I used a new sim card while overseas and FaceTime and iMessage was activated, however when I got home and put my local sim card back in, FaceTime and iMessage no longer work and it says that activation was unsuccessful. My network provider reset my sim but it didn't help. I do have my work iPhone which has both connected, but I have also turned that off. My local number is the only one linked to my AppleID so I'm not sure what to do.
iPhone 13 Pro Max
I had the same issue and Apple support couldn't provide a solution for over 1 week, for an iPhone SE with standard SIM card.
Then I came across the Apple community discussion (see link below) by searching for "AppleID imessage SIM card".
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255144885?sortBy=best
Specifically, my issue was that on the [Settings > #YourName# "Apple ID, iCloud, ..." > "Login and Security"] I could see my AppleID and my phone number, but below the phone number the message "This phone number cannot be used in iMessage and FaceTime...you need a SIM card associated with an Apple device" appeared.
Reading through and following approximately the notes of user manishr15, I did the following and the issue was solved for me:
• Turn off iMessage from [Settings > Messages > iMessage]
• Turn off FaceTime from [Settings > FaceTime]
• Turn off wifi and turn on the mobile network (4G or 5G)
• Remove SIM and re-insert SIM. Check that the 4G or 5G mobile network works normally again.
I then did these 3 extra steps just in case, which I thought could be useful - but perhaps not necessary:
•• Went to [Settings > #YourName# "Apple ID, iCloud, ..." > "Login and Security"] and removed my phone number, then added the same phone number again at the same place. (Note: Make sure that you can still receive the security code via SMS or through another trusted device.)
•• Shutdown the iPhone and turn it back on.
•• Checked again that the 4G or 5G mobile network works normally.
So, at this point resumed the notes of user manishr15
• Go to [Settings > Messages] and turn on iMessages.
• Then below on "Send and Receive", I pressed on my AppleID as was shown, and then selected "Use Other AppleID".
This last selection -which seemed rather unreasonable and is not mentioned elsewhere- then restored normal connection to iMessage, OK!
Hope this helps.
I had the same issue and Apple support couldn't provide a solution for over 1 week, for an iPhone SE with standard SIM card.
Then I came across the Apple community discussion (see link below) by searching for "AppleID imessage SIM card".
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255144885?sortBy=best
Specifically, my issue was that on the [Settings > #YourName# "Apple ID, iCloud, ..." > "Login and Security"] I could see my AppleID and my phone number, but below the phone number the message "This phone number cannot be used in iMessage and FaceTime...you need a SIM card associated with an Apple device" appeared.
Reading through and following approximately the notes of user manishr15, I did the following and the issue was solved for me:
• Turn off iMessage from [Settings > Messages > iMessage]
• Turn off FaceTime from [Settings > FaceTime]
• Turn off wifi and turn on the mobile network (4G or 5G)
• Remove SIM and re-insert SIM. Check that the 4G or 5G mobile network works normally again.
I then did these 3 extra steps just in case, which I thought could be useful - but perhaps not necessary:
•• Went to [Settings > #YourName# "Apple ID, iCloud, ..." > "Login and Security"] and removed my phone number, then added the same phone number again at the same place. (Note: Make sure that you can still receive the security code via SMS or through another trusted device.)
•• Shutdown the iPhone and turn it back on.
•• Checked again that the 4G or 5G mobile network works normally.
So, at this point resumed the notes of user manishr15
• Go to [Settings > Messages] and turn on iMessages.
• Then below on "Send and Receive", I pressed on my AppleID as was shown, and then selected "Use Other AppleID".
This last selection -which seemed rather unreasonable and is not mentioned elsewhere- then restored normal connection to iMessage, OK!
Hope this helps.
Did you check your time zone settings, as suggested in this troubleshooting article?
...
Check your device settings
...
...
It might take up to 24 hours to activate iMessage and FaceTime. If the issue continues after 24 hours, follow these steps:
...
copied from: If you can’t turn on or sign in to iMessage or FaceTime - Apple Support
Did you already check for carrier updates?
Since you have swopped the SIM, the carrier information might be missing or wrong.
Manually update your carrier settings on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
If this does not help, set it back to factory settings with the actual SIM inserted:
Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support
My carrier reset my sim and I restored my phone to factory settings, but it didn’t help :(
FaceTime and iMessage can't be activated
