AT&T Activations Servers Overloaded with iPhone 4S Launch - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

AT&T Activations Servers Overloaded with iPhone 4S Launch

IMG 0001 1
As has happened in the past, it seems AT&T's activation servers are having problems with the large influx of activations with the iPhone 4S launch. A quick search of Twitter shows many having problems activating their AT&T iPhone 4Ss due to server issues. A discussion thread in our forum also mirrors the complaints.

With the iPhone 4S launched now across the entire U.S., we are at the peak of simultaneous AT&T iPhone 4S activations. AT&T has had similar issues in previous launches. Japanese carrier Softbank was reported to have similar issues during their launch this morning.

Popular Stories

duo aquarium

More Fun iPhone Duo Apps: 30 New Picks to Try

Friday November 6, 2026 3:27 pm PST by
When the iPhone Duo launched, we shared a list of some of the fun apps developers created for the new form factor. Two weeks out, developers are continuing to come up with fresh ideas, so we thought we'd share some of our favorites. Games Marbles Unhinged ($2.99) - Marbles Unhinged is a marble maze designed for the Duo. When you fold it, the floor turns into a ramp. If you stand the top...
apple pro tell logo

Apple Launching Five New Products Today

Thursday November 5, 2026 12:59 am PST by
Apple is launching five new products on Friday, November 6, following pre-orders that opened last week, including its first touchscreen MacBook Pro models. The following new products will be available from today: iPad mini with OLED display and A20 Pro chip iMac with M6 chip 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 chip 14-inch MacBook Pro with OLED touchscreen 16-inch MacBook Pro with OLED...
silver iphone 18 pro

Apple Rumored to Drop the iPhone's Action Button Next Year

Friday November 6, 2026 6:07 am PST by
Apple plans to merge the iPhone's Action button with the Camera Control starting next year, according to the leaker known as "Instant Digital." In a new post on Weibo, the leaker claimed that a single press of the combined button would open the camera, while a long press would trigger the function assigned to the Action button. They explicitly clarified that the dedicated Action button would ...

Top Rated Comments

Moyank24 Avatar
197 months ago
This is not a surprise.

You would think 5 phones later, AT&T would be more prepared for days like this.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Small White Car Avatar
197 months ago
Is it too much to ask that iPhone owners just wait a few hours?

Apparently. We live in the 'right now' culture, I guess.

Me? I'd rather wait a little while rather than pay AT&T even more money so they can build up a system for activating a million iPhones at once that will only get used once a year. What a waste of money.


Likewise, it didn't bother me that it took awhile for me to download iOS 5. When everyone's trying to do the same thing it's gonna slow you down. Ever been to a concert or sporting event? Sometimes you've just gotta wait.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
197 months ago
Look at it from AT&T's perspective. Why spent millions upon millions to overhaul a system that only ***** the bed once a year for a very specific group of people?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rodimus Prime Avatar
197 months ago
This is not a surprise.

You would think 5 phones later, AT&T would be more prepared for days like this.

And you would think Apple would learn requiring a new sim card for every iPhone causes some major problems. The iPhone is the only phone that does not reuse sim cards. The aim card in my phone is nearly 4 years old and on its third cell phone. My dad's sim still says Cingular on it and going great. Apple on the other hand does not reuse them and cause the servers to get slammed. You would think Apple would learn. A lot of the blame lies with Apple for not using the standards of gsm on this one.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tigres Avatar
197 months ago
yep. dead in the water again. 1.5 hours, nada

Did AT&T know about today?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
johncrab Avatar
197 months ago
With one million of these selling in the first 24 hours and with untold millions landing today I don't think there is any way (frustrated as I am) to expect any infrastructure to handle this kind of a load. I think Apple needs to grow up and stop with these preschool launches. Sure, they build buzz but these growing customer numbers mean that the buzz leads to disappointment. This roll out should have happened in stages, not on one day. They pulled this with the iPhone 3G with the launch of Mobile Me on the same day and almost brought everything crashing down. Apple needs to realize it is no longer a toy com pay but a major player with real lives, real work and real money on the line and act accordingly.

----------

HEY I GOT AN EMAIL!

It is from BevMo and it's telling me about a great wine sale. Since my phone won't activate, I think I'll go there and look at wine. Wine works, is easy to activate and leaves a happy feeling afterward.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Siri AI Rumored to Become 'More Like an Agent' as Early as Next Year
Siri AI Rumored to Become 'More Like an Agent' as Early as Next Year
7 hours ago
Apple Taking New Approach to Developing iOS 28 and macOS 28
Apple Taking New Approach to Developing iOS 28 and macOS 28
9 hours ago
Early Apple Black Friday Deals on Apple Watch, MacBook Air, and More
Early Apple Black Friday Deals on Apple Watch, MacBook Air, and More
1 day ago
'Backglow' Lets You Customize New MacBook Pro's Glowing Apple Logo
'Backglow' Lets You Customize New MacBook Pro's Glowing Apple Logo
1 day ago
Top Stories: Apple Product Launches, iOS 27.3 Beta, and More
Top Stories: Apple Product Launches, iOS 27.3 Beta, and More
1 day ago
More Fun iPhone Duo Apps: 30 New Picks to Try
More Fun iPhone Duo Apps: 30 New Picks to Try
2 days ago
Hands-On With Apple's New OLED Touchscreen MacBook Pro
Hands-On With Apple's New OLED Touchscreen MacBook Pro
2 days ago
Apple Store With All-New Design Opening Soon in Southern California
Apple Store With All-New Design Opening Soon in Southern California
2 days ago
Control the Glowing Apple Logo on Your New MacBook Pro
Control the Glowing Apple Logo on Your New MacBook Pro
2 days ago
Apple Shares New 'Apple Card: Apply and Use in Minutes' Ad
Apple Shares New 'Apple Card: Apply and Use in Minutes' Ad
2 days ago
Apple Says More Than 100,000 Apps Optimized for iPhone Duo, Here's What's Still Missing
Apple Says More Than 100,000 Apps Optimized for iPhone Duo, Here's What's Still Missing
2 days ago
Early Black Friday Deals Kickoff With Steep Discounts on Apple Watch Ultras and More
Early Black Friday Deals Kickoff With Steep Discounts on Apple Watch Ultras and More
2 days ago
The MacRumors Show: iOS 27.3 Looks Like a Huge Update
The MacRumors Show: iOS 27.3 Looks Like a Huge Update
2 days ago
Best Buy's Black Friday Event Begins With Sitewide Savings on Apple, TVs, More
Best Buy's Black Friday Event Begins With Sitewide Savings on Apple, TVs, More
2 days ago
Apple Releasing Yet Another Two New Products Next Week
Apple Releasing Yet Another Two New Products Next Week
2 days ago
MacBook Air Drops to Lowest Price in Months With Amazon's $250 Discount
MacBook Air Drops to Lowest Price in Months With Amazon's $250 Discount
2 days ago
Apple Rumored to Drop the iPhone's Action Button Next Year
Apple Rumored to Drop the iPhone's Action Button Next Year
2 days ago
Apple's Extended Return Policy Now in Effect for 2026 Holiday Season
Apple's Extended Return Policy Now in Effect for 2026 Holiday Season
2 days ago
Apple Music Classical Updated With New Icon and Refreshed Design
Apple Music Classical Updated With New Icon and Refreshed Design
2 days ago
OLED iPad Mini, M6 iMac, and New MacBook Pros Available From Today
OLED iPad Mini, M6 iMac, and New MacBook Pros Available From Today
3 days ago
Apple Surveys iPhone Duo Buyers About Crease and Camera
Apple Surveys iPhone Duo Buyers About Crease and Camera
3 days ago
Apple's First Touchscreen Mac is Now Arriving to Customers
Apple's First Touchscreen Mac is Now Arriving to Customers
3 days ago
Claude Gets Personal Finance Feature With Bank Account Linking
Claude Gets Personal Finance Feature With Bank Account Linking
3 days ago
Apple Arcade Adds Crossy Road Rush and NBA 2K27
Apple Arcade Adds Crossy Road Rush and NBA 2K27
3 days ago
Apple's New HomeView Smart Home Hub: Here's How Much RAM It Has
Apple's New HomeView Smart Home Hub: Here's How Much RAM It Has
3 days ago
iPad Mini vs. iPad Air Buyer's Guide: Now Just $50 Apart
iPad Mini vs. iPad Air Buyer's Guide: Now Just $50 Apart
3 days ago
First iOS 27.3 and macOS Golden Gate 27.3 Public Betas Now Available
First iOS 27.3 and macOS Golden Gate 27.3 Public Betas Now Available
3 days ago
Apple Announces a New Mac Sales Record
Apple Announces a New Mac Sales Record
3 days ago
Paid $200 for Logic Pro? Apple Says You Won't Get This New Feature
Paid $200 for Logic Pro? Apple Says You Won't Get This New Feature
3 days ago
Instagram's Edits Video Editor is Now Available on Mac
Instagram's Edits Video Editor is Now Available on Mac
3 days ago