“Waiting for activation” or “Activation unsuccessful” error is often noticed when the phone is not connected to an internet service or the date and time zones on the phone are set incorrectly. Make sure to check those settings and try activating your iMessage.
Sometimes it might take as long as 24 hours to activate the iMessage or FaceTime on your iPhone.
You can also try and restart your device to see how that works for you, and if you are consistently facing this trouble, you can contact Apple Support.
We have listed the possible reasons and fixes for this error in the following sections of this article. Keep reading to learn more.
What Does “iMessage Activation Unsuccessful” Mean?
iMessage activation unsuccessful means you simply won’t be able to send or receive texts via this app or perform any other function.
Usually, all the cell phone plans cover the messaging service, but just in case, it is advised to check your plan and pay for the messaging service if you need to.
There can be multiple reasons you are facing trouble with activating your iMessage service, most common of which is the network issue.
If you have your phone in Airplane mode, you won’t be able to activate the iMessage app.
Why IMessage Activation Is Unsuccessful?
We have listed all the possible reasons why you are not able to activate the iMessage app on your phone:
1. The Network Or Wifi Is Turned Off
While you are trying to activate your iMessage app, you must have a secure and stable cellular or WiFi connection on your mobile.
Check your cellular connection and try again with the process.
2. Airplane Mode Is Turned On
When the airplane mode is turned on your device, you won’t have access to the Wifi and Cellular data.
This can be one of the reasons why you are facing the error called “iMessage activation is unsuccessful”.
3. The Date And Time Are Set Incorrectly
If the Date and time on your iPhone are set incorrectly, it will certainly make a difference in the time zone which will affect the activation of iMessage on your device.
So make sure that the Date and time are set correctly.
4. Carrier Settings Are Not Updated
The carrier service in the iPhone provides an update quite frequently, which you might forget.
This service enhances the connectivity of your device to your phone network, so make sure that the Carrier Settings are updated on your phone.
5. Your IPhone Is Not Updated
If you haven’t updated your iPhone to its latest version, it might cause a glitch in iMessage activation.
Check for an update and if you find one, then install the update immediately.
How To Fix “iMessage Activation Unsuccessful”?
Follow the fixes mentioned below to fix the error related to “iMessage activation unsuccessful”:
Fix 1: Reset Network Settings
The first fix that you can try out for the “iMessage activation unsuccessful” error is to reset the network settings on your device.
For this, launch the Settings app on your device and head to the General tab on your iPhone.
Scroll down to the Transfer or Reset iPhone setting and hit the Reset Network Settings option in the pop-up menu.
Fix 2: Toggle Off Airplane Mode
Make sure that the Airplane mode on your device is turned off. You can check this feature in the status bar on your phone.
Alternatively, you can also enter the Settings app on your device and toggle off the Airplane mode switch if it is turned on.
Try activating the iMessage app after turning off the Airplane mode.
Fix 3: Toggle On Wifi Or Network Connection
After making sure that the Airplane mode is turned off on your device, check for the WiFi or cellular connection.
If you are in a WiFi zone, turn on the WiFi setting, or you can also use the Cellular connection on your device to activate the iMessage app on your device.
Head to the Settings app on your device and toggle on the switch for Cellular Data or Wi-Fi as per your choice.
Alternatively, you can also turn on your Cellular Data or WiFi from the status bar on your phone.
Fix 4: Set Your Date And Time Correctly
Another fix that you can try out for the “iMessage activation unsuccessful” error is to set the date and time on your iPhone correctly.
For this, head to the Settings app on your device.
Tap on the General tab and scroll down to the Date & Time setting finally, toggle on the Set Automatically switch if it is turned off.
Fix 5: Toggle On And Off The Imessage Switch
This fix will certainly help with the immediate glitches with the iMessage app. In order to toggle on and off the iMessage, switch head to the Settings app on your device.
Scroll down to the Messages tab, click on it and toggle the iMessage switch off and back on.
Fix 6: Update Carrier Settings
The Carrier Settings on your device usually demand an update ever so often.
Make sure to keep the Carrier Settings updated for this head to the Settings app on your device and tap on the General tab.
Next up, head to the About tab, and you will find a Carrier Settings Update pop-up. If it is available, hit the Update option to confirm the action.
Fix 7: Update Your Device
Updating your device will certainly get rid of all the immediate glitches on your device, head to the Settings app on your device and tap on the General tab.
Hit the Software Update tab. If you have an update available, you will be able to spot the Install Now option and click on it.
Fix 8: Contact Apple Support
If you are still facing recurring issues with iMessage activation, make sure that you contact the Apple online support website.
Click on the link- www.support.apple.com and choose an issue that resembles your problem.
You can also drop your comments and queries related to the “iMessage activation unsuccessful” error on the website, and a company executive will get back to you with a solution.
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Conclusion
If you do not have the iMessage app activated on your phone, you won’t be able to send or receive messages via the app or perform other functions.
One of the main reasons for the “iMessage activation unsuccessful” error or glitch might be because your device is not connected to the cellular data or the Carrier service is not updated on your device.
Read through all the possible reasons for this error and ensure you follow the fixes to see if it works for you.
If nothing works out, you can always contact tech support at Apple from the website: www.getsupport.apple.com.
