New Kid’s Apple ID stopped working with iMessage and FaceTime after it worked with initial setup

Question

Level 1

8 points

New Kid’s Apple ID stopped working with iMessage and FaceTime after it worked with initial setup

I created an apple id for my kid today, and it worked to set up on an old iPad. After some time today, her Apple ID could not authenticate for iMessage or FaceTime getting a failure to activate error. I tried it on a MacBookPro, and I can’t get it to log into iMessage on there either. When I log into iCloud on multiple computers I get the verify message on the old iPad asking to allow the login, so clearly the account is fine. To entertain the plethora of questions about this very same issue that doesn’t see to be resolved each time it’s asked, I reset the password just in case. That didn’t work. I reset the iPad. That didn’t work. I used a WiFi hotspot to change networks. That didn’t work. I can log into iCloud with the user credentials on any device. What’s blocking me from authenticating my kid’s account for iMessage and FaceTime?

Posted on Jan 18, 2026 5:18 PM

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Answer 1

TheLittles

Level 10

203,575 points

Jan 18, 2026 6:16 PM in response to odunucmed

"New Kid’s Apple ID stopped working with iMessage and FaceTime after it worked with initial setup: I created an apple id for my kid today, and it worked to set up on an old iPad. After some time today, her Apple ID could not authenticate for iMessage or FaceTime getting a failure to activate error. I tried it on a MacBookPro, and I can’t get it to log into iMessage on there either. What’s blocking me from authenticating my kid’s account for iMessage and FaceTime?"

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If Necessary...

Create an Apple Account for your Child ("Kid"):

Out of curiosity, if you want limitations for what your child ("Kid") can perform, then go by the following...

Go here: Create an Apple Account for your Child - Apple Support
As it Reads: "Children under 13 can’t create an Apple Account on their own1. But if you’re the Family Sharing organizer or a Family Sharing parent or guardian, you can create an Apple Account for your child."

Turn Off ALL VPNs:

Are you using a VPN? If so, turn it off. VPNs just get in the way on an iPhone, and this is a put example of how and why.

Troubleshooting FaceTime:

A Few Sites to Try:

Troubleshooting iMessage:

A. Try Setting it Up Correctly:

Go Here: Use Messages on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

B. Enable Messages in ScreenTime:

Go to: Settings
Tap: Screen Time
Tap: Allowed Apps
Tap: Messages (So it is in "ALLOWED APPS")

C. Go Here: If you can’t Turn On or Sign In to iMessage or FaceTime - Apple Support

No success?....

D. Whom to Contact:

Contact your Carrier, as they are the one who provide you with the service of Messaging.

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Answer 2

TheLittles

Level 10

203,575 points

Jan 18, 2026 7:15 PM in response to odunucmed

"The child account is identical to her siblings that all have had FaceTime and iMessages set up without issue. The same allowed apps are the same including Messages. This is a WiFi only iPad and the MacBook Pro is obviously WiFi only too. There is no phone number or carrier needed in this scenario. I get the impression that there’s something locked on the Apple side with her account related to iMessage."

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Give Apple a Call:

Go Here: Contact Apple Support - Apple Support
Scroll to: Connect with live support
Select: your county on the dropdown menu.

Is this an Issue on Apple's Side?:

Looking on Apple's site, no report of any issue(s) with iMessage and FaceTime are provided at this time. So, no, their, not the culprit here

Go Here: Apple - Support - System Status

Screenshots:

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Answer 3

odunucmed Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 18, 2026 6:42 PM in response to TheLittles

The child account is identical to her siblings that all have had FaceTime and iMessages set up without issue. The same allowed apps are the same including Messages. This is a WiFi only iPad and the MacBook Pro is obviously WiFi only too. There is no phone number or carrier needed in this scenario. I get the impression that there’s something locked on the Apple side with her account related to iMessage.

Reply