User level: Level 1 (5 points)Have an old iphone, factory reset. I can't set it up (want to use it as an ipod basically) because I'm getting a 'Unable to Activate-an update is required to activate your iPhone' message. Plugged it into itunes but it's not giving me an option to update
Posted on Nov 30, 2019 8:35 AM
User level: Level 10 (244,490 points)Nov 30, 2019 8:39 AM in response to ned130
You must have a SIM card in the phone to activate it. If the phone is carrier-locked it must be a SIM for that carrier, however, it can be a deactivated SIM.
After you've got the SIM in the phone connect it to your computer with the USB cable, then click on its icon in iTunes. You should see an option to update or restore the phone.
Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/250903122