iMessage not working for phone number

Try this after checking your automatic time zone setting.

1: Turn off iMessage (and FaceTime)

2: Turn on the Airplane mode. Wifi will be turned OFF automatically.

3: Turn ON Wifi

4: Head back to Messages and turn ON iMessage

5: You’ll be prompted for your Apple ID if you haven’t added it yet. (else, you don’t get any notification)

6: Now, head back to Settings and turn OFF Airplane mode.

7: Mostly, you’ll be shown a notification that says "Your carrier may charge for SMS" – Tap on OK (you may be charged 50 cents)

8: If not, go to Messages, turn OFF iMessage and then turn it ON again.

9: In a short while, iMessage should get activated.

10: You’ll see a grayed out number and an email ID. The number should be checked a little later.

Let me know if this works

The OP said his phone number does not work.... I wonder how he will send an SMS for imessage activation?

He said his phone number does not work for iMessage overseas which is why I asked if he could make phone calls, but i recieved no response from him yet.

If he can make phone calls he can send SMS.
If he has AT&T or Verizon, he can send internation SMS.
If he can send international SMS he can activate iMessage overseas.

The idea behind airplane mode is to turn off his 4g (HPSA+), 3g(HPSA), or EDGE antennas. When wifi is turned back on, it will force his phone to activate imessage with his email accounts, and when airplane mode goes off it will activate the network used for calling first, which is also what SMS uses. Theoretically it should send the SMS on that network since it is the first available to use for his phone.

since i updated to ios7 imessage is bein run off my email adrres.. how do i get it to work thru my number?? please help

I managed to make it work

1. turned off Facetime and iMessages

2. turned off and on phone

3. turned on iMessages (still had the phone number faded)

4. opened the Facetime app, it asked me to log in with my apple ID

5. when back to settings for iMessages and suddenly got the phone number selected

Let me know if it works for you!

Thank you.Very simple and worked at once.

This worked for me Noahwhite2014... Thank you

Hi I have a problem with my iPhone and iPad when I'm out of country too. I can receive text from androids at anytime but only able to receive text from iPhone when I have wifi. I can send text to everyone, android and iPhone at anytime. Please help

This is probably due to your network limiting your data connection (or yourself turning your 3g, 4g, or LTE off). In order to recieve iMessages you need data (3g, 4g, LTE, or wifi). If youre out of country your network (att, t mobile, verizon, sprint, etc.) may not offer data in the area you are in or the account owner could have opted to disable your data while out of country.

Hope this helps.

Thanks a lot! I've tried many ways but haven't worked until I tried yours!!!

That worked for me!

I had a similar problem and your solution worked. Thanks!

Thanks nanfc,

This worked for me.

Just noticed that I had the same issue selecting "Send & Receive" using only my phone number.

All is right now.

Hello, i have tried all of the above solutions and none of them have worked, my number still appears faded and i cannot sent or receive imesseges on my number, i NEED to be able to do this ASAP do any help would be great, can you please also tell me roughly how long it will take for my number to become solid instead of faded after following the steps you have provided? Thank you