Connecting my phone number to FaceTime and iMessage

Hi , I got a new iPhone 14 and I can't link my phone number to FaceTime or iMessage. It keeps saying awaiting activation

iPhone 14, iOS 16

Posted on Oct 10, 2023 12:15 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 11, 2023 10:06 AM

Hello Fionaosullivan89,


We have a great support article that might help with this. Please take a look at it here: If you can’t turn on or sign in to iMessage or FaceTime on your iPhone - Apple Support. Follow this guidance:


"What you need before you sign in

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.

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.


Turn off and restart iMessage and FaceTime

      1. Go to Settings > Messages and turn off iMessage.
      2. Go to Settings > FaceTime and turn off FaceTime.
      3. Restart your iPhone.
      4. Turn iMessage and FaceTime back on.


If your phone number still doesn’t have a check next to it in Settings after 24 hours

It might take up to 24 hours for your carrier to verify your phone number with Apple. Contact your carrier to make sure that you can send and receive SMS messages and wait up to 24 hours after you try the troubleshooting steps above.



Use an email address to sign in to Messages or FaceTime instead

You can also use your email address with iMessage and FaceTime. Sign in to your Apple ID account page and review all the email addresses you have on file, including the one that you're trying to verify. If the email address is incorrect, you can update it. Then click Resend next to the email address that you want to verify.


To select your email address to use with Messages:

      1. In the Settings app, tap Messages.
      2. Tap Send & Receive, then choose your email address.


To select your email address to use with FaceTime:

      1. In the Setttings app, tap FaceTime.
      2. Scroll to You Can Be Reached By FaceTime At, and choose your email address.


When you use both your phone number and your email address with Messages, you might start or receive separate conversation threads with the same contacts. Set your phone number or email address as the primary way to start and receive Messages.


FaceTime isn't available in all countries or regions.

If you can't turn on or sign in to Messages and FaceTime when you try on your Mac or iPad."





We hope this helps. Let us know if we can assist with anything else at all. Take care.

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 11, 2023 10:06 AM in response to Fionaosullivan89

Hello Fionaosullivan89,


We have a great support article that might help with this. Please take a look at it here: If you can’t turn on or sign in to iMessage or FaceTime on your iPhone - Apple Support. Follow this guidance:


"What you need before you sign in

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.

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.


Turn off and restart iMessage and FaceTime

      1. Go to Settings > Messages and turn off iMessage.
      2. Go to Settings > FaceTime and turn off FaceTime.
      3. Restart your iPhone.
      4. Turn iMessage and FaceTime back on.


If your phone number still doesn’t have a check next to it in Settings after 24 hours

It might take up to 24 hours for your carrier to verify your phone number with Apple. Contact your carrier to make sure that you can send and receive SMS messages and wait up to 24 hours after you try the troubleshooting steps above.



Use an email address to sign in to Messages or FaceTime instead

You can also use your email address with iMessage and FaceTime. Sign in to your Apple ID account page and review all the email addresses you have on file, including the one that you're trying to verify. If the email address is incorrect, you can update it. Then click Resend next to the email address that you want to verify.


To select your email address to use with Messages:

      1. In the Settings app, tap Messages.
      2. Tap Send & Receive, then choose your email address.


To select your email address to use with FaceTime:

      1. In the Setttings app, tap FaceTime.
      2. Scroll to You Can Be Reached By FaceTime At, and choose your email address.


When you use both your phone number and your email address with Messages, you might start or receive separate conversation threads with the same contacts. Set your phone number or email address as the primary way to start and receive Messages.


FaceTime isn't available in all countries or regions.

If you can't turn on or sign in to Messages and FaceTime when you try on your Mac or iPad."





We hope this helps. Let us know if we can assist with anything else at all. Take care.

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Connecting my phone number to FaceTime and iMessage

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