Hi Mlwasden,
Thank you for participating in the Apple Support Communities. If you're seeing a "waiting for activation" error for Messages and FaceTime, this article has some steps that may help: If you can’t turn on or sign in to iMessage or FaceTime
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Check your device settings
- Make sure that you’re connected to a cellular data or Wi-Fi network.
- If you're using an iPhone, you need SMS messaging to activate your phone number with iMessage and FaceTime. Depending on your carrier, you might be charged for this SMS.
- Go to Settings > General > Date & Time and make sure that your time zone is set correctly.

Turn off and restart iMessage and FaceTime
- Go to Settings > Messages and turn off iMessage.
- Go to Settings > FaceTime and turn off FaceTime.
- Restart your device:
4. Turn iMessage and FaceTime back on.

Still not activated after a day?
It might take up to 24 hours to activate iMessage and FaceTime. If the issue continues after 24 hours, follow these steps:
- Make sure that your device has the latest version of iOS or iPadOS.
- If you're using an iPhone, contact your carrier to make sure that you can send and receive SMS messages.
- Make sure you can send and receive SMS. If a prompt appears stating "Your carrier may charge for SMS messages used to activate FaceTime and iMessage", tap "OK" to allow possible SMS charges.
- Contact Apple Support.
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Take care.