to activate
Loading your saved state.
to activate
To put a function, device, or account into an operational state. To switch something on or make it ready to use.
Sie müssen Ihre neue SIM-Karte online aktivieren, bevor Sie telefonieren können.
You have to activate your new SIM card online before you can make calls.
The verb 'aktivieren' (to activate) is derived from the adjective 'aktiv' (active). The ending '-ieren' is a typical way of forming verbs from adjectives, often from other languages, that mean 'to make something ...'.
Um die Muskeln zu aktivieren, müssen Sie sich bewegen.
To activate the muscles, you have to move.
'Aktivieren' is a transitive verb and almost always requires an accusative object. You always activate 'etwas' (something) or 'jemanden' (someone).
Bitte aktivieren Sie Ihr neues Bankkonto.
Please activate your new bank account.
In a technical context, 'aktivieren' is frequently used with digital or electronic things. Typical examples are: 'eine Funktion aktivieren' (activate a function), 'einen Account aktivieren' (activate an account), 'den Alarm aktivieren' (activate the alarm), or 'eine Software aktivieren' (activate software).
Ich habe vergessen, den Diebstahlschutz für mein Handy zu aktivieren.
I forgot to activate the anti-theft protection for my phone.
If the object is a group of people, for example voters, members, or citizens, 'aktivieren' usually means 'to motivate' or 'to mobilize'.
Die Partei möchte mit der neuen Kampagne unentschlossene Wähler aktivieren.
The party wants to mobilize undecided voters with the new campaign.
This meaning of 'aktivieren' is used almost exclusively in the technical language of chemistry and physics.
Das Enzym wird durch Wärme aktiviert.
The enzyme is activated by heat.
to start
'starten' and 'aktivieren' both have to do with switching on or making technology usable. 'starten' is used when a machine, an engine, or a program actually begins to run. 'aktivieren' is used when a function, device, or account is made ready for operation or switched on. The words can be confusing because after something has been activated, it can often be used. But 'aktivieren' does not always mean that something is running immediately; it may only mean that it is ready or enabled.
Im Büro aktiviert Tom morgen die neue Sicherheitsfunktion auf seinem Handy.
At the office tomorrow, Tom will activate the new security feature on his phone.
Wir haben zu Hause den alten Laptop gestartet, um die Fotos zu suchen.
At home, we started the old laptop to look for the photos.