Why does my iPhone 4S say it is "waiting for activation?"

Received new iPhone 4S yesterday. Backed up old iPhone 4 and then synced new 4s. I received a message on phone "Waiting for activation. This may take some time." Been waiting almost 24 hours. Instructions that came with the phone said it would only take minutes. What's going on? I don't have a home line, so I can't call customer support and I can't find any information online. Very frustrating being without a phone.

Accepted answers

ponyruns

Perhaps the hang up is in the

Select the Set Up option then select Next.

Set Up as New iPhone
Restore from iCloud Backup
Restore from iTunes Backup.

I think you need to skip this option at first then you can restore your new 4S from your last saved iphone 4 setting.

see this link http://support.verizonwireless.com/support/devices/knowledge_base.html/49074/

if this does not help then I am all out of ideas

All comments

ponyruns

Turn off the phone, power it back on. Then Dial *228 and select option 1 - Activate this device.

hope this helps

mjhinman

No luck. It will not make any calls at all. "No service" or constantly "searching" in the corner.

ponyruns

That is not cool. Can you connect to iTunes and do a full reset of the phone. Then you can start the activation fresh from step one.

mjhinman

Trying this now. Will let you know if it works.

mjhinman

Reset the phone and started the activation process over. Turned phone on, followed the set up assistant onscreen instructions, connected to my WiFi, then to iTunes as prompted. iTunes started the backup/sync process, but message on phone still reads "Waiting for Activation: This may take some time."

Ann154

Did you verify that the old phone (iPhone 4) was turned off before starting the activation of the new phone?

ponyruns

Wouldn't that be the kicker!!! Ockham's Razor.... It's like when IT asks is the computer plugged into a power source... Not powering off the old phone sounds exactly like something I would over look at first!!

unknown

https://discussions.apple.com/message/19631083#19631083

This will fix your issue.

Good Luck

mjhinman

Yes, old phone has been off since yesterday when I started the whole process.

mjhinman

Thanks, but this isn't the problem. The phone will not make calls/text or connect to any service. Not an issue with the Facetime or iMessage.

unknown

Yes I know. But the issues you are having are in the fixes for the other.

Sorry

Verizon_Support

mjhinman,

Let's get to work on setting up your phone so it can work on our network, we want you to enjoy it. FaceTime and iMessages work on wi-fi which is why they are working now. Were you able to complete activation? If not, press the Home button to start the process again.

AdaS_VZW

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