How to Fix an iMessage Activation Error on an iPhone (iOS 17)

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This article shows how to activate iMessage and FaceTime, even if you get a FaceTime or iMessage activation error message. Here's how to fix the Waiting for Activation, Activation Unsuccessful, Unable to Connect to the iMessage Server, and other error messages.

Jump To:

• FaceTime & iMessage Activation Error Messages
• Easy Ways to Fix a FaceTime or iMessage Activation Error
• Make Sure Your Time Zone Is Correct
• Turn Off & Restart iMessage & FaceTime
• Sign Out of Your Apple ID & Sign Back In
• Check Your Apple ID Send & Receive Settings
• Reset Network Settings

How to Fix a FaceTime or iMessage Activation Error on an iPhone & iPad

FaceTime or iMessage not activating? According to Apple, it can take up to 24 hours to activate iMessages and FaceTime. If iMessage or FaceTime won't activate after 24 hours, it’s safe to assume iMessage and FaceTime are not working. Here's how to fix an iMessage waiting for activation and similar errors.

Keep in mind that this is different than FaceTime not working or iMessage not working, though many of the fixes are the same. Check out our free Tip of the Day for more Apple troubleshooting guides.

FaceTime & iMessage Activation Error Messages

You may encounter several different FaceTime and iMessage error messages, but don't worry; we'll show you how to solve all of these iMessage activation errors:

• Waiting for activation
• Activation unsuccessful
• iMessage Activation An error occurred during activation. Try again.
• iMessage is Signed Out
• Could not sign in to iMessage, please check your network connection and try again.
• iMessage Activation Unable to connect to the iMessage server. Try again.

Easy Ways to Fix a FaceTime or iMessage Activation Error

There are several easy ways to fix things when FaceTime or iMessage won't activate. First, check the Apple System Status page and make sure there's a green dot by iMessage and FaceTime. Next, make sure your iPhone or iPad has the newest iOS update or iPadOS update. Then, make sure you are connected to Wi-Fi (or at least have a solid cellular connection). Also, update your carrier settings. Finally, make sure that your cellular carrier that supports iMessage. All major carriers (Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, etc.) support SMS messages, but if you use a small or regional carrier, be sure iMessage is supported. 

If you try all the methods below and wait 24 hours, but iMessage still isn't working, contact your carrier to make sure there aren't any limits on your plan that might be interfering with your FaceTime or iMessage activation.

Make Sure Your Time Zone Is Correct

If you're getting the iMessage waiting for activation, or another FaceTime or iMessage activation error, check your iPad or iPhone's Date & Time settings. To do this:

1. Open the Settings app.
   
   
2. Tap General.
   
   
3. Tap Date & Time.
   
   
4. Make sure Set Automatically is toggled to green and your Time Zone is correct in Date & Time Settings. 
   
   

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Turn Off & Restart iMessage & FaceTime

If FaceTime and iMessage won't activate or iMessage activation failed, you should turn off and restart iMessage and FaceTime, and also turn on AirPlane Mode and turn off Wi-Fi, then reverse the process. To do this:

1. Open the Settings app.
   
   
2. Tap Messages.
   
   
3. Toggle iMessage off. It will be gray when toggled off.
   
   
4. Go back to Settings.
   
   
5. Select FaceTime.
   
   
6. Toggle off FaceTime. It will be gray when toggled off.
   
   
7. Go back to Settings and scroll to the top.
   
   
8. Toggle on Airplane Mode. It will be green when toggled on. Doing so will turn Wi-Fi off.
   
   
9. Tap Wi-Fi.
   
   
10. Toggle Wi-Fi on. It will be green when toggled on.
    
    
11. Go back to Settings.
    
    
12. Select Messages again.
    
    
13. Toggle iMessage on. It will be green when toggled on.
    
    
14. Go back to Settings.
    
    
15. Select FaceTime.
    
    
16. Toggle FaceTime on. It will be green when toggled on.
    
    
17. Go back to Settings and scroll to the top.
    
    
18. Toggle Airplane Mode off. It will be gray when toggled off.
    
    
19. If a message pops up that says your carrier may charge for SMS, tap OK.
20. Give iMessage some time, and it should activate.

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Sign Out of Your Apple ID & Sign Back In

When you sign out of your Apple ID on your iPhone or iPad, iMessage and FaceTime will have to reconnect when you sign back in.

1. Open the Settings app.
   
   
2. Tap your name in the banner at the top of the screen.
   
   
3. Tap Sign Out.
   
   
4. Choose the data you want to keep copies of on your device, then tap Sign Out, and Sign Out one more time to confirm.
5. Once you're signed out, reverse the process and open Settings, tap the banner at the top of the screen, sign back in to your Apple ID, and follow your device's directions to complete the sign in and merging process.
   
   

Hopefully, this will allow you to enable iMessage and FaceTime. If you are still receiving any iMessage activation failed error messages, we have more methods to try!

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Check Your Apple ID Send & Receive Settings

If FaceTime or iMessage activation is still an issue, make sure your Apple ID is set to send and receive iMessages; here's how:

1. Open the Settings app and tap Messages.
   
   
2. Tap Send & Receive.
   
   
3. Make sure that your phone number and the email address associated with your Apple ID are checked in You Can Receive iMessages to and Reply From. Make sure your phone number is checked in Start New Coversations From.
   
   

Reset Network Settings

If you keep getting the iMessage is signed out error, or another iMessage not activating error, it's time to Reset Network Settings. This process will not erase any information from your iPhone except Wi-Fi passcodes and Bluetooth pairings. When logging in to Wi-Fi networks, you’ll need to re-enter any passwords your iPhone may have otherwise remembered and re-pair with any Bluetooth devices.
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Which method made your FaceTime or iMessage activation successful? Let us know in the comments. Also, please share any other ways you’ve been able to fix a FaceTime or iMessage error message in the past.