Q: I can't log in to Messages or FaceTime with my iCloud account.

I had the same iMessage login issue and although 'Set date & time automatically' was checked, the value that was set for the Apple time service URI wasn't present in the list to the right of the checkbox.

I chose 'Apple Europe' from the list and was then able to log in to iMessage.

iMessage and FaceTime login did not work for one account, the other accounts were ok.

Since I use the login keychain for various passwords I did not want to reset the whole keychain.

Finally it helped to delete a single entry in the account's login keychain:

IDS: <apple-id-or-icloud-account>-AuthToken

Since I did not find this hint anywhere, I post it here.

Schorg

Hi Harpa1 or anyone else. You couldnt tell me where I can get a copy of blank board serializer could you? Struggling to find one that looks genuine.

Basically had my logic board replaced by an approved apple dealer and they did not put the serial number in which left me stumped for over a year in not being able to use anythin Icloud. Just realised this is why.  Since they performed the work they have gone bust /closed down.  Looking to do it myself as the nearest apple shop is 40 miles away.

I have found dmg files that have directions on how to use it, but there is nothing else in the folder expect 2 txt files.

Any help much appreciated.

Hi,

I have seen such info posted.

However I cannot remember the name of the App/utility involved.

I do remember that there were three versions and you have to make sure you get the right one.

I did a search for Posts that mention "flash Mac Serial Number"

And only got these

Of the ones I checked non seems to mention to utilities that have been mentioned.

7:56 pm      Monday; March 3, 2014

Hey Ralph, I managed to get a working copy of blank board serializer.  Worked a treat and can now sign into imessage, icloud and facetime on my MBP.

For anyone interested in doing this then i just put in my old serial number as written on the base of my MBP even thought the logic board had been replaced.  I did open it up and removed the battery but couldnt see the numbers in question inside. If your computer doesnt havea serial number then this is the fix for getting on icloud.

Thanks for letting us know.

9:08 pm      Monday; March 3, 2014

Confirm @mucklepaws suggestions. 

I followed the instructions at the following site http://rogersm.net/icloud-problems-mountain-lion-serial-number and was able to log into Facetime on the first time

Hi Schorg, after tried lots of methods and I don't want to reinstall system, finally, Schorg's way works for me! Thanks!

After much research the solution that worked for me was to change the date &amp; time to "Set Automatically"

Not sure if it will work for everyone but that solved the problem for me. I signed in and it works perfectly now!

I'll share my version of this problem fix.  I upgraded to Maverick several months ago and have had no problems with logging into and using imessage and facetime.  Three days ago I replaced the battery on my 2011 Macbook Pro and that seemed to correlate with when the imessages stopped syncing.  (I didn't notice for a couple days as I message mostly off my iphone.)  I've never changed out the motherboard and so of course my serial number was still there.

Anyways, after reading about and attempting several of the fixes suggested and seeking help from a professional here in town, I simply changed the DNS servers to 8.8.4.4 and 8.8.8.8 as suggested by Ralph in an early post on this thread, and BAM .... signed in and both imessage and facetime are working again.

Thanks Ralph!

Hi,

You are welcome.

7:14 pm      Sunday; June 1, 2014

I couldn't believe it, I used disk utility for repair disk and it didn't kick me off right away, only problem now is actually enabling the account.

Hi,

Some people have reported that updating to Mavericks "Removed" their Serial Number so it is worth looking.

If that does not seem to be the cause use the Finder > Go Menu > Go folder and enter ~/Library/Preferences in to the dialogue box.

In the Preferences find the com.apple.imessages.bag.plist and the com.apple.ids.service.com.apple.iMessage.plist and drag bot to the Trash and Restart Messages.

The first holds the Server info and the second holds the Apple ID and "Aliases" in use.

You are likely to be asked to re-add your Apple ID

8:16 pm      Tuesday; July 22, 2014

Still having this problem... I have tried ALL of the possible solutions without any luck.

The closest I have been to be logged into iMessages is to delete some of the .plist, then reboot and for a few seconds I am logged in to iMessage, then the error message overrules. This only happens after rebooting and not when closing and opening iMessage.

Hi Ralph (or anyone reading this message, to be honest),

I've tried absolutely everything in this thread (and more) but nothing works.

I'm on a Macbook Pro (Mid 2010), version 10.10 (so updated to Yosemite - works perfectly) and the serial number show up.

After doing everything you've suggested it still gives me the error message "Your Apple ID can't be used to set up iMessage at this time."

I thought my apple ID worked for iMessage on my iPhone (5S, iOS 8.1) but it turns out that iMessage only works on my phone because I'm using my phone number for it as well. So.. the problem seems to be the apple ID somehow?

It's extremely frustrating and I'm writing this in the hope that maybe you have one last suggestion that will magically fix it.

I used to be able to use iMessage on my Macbook and it worked just fine. When I got an iPhone about 4 months ago I started using it less and less -

up until a few weeks ago when I wanted to talk to someone about something while we were in a library, so silently - on iMessage.

That's when I noticed it wasn't working - and it wasn't working for my friend either (she hadn't upgraded to Yosemite yet at this point, haven't asked if hers works again).

Lots of people here have been talking about it not working since they upgraded to Mavericks,

but I'm 100% sure it worked for me before Yosemite came out.

Anyway, quite a long message with possibly some unnecessary details. Hope you can help me.

Thanks in advance,

Andra