You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

💡 Did you know?

⏺ If you can't accept iCloud Terms and Conditions... Learn more >

⏺ If you don't see your iCloud notes in the Notes app... Learn more >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

disable message "Your carrier may charge for SMS messages used to activate iMessage"

Since updating to IOS 9.1 my Iphone 4S frequently displays a popup warning from facetime and imessage

"Your carrier may charge for SMS messages used to activate iMessage"


I never used this feature and have no intension to. both facetime and imessage are deactivated but i keep getting this warnings.

How can I turn them off or disable the warnings its driving me nuts.

iPhone 4S, iOS 9.1, null

Posted on Dec 11, 2015 6:30 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 14, 2017 1:27 PM

Try the following method, I found it myself:

1. Go to Settings - iCloud.

2. Click on your's account first and last name.

You will see "Contact information", "Password & Security", "Devices", "Payment".

3. Click on "Contact information".

4. Add your phone number. Verify it. Its status will change to "Verified".


That's all. Now you will not get these nasty iMessage dialogs.

103 replies

Mar 22, 2017 12:15 PM in response to RichardBurfitt

I have exactly the same problem since I have started using an "unofficial" iMessage certified carrier (Lycamobile in my case, which is a MVNO).


Have tried the different "solutions" found here, and I thought that registering my number would have helped... But 2 days later, the message popped up again.


I always have to hit Cancel, otherwise Lycamobile charges me a SMS to a UK number owned by Apple to initialize iMessage.


Unfortunately I have not found a solution to this problem. Would be great if someone knows how to avoid this annoying popup!

Mar 27, 2017 4:26 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

Great idea - - - but it doesn't work.




Still getting them




Richard Burfitt




From: Apple Support Communities Updates

discussions-updates@apple.com

Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2017 7:38 PM

To: RichardBurfitt

Subject: - disable message "Your carrier may charge for

SMS messages used to activate iMessage"








<https://www.apple.com/support/assets/images/external/emails/logo_2x.gif>





Apple Support Communities





<https://discussions.apple.com/profile/Lawrence+Finch?ac_cid=tw123456>

Lawrence Finch has posted in the Using iPhone community.






<https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7373922?answerId=31537069022#31537069022&ac_cid=tw123456#31537069>

disable message "Your carrier may charge for SMS messages used to activate

iMessage"



TThe solution has been posted several times. Go to Setting/messages. Turn it

on if it is off. Tap on send & receive. Tap on your Apple ID and log out.





To post a reply,

<https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7373922?answerId=31537069022#31537069022&ac_cid=tw123456#31537069> go

to the discussion in Communities.





You are receiving this email from Communities. You can change your email

preferences in your

<https://discussions.apple.com/user-preferences!input.jspa> Communities

Profile. Please expect a slight delay in visibility of points awarded.



TM and copyright C 2016 Apple Inc. 1 Infinite Loop, MS 96-DM. Cupertino, CA

95014.



<http://www.apple.com/legal/> All Rights Reserved |

<http://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/> Privacy Policy |

<https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-5952> Terms of Use |

<https://www.apple.com/support/> Apple Support

Jun 4, 2017 2:54 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

I am using ios 10.3.2 . Your answer do not solve the problem. I have seen repeatedly you have given the same answer but it does not fix the problem. I have lost money when following your answer. Only a technical person from Apple can help to fix it. Hopefully in the next update they will correct it. Is there any way to inform this bug to apple?

Jun 8, 2017 12:17 AM in response to ArunIndia15

I am using IPhone 5 and ios 10.3.2 . I am receiving this message whenever the network goes and come back "Your carrier may charge for SMS messages used to activate iMessage". I have tried so many option but no use. My iphone is not registered for iMessage. I click 'OK' than money got deducted from my account. Seeing the message "Your carrier may charge for SMS messages used to activate iMessage" is irritating. Is there any way to inform this bug to apple?

Jun 17, 2017 12:14 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

This really does NOT help! Also, I want to be able to signed in to my Apple ID, and not use buggy iMessage feature. Why do you keep repeating same thing for no reason? All well?


I am also getting same issue after upgrading at some point. However logging out of Apple ID helped, but that's nopt the full solution. Apple really needs to pay attention to these Bugs. I had been thinking very high of iOS, so sad.

Jun 17, 2017 12:27 AM in response to MayurKubavat

Sorry, but why would you get that message if you have the iMessage button turned off. Is it getting turned back on again?


And the reason the same answer gets repeated is because people keep asking the same question. There are no other answers. This is a user to user technical support forum, so we provide the information and troubleshooting suggestions that we have.


And, again, it is not a bug if you are using a non-supported carrier - they are not supported.


Are you in the UK? Is your carrier a non-supported carrier?


GB

Jun 17, 2017 12:39 AM in response to gail from maine

Hi Gail,


The iMessage button is always turned-off. What I meant to say is, that's not the answer which helps. You mean, the iOS keeps asking me to turn on iMessage, more than five times a day, and which I cancel every time, is not a bug! I'm in India, and I've seen this issue on two different carriers. Guess what Apple is asking from us is to live with this pop-ups as it's not a bug!!

Jun 17, 2017 7:14 AM in response to MayurKubavat

MayurKubavat wrote:


Hi Gail,


The iMessage button is always turned-off. What I meant to say is, that's not the answer which helps. You mean, the iOS keeps asking me to turn on iMessage, more than five times a day, and which I cancel every time, is not a bug! I'm in India, and I've seen this issue on two different carriers. Guess what Apple is asking from us is to live with this pop-ups as it's not a bug!!

It doesn't matter if the iMessage button is turned off. What matters is if you are signed into iMessage, whether it is on or off. Which is why to must sign OUT of iMessage. This may mean turning it on just so you can see your iCloud ID and sign out. You must also sign out of FaceTime, and you must turn it on to do that.

Jun 17, 2017 8:28 AM in response to MayurKubavat

MayurKubavat wrote:


Hey,


Signing out of iCloud is not an option! I need to re-enter credit card details and login again when installing new app. Then I believe 'turn-off button' for iMessage is useless then, buggy iOS huh! Guys I lost around 200 INR from iMessage activation issues, fix it please.



You clearly responded without reading or understanding what I said. I did NOT say to sign out of iCloud. I said Sign out of your Apple ID in the MESSAGES APP and in the FACETIME APP. Again, I did NOT say sign out of iCloud.

Jul 20, 2017 10:12 AM in response to Tingeltangelmike

I solved it!

It's all about activating !read the message carefully!

"Your carrier may charge for SMS messages used to activate iMessage"

The message comes as long as your IMessage is not activated! "Activated" means neither "Enabled" nor "Turned OFF". It's stupid but the message will no more come if:

- you first activate IMessage (when the pop-up/warning comes then click OK)

- after this you have to sign out of your Apple ID in the MESSAGES APP and in the FACETIME APP (see Lawrence advices)

- after you Turn OFF the MESSAGES APP and in the FACETIME APP (don't use IMessage and FaceTime)

At the end you have activated the IMessage (so is no more need for Pop-up/Warning to arise), and on the other hand you turn it off for not using it.

The idea behind is: "You must activate it but after you are free to don't use it!" :-)

I suppose when the the IPhones log-in by your carrier, then a query runs... like this:

Does your carrier work with us(Apple)?

if YES then no problem by activation (if someday you want to do it)

if NO then I must warn you (because I love you and take care about your money)... and this has nothing to do with your future intention to use the IMessage or not... it's all about activation!... and love :-)


I've found no logic behind of this IMessage implementation (except love and care about your money!)...

You must pay it one time(for activation and for your silent). After you can choice to use it or not!

I hope it helps... If not, be not nervous!

disable message "Your carrier may charge for SMS messages used to activate iMessage"

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.