Cannot activate iMessage

iMessage via iPhone 3gs is successful but not via iPad 2. The message sent but iPad did not receive it. My Facetime setting is ok, and iCloud setting also ok. But iMessage won't activate. It keep on bouncing back to "Enter Apple ID" after it cannot verify the email I used for my Apple ID. I've tried all the solutions but still no changes. Pls help!

I had the following problem: If I change SIM, facetime and imessage do NOT activate on the new number and still show the old one.

What I did was the following.

To be done just once:

Go to Settings -> Mail, contacts, calendars -> My info, select your own card.

To be done every time you change the sim (in your case that can be also only once).

Go to address book, make sure the current phone number is the ONLY one that is marked "iPhone"

(Deactivate/reactivate FaceTime and iMessage)

After a short while, facetime and imessage should be activated with the NEW number

NO "erase all settings" required, NO reboot.

Note that I did this with official carriers and also non-official carriers (all with a factory unlocked iPhone). I can now reproduce this on a regular basis.

Roberto

Hmm, very odd and happy discovery.

I'm using an old iphone, without phone service, as essentially an ipod touch.

Even though in settings -> messages I have a "waiting for activation message", imessage is actually working to and from the device. I thought the message meant that it wasn't working.

I believe that message is in response to real SMS messaging (which won't work without phone service) but doesn't have to do with using the Apple provided imessage protocols.

So maybe you do have imessage working, or maybe you don't, but don't believe that message in settings to determine if it's working or not for you.

Hi peter, i need help, i cannto activate my face time and imessage. status is still "WAITING FOR ACTIVATION".

ive'done all the necessary troubleshooting

1. resetting my iphone unit

2. restored my iphone unit

3. reset all settings

what should i do now? thanks

Hi roberto, i need help, i cannto activate my face time and imessage. status is still "WAITING FOR ACTIVATION".

ive'done all the necessary troubleshooting

1. resetting my iphone unit

2. restored my iphone unit

3. reset all settings

what should i do now? thanks

Hi nmcy,

I assume you have a device with phone service (not an ipod touch or a disabled iphone)?

I haven't had this problem - I only had "Waiting for activation" when I was setting up imessage on my non-phone-service iphone. You might want to try the other suggestions in this thread and see if they help. For example turn on or off automatic time zone setting, try a better password on your account or try associating a different email address with imessage. Of course failing that, Apple tech support should be able to help you. Good luck...

--Peter

Thank you so much, this was definitely the problem, both my facetime and imessage are working no!!!. Just make sure that after you change the date/time settings that you power off and the power back on. Thanks again!!!

Actually i did this twice with iPad2. After updating it to 5.0.1, i had problem activating imessage. but i solved it just a matter of shutting it down and turn it on once, and everything is a done deal. no need to change the dns, password, timezone etc.

Go to appleid.apple.com

Make sure the new email address you are trying to add is listed as an alternate email on the account. Send the verification email from here, then go to your email and verify...should do the trick.

I tried all this solutions in this article but failed. I changed the new simcard, add DNS to wifi network, reset network on iphone, restore firmware 5.0.1 but still not working. I'm in Vietnam and use Mobifone carrier. Last month, my bill was increased double and I saw in the billing detail, my iphone has sent 165 messages to number 3384475374102x7 (X=0-9). I searched on google this number in USA even I was in Vietnam and didn't have anybody to send messge. That's weird. Anyone can help me?

Mashimaro27 - an SMS is sent to Apple server for iMessage activation in iPhone 4S. I just got my first bill and I see it under Internation SMS. If you keep turning your iMessage ON and OFF then your iPhone 4S will be sending several SMS for iMessage activation without you knowing.

Hey guys, just wanted to share with your that I solved my problem with trying to activate iMessage! I found this article here and followed the instructions. I was able to solve my problem, hope this can help you too!

Tried all advices given in this disscussion. Nothing worked except this one:

pipid

Re: Cannot activate iMessage

Oct 13, 2011 4:19 AM (in response to Xupernova)

Try this :

1. Go to the Settings App.

2. Tap on Wi-Fi

3. Your chosen network will be ticked. Tap on its white arrow over a blue circle button to its right

4. Tap on DNS

5. Replace the current information with 8.8.8.8,8.8.4.4

6. Try visiting a website with Safari to see if this works

7. Try registering iMessage / FaceTime

I've been so frustated with this problem also. I found this solution and it finally worked for me

Thank you so much, Pipid. Now my iMessage and FaceTime are working! :)

make sure you have credit if you are on prepaid other wise your carrier will not let apple register your number, and only your email will come up, im not sure why, the activation process is also very slow, but to speed it up it helps to turn imessage on and off and if this fails turn the entire phone off and on, and imessage should hopefully activate.

you should ensure you have

-an internet connection (wifi or celluar data (mobile data))

-if prepaid have sufficent funds

-a valid apple ID, if your number does not sync with imessage

It can be very frustrating 😟

Beats me. i downloaded imessage and tried to activate it. Nothing. Changed my name by setting up a new id. Nothing. Can't get in at all. Can't just be that Aopple servers are busy. I deleted all the plist files in case there was a problem there. No difference.

When i start it up and get to the setup page it knows who I am but it won't let me acitvate to get any further.

Anyone got any ideas.