imessage/FaceTime - Waiting for activation

Had the same problem. After a lot of time spent trying to figure it out, I noticed that the bundles that I receive from my carrier (MTN SA) are "minutes" to call, SMS bundles and data bundles - which has always worked for me and my iMessage and Facetime worked perfectly until one day when it stopped.

Turns out, in order to activate iMessage/Facetime for a mobile number, you will need value (airtime in currency) - even just the slightest amount will do. Data/WiFi is not enough to activate iMessage/Facetime for mobile numbers.

What I did:

• purchased the smallest amount of currency-value airtime
• went to Settings, turned off iMessage andturned off Facetime
• force restarted my iPhone (hold power and home buttons for 6 seconds) to completely clear any connections/apps
• returned to Settings, turned on iMessage and turned on Facetime

I had to wait a while so that everything synced up (with my Apple Watch too) and within 5min I everything was working again 🙂

Maybe this helps?

Are you using the same email address for iCloud? Does that work?

Do you possibly have a different email address for your Apple ID?

Have you tried changing your Apple ID password?

Have you tried all of the following:

If you still can't send or receive iMessages

1. To send and receive iMessages, your device must have a valid cellular or Wi-Fi data connection.
   • iOS: Troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks and connections
   • iOS: Troubleshooting cellular data
2. Ensure that iMessage is turned on in Settings > Messages.
3. iMessage registration validates your Apple ID for use with iMessage. If you are unable to activate iMessage, try the following:
   
   • Sign in to iMessage on your device using a valid Apple ID. After you validate the email address for use with iMessage, other iMessage users can connect to you using that email address. If you encounter issues registering or using an Apple ID account:
     • Ensure you have an active Internet connection.
     • Verify that you are using a valid Apple ID at myinfo.apple.com. You can also create an Apple ID or reset your password from this webpage.
     • Ensure that your date, time, and time zone are set correctly. If your country has recently made a daylight saving time (DST) change, it may be necessary to manually set the time zone to one that matches your local time.
     • Check that your email address is verified in Settings > Messages > Receive At.
       • If Settings > Messages > Receive At shows your email status as "verifying," follow the instructions in the verification email that was sent to complete the process.
       • Toggle iMessage off and on in Settings > Messages.
   • iPhone automatically registers your phone number for use with iMessage during activation. If you encounter issues activating or using iMessage with your phone number:
     • Verify that you are connected to a cellular network.
     • Toggle iMessage off and on in Settings > Messages.
     • If you are unable to activate iMessage on a device after remote wiping it, wait at least 24 hours and try again.

Glad you got it fixed.

I had the same problem and had it resolved by setting tiem from manual to set automatically (when changed took a few minutes to change) but thank you to diesel vdub 😀

Will a phone number with chatr work for iMessage and FaceTime with the iOS 6?

amy where did you take off the + on your phone because i can't find it

Hi, neither the Apple ID and Phone Number unable to activate the iMessage and Facetime.

when I key in the password for Apple ID, It shown : unable to login, please check your network connection and try again, I'm sure I have turned the Cell and Wifi Network. What Can I do the further setting check? Thanks

Check whether 3G is switched on in Settings (General --> Mobile Data --> Enable 3G).

I tried all of this but still I can't use my imessage and facetime what am I gonna do?

Hi

I tried activating iMessage and FaceTime but as usual it's not getting activated.

Earlier it was working on my iPhone 5 but I changed the phone on New Years to 32gb.

So now it's not activating.

Any suggestions