In this article, we will explain how to correct the imessage activation error. You can use iMessage and FaceTime for free after creating an Apple ID account. With just an internet connection and these apps, you may text or video chat with anyone. No mobile plan is necessary.
However, you must first activate them on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch before using iMessage or FaceTime. They often start working as soon as you complete configuring your device. It occasionally takes up to a day. But occasionally, the apps will remain inactive indefinitely and simply display the message “Waiting for activation.”
There are a few simple steps you may follow to fix your iMessage and FaceTime applications if they have been stuck on the “Waiting for activation” prompt for longer than a day.
How to fix iMessage activation error?
Here are a few ways that you can fix how to fix iMessage activation error.
Check Apple’s server status page
When FaceTime and iMessage “activate,” they’re actually contacting Apple’s servers to verify that you’re using a valid Apple ID. Your apps cannot activate if Apple’s servers are down. Apple maintains a webpage that keeps tabs on all of their servers and records any outages. If there is a yellow or red dot next to the FaceTime and iMessage tabs instead of a green dot, the servers aren’t functioning properly. If so, you’ll just have to wait till Apple fixes the servers.
Make sure that you’re connected to the internet
IMessage and FaceTime use the internet, not mobile signals, in contrast to SMS texting and normal phone conversations. Therefore, they won’t function if you don’t have a data plan or Wi-Fi connection. Make sure you can load numerous webpages when you launch Safari. If you are unable to or if they load terribly slowly, you have identified the problem. Restart your device and connect to a faster internet connection.
Reset the network settings and try again if you have a strong connection but it still won’t function. All of your saved Wi-Fi passwords will be deleted, so take caution.
Refresh your connections to iMessage and FaceTime
You may turn on or off FaceTime and iMessage in the Settings app on your smartphone. These toggles are typically used to disable the services, but you may also use them to reestablish a connection to Apple’s servers.
- On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, launch the Settings app.
- After selecting Messages, go down and toggle off the iMessage button.
- Return to the main Settings page, select FaceTime, and turn that feature off as well.
- Restart the computer.
- To reactivate FaceTime and iMessage, return to the Settings app.
- To see if the “Waiting for activation” screen is still present, check the apps once more.
Sign out of your Apple ID account
Your Apple ID account is linked to iMessage and FaceTime (also known as your iCloud account). It might be resolved by updating the Apple ID on your device.
- Launch the Settings app on your device, then tap your name at the top of the screen.
- At the bottom of the Apple ID page, click Sign Out. To completely log out, you might need to enter your password.
- Restart your device after you have signed out.
- After it restarts, launch the Settings app once more and select the Sign in link at the top of the page.
- Re-enter your Apple ID login information.
- Check iMessage and FaceTime once more after logging in.
Check that your time and date are correct
Your device’s incorrect time and date settings may cause problems with your connection to Apple’s servers. This can be fixed using the Settings app.
- Tap General, then Date & Time, after launching the Settings app.
- Check to see if the Set Automatically button is selected. Turn it on and restart your device if it isn’t.
- After the device restarts, check FaceTime and iMessage once more.
Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod
When it’s feasible, keep your devices updated. Your apps can cease functioning if you don’t keep up with the upgrades. An iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch can be updated by:
- Tap General, then Software Update, after launching the Settings app.
- The website will inform you of any updates that are pending for your device and what they contain. To update, select Install or just Download and Install.
- In order to install the update, your device will automatically restart. Check iMessage and FaceTime once it turns back on.
Factory reset your device
Your device’s settings, apps, and data are all deleted after a factory reset. It will put it back to how it was when it left the factory. Your last resort should be to reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory default settings. It will almost certainly fix iMessage and FaceTime, though, if nothing else does.
We hope that you enjoyed this article on how to fix iMessage activation error. If you did, we are sure that you will also enjoy reading some of our other articles, such as charging On Hold iOS 16: How to fix it, or best free widget apps for iPhone (iOS 16).
