Level 1

3 points

imessage and Facetime sign in activation error iPad ios8.1.2

I notice another user has posted today 21st Jan 2015, the same problem I have had for a couple of days.

I have an iPad Air, an iPhone 5S and an iMac. Using my iPad on Saturday 18th suddenly couldn't see my imessages or use Facetime (I'd used FT half an hour before it all went); kept on getting Activation error on both Apps. BUT ONLY ON MY IPAD AIR?!

My iPhone and iMac work absolutely fine and I can continue to use both with imessage and Facetime. I have so far done the following, as advised by Apple Support and my local Apple Genius Bar appointment today:

Hard reset. Used home button and off button to reset. Didn't work
Reset Network settings. Didn't work
Reset All settings. Didn't work
Backed up and Restored iPad. Tried to log in to iMessage and Facetime from as new setup before restoring backup. Didn't work
Apple Genius bar performed a "deep restore". Didn't work
Apple Genius bar performed a "set up as brand new iPad" process. Didn't work
Logged out of Apple ID on iPhone then tried logging in to same Apple ID on iPad. Didn't work
Apple confirmed my Apple ID is correctly verified on their system.

Apple have now escalated my issue to their Engineering Team, so I hope they can fix, but the Apple guy in the store said he'd never come across this problem before.

I have been told IT IS NOT a hardware issue, it has to a a software issue, but it sounds more like me that it's an Apple verification issue on their servers?

If anyone has come across this, or can provide any other ideas I'd be most grateful. I still have use of imessage and Factime on my iPhone and iMac, so its more frustration that I have an expensive iPad Air that is missing paid-for functionality that I expect Apple to address and nothing more.

Thanks in advance 🙂

iPad Air, iOS 8.1.2

Posted on Jan 21, 2015 7:18 AM

437 replies

Jan 29, 2015 1:34 PM in response to Dawnie3118

My original Ipad Air was almost out of the one year warranty when the speaker went out. They replaced it with the one I have now. The warranty on a replacement is 90 days or whenever your existing warranty expires if it is longer.

Jan 29, 2015 7:52 PM in response to annie1971

Something must be happening because when I just tried to sign in the iMessage i actually saw the iMessage page with the button and all of the settings. It disappeared and went back to the sign in, but at least I saw some activity!

Jan 29, 2015 8:38 PM in response to JMC1989

I Have to say that's more than mine has been doing. For a brief moment I saw all of the iMessage settings. Then they went away. The button stayed for a while, but it's gone now too. Back to the infuriating sign on page!

m2msilva

Level 1

52 points

Jan 29, 2015 9:23 PM in response to annie1971

Lots of help from Mike (tech support) today. We tried everything again and the engineers messaged him back saying don't replace iPad (I had appointment to do that) and to just wait and make sure I do all software updates. it seems cryptic and he thinks this means they are working on a fix and it should be out soon. Anyone having problems make sure you call in. You won't be charged any money, and its important they get your information so you can be sure yours gets fixed. I think this is something we are just going to have to wait for a fix for. They are very aware.

Jan 30, 2015 6:16 AM in response to Mikedonna

i just checked and mine works I think the fix might be to talk to a senior adviser so they can send your information to the engineers cause mine was out since January 9th I don't think it was a coincidence that it started working after my phone call to apple I'm glad I didn't go to the store, after I called it took over a day to come back and it was with a senior advisor who ran a diagnostic and took down my information.

Jan 30, 2015 6:27 AM in response to Gabbyandbella29

Gabbyandbella29 wrote:

i just checked and mine works I think the fix might be to talk to a senior adviser so they can send your information to the engineers cause mine was out since January 9th I don't think it was a coincidence that it started working after my phone call to apple I'm glad I didn't go to the store, after I called it took over a day to come back and it was with a senior advisor who ran a diagnostic and took down my information.

MMine is working now, too!

Jan 30, 2015 7:10 AM in response to JMC1989

I Had to turn my iPad off, then on again and it sent the code to allow my cellphone to come through. I had to renter that. My stored messages are from Oct 2014, I guess because I had restored it from an older backup when I was trying to get iMessage back several days ago.

mcfloyd49 Author

Level 1

3 points

Jan 30, 2015 7:13 AM in response to JMC1989

As with a number of other users in the last few moments or so, I too can now access FaceTime and imessage on my iPad air correctly. Hooray! 🙂

I Did have a specific Apple support case with a senior tech running last few days so whether that helped, and I did point them in the direction of my post as well.

thanks everyone for your posts and support to help get the issue resolved!

m2msilva

Level 1

52 points

Jan 30, 2015 10:39 AM in response to mcfloyd49

Mine is working as well. Woohoo! Thank you senior techs and engineers. just remember to go to your settings on your phone for Messages and then the Text Message Forwarding turn on if u want all messages sent to your iPad.

Jan 30, 2015 1:31 PM in response to mcfloyd49

what the heck!!! After 2 weeks of trying to sign in, I managed to sign in just now, I managed to do one FaceTime call, when I ended the call it signed me back out again, now I can't log back in again!!!

Jan 30, 2015 11:08 PM in response to mcfloyd49

MIne randomly stopped working Jan 15th, can't sign into iMessage or FaceTime, installed the latest update STILL not working. I have a iPad mini 2, hasn't been replaced, bought back in May. Super annoyed, Apple!

Jan 30, 2015 11:18 PM in response to mcfloyd49

Still unable to get imessage and face time to work on my ipad air 😟 and spare a thougt for those of us in a country with no support (like Kenya) just hoping some tekkie somewhere will sort it out !!!

Jan 31, 2015 3:25 AM in response to mcfloyd49

Mine just started working out of the blue. I did make two calls to a Senior tech who was very supportive, who then forwarded my case to the engineers. Not sure if that is why it's working now our not, just hope it stays working!

Jan 31, 2015 7:04 AM in response to NC_Papa_Len

TThe senior tech that I was speaking to just followed up a phone call and was unaware that my iMessage had started working yesterday morning. She has been very nice and helpful. It helped to know someone cared what was happening. I don't think that made mine come on faster though. I think whatever was messed up just got fixed. I hope everyone got theirs back.

Jan 31, 2015 7:15 AM in response to annie1971

HHow do you get to senior tech. Just got a call back from regular tech...going through all this again. Now hinting I may have to pay for support? This is call number four. So discouraged. I feel like I am in phone ****.

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imessage and Facetime sign in activation error iPad ios8.1.2