Dejong2001
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: phone number not showing in imessage "start new conversation from" section

I have recently switched providers.  I am unable to activate iMessage,  it just says it is waiting for activation and then followed by activation failed error.   When I go into the Send and Receive option, my phone number does not show up at all.  There is also no "start new conversations from" section.  I have all the recent ios updates on my iPhone 5s.  I have tried the obvious turning iMessage on and off.  I have also done a back up and reset if the iPhone without any luck.  Please let me know if there is anything else I can try.

iPhone 5s, iOS 9.2.1

Posted on Jan 22, 2016 6:37 PM

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Dejong2001

Q: phone number not showing in imessage "start new conversation from" section

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  • Helpful answers

  • by jeremy_v,

    jeremy_v jeremy_v Jan 24, 2016 6:42 AM in response to Dejong2001
    Community Specialists
    Jan 24, 2016 6:42 AM in response to Dejong2001

    Hi Dejong2001,
     

    Thank you for contributing to the Apple Support Communities.
     

    It looks like you're not able to activate iMessage and you've tried some good troubleshooting steps. Here are the steps recommended by If you get an error when trying to activate iMessage or FaceTime:
     

    Check your device settings
     

    1. Make sure that you’re connected to a cellular data or Wi-Fi network. If you're using an iPhone, you'll need SMS messaging to activate your phone number with iMessage and FaceTime. Depending on your carrier, you might be charged for this SMS.
       
    2. Go to Settings > General > Date & Time and make sure that you've set up your time zone correctly.
       

    Turn off and restart iMessage and FaceTime
     

    1. Go to Settings > Messages and turn off iMessage.
       
    2. Go to Settings > FaceTime and turn off FaceTime.
       
    3. Restart your device.
       
    4. Turn iMessage and FaceTime back on.
       

    Still not activated after a day? 
     

    It might take up to 24 hours to activate iMessage and FaceTime. If you've waited more than 24 hours, follow these steps:
     

    1. Make sure that your device has the latest version of iOS.
       
    2. If you're using an iPhone, contact your carrier to make sure that you can receive SMS messages.
       
    3. Contact Apple Support.


    You may want to try them all in the order mentioned above, including the steps you've already tried.


    Sincerely.

  • by Dejong2001,

    Dejong2001 Dejong2001 Jan 24, 2016 11:23 AM in response to jeremy_v
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 24, 2016 11:23 AM in response to jeremy_v

    Thank you Jeremy_v. I have tried all these steps in the order provided. For some reason I can't get my phone number to show up in the "you can be reached by iMessage at"  section. The bottom half of that screen is missing with the "start new conversations from" section.

  • by jeremy_v,

    jeremy_v jeremy_v Jan 25, 2016 12:11 PM in response to Dejong2001
    Community Specialists
    Jan 25, 2016 12:11 PM in response to Dejong2001

    Hi Dejong2001,
     

    Thank you for your reply.
     

    Do you use your Apple ID for iMessage on other iOS devices or Mac computers? If so, you can also try signing out of iMessage on your iPhone and the other devices/computers and then sign back in again on only your iPhone.
     

    You can do this with help from Link your iPhone number and Apple ID to use iMessage and FaceTime. First complete the steps under "Unlink your phone number associated with your Apple ID" and then the ones under "Get started on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch."
     

    If this situation doesn't apply or you've tried this method already, I'd recommend contacting Apple Support for more help using one of the methods at https://expresslane.apple.com/GetproductgroupList.action.
     

    Best Regards.