An error occurred during iMessage activation

Welcome and thank you for reaching out. 🤗

First, try the following steps:

• Disable any VPN connections and restart your iPhone or tell Siri: "Restart".
• Learn how to update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS.
• Learn what to do if your iPhone won’t update.

Sign in issue:

Learn what to do → If you can’t turn on or sign in to iMessage.

Connection issue:

Learn what to do → If you can't send or receive messages.

Need more help?

• Contact Apple Support if you still can't send or receive iMessages
• Contact your carrier if you still can't send or receive SMS, MMS or RCS messages

Additional help:

• United States: 1-800-APLCARE.
• Contact Apple Support.
• Get Support.

Good Luck! 👋🏼😉

Smiliñ 😎 Brian | Community Volunteer

Hello~ Are you receiving an error? If so …one of these perhaps?*

• Waiting for activation
• Activation unsuccessful
• An error occurred during activation
• Could not sign in, please check your network connection
• Unable to contact the iMessage server. Try again.

Click on below and review…

If you can’t turn on or sign in to iMessage or FaceTime on your iPhone - Apple Support*

Also…

Contact Apple Support - Apple Support

~Katana-San~

Did you already try the troubleshooting mentioned in this related article?

If you can’t turn on or sign in to iMessage or FaceTime on your iPhone - Apple Support

If you do not want to upgrade your iPhone to iOS 26, did you make sure that the latest iOS 18.7.8 has been installed?

Has iMessage been activated successfully in the past?

You may have to contact the official Apple Support and ask them to look into your personal settings, in case your phone number is somehow blocked for iMessage:

Contact Apple Support - Apple Support