iMessage: "Waiting for activation"

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Level 1

139 points

iMessage: "Waiting for activation"

Installed iOS 7 on iPhone 4. Under iMessage switch in "Messages" under "Settings" it says "Waiting for activation." Could someone explain what is going on?

Posted on Sep 22, 2013 9:43 AM

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Answer 1

Mr.Gooch

Level 1

10 points

Jul 9, 2017 5:11 AM in response to SteveDC

I went to an SE from a 6 and I got the Facetime and iMessage "Waiting for Activation". For three days I tried resets, hard resets, turn on and off and everything, and I mean everything, to resolve it. Nothing worked. My service provider was clueless. I was on the verge of returning my SE. On a whim I decided to put the old sim card from the 6 into the SE. Of course it had already been deactivated. I took it out, put back in the SE sim card and within a minute or two my phone was working. I'm on my second day and so far everything is working as it should. I don't know why but it worked for me.

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Answer 2

ckuan

Level 10

120,680 points

Sep 22, 2013 9:43 AM in response to SteveDC

Troubleshooting iMessage activation:

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4268

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Answer 3

SteveDC Author

Level 1

139 points

Sep 22, 2013 9:45 AM in response to ckuan

That link says "To use iMessage with your Apple ID, navigate to Settings > Messages > Receive At"

I don't have a "Receive At" under Settings>Messages.

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Answer 4

ckuan

Level 10

120,680 points

Sep 22, 2013 9:48 AM in response to SteveDC

In IOS7:

Settings > Messages > Send & Receive > You can be reached by iMessage at:

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Answer 5

SteveDC Author

Level 1

139 points

Sep 22, 2013 10:02 AM in response to ckuan

Under "You can be reached at iMessage at" I see an old phone number from an old SIM card I no longer use.

Settings>Phone>My Number shows the correct, current number.

I suppose if I could change the number under "You can be reached at iMessage at" it would work, but I don't see how to do that.

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Answer 6

ckuan

Level 10

120,680 points

Sep 22, 2013 10:05 AM in response to SteveDC

Switch of iMessage and do a restore as new.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1414

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Answer 7

SteveDC Author

Level 1

139 points

Sep 22, 2013 12:25 PM in response to ckuan

Did a restore. Fixes the phone number so it's correct, but still get "Waiting for activation message."

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Answer 8

SteveDC Author

Level 1

139 points

Sep 22, 2013 2:05 PM in response to ckuan

Well, just letting it sit an hour seems to have taken care of it. No more "Waiting" message. Maybe the servers are still getting hit hard. Thanks for the help.

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Answer 9

ckuan

Level 10

120,680 points

Sep 22, 2013 4:32 PM in response to SteveDC

You're welcome.

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Answer 10

Jan 6, 2015 4:37 AM in response to SteveDC

For the ones who tried everything (inc. reset and/or restore) but still couldn't activate iMessage and FaceTime with their cellular number, I strongly suggest you to major on your mobile phone network operator. Even if you have an active international sms plan that charges the activation sms's, there might be a problem(I have no idea why but some kind of line forwarding/redirecting problem) about your line. Especially the ones who travels internationally much. For your information...

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Answer 11

Feb 9, 2015 6:18 PM in response to SteveDC

Dear Apple - Please improve the error message so we - your customers - can find the resolution easier. I've seen various posts: Make sure you are selected as the contact in MAIL. Turn off message / face time (duh, can't get to it to turn it off due to the error). Check time zone, time, language, your address, your horoscope (wait - didn't try that yet). Stating: iMessage activation - problem: Time zone conflict or something to that effect. I've tried all of the solutions, and I am now on device reset and restore. I have spent 2 hours last night, 30 mins this morning, and 3 hours tonight to get to this point. A better error message would have really helped. Can you add that to ios 8.1.4?

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