iMessage won't activate (iPod)

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Level 1

19 points

iMessage won't activate (iPod)

I know this has been asked and answered a hundred times, but here it goes.

I recently bought the latest gen iPod touch for my kid for Christmas. It is set up with Family Sharing. It is updated to 11.2.1

Everything seems to be working fine except that iMessage and Facetime won't activate. It just says "Activation failed please try again."

I have read the article on the issue. I verified I can log into the account (username/password is ok). Checked the time/date settings are correct and restarted/reset the iPod several times. I will say that it is an "under 13" account, but I haven't read anywhere that iMessage and Facetime is unavailable for that, but I have my suspicions that is the culprit behind the error. Any help is greatly appreciated.

iPod touch, iOS 11.2.1

Posted on Dec 15, 2017 6:26 PM

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Answer 1

Eric Root

Level 10

684,039 points

Dec 16, 2017 9:31 AM in response to ctrentham

Using your Apple ID, can you sign into Messages on the iPod?

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

If you can successfully sign in and use Messages/FaceTime, it may be their Apple ID.Someone I know had this happen and I was able to sign in usingmy Apple ID. After a call to Apple Support and then being elevated to a tier 2 support person, it turned out it was a problem with their Apple ID. It took the software engineers 3-4 days to fix the problem. When calling Apple, make sure you tell them it is an Apple ID problem so you don't get charged.

There is a contact link.

Apple ID Support

Apple ID Support (2)

Apple Support by e-mail or chat Select your device, Battery, Power and Charging, then Power adapter not working to get a chat option.

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Answer 2

ctrentham Author

Level 1

19 points

Dec 15, 2017 8:40 PM in response to ctrentham

An update to this, I can actually sign into iMessage with the account on my iPhone, and I can sign into iMessage with my account on the iPod. The only thing that doesn't work is signing into my kids account on the iPod.

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Answer 3

ctrentham Author

Level 1

19 points

Dec 16, 2017 9:46 AM in response to Eric Root

That's what it looks like it's coming to. I can sign in with my account on the iPod. I can sign in with my daughters new account on my iPhone, but not the iPod. I was escalated to tier 2, who just now escalated it again to the software engineers and said they would call me back.

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Answer 4

ctrentham Author

Level 1

19 points

Dec 25, 2017 4:27 PM in response to MaxStatic

After about a week with Apple Support they told me the software engineers were aware of the issue and working on it. There was no fix. Maybe in the next update, but who knows when that will be.

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Answer 5

Dec 25, 2017 10:07 AM in response to ctrentham

Having the exact same situation as you. How did you resolve it?

I bought two, one for each kid. My son’s can log into iMessage, not my daughters though.

And on my son’s iPod he can’t download apps...

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Answer 6

Eric Root

Level 10

684,039 points

Dec 25, 2017 12:18 PM in response to MaxStatic

See my earlier post and if you can make it work with your Apple ID, call Apple Support.

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