How to Fix Apple Developer Program "Unknown Error Occurred"

I finally decided to enroll into Apple Developer Program to be able to release apps to App Store. However, during the enrollment process, I encountered a frustrating issue: “We are unable to process your request. An unknown error occurred.” after submitting my personal information. This error prevented me from completing the enrollment process. In this post, I will share how I resolved this issue.

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Backstory about my Apple Developer Program Enrollment

As a back-story, I already had an Apple ID that I used for personal purposes, such as downloading apps from the App Store and using iCloud services. But I had to create a new one, as my personal ID is in another region.

Then, when I tried to enroll into Apple Developer Program with the new Apple ID, I encountered the “We are unable to process your request. An unknown error occurred.” in the enrollment process after submitting my personal information.

What Caused the “Unknown Error Occurred” Issue?

After some research, I found out that the issue was caused by a mismatch between the region of my Apple ID and the phone number I provided while creating my new apple ID.

Apple expects that the phone number you enter while creating your Apple ID should match the region of your Apple ID. For example, if your Apple ID is set to the United States, you should provide a US phone number. Otherwise, the enrollment process will silently fail with the “unknown error occurred” message.

This is a unexpectedly bad UX from Apple, as the error message does not provide any useful information about what went wrong, and most probably they could have easily provided a meaningful error message. It took me a while to figure out the root cause of the issue.

Other Possible Causes of Apple Developer Enrollment Issues

If you are still encountering the issue after ensuring that your phone number matches the region of your Apple ID, here are some other possible causes to check:

• Go to Apple Developer Enrollment page and make sure that there are no pending agreements to accept.
• Make sure your address information is correct and matches the region of your Apple ID, as well as your phone number.
• If you are using a VPN, try disabling it and see if that resolves the issue.
• Leave it for a few hours then try again, as sometimes Apple servers might be experiencing temporary issues.
• If all else fails, try contacting Apple Developer Support for further assistance.

Conclusion / TLDR

TLDR: If you are trying to enroll into Apple Developer Program and encountering the “We are unable to process your request. An unknown error occurred.” issue, make sure that the phone number you provided while creating your Apple ID matches the region of your Apple ID. This is the most common cause of the issue. If you are still facing issues, check for pending agreements, verify your address information, disable VPN, or contact Apple Developer Support for help.

After solving this issue, I was finally able to complete my enrollment into the Apple Developer Program, and now waiting for my account to be activated so that I can start releasing apps to the App Store. After solving this issue, I was finally able to complete my enrollment into the Apple Developer Program, and now waiting for my account to be activated so that I can start releasing apps to the App Store.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why am I seeing “We are unable to process your request. An unknown error occurred” when enrolling in Apple Developer Program?

This error usually happens due to a mismatch between your Apple ID region and the phone number you provided. Make sure both match.

Can I use a phone number from a different country than my Apple ID region?

No, Apple requires your phone number to match the region of your Apple ID for enrollment.

What should I do if I still get the error after fixing my phone number?

Check for pending agreements, verify your address, disable any VPN, and try again later. If the issue persists, contact Apple Developer Support.

Does using a VPN affect Apple Developer Program enrollment?

Yes, using a VPN can sometimes cause issues with region verification. Disable your VPN and try again.

How long does it take for Apple to activate my Developer account after enrollment?

Activation usually takes a few hours to a couple of days. You’ll receive an email once your account is ready.

Where can I get official help for Apple Developer Program issues?

Visit the Apple Developer Support page for official assistance.

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