iMessage not using cell. no

Question

Level 1

8 points

iMessage not using cell. no

Hi, just wondering if anybody else has this problem, I have an iphone 6 64gb iOS 9.3.2, on MTN (South Africa).. my imessage refuses to activate (sends from email and not cell no), tried the wifi trick, restoring, restarting multiple times, nothing seems to work..problem is imessages to my cell no. appear on my iwatch and macbook but not on my phone, so it is activated somewhat just not where it matters most 😠, not entirely sure how to fix this 😕 the online support says I need to contact my service provider but apparently they have no provisions to assist on this matter.. So Apple is directing me to MTN and MTN directs me to apple support.. honestly expected more from both service providers.

Please can somebody assist.

Thanks

iPhone 6, iOS 9.3.2

Posted on Jun 13, 2016 9:24 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 13, 2016 1:38 PM in response to yasthieln

Did you make sure that on each device only a unique mail address is selected in Settings/Messages/Send & Receive?

On your phone only the phone number should be ticked, no other mail address.

Some for the other devices, no phone number ticked on the Mac and watch.

Check this article as well:

If you can't send or receive messages on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

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Answer 2

yasthieln Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 20, 2016 2:29 AM in response to Ingo2711

Hi, Thanks for responding, I went in to the iStore Gateway and the support staff were pretty helpful.. turns out that MTN contract customers that have free sms's need to load airtime in order to activate, since the activation sms is sent to an international number the free sms's do not send..

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Answer 3

Jun 20, 2016 2:55 AM in response to yasthieln

Yes, the activation message will cost you, and without being sent, there is no iMessage possible.

Glad it's working now 🙂

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Answer 4

Jul 22, 2016 2:47 AM in response to yasthieln

You're awesome ! Struggled for 3 weeks. Went to MTN store, Istore, made multiple phone calls and

here you have the solution. Our support in South Africa is very bad !! Thanks again

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Answer 5

Sep 15, 2016 1:52 AM in response to yasthieln

Hi

How did you load airtime?

I loaded airtime and bought an SMS bundle.

This did not work and I am still getting the "Waiting for activation..." message.

Thanks

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Answer 6

Sep 15, 2016 2:02 AM in response to Faaiez@me

Actually...wait...its working now.

This is awesome.

Been struggling for months.

It took a while after I bought a R10 airtime and a R5 SMS bundle so not sure which one worked.

Bought it online through Standard bank.

This is great!

Thanks

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