HT201422: If you get an error when trying to activate iMessage or FaceTime

Learn about If you get an error when trying to activate iMessage or FaceTime
TH7279
Level 1 (4 points)
iPhone

Q: waiting for activation for imessage

I have an iPhone 6 that I use as my main phone but I also have an iPad that i use on wifi. They both can communicate using iMessage meaning I receive and send messages on both using my phone number (no email address). My issue is I have an iPhone 5 that used to work the same way with both (also on the phone number) but now all I get is waiting for activation. I have gone through all the basic trouble shooting as well as all of the apple solutions that they recommend. I have googled it to death and tried all the different options that people have suggested such as resets hard and soft. Problem is this phone used to work using the phone number for iMessage and facetime and now will not. The only thing I can think of was since the upgrade to iOS 9.3.2 something happened but the iPad and iPhone 6 still function with each other.  Any help would be appreciated.

iPhone 6, iOS 9.3.2, Also using a iPhone 5 and iPad Mini

Posted on Jun 5, 2016 11:31 PM

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TH7279

Q: waiting for activation for imessage

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  • by Alwayswantingtohelp1,

    Alwayswantingtohelp1 Alwayswantingtohelp1 Jun 7, 2016 2:57 PM in response to TH7279
    Community Specialists
    Jun 7, 2016 2:57 PM in response to TH7279

    Hello TH7279,

    I like to receive all my messages on all my devices as well. 

     

    If you are only using your iPhone 5 via wifi, you will want to review the Continuity settings and make sure that everything is set up properly, by looking at the information on setting up Continuity here: 

     

    Use Continuity to connect your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac

     

    I also noticed you were referred to us from the below article, which addresses the error message you are describing. If you've gone through all of the recommended steps, feel free to review the section I've highlighted after the link:

     

    If you get an error when trying to activate iMessage or FaceTime

     

    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.

     

     

    Thank you for using the Apple Support Communities. 

  • by TH7279,

    TH7279 TH7279 Jun 7, 2016 7:42 PM in response to Alwayswantingtohelp1
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 7, 2016 7:42 PM in response to Alwayswantingtohelp1

    Hi Alwayswantingtohelp,

     

    Thanks for the reply. The only thing I'm really looking at is the iMessage communication. I'm not to worried about the continuity setting even though all the iOS are set to the same WiFi and Apple ID.  My iPhone 6 is the my most used iOS with cellular data. My iPad mini communicates with it seamlessly using my phone number for sending and receiving iMessages. When I try to activate myiPhone 5 I have 3 things going on,

    1.) waiting for activation goes on forever (more than 24hrs.)

    2.) my iPhone 5 does not show any codes on any of the other devices when toggled on to activate

    3.) send receive has the phone number greyed out trying to activate. I'd rather not use email addresses for iMessage or facetime

     

    The iPhone 5 worked before but now seems to not communicate, since the upgrade to 9.3.2

     

    Anyway I'm going to continue to try and find a solution