phone on the phone.

Getting Activation Error? Here’s How to Fix it.

 

[NikFinn]

Are you positive it's not running the iOS 7 Beta 6?

If it is see this guide

Basically you want to:
- Download 7.0.2 IPSW
- Option (mac)/Shift (pc) click 'check for update' on iTunes 11.1
- Select 7.0.2 IPSW

This should get your phone running with no loss of data if you were part of the expired beta.

 

[KPOM]

Running IOS 7 Not sure if I upgraded to 7.0.2 before I left but I'm pretty sure I did. And when I hook it to the computer it says the IOS is update but when I try a restore it says to turn find my phone on the phone.

Did you have Photo Stream turned on? If so, you can try retrieving your photos from iPhoto (or through the iCloud Control Panel on a PC). If that works, then I'd suggest going into DFU restore mode to restore your iPhone. That will erase all your settings and data, and you'll need to resync or restore from an iCloud backup, but it should work. To DFU restore, connect your iPhone to iTunes and do the following:

• Power down
• Hold down the power button for 3 seconds
• Continue to hold down the power button, and press the home button for 10 seconds
• Release the power button
• A graphic will come up telling you to connect to iTunes.
• Select "Restore" from the iPhone summary menu in iTunes.

 

[lthompson]

Don't do that.

I did the same with my 5S and have no problem with it. However, I was not running IOS 7 Beta on it.

 

[photodesign]

I did the same with my 5S and have no problem with it. However, I was not running IOS 7 Beta on it.

You are right. It has nothing to do with being unlocked and everything to do with running the beta after it expired.

 

[lthompson]

Getting Activation Error? Here’s How to Fix it.

Thanks. This worked. At first it acted the same then it started woking. All data was on the phone including pics.