Q: My iMessage still says "Waiting for activation..."

I think a reset network settings will work out just fine, I am presuming that the SIM also would have changed when you change telecom providers.

Yes... the sims has changed... already tryied almost all solutions posted in this thread... also put the Sim in another phone (not iphone) and also fails to receive test SMS from http://www.clickatell.com/products/test_gateway.php

PS: I changed operator the same day I bought my factory unlocked iphone, so old sim was never used in new 4s.

Ok one last thing some one posted that both imessage and Facetime worked fine once the number was updated on the Apple id site. Dont remember if they did a reset after updatting the number else the operator willl have to help you out.

Also tryed with no luck... will let you know how this develops with my carrier.

I can't believe NO ONE said this. I've tried everything suggested here and nothing worked. I have the iPhone 4 with all of my software up to date. I honestly was going crazy... this phone is like my baby and I'm in a place with ZERO reception so all I had to communicate with was iMessage. It would work from my email but told me that it was "verifying" my phone number.

Try this because it's all that worked for me.

Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings

That's it. Literally all I had to do.

Hope that helps someone!

hey buddy i am going to try this now . since same thing wid me i m trying since last 24 hrs went to apple store but unfortunately they were unable to fix this problem they gave me option to replace my device...and yes i did it when now again imessage is not working on my new iphone4

Yup same thing happened to me ....went to apple store all they could do was replace my device and then it still didnt work !!!

FINALLY I GOT IMESSAGE ACTIVATED.........NOW CAN SLEEP BETTER HAPPILY ITS BEING POSSIBLE AFTER 24 HOURS..JUST RESET ALL FACTORY SETTING AND THEN TRY TO TURN ON IMESSAGE AND FACETIME .... AFTER THAT HUST TRYING TO TURN IT OFF AND ON AGAIN AND AGAIN

THATS BEST SOLUTION I HOPE

i am mollafromdhaka Bangladesh and i am not clear about it. Could u explain me. But i will active imeesage

Worked for me too!

Message was edited by: iSheel95 (iPhone 3GS)

Hey thanks for this. My new 4S and my old 3GS that I gave to my fiancée were both suffering from the awaiting activation thing, and your fix sorted them both.

OMG THANK YOU!!!!!!!!! THISSSSS worked for me!! You are a lifesaver riajul...I couldnt get iMessage nor Facetime to work for weeks, tried everyyyything. Im so glad I read your post!

I'm temporarily out of the US and have no cell signal. My iMessage worked in the US, but quit working overseas; this is to help similar people. After iMessage quit working I was able to apply and send messages w/ my AppleID but not cell phone number. All I did was sign out of Apple ID under Settings >> iMessage. Then went to the AppleID account website and removed all phone numbers from my account. Save. Sign out. Checked Settings >> Phone listed my correct number. Restarted phone via Home + Top button. At restart I turned on iMessage and iMessage activated and my cell phone number verified. Add AppleID if you want.

@riajul was right !

That doesn't work at all, you are only stopping it from activating iMessage and/or Facetime from your carrier service (i.e. Phone Number), and you will only be contacted from your e-mail listed on your Apple Account.