Q: iOS 7 iMessage won't activate

I tried the network reset & restore to back-ups that were suggested in this thread. As a last resort, I re-installed iOS-7 with a back-up-- worked like a champ. Definitely do a back-up otherwise you'll be starting over with a completely reset phone.

Not buying the server is busy explanation-- I think the software download had a hiccup.

This worked for me. Thank you!

I tried everything

What worked for me was I had an app installed called tugo from O2

I deleted the data in this app then deleted the app restarted phone and activated straight away

Apparently it's not compatible with ios7

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5345392

I rang apple and got told by the support guy who didnt seem to speak good english to wait three days  however reading through lots of forums and posts: The cure is simple but I am not sure people are making it clear.

make a note of all your apps

connect to itunes and back up phone to local pc/mac (possibly icloud I didnt use that)

restore phone to factory settings (It will be io7 that loads) THIS IS NOT THE SAME AS RESTORING FROM THE BACKUP!!!

now restore the backup you just made

takes a little while to do all above but phone seems cleaner and more responsive

Lastly your app WILL NOT be there 

dont panic from the list you made install them I promise all settings in the app will be the same even messages in chat apps wil still be there  

I really hope that helps someone as it took me ages to work through all the things people suggested that didnt work

Thank goodness for chrismac2013!

After days of struggling to find a fix, deleting the Tu Go app fixed it for me. I have been massively frustrated by this the last few days and didn't think it would be caused by a conflict with a 3rd party app. I must have had hundreds of activation text messages, I even started replying to them at one point 'Please help, I'm losing my mind!'

For any O2 customers out there who have the Tu Go app, look no further, this is the fix for you.

I have spent hours trying to fix this issue.  I tried the backup and restore option, unfortunately, I am now left with no apps since I backed up on a PC that was not the primary PC that I use (why isn't "FULL BACKUP" a full backup?  I still haven't been able to resolve all my issues.  This update has been the worst update experience ever.  The screens are pretty, but what use is an update if I am missing important text messages?  Apple really got this one wrong.

I am on o2 and deleting my account for TU GO on O2 and reactivating my iMessage and FaceTime it validated in a couple of minutes, when previously it would just say waiting for authentication.

Deleting TUGO worked for me too! Thanks so much :)

I have no clue why it worked but it did, I activated iMessage on my iPad and iMessage started working immediately on my iPhone.  No problems since.

Thanks for this speedy!!  My nephew on Sasktel had the issue...this 100% worked this morning!!

I FOUND THE FIX FOR THIS.  Really kinda stinks to do all this for an upgrade but not a big deal to be honest. 

If you are having the issue after updating to IOS 7 with factime and imessage saying waiting on activating.  First thing is BACKUP YOUR IPHONE. Backup to iTunes or iCloud.  And just to be safe.  Backup again one that is done. 

You have to restore you phone back to factory.  Let the restore finish.

Then it will prompt on phone to setup

Then go through until you get to restore from iCloud or iTunes.  click which has your most recent backup.

If your going through iTunes click the restore from Backup thats on the screen. 

Allow the Restore to go through all the way.  Once it said its restored let it finish to sync your apps and music and anything else. 

If using iCloud stay in a location with Wifi until the full restore is completed. 

I have done this with Multiple friends and family in the last few days and also myself with ALL being then able to use iMessage and Facetime.  Hope This Helps

Thanks for this!

After hours of trying backups, restore and deleting network settings.  Deleted my account from the O2 tugo app.  Then deleted the app.

Signed out my itunes account out of iMessage and facetime.

Switched off facetime & iMessage

Reset the iphone

Switched iMessage & facetime back on and signed back in!!

Hurray activation!

No more stupid garbled O2 text messages and awaiting activation!

Thanks chrismac - deleting TUGO fixed it for me.. Much swearing at o2 and their craptacular software... I had disabled the app earlier, but hadn't thought to delete all data and log out..

It seems clear from all the forums that imessage / facetime activation can fail for many, many spurious reasons, none of which are transparent. Thus one triumphant user declares that they have the fix that works, when in fact they are just solving their particular problem. The fixes that wonderful people have found and taken the time to post on here are not global. What works for them might not work for you.. I'd try as many different fixes as possible, rather thatn trying the same one over and over..

Perhaps if the activation/registration process that Ios7 uses was less invisible and behind the scenes, then it would be easier to troubleshoot.

Thank You Thank You Thank You!!! after 2 days, 2 restores. a call to apple and o2 and nothing worked deleting the TuGo app Worked!!!!