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schoebe5 Author

Level 1

0 points

IOS 8.2 update caused my iMessage to stop working

I just updated my iPhone 4S to IOS 8.2 today, March 9th, and now my iMessage doesn't work. It says it's, "waiting for activation". I can't send or receive texts with iMessage but standard SMS texts seem to work fine. Did this happen to anyone else after updating? If so, did anyone fix it? I've already tried the basic trouble shooting solutions like restarting, hard rebooting, turning my iMessage on and off, resetting my network settings, etc...

iPhone 4S, iOS 8.2

Posted on Mar 9, 2015 8:13 PM

Top-ranking reply

Ludo2000

Level 1

10 points

Posted on Mar 9, 2015 8:20 PM

Have you tried Reset all settings? That may fix the problem if not restoring with a computer would be a good option.

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99 replies

bogdanb

Level 1

4 points

Mar 12, 2015 4:24 PM in response to Ludo2000

and who's restored phone I'll get on mine? slightly shady option.

Any one else having doubts about this option?

Ludo2000

Level 1

10 points

Mar 12, 2015 4:27 PM in response to bogdanb

What do you mean? You download the file which is a blank iOS file put out by Apple it will just downgrade your device and only YOUR data will be on the device. I have downgraded lots of times just make sure you back your device up just in case.

Mar 12, 2015 4:30 PM in response to bogdanb

For issues with iMessages, do the following:

In settings,

1. Turn off iMessage

2. Turn off Facetime

3. Go to General, select Reset, select Reset Network settings

If that doesn't work, then do the following:

1. Backup iPhone via iTunes

2. Unplug iphone from computer

3. Turn off iphone

4. While iPhone is off, plug in the connector while holding down the home button

5. Once iTunes symbol appears on your iPhone screen, click "Restore" on the computer

That will take care of the activation issue. There is NO NEED to downgrade to 8.1.3....automatically ignore anyone that suggests this.

bogdanb

Level 1

4 points

Mar 12, 2015 4:34 PM in response to raven69david

Thanks raven69david,

done all of that, I have even set-up the phone as a new device. Didn't work.

It is not a coincidence... my wife's phone has the same issue.

mine iPhone 5

hers iPhone 5S

both have been updated to 8.2

bogdanb

Level 1

4 points

Mar 12, 2015 4:35 PM in response to Ludo2000

ok I might be wrong, I just find hard to thrust alternative sources for iOS.

Mar 12, 2015 4:39 PM in response to bogdanb

Wow that's strange. I have 7 iOS devices all updated to 8.2 and we had zero issues. If you tried the first part, then definitely restore via recovery mode as you'll need to reinstall 8.2 via a clean install of the software. It sounds like they were all updated via wifi and therefore restoring via recovery mode should fix this.

Erasing all the content and setting up as new is different than restoring the phone via recovery mode. LMK if any add'l help is needed.

Ludo2000

Level 1

10 points

Mar 12, 2015 4:38 PM in response to bogdanb

Apple store all iOS firmwares on their servers the site http://ipsw.me basically just downloads it from Apple servers it is very secure and I've never heard of anyone that have problems with this.

bogdanb

Level 1

4 points

Mar 12, 2015 4:40 PM in response to raven69david

I suspect some apple servers issues, more than iOS 8.2

iPhone 5s was updated via wifi.

iPhone 5 updated using iTunes.

I really think it's not the Phone

as I have mentioned I have even replaced the sim on the 5...

bogdanb

Level 1

4 points

Mar 12, 2015 4:41 PM in response to Saulenc

what carrier are you on?

hheadley

Level 1

0 points

Mar 12, 2015 4:45 PM in response to raven69david

I was having the same problem. I have a 6plus. How I fixed is was to turn off iMessage then reboot the phone and then turn iMessage back on. It is working fine now.

Mar 12, 2015 4:47 PM in response to bogdanb

I totally agree in it not being the iPhone but rather the update. iMessage uses an activation server to process the request. If this is a software issue, then the activation process is not working correctly which is why I suggest the restore via recovery mode option. I deal with these issues daily and the restoring via recovery mode fixes them 100% of the time. If updating via recovery mode doesn't work, then it's a unique situation to your devices specifically and needs to be addressed on a one-off basis by calling in at 1-800-MY-IPHONE.