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16 September, 2010

[UPDATED for ios7 beta] “We’re unable to complete your activation”, solution for those with the Apple developer program [UPDATED for ios7 beta]


2010-09-16_1124
[update 11-06-2013] I ran into issues with ios7 beta where my newly registered device was not recognised. I tried a number of things e.g. activating via a different connection instead of iTunes, downgrading back down via DFU mode. The only thing that worked was to do a Shift+Update (or Option+Update) from ios6.x then pick the beta dmg/ipsw, as opposed to Shift+restore. Somehow this appears to trigger an alternate activation process.
[updated 22-02-2011]
There’s an easier way, assuming you’ve sync’d your device at least once.
-on Windows 7, head over to:
C:\Users\[YOUR_USERNAME]\appdata\roaming\Apple Computer\mobilesync\backup\
there, you’ll find folders with 40 letters…and voila you’re looking at your UDID!
-on Windows XP, it should be somewhere around:
C:\Documents and Settings\[YOUR_USERNAME]\Application Data\Apple Computer\SyncServices\Local
and on a Mac:
/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup
[end of update]
iOS 4.2 Beta1 is out. Wow I thought. I’ll just geddit and flash…
But then after the flash I was hit with “We’re unable to complete your activation” screen in iTunes. The solution, Apple says, is to register my device with the developer program- which I had not yet done.
How to register? By getting the UDID from the Summary screen in iTunes. And how do you get to the Summary screen? by getting past the Restore screen. And to get past the Restore screen…..you need to register and activate. what?
So seemingly I was stuck in a loop of fail. None of the Apple KBs helped. After searching up and down through huge forum threads, I finally found the solution. And here I share:
You need:
a Mac
your iP /ad /od /hone
and the sync cable.
all plugged and connected.
Do:
1, in OSX, go to Apple> About this Mac> More Info…
2010-09-16_1113_about_this_mac
2. Contents> USB> iPad> Serial Number
2010-09-16_1140_serial_number
3. and that’s it. There’s your 40 letter UDID.

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29 comments:

  1. or you just go to itunes, youre device and then click on the number of serie....

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  2. Thanks SOOOO much - I spent hours looking for this info!!! Brilliant.

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  3. ;)

    i had to go through the same thing yesterday because of ios5

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  4. Hot Damn! You just saved my ass. Thanks!

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  5. well spotted! this may well be a new feature in the newer iTunes.

    Having said that, you cant get to this point if you're hit with this error message because you're effectively locked out..
    sure, you can prepare beforehand and note down your udid using the method you mentioned or any other working method....... but if you already knew this would happen you most likely wouldn't have gone online looking up this message and ended up here haha

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  6. I got the same problem. I followed your guide and got my 40 letter serial number but it asked my MPN which I didn't know where to get.Pls help!

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  7. hi there. i don't think the mpn (manufacturer part number) you're talking about is a unique number.
    If you still have the box it came in, perhaps you can check the barcode area. i'm not sure if the mpn is printed on the back of the device.. you should also check there.

    let me know how it goes and ill see if i can help you further if needed.

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  8. i click home+power botton 15 sec then release powerbotton but sill hold home botton for 30 sec while sync now it can restore if it have problem when restore use ireb

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  9. Thanks, I could not figure this out for the life of me. Appreciate it.

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  10. I had the same situation tonight, but with a Windows PC. To get the UDID on that platform, download the "iPhone Configuration Utility", install it, connect your iPad, and run. It's the 40-digit code listed under "Identifier"

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  11. nice...
    wouldve saved me the hassle of breaking out my mac too lol

    thanks

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  12. Oh thank god. You're a life-saver. I was freaking out trying to find that UDID.

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  13. yer i thought i was fooked also...lol
    glad this helps

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  14. Heyy i am stuck in the same problem but I dont know where to go after getting this 40 digit UDID? where to register the device .. Please helpp !! wait to hear from you all ...

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  15. Heyy i am stuck in the same problem but I dont know where to go after getting this 40 digit UDID? where to register the device .. Please helpp !! wait to hear from you all ..

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  16. hi there
    you need to have an account at http://developer.apple.com/
    that's where you input your 40digit udid.
    the only thing im unsure of is whether you can do so with a free account or whether you need to have a paying account (99USD).

    can someone else confirm here?

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  17. Thanks - worked like a charm.

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  18. Thank you very much for your KB.. really useful in time... appreciate your comments.. it works for me..

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  19. Another guest here, and wanted to echo the "Thank you". This saved my butt!

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  20. Yeah, I have the same problem... I was able to find the udid on my mac, but I'm a registered developer under a free account. Can I register my iPad? I called apple and they said to go to the Apple store

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  21. hi Kevbro
    i myself skipped the free account and went straight for the paid version so I dont know the difference between the two.
    but if you're looking for the paid account, yes you purchase that through (not via, as you cant find the dev program directly from the normal apple store i think) the apple store, 99bucks a year.
    im sure you can find the purchase link somewhere in here
    http://developer.apple.com/programs/register/

    not sure if this answers your question

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  22. You are amazing! The iTunes solution doesn't work, however, because if you device is blocked as you haven't registered it, no information appears in iTunes.


    This worked a treat though!

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  23. glad this helped! I ran into this issue again today lol

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  24. what if i cant go into DFU mode

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  25. it's difficult to get the timing right i admit...
    but it's not impossible



    is this what you're having trouble with?

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  27. sorry to hear...

    i wonder if this will work for you

    http://www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=23009

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  28. my problem is itunes wont show me a check for update or Restore button. Simply a message saying iOS7 isn't registered.

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  29. right I see your difficulty...and I don't really have a solution :S

    if you have a legitimate developer account then I don't see why you can't ask Apple for help with this because it's a simple case of Apple not having processed your registered UDID properly.

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