Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

iOS 7 iMessage won't activate

My iMessage & FaceTime won't work after I updated to iOS 7. Just says waiting to activate. Anyway I can fix this?

iPhone 5, iOS 7, iMessage

Posted on Sep 18, 2013 12:45 PM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Sep 18, 2013 1:44 PM

I have this problem too, my iPad ok but iPhone 5 just says waiting for activation and is the same for FaceTime.


Wondered if there'd be a **** up with this upgrade.

654 replies

Sep 18, 2013 10:57 PM in response to Woolfman

Woolfman's solution worked for me too. Backed up iphone via iTunes to my XP laptop. Updated my 16 GB 4S via the iphone General, Software Update option instead of using iTunes. The download & install took well over 1 hour for me to do. Once installed, I couldn't activate my @me account on either iMessage and Facetime. Tried Resetting network, tried other tricks listed with airplane mode, cellular data & wifi and rebooting iphone multiple times. Nothing worked.


Then I tried Woolfman's solution, but instead of erasing contents first, I connected my iphone to my laptop and selected Restore Backup. I needed to disable Find my iphone under iCloud. I then restored the backup I had on my laptop. 45 minutes later after if finally rebooted, I went thru the steps again to connect via icloud and input my @me password. Everything is working now. I can use iMessage and Facetime.

Sep 18, 2013 11:54 PM in response to Seanm85

Same exact problem with iMessage and FaceTime and tried everything that has been posted here and here is what worked for me. I think this will work for everyone and give up on "Reseting Network Settings and "Time". I did a back up on iCloud and a Back up on my PC. I am glad I have enough space to do a complete Back UP on iCloud because I just found out yesterday my hard drive is starting to fail and my Back Up on the PC was BAD. One would think once you do one it would verify it and let you know it is good, but I guess Apple does not think that far ahead. I am Soooo glad I have iCloud and had enough space to back everything up and enoughcommon sense to do a back up before I did the IOS 7 Update that everyone is having problems with.


Doing the Back up and Restore worked for me Perfect and did not have to enter Anything for iMessage or FaceTime to work it came back all on its own and no more "Cannot Connect to Network".


This worked for me and I got my Camera Roll back and text messages and I think iCloud is the reason for that, but cannot say for sure. I was going to get a Mac for a new laptop, but I think I will stick with a PC.


This worked for me and I hope it works for everyone else too and I know it is a little bit of work to do and then put all your music, photo albums, and videos back on, but it seems to be the fix unless Apple comes out with something else.

Sep 19, 2013 12:08 AM in response to SmartGiri

The activation, download, iCloud, iTunes, and every other server you can think of are being slammed right now. You are going to have to wait until tomorrow and try again.


If you get on the Freeway in LA at 4:00 in the afternoon, you are going to be sitting in traffic for hours. If you wait until 7:00, you will breeze home in minutes.


Same idea here....


You are currently in a traffic jam. All you can do is wait it out. Hope you brought a good book!


Cheers,


GB

Sep 19, 2013 12:09 AM in response to Seanm85

Not sure if it can help anyone, but here's what helped me.


My iMessage didn't work (couldn' activate it) with my phone number. When i checkmarked an e-mail address, it started working but there was "Waiting for activation" message.


I logged in into my Apple ID on apple.com and re-saved my phone number there. Then imessage and facetime activated and started working properly.

iOS 7 iMessage won't activate

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.