Tailzers

Q: iMessage "waiting for activation" problem international

So I traveled oversees and upon arrival, my IMessages by cellphone number were working perfectly on wifi connection, but I was having a hard time sending pictures/videos. I didn't have my apple ID logged in at the time, but I turned IMessage off and then back on.. It kept stating "Waiting for activation" that was for at least 12 hours. So then I decide to log in to my apple ID and add my email address which worked perfectly for IMessage. The cellphone number is constantly grayed out and even if I log oit of Apple ID or remove my email, I cannot get IMessages from my number. I've tried the airplane mode, restarting the phone, changing the DNS, everything. I can still send and receive SMS on my cell number if I don't use IMessage.

iPhone 6, iOS 8.3

Posted on Jul 19, 2016 7:27 AM

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Q: iMessage "waiting for activation" problem international

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  • by razmee209,Apple recommended

    razmee209 razmee209 Jul 19, 2016 10:37 AM in response to Tailzers
    Level 7 (33,242 points)
    Jul 19, 2016 10:37 AM in response to Tailzers

    Tailzers wrote:

     

    So I traveled oversees and upon arrival, my IMessages by cellphone number were working perfectly on wifi connection, but I was having a hard time sending pictures/videos. I didn't have my apple ID logged in at the time, but I turned IMessage off and then back on.. It kept stating "Waiting for activation" that was for at least 12 hours. So then I decide to log in to my apple ID and add my email address which worked perfectly for IMessage. The cellphone number is constantly grayed out and even if I log oit of Apple ID or remove my email, I cannot get IMessages from my number. I've tried the airplane mode, restarting the phone, changing the DNS, everything. I can still send and receive SMS on my cell number if I don't use IMessage.

    If you get an error when trying to activate iMessage or FaceTime - Apple Support

     

    you may need to get it activate in when you get back to the states, or just use your apple id until you get back.

     

    per the link if it has been more than 24 hours contact Apple.

  • by ChrisJ4203,Apple recommended

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Jul 19, 2016 8:49 PM in response to Tailzers
    Level 9 (58,223 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 19, 2016 8:49 PM in response to Tailzers

    This is probably because of the cellular roaming that you are using. Once you turned off iMessage, it needed to be activated again. To activate, your iPhone sends a hidden international SMS to the iMessage servers in the UK. The cellular provider has to authorized the SMS for send and receive, or you will not be able to activate iMessage for your phone number.

     

    Are you using the same SIM you use when you are at home? If yes, do they authorize international SMS? If you are not using your regular SIM, does the SIM you are using allow for international SMS?

  • by Tailzers,

    Tailzers Tailzers Jul 19, 2016 8:52 PM in response to ChrisJ4203
    Level 1 (5 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 19, 2016 8:52 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

    Thanks so much! i think that this is the problem. ill probably have to wait till I'm back in the states to fully activate it. Does that mean that all the messages that people are sending to my phone wont go through since I'm using my email for IMessage? And once I go back, will those messages automatically send to me upon activation?

  • by ChrisJ4203,Helpful

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Jul 19, 2016 9:04 PM in response to Tailzers
    Level 9 (58,223 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 19, 2016 9:04 PM in response to Tailzers

    If they go through, then they are going somewhere. If your iPhone is the only device with iMessage and you are not activated, they should not go through if they are trying to use your number, and could send as an SMS, or not send at all. Generally, iMessages are not saved very long, so I doubt they would be available upon activation. I've never witnessed that.

  • by Crystina ,

    Crystina Crystina Jul 19, 2016 9:19 PM in response to Tailzers
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 19, 2016 9:19 PM in response to Tailzers

    Same thing is happening to me

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Jul 19, 2016 9:22 PM in response to Crystina
    Level 9 (58,223 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 19, 2016 9:22 PM in response to Crystina

    If you were experiencing the exact same issue as the OP, you were out of the country and turned off iMessage and tried to turn it back on again and are having troubles activating, then follow the steps provided. If there is anything different about your problem, then check razmee209's response for activation issues with iMessage.