Image credit : Cult of Mac
It’s possible that iMessage activation won’t work if you’re trying to activate a new iPhone, iPad, or MacBook. Despite how infrequent this problem is, Apple is aware of it.
An alert could appear that reads, “iMessage activation unsuccessful.” Another message that could appear is “waiting for activation.” Unfortunately, if either of these pop-up, you can’t utilize FaceTime or iMessage.
If you’re having this problem, you might be annoyed since you want to start using iMessage on your new Apple smartphone right away. Thankfully, there are some fixes you can do for activation error in iMessage.
1. Restart Your iPhone
Prior to delving into any technical remedies, it’s crucial to initiate a restart of your iPhone. This action typically resolves the majority of problems encountered on your device. This action facilitates the clearing of data, the restart of network connections, and the refreshing of messages.
To execute a restart, simply power off your device, allow 30 seconds to elapse, and then power it back on. If this successfully addresses your concern, that’s a positive outcome. If not, please proceed to the subsequent solution.
2. Set Your Apple ID to Send and Receive iMessages
In case you encounter difficulties related to sending and receiving messages or face challenges with the activation error in iMessage, it’s imperative to verify your Send & Receive settings. If these settings are not properly configured, your iMessage activation may not proceed successfully, and this could impede your receipt of both text messages and picture messages.
To rectify this, navigate to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive and ensure that both your phone number and email are chosen. This is one of the most prevalent remedies for this issue. Nevertheless, if this doesn’t resolve the matter, there are numerous other avenues you can explore.
If you’re using a Mac, launch the Messages application and access Messages > Settings from the menu bar. Subsequently, proceed to the iMessage section within the new window and designate your Apple ID email address as reachable via iMessage.
3. Restart iMessage and FaceTime
If you’re encountering challenges with activation error in iMessage on your iPhone or iPad, you might find it beneficial to initiate a restart for both iMessage and FaceTime.
To perform a restart for iMessage and FaceTime, navigate to Settings > Messages and deactivate iMessage. Next, proceed to Settings > FaceTime and turn off FaceTime. After waiting for a few minutes, switch both functions back on.
Once both are reactivated, it’s advisable to give it some time before checking to determine if the activation has been successful.
If you’re utilizing a Mac, access FaceTime > Settings and deselect Enable this account. This will deactivate FaceTime until you decide to reactivate it. Keep in mind that in older versions of macOS, Settings might be referred to as Preferences.
For iMessage adjustments, head to Messages > Settings, select the iMessage tab within the new window, and click Sign Out next to your Apple ID email address.
Following the deactivation of both iMessage and FaceTime, wait for a brief interval and then proceed to reactivate them simultaneously. After some time has passed, assess whether the activation has been successful.
If you’re unsure about the iMessage activation process and have never carried it out before, it could be beneficial to familiarize yourself with the steps of how to activate iMessage before proceeding further.
4. Reset Network Settings
By resetting your network settings, you’ll restore all configurations pertaining to your cellular network and Wi-Fi connections. This action can effectively tackle various network-related problems that might hinder the successful activation of iMessage.
Resetting your network settings is a swifter process compared to a complete factory reset. It zeroes in on the settings you would typically restore to factory defaults, all without the need to reinstall applications or erase your data.
To initiate the network settings reset, navigate to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. After performing this step, reevaluate the iMessage activation to determine if it has been successfully resolved.
Should you believe it could be beneficial, you also have the option to carry out a complete factory reset on your iPhone.
5. Check Your Cellular or Wi-Fi Connection
To activate iMessage, a functional internet connection is a prerequisite. This stands as one of the most common challenges. It’s important to bear in mind that both iMessage and FaceTime rely on either Wi-Fi or cellular data to establish an internet connection.
Hence, it’s advisable to examine your cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity to ascertain if you can successfully access the internet. You can perform a check by using Safari to visit any webpage. If you find that you’re unable to connect to the internet or if the webpage fails to load, this indicates the necessity to establish an internet connection.
If you encounter difficulties in establishing a connection, you might want to contemplate the option of resetting your iPhone’s network settings. Similarly, for those utilizing macOS, there’s a comprehensive guide available for resetting network settings on a Mac.
6. Check Your Time & Date Are Accurate
There are assertions from certain users that incorrect time zone settings on an Apple device could potentially lead to activation difficulties with an iPhone. While this issue is not widely documented, some individuals in online forums contend that resolving their time zone settings has been effective.
To address this on an iPhone or iPad, navigate to Settings > General > Date & Time > Time Zone, and proceed to update your time zone to match your current location. To do this, you will need to disable the Set Automatically option.
If you happen to be near the boundary of two different time zones, you might consider switching to the adjacent time zone. It’s plausible that if your carrier has a tower in the neighboring time zone and not in your current one, this could potentially cause activation problems.
Also read : How To Fix Contact Posters On iPhone
To accomplish the same on a Mac, access System Settings > General > Date & Time and modify your time zone settings accordingly. For older macOS versions, you will need to access System Preferences > Date & Time to access these settings.
If despite attempting these solutions, iMessage activation remains unsuccessful, your only option is to visit an Apple Store with your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
