Apple Confirms iOS 16 Bug Impacting New Device Activation as iPhone 14 Orders Begin to Arrive

Apple has confirmed that customers activating new iPhones may encounter an issue where device activation during initial setup doesn't go through on Wi-Fi, saying the problem is "under investigation."

iPhone 14 Pros in Hand Black Background Feature
In a memo seen by MacRumors, Apple says that "there is a known issue for iOS 16 that may impact device activations on open Wi-Fi networks." To resolve the issue, Apple says customers should select "Connect to Mac or to a PC with iTunes" in the initial iOS onboarding process when prompted to connect to a Wi-Fi network and then return to the previous screen and try again on Wi-Fi until the activation goes through successfully.

Apple noted in the memo there are no current official fixes and that support staff should "not create a repair [case] for the issue." Unfortunately, the bug is untimely, as customers worldwide begin receiving their iPhone 14, ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro, and ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro Max pre-orders.

For new ‌iPhone‌ 14 customers, there is an available iOS 16.0.1 update that fixes an issue with activation and migration during setup. If you're facing issues activating your ‌iPhone‌ 14 out of the box, you may need to restore with a Mac or PC to iOS 16.0.1 to fix the bug and fully activate your new ‌iPhone‌.

In a support document, Apple tells new ‌iPhone‌ 14 and ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro customers that "iMessage and FaceTime might not complete activation" until they've updated their new iPhones to iOS 16.0.1.

Related Forum: iOS 16

Top Rated Comments

Bawstun Avatar
37 months ago
From a 20000000 trillion dollar company folks. And they’re looking to make cars…
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
canadianreader Avatar
37 months ago
The real beta testing is starting this friday
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
37 months ago
I wonder if eSim is the root of the problem.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher Avatar
37 months ago
You're activating it wrong ?
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ian87w Avatar
37 months ago
LOL. Connect to iTunes is the solution? So much for that post PC era that was bragged about like what, in iOS5?
Scot Forstall is rolling his eyes right now


And this is Apple. I'm readying the popcorn when it's time for the carriers' servers failures. :D
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
F23 Avatar
37 months ago
oh great heavens
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)