Your Apple ID XXX can't be used to set up iMessage at this time.

I was able to solve this problem by simply logging in here: https://appleid.apple.com/ and it immediately required me to make a more secure password. Once that was done I was able to log into iMessage without any issue. No call to Apple required.

I was mistaken, although the immediate error message went away I was not actually logged into my Apple ID account. I followed the directions and was told there would be a $19.99 charge to be connected to someone that can help me deal with the problem. Very disappointed that the OS tells me I have to contact apple to complete registration then they tell me it costs money.

Hi,

It should not Cost.

It is important to get across to the person at Apple Care that it is an Account issue and that the iMessages account is just the reporting app.

Ask to speak to a Level 2 person if you make no progress.

The issue has been pushed upstairs to the Hosts (they will have better contact with Apple Care and this may be enough to sort the issue).

9:23 pm Thursday; September 25, 2014

Update from above: After failing a self service fix I followed the recommended steps earlier in this thread I went to https://getsupport.apple.com/Issues.action then 'See All products and Services', then More Products and Services, iCloud, Account and Setup, Troubleshooting iCloud account issues, then Scheduled a Call.

Technician phoned me at the appointed time and was able to reset things from his side with only the ID code that iMessage had provided (no security questions needed). Took less than five minutes.

Good to hear.

6:30 pm Friday; September 26, 2014

I ran into the same problem that out of the blue could no longer log into both Messages and FaceTime on my Macbook Pro (Mavericks). My iPad (iOS7) was working fine with both programs. On my Macbook Pro I got "Your Apple ID XXX can't be used to set up iMessage at this time. ...Contact iMessage support with the code below" dialog in Messages. FaceTime got stuck on "verifying".

Like craig42, went to https://getsupport.apple.com/GetproductgroupList.action > More products and Services > Apple ID > More Apple ID Topics > Message and Apple ID > Schedule a Call.

The support technician told me that the connection between their servers and (in my case) my macbook pro needed to be re-established. I needed the Customer Code from Messages and my Macbook Pro serial number. All sorted within five minutes, no costs involved.

Hi there, i had the same problem with the code they gave. Just give them a call with the number they gave.

1. They will ask for your Macbook series number, and if yours is more than one year old, they will ask for $19 FEE for online support.

2. Tell them NO, this is not Macbook problem, it's iMessage problem from sever.

3. Then, they will say ok. They need you to read your iCloud account, the CODE they gave you. They will active your account in seconds. What you need to do are:

-Sign in iMessage and FaceTime after they said ok to do that.

-Close the iMessage app, FaceTime app, then turn them back on.

-Check to see if they work properly or not before hang up the phone.

Hope this works well for you guys.

Hi!

I have a 13-inch early-2009 Macbook, running OS X Yosemite. I have had this problem ever since I upgraded my OS to OS X Mavericks months ago. I also remember encountering this problem when I first upgraded my OS to Mountain Lion, and I had to search up possible solutions on the Internet, particularly those threads where Mr. Ralph Johns had commented on. I was able to resolve this problem back then (thanks to Mr. Johns' advice). When this happened again after upgrading to OS X Mavericks, I tried going through the same options to get the iMessage working (which involved changing files' names and contents, editing some text files, re-authorizing my computer in iTunes, etc.), but to no avail. I upgraded to OS X Yosemite last night (even did a clean install) for hopes of resolving this. Still, nothing happened. I kept getting the same error message.

I then read up somewhere that the Apple Support won't charge you for iMessage activation, so I finally gave in to what others called the "last resort". Eventually, I called up Apple Support, and I was asked about my validation code and my Apple ID. Afterwards, they asked me if I still remember the answers to the security questions that I have set up with my Apple ID. You have to give at least 2 correct answers (there are 3 questions). Then the tech support person will activate your iMessage on their servers for less than a minute. He/She will then ask you to sign in to your account once more to see if it's already working.

Mine worked immediately after the first attempt.

The tech support guy was very accommodating just like the other tech support people I have talked to in the past. There was never a mention of charging me for their service, and they didn't have to ask for my Mac's serial number at all. Moreover, there wasn't any mention of my product warranty or whatsoever. iMessage activation should be free. If they want to charge you for this service, you may want to talk to their superiors. They would know better.

Worked fine for me. Thanks Ralph John for the solution you posted at 8:18 pm on Tuesday; September 9, 2014.

Hi,

You're welcome.

8:28 PM Monday; November 24, 2014

Same problem, except I live in Trinidad and there's no Apple support number for my country. Even when I follow the links posted to request support online, all it directs me to is latin American phone support numbers which I won't call because of international call fees AND because I don't speak Spanish so I'm unlikely to be successful anyway. Any ideas?

Hi,

Do you have any access to English Speaking AppleCare services ?

Is there an Apple Store that could help you to "make the Call" as it were ?

8:39 PM Thursday; December 4, 2014

First, I had this same exact problem, called Apple, gave them the code an all is well now with FaceTime and iMessage. So What do you mean "you called Apple without response". Kinda vague answer. Makes me suspicious of you and some of the other who are "afraid" to call Apple Support. Me thinks you are using BitTorrent or FreeLoad software or some kind of Hackintosh setup.

The resolution for this is to have customer call Apple 1-800-692-7753. This is something that can only be resolved by an advisor