Activate iOS 5 beta 1 without Developer Account [Updated x2]

If you are too desperate in trying out iOS 5 beta 1 on your device, you are just a few steps away from doing it without a developer account. Apple released its beta versions of iOS initially for the developers to test on their device.

Some people have found that you can activate it even without the dev account. Here’s how you can do.

[alert_box type=”Success” icon=”No”] Update #3: iOS 5 beta 2 has been released. And here’s how you can activate it: How to activate iOS 5 beta 2 on your iPhone? [/alert_box] [alert_box type=”General”]Update #1: A user reports that he lost his career signals. I will check what the issue is and get back soon! If you are having some problems with iOS 5, I have posted a guide on how to downgrade your iPhone to iOS 4.3.3.[/alert_box]

[alert_box]Update #2: If you are unable to connect to your network or make phone calls, I’ve posted a detailed explanation on why this happens here.[/alert_box]

Download iOS 5 and Update your device

  • Download the iOS 5 IPSW file from the web. We’ve listed the download links already but it’s only for the developer accounts.
  • Update your iPhone using iTunes.
    Connect your iPhone to your computer, click the Check for Update button with the Option key (Mac) or Shift key(Windows) key pressed. Now, Select the iOS 5 IPSW file which you downloaded in step 1.
  • Wait until it upgrades. A new activation screen will appear.

Activating iOS 5 on your device

  1. Triple click the home button. This will activate the Voice Over.
  2. Triple click the home button and Emergency Call will appear.
  3. Click on Emergency Call and, while it’s switching, swipe with your three fingers down.
  4. The Notification Center will appear!
  5. Click on the Weather widget. The Weather app will load.
  6. Click on the home button to exit to the iPhone’s springboard

Let me know if you have some query. Apple will probably fix this in next beta.

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  • yea, unfortunately emergency class does not show up for iPad… anybody know of a work around? 🙁

    • I'm trying to find someway to do this. But have been hearing reports that Apple has already pushed a OTA update to fix this issue. I will keep you posted on this as and when I find some workaround. 🙂 May be you can tell some of your friends with Apple Dev account to add your UDID to their device list.

    • I'm trying to find someway to do this. But have been hearing reports that Apple has already pushed a OTA update to fix this issue. I will keep you posted on this as and when I find some workaround. 🙂 May be you can tell some of your friends with Apple Dev account to add your UDID to their device list.

      • ukramprasad

        if the UDID is get activated, can we use as normal phone or it will remain as iPod…

        • It is more than sufficient. You are good to go to install iOS 5 beta! You can download the iOS 5 beta IPSW for your device. It has been shared on many sites all over the internet. And remember, you need to have iTunes 10.5 to install iOS 5 beta on your iPhone or iPad or iPod. Would be more than happy to help you on this. Don't hesitate to reply back! 🙂

          • David

            where can we get the itunes 10.5?
            all i can find is 10.3

          • Search for iTunes 10.5. You will find it. Search in limera1n.com.

    • Adriano

      Try using voice over, then click the time then try a 3 finger downswipe. I didn't need the emergency call for my iPhone activation.

      • That's a great tip! I will check this out and get back again! 🙂

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  • Bandageboy

    Thanks for this, how do you do this with a 3G only iPad?

    • you need to download the firmware for your device. then hold option and click restore in itunes. this will downgrade it.

  • Bandageboy

    Thanks for this, how do you do this with a 3G only iPad?

    • I think there isn't a way to do this in iPad 3G. But then, to cross-check, I will test it out on my friend's iPad! 🙂

    • you need to download the firmware for your device. then hold option and click restore in itunes. this will downgrade it.

  • Coletta

    This is not an activation this only bypasses the activation

  • Coletta

    This is not an activation this only bypasses the activation

  • rezon

    i guess it will work with iphone or ipad with 3g. it's not possible to do emergency call in ipad wifi only. am i right?

  • rezon

    i guess it will work with iphone or ipad with 3g. it's not possible to do emergency call in ipad wifi only. am i right?

    • I don't think it works with iPad. Let me have a check with my friend's iPad. I will get back to you in a few hours! 🙂

  • KJ

    Too bad the activition didn't work at all for me 🙁

    • Hi KJ,
      You may have to look at my other post for your problem. Your Phone will be able to connect to the network only if it has a valid UDID registered with Apple. Beta versions prevent this to happen.

  • KJ

    Too bad the activition didn't work at all for me 🙁

  • Andrew

    My iPhone activated but it has no signal and no carrier! PLEASE HELP!:(

  • Andrew

    My iPhone activated but it has no signal and no carrier! PLEASE HELP!:(

  • Yank

    is there a specific type of dev account that your UDID needs to be added to? my phone is registered to the dev account my company uses for our iOS app, but I don't know if that is sufficient.

    also don't know the process for installing the "official" way. i have xcode on my machine, but don't really know how to use it. i only have it so i can run the simulator.

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  • I only have to click on the home button ONCE to get the emergency call popup.

    Anyway, no carrier nor any signals.
    Maybe it only works with an update and not with a restore?
    I'm going to be busy this evening (:

  • Hi,
    I've already posted why you can't connect to your network after activating iOS 5 without a dev account here: http://www.karthikk.net/2011/06/unable-to-make-ph…
    May be this will help! Anyways, post back what you've been working on! 🙂

    _
    Karthik K ?

  • Dee Em

    how can we activate the signal? i succesfully updated to ios5 however i have no signal… 🙁

  • Hi,
    I've ready posted a tutorial on this issue. http://www.karthikk.net/2011/06/unable-to-make-ph…

  • Thanks for the tip. 🙂

  • Markieze

    i get the 1015 error message when i do this.. does anyone know why

  • Berlin

    Hi,

    Pls help me.I have installed ios5 but couldnot activate it.I tried the three finger swipe down but couldnot activate it..Pls help me what is the other solution?

    • Hi,
      You might be in the same boat that everyone is travelling. I have posted about why this happens. Please have a look at it here: http://www.karthikk.net/2011/06/unable-to-make-ph…
      Please post back if you still have some issues! 🙂

    • Me!

      touch the battery icon on the status bar first (the bar on the top), then swipe your fingers down. This worked for me.

  • Berlin

    Hi,
    Pls help me.I have installed ios5 but couldnot activate it.I tried the three finger swipe down but couldnot activate it..Pls help me what is the other solution?

    • Hi,
      You might be in the same boat that everyone is travelling. I have posted about why this happens. Please have a look at it here: http://www.karthikk.net/2011/06/unable-to-make-ph…
      Please post back if you still have some issues! 🙂

    • Me!

      touch the battery icon on the status bar first (the bar on the top), then swipe your fingers down. This worked for me.

  • Me!

    Sucessfully upgrated, but no multitasking, no notification bar (unless you use voiceover), no itunes sync, newstand store not ready, and need to activate on every boot.(so I downgraded back to iOS 4.3.3)-_-

    • You will have to activate your phone!

  • You will have to activate your phone!

  • Veyron

    it works with ipod tooo. you dont have to do the emergency call step, just activate voice over and try to pull down the notification center.

    anyways this was the worse idea i have ever had. You cant do Scrap with the iphone after this. u cannot call, sync with itunes, use multitasking, use the notification center, get carrier signal, or ANYTHING AT ALL!!! its useless unless u activate with apple developer account.

  • Veyron

    it works with ipod tooo. you dont have to do the emergency call step, just activate voice over and try to pull down the notification center.

    anyways this was the worse idea i have ever had. You cant do Scrap with the iphone after this. u cannot call, sync with itunes, use multitasking, use the notification center, get carrier signal, or ANYTHING AT ALL!!! its useless unless u activate with apple developer account.

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  • amazing site, I really love it!!! thanks for article too.

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