Verification failed" while setting up new iphone

[Jonweb1]

I’m trying to set up a newly purchased iPhone 16 via my iPhone 12 which initially works, but when entering the password (for the apple account) correctly, the new iPad keeps giving “Verification failed: there was an error connecting to the Apple server”. This happens during the setup stage itself. So none of the online suggestions about setting time or making changes in "Settings" apply here. 

At that point the setup is stuck as it doesn't move forward to downloading anything from icloud or transferring from my phone.

The password is correct, and I even changed and tried again.

The online suggestions are all for *working* devices. Can someone point me to recommendations for new devices (ipad) being setup, suffering this error?

Many thanks. 

[caesarome · Accepted solution]

Have you tried looking around the Apple site for help:

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/118446

[AMEE1]

Did you get a resolution for this issue? 

[littlelol07]

I'm having the same issue. Can I ask what worked for you? Have looked on Apple help and not really getting anywhere 

[AMEE1]

I kept trying and eventually it worked!

[littlelol07]

Ok. Bit of a pain isn't it. Managed to transfer data easily last time 

[adr81]

Did anyone find a solution to this? I'm having the exact same issue - trying to setup a new iPhone 16 from a 14. Extremely frustrating.

[littlelol07]

I messaged Apple support. They helped me sort it

For me, I had to turn my WiFi off and on again. 
I had tried signing out of Apple Account on old phone and turning both phones off and on again.  Apple message service were very responsive