imessage and Facetime sign in activation error iPad ios8.1.2

Mine started to work few minutes ago after almost two weeks. No call to apple representative (i could go directly to an apple store today) giving them sometime.

Ipad air (replacement on last octber 25th).

Go to support online and create a case ID or just call 1-800-275-2273. Don't back down. tell them you tried all the suggestions.

They know it is a widespread problem according to the tech I just spoke to. Ask to escalate the issue to a senior Tech.

Hopefully if they get bombarded with a huge bunch of phone calls they will get the lead out. They already have a list of

troubleshooting suggestions in front of them so they are aware there is a problem!! Just convince them you tried them

all and ask for a senior tech. (I was in customer service elsewhere a few years back, I have an idea of their procedures.)

Just back from picking up a replacement iPad and it works. I am back on iMessage and FaceTime after more than two weeks. Thank you to everybody who has posted on here. It really helps to know you're not the only one suffering a particular issue. If your iPad is still under warranty or you've had a replacement which is still under the 90 day warranty I suggest you phone Apple and push to get it replaced.

II'm pretty sure the problem is not with our iPads. its a problem with Apple. They're getting it fixed. Many of us have already been able to sign back into iMessage, but if you can't you should definitely call in. You shouldn't have to pay the fee. I didn't.

I finally got in touch with a senior advisor who is forwarding to the engineers, She told me that she would be my contact from here on out, even attached the link to this thread. This was my fourth call, I thought things had been sent on, but they had not. You just have to be persistent. Of course mine is still not working, but this is the first time I feel some hope. Thanks to all for taking the time to post, especially those who have gotten theirs working. Your advice has been so appreciated. I will let you know what happens, she is going to call me back Monday. I also have her contact information which is a first also.

I had called Apple support but didn't finish the call. I was really frustrated with them and never got pass the first tech. So I don't think you have to call them. They are fixing it if you call or don't call I don't think it matters. I don't think they have to know about your specific device. They are fixing the main problem.

THank you Apple even if I was really frustrated with you.

Based on people's experiences. It sounds like it's not specifically an issue with the iPad hardware itself But rather in the communication authorization process between the iPad and the Apple servers when trying to authenticate. Apple might have a master list of serial numbers in their database of every iPad made and its trying to authenticate by checking this list and perhaps there are a hunch of iPad that's not on this list or has an error authenticating. So with there seems to be two way to fixing this:

1) contact Apple senior tech support and get them to run a diagnosis on your iPad check the serial no. and work with the senior software enginees to fix the authentication issue specific to your iPad. This may take a while but for those with expired warranty it may be the only recourse.

2) go to the Apple store, run thru all their tedious troubleshooting steps to prove to them you're not just an idiot user and get an iPad replacement whode serial no wont have an issue authenticating to the Apple servers.

Again, I don't think any of this is necessary. Apple knows which devices are not working. They will fix it just like they did mine and I gave them no info and certainly did not run any diagnosis. Call if you will but I don't think you have to. Apple is fixing them some faster than others but it will be fixed.

I think calling is one of the best chances, I finally got connected to a Senior tech who is forwarding to engineers. Hoping by early next week they flip my switch, perhaps some are lucky, but most of the success stories here are those who have taken this path......good luck to all, sure would like to put this thread to rest

Same issue. I only noticed it after downloading the latest update. But may have nothing to do with that. have an iPad 4th Gen. And have never had any problems with it before. Think Apple will work on this soon?

It might start working again for a lot of people it started working again, mine started working on Friday after not working for 3 weeks, just keep trying to sign in everyday I'm pretty sure apple will have it fixed for everyone soon. Or to speed it up you can call apple support and they forward your information to a senior tech and they fix it on their end somehow but its not the actual iPad its on apples end, I came pretty close to just having my iPad replaced but I'm glad I didn't.

right but it's about timing. They might be fixing it as we speak or they have fixed it for some people but not for everyone yet. I needed to be on iMessage last week right away so I went with the Apple Store route and it workes out for me. Just sharing my experience with the community not saying everyone should go my route.

Just sharing my story. I just got off phone with tech and I now have facetime and imessage working. Thought I had tried everything. He had me backup to computer , then restore ipad as new (imessage work? Yes) then restore from backup (imessage still work? yes). He told me that this seems to correct the problem for 90% of people. Hope it helps even one 🙂

Similar story for me. I had put off phoning Support as out of warranty, and thought maybe Apple would come up with a global fix. When I did eventually phone (yesterday) the advisors were very friendly, helpful and patient, and I was not charged for the support. I was guided through the process to install iTunes on my laptop (as I didn't already have it), then fully backup my iPad to iTunes. I then had to fully erase the iPad, and then reinstall everything from iTunes. Facetime and iMessage now work, with no sign-in activation problem.

If anyone decides to try this themselves, certain Apps may need to be authorised for storage on the computer. If this message occurs during the backup, it is best not to skip it or the Apps in question won't be automatically reinstalled on the iPad. You need to click Store > Authorise this Computer. If the "Store" tab is not initially visible, press the Alt key on the computer.

I was on the phone with support a long time today. My iPad is from eBay and it was made as a cellular + wifi but cellular is disabled so it's been essentially a wifi ipad with no second thought. Support says that the Facetime and Messages activation proceses uses cellular if you have cellular so that is why mine is not working. This might be an issue for others too. It might not be resolveable. PS to clarify I posted last week that mine worked - it looked like it signed in but when I tried to use it, it was not actually signed in.