6 Quick Tips to Fix Common "Expiration Date Cannot Be in the Past" iPhone Issue
iPhones serve as powerful tools for communication, productivity, and entertainment. However, even these devices are not immune to occasional hiccups and glitches that can disrupt our user experience. Discover the key solutions that will have you back in control of your device and enjoy its full potential in no time.
Check the Date and Time Settings
One common cause for such iPhone errors as "Expiration date cannot be in the past" is an incorrect date and time setting. Thus, it's important to verify those to ensure the smooth functioning of applications and features, as well as prevent such errors. Follow these instructions to check and change the date and time settings on your iPhone:
Open the Settings App
Open the Settings app. This is where you can modify all the functionalities.
Navigate to the General Option
Once you open the Settings app, head to the General option. It should contain a variety of different settings for your device.
Access the Date & Time Settings
In the General settings, you'll find the 'Date & Time' option. Tap on it to open the settings where the date and time of your device are configured.
Verification of Time Zone, Date, and Time
On the Date & Time screen, ensure all the details are set correctly. If your device displays the wrong time zone, you can change it. Tap the 'Time Zone' option and search for the correct one. Similarly, verify the Date and time settings. To ascertain the exact time, you can visit thetime.is or another similar website.
Enable the Set Automatically Toggle
For easier management of these details, the iPhone has a handy feature that allows it to fetch these details from your network provider (carrier). To do this, enable the 'Set Automatically' toggle. Your iPhone will then automatically fill in these details correctly.
Reset All Settings
If the above approach doesn't resolve the 'Expiration Date Cannot Be in the Past' error, resetting all settings on your iPhone could be the next viable solution. Here's how to do it:
Locate and Open 'Transfer or Reset iPhone'
Open the Settings app again, then go to to General. Scroll down to the 'Transfer or Reset iPhone' option and tap on it.
Select Reset All Settings
You'll then see a 'Reset' option. Tap on it. This will provide you with a list of reset options. From here, select 'Reset All Settings.'
Enter the iPhone's Passcode and Follow the On-Screen Instructions
You'll be prompted to enter your passcode to proceed. After you've done this, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset process. Note that this solution will not cause any data or media loss, but it will remove all your settings like Network Settings, Keyboard Settings, and cards added to Apple Pay.
Sign Out of Apple ID to Sign in Again
Occasionally, issues with your Apple ID may cause the "Expiration date cannot be in the past" error. If that's the case, signing out and signing back into your Apple ID might help reset the credentials and solve the error. Here's how you can do it:
Open the Settings App & Tap on Your Profile
Launch the Settings app and tap on your Profile, which is located at the top of the menu.
Scroll Down & Tap Sign Out
In your profile settings, scroll down to find the 'Sign Out' button. Tapping on it will log you out of your Apple ID.
Enter Apple ID Password to Disable Find My iPhone
Before signing out, you will need to disable the 'Find My iPhone' feature. To do this, simply enter your Apple ID password when prompted.
Enable Relevant Toggles to Keep Data on iPhone and Tap Sign Out
If you want to keep a copy of your data on your iPhone, enable the respective toggles before you tap the 'Sign Out' button.
Restart the iPhone and Wait for a Few Minutes
After signing out of your Apple ID:
- Restart your iPhone. This will eliminate any temporary bugs or glitches that might be causing the error.
- Just press and hold the side button and volume buttons until the slider appears.
- Drag it to turn off your iPhone.
- Once it's off, press and hold the side button again until you see the Apple logo to turn it back on.
Open Settings and Sign In Again
Once your iPhone restarts, open the Settings app again and tap the 'Sign In' button at the top of the screen. Then, simply input your Apple ID and password to log back into your account. With these steps, hopefully, the "Expiration date cannot be in the past" error should be resolved.
Remove and Re-add the Card
To address the "Expiration date cannot be in the past" error on your iPhone, it can be beneficial to remove and re-add the payment card linked to your Apple ID. Multiple cards or an outdated card could cause this error. Here are the steps to follow:
Open the Settings App & Tap on Your Profile
First, open the Settings app. Then, select your Profile, located at the top of the Settings menu.
Select Media & Purchases and View Account
Within your profile, find and tap on the 'Media & Purchases' option. From the subsequent menu, choose 'View Account'.
Authenticate using Apple ID Password or Face ID/Touch ID
To proceed, authenticate yourself using your Apple ID password. If your device supports it, you can use Face ID or Touch ID instead.
Access the Manage Payments Option
Once authenticated, locate and tap the 'Manage Payments' option within your account.
Remove the Desired Payment Method
In the manage payments screen, find the payment method you wish to remove and tap on it. Next, tap 'Remove Payment Method' before selecting 'Remove' to confirm your choice.
Add the Payment Method Again
After successfully removing the payment method, add it back into your account. Go back to the 'Manage Payments' screen and tap on 'Add Payment Method.' On the next screen, select your payment method, add the required details, and confirm by tapping 'Done.'
Hopefully, these steps will resolve the error message stating, "Expiration date cannot be in the past." If not, reaching out to Apple Support might be necessary for further assistance.
Update iOS to the Latest Version
Occasionally, errors like "Expiration date cannot be in the past" on your iPhone could be due to bugs in the current version of iOS. Updating your device to the latest version of iOS might help resolve this issue. The process is straightforward, as explained in the following steps:
Open the Settings App and Go to General
First, launch the Settings app and tap the 'General' option. You will find a list of options for your device's overall settings.
Select the Software Update Option
In the General settings menu, find and select the 'Software Update' option. This button will take you to the screen where you can manage your device's iOS updates.
Update Your iPhone to the Latest Version
In the Software Update screen, if there's an update available, you'll see the 'Install Now' or 'Update Now' buttons. Tap them to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version. If your device is already up-to-date, it will display a message saying, "iOS is up to date." In this case, you won't need to do anything else. Note that you will need a Wi-Fi connection to download and install the update.
By updating your iPhone software, any bugs present in the current version that could have been causing the "Expiration date cannot be in the past" error will likely be resolved.