Q: Using Apple ID's

Regarding the Blackberry, iMessage only works between Apple devices. See the information below from Use Messages with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

iMessages are texts, photos, or videos that you send to iOS devices and Macs over Wi-Fi or cellular-data networks. These messages appear in blue text bubbles.

Regarding using the same Apple ID on devices used by 3 people, it is highly recommended that each individual have their own Apple ID. Family sharing can then be used to share selected items if desired: http://www.apple.com/icloud/family-sharing/

Apple IDs are not intended to be shared. Each individual should have their own ID. You should not set up devices used by different people with the same Apple ID.

That's the root of your problem.

You can operate this way, but Apple recommends everyone having their own Apple ID. You can use Family Sharing in order to share purchased content. Each person needs an Apple ID for this.

Family Sharing - Apple Support

Set up Family Sharing - Apple Support

In the meantime, on each phone go to Settings>Messages>Send & Receive>You can be reached by iMessages>at>Check the phone number on the phone and uncheck the Apple ID email address on each phone except yours.

Also at the bottom of the screen check Start New Conversations from>iPhone number assigned to each phone.

TravlurGH wrote:

 

My wifes phone does not have a sim card.

She just wanted it so she could text her four sisters.

That was sort of important to know. She is using the phone as an iPod then so to speak, not as a Phone. She would absolutely have to be using her own email address in the settings as the "be reached at" contact address.

Your comment "Also at the bottom of the screen xxxxxxxxxx" that option is not listed on her phone (4s).

Would that be, because of no sim card.?

IN Settings>Messages>Send & Receive>Start new conversations from, I assume you see your email address and no phone number because she is not using this as an active phone.

I guess my first fix is to put separate ID's on each phone.

Would putting a separate email ID on each phone need the email address on the device also,

Each device needs a contact address, so it has to have an email address as the way to contact the other person, if it does not have an iPhone number attached. That email address will be the Apple ID email address.

You might want to check with your sister-in-law and make sure that she completed all of these steps. It might be worth a try for her to erase the phone again and start over.

What to do before selling or giving away your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

The one thing that concerns me a little though is that if the email address isn't being verified on Apple's end, that most likely has nothing to do with the device not being totally erased. But, if you got a message on the phone telling you that the phone is asking for another Apple ID in order to activate it, that would mean that her ID is still attached to the phone.