You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

imessage isnt activating

How do I activate my iMessage and FaceTime

iPhone 6s, iOS 13

Posted on May 4, 2020 8:05 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on May 4, 2020 8:17 AM

Entire process is just 4 steps with one criteria


Criteria: For activating iMessage, you need one-time SMS messaging service (If you have one, skip this) to be activated on your phone number. Depending on your carrier, you might be charged for this (for iMessage activation only) SMS.


Contact your Carrier (Cellular Service Provider) The agency who issued the SIM to you to know whether you have SMS plan enabled at least for One SMS


4 Step Process --> Turn off and restart iMessage and FaceTime (The order / sequence is very important)

  1. Go to Settings > Messages and turn off iMessage.
  2. Go to Settings > FaceTime and turn off FaceTime.
  3. Restart your device.
  4. Turn iMessage and FaceTime back on. (Watch the GIF below)



  • Still not activated after a day?
  1. It might take up to 24 hours to activate iMessage and FaceTime. If the issue continues after 24 hours, follow these steps:
  2. Make sure that your device has the latest version of iOS.
  3. If you're using an iPhone, contact your carrier to make sure that you can receive SMS messages.
  4. Contact Apple Support.







If you do not want to use Phone Number for iMessages then you can send it over WiFi without SIM through your Apple ID.


If you get an error when trying to activate iMessage or FaceTime ...

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

May 4, 2020 8:17 AM in response to konaduansahphyllis

Entire process is just 4 steps with one criteria


Criteria: For activating iMessage, you need one-time SMS messaging service (If you have one, skip this) to be activated on your phone number. Depending on your carrier, you might be charged for this (for iMessage activation only) SMS.


Contact your Carrier (Cellular Service Provider) The agency who issued the SIM to you to know whether you have SMS plan enabled at least for One SMS


4 Step Process --> Turn off and restart iMessage and FaceTime (The order / sequence is very important)

  1. Go to Settings > Messages and turn off iMessage.
  2. Go to Settings > FaceTime and turn off FaceTime.
  3. Restart your device.
  4. Turn iMessage and FaceTime back on. (Watch the GIF below)



  • Still not activated after a day?
  1. It might take up to 24 hours to activate iMessage and FaceTime. If the issue continues after 24 hours, follow these steps:
  2. Make sure that your device has the latest version of iOS.
  3. If you're using an iPhone, contact your carrier to make sure that you can receive SMS messages.
  4. Contact Apple Support.







If you do not want to use Phone Number for iMessages then you can send it over WiFi without SIM through your Apple ID.


If you get an error when trying to activate iMessage or FaceTime ...

imessage isnt activating

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.