How long does it take to activate imessage

Last Updated on Sep 16, 2022

Accidentally, after changing the sim card or new Phone users encounter iMessage activation issues when trying to activate iMessage on iPhone, iPad, or Mac. So definitely you or I both discover how to fix the “Waiting for activation” issue in iMessage on iPhone or iPad after Update or Restore Device or New Setup. Due to many reasons, In The Long Run, are you getting a Screen with the message Activation Unsuccessful. Turn on iMessage to try again. it Doesn’t matter if you’re iMessage Won’t activate with AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, and Any other mobile carriers [Globally]. iMessage is a free messaging service to send or receive free text messages, Stickers (emojis, Memoji), Photos, and Videos on WiFi and Cellular Data plans. So make sure, you have good internet connectivity.

iMessage is very useful and popular, each iPhone lover uses this free messaging service with different effects apart from text messaging. It’s hence that. You can save text messaging (That’s limited depending on your line), Send messages over Wi-Fi, and Data plan as well free of cost to any number.

• Quick Workarounds on How do you fix iMessage activation on iPhone?
  • Solution 1: Disable or Enable the iMessage App on iPhone
• how long does iMessage wait for activation?
  • Solution 2: Restart or Reboot iPhone: iPhone
  • Hard Reboot iPhone 8/8 Plus/ iPhone X Users/ iPhone 11(Pro Max):
  • Solution 3: Reset or Update Carrier Settings or APN settings to resolve Why won’t my iMessage activate iOS?
  • Solution 4: log out of iMessage and Re-login that fix Why won’t iMessage activate on my phone?
  • Solution 5: Correct data and Time is an answer to why is my iMessage stuck on waiting for activation? Please Set Date time up-to-date
  • Solution 6: iMessage activation without the phone number
  • Solution 7: Update or Restore your iOS on your iPhone and iPad
  • Solution 8: What to do when iMessage won’t activate on your iPhone gets Error iMessage Activation after SIM changed
  • Solution 9: See Your Carrier Plan and contact it
  • Solution 10: Activate iMessage on WiFi, Cellular Disabled
  • Solution 11: Check Restriction and Disable it
  • Solution 12: iMessage send as a Text Message

Quick Workarounds on How do you fix iMessage activation on iPhone?

Reddit users say: My iPhone Says iMessage Is “Waiting For Activation”. we say: Here is the list of alternative solutions to Solve Could not sign in to iMessage an error occurred during activation? A nasty error message is seen on the iPhone screen middle.

Solution 1: Disable or Enable the iMessage App on iPhone

• Go to the Settings.
• Scroll the screen Tap Message, turn off or disable the toggle for iMessage, Set correct Send & Receive iMessage options – Phone number or Email (Apple ID)
  
• Wait for 24 hours, turn on again iMessage service on your iPhone and iPad

You Have to enough Balance for Prepaid or CDMA users or Free SMS for Postpaid or GSM users. Carrier will charge for international Message. Indians have to pay INR5 [Airtel, Vodafone, Jio – Free]. Are you in USA then share your charged in comment?

If there is no issue with Waiting, Complate the steps. Select the Right Option for Send & Receive a new iMessage Via Phone number or email. If your carrier does not provide an iMessage, select Apple ID as the iMessage address. Anyone can send and use iMessage Via Apple ID.

That’s it. iMessage is Activated.

how long does iMessage wait for activation?

It will take up to 24 hours to successfully activate iMessage on your phone number. Also, you can contact your carrier help desk.

Carrier will charge for Text Message on Disable or Enable iMessage Because Carrier sends your device details to apple. If you have free text then there is no charge.

→ Sometimes, Messaging service is stopped during activation time by the cellular company for an overdue bill or unexpected reasons. Please contact the carrier and ask about it.

Solution 2: Restart or Reboot iPhone: iPhone

• Sometimes your screen will be stuck or freeze with an iMessage activation error popup on activation. Showing the wrong message on the screen after successfully activating at the carrier end.
• I would like to recommend, Restart or Force Restart (iPhone, iPad Cellular)
• Sometimes, the iPhone is displaying “iMessage waiting for Activation Stuck” and not Updated Status on the iPhone screen under settings. Go to below,

Hard Reboot iPhone 8/8 Plus/ iPhone X Users/ iPhone 11(Pro Max):

1: Press and Quickly Release Volume Up button,
2: Press and Quickly Release Volume Down Button,
3: Press and Hold the Side Button until you see the Apple logo on Screen.

To Start the iPhone, Again press the Side button until the startup apple logo is on the screen.

For iPhone 5/ 5S, iPhone 6/6S, 6S Plus/ 6 Plus: Press and hold the Sleep-wake/ Power button until you show the slide to power off option on the screen. OR Force Reboot – Press Sleep/ Wake + Home button until seeing the Apple icon on the black screen.

For iPhone 7/ 7 Plus: Simple Restart is as it is but Force Restart (Side Power button + Volume down button until you see the Apple logo on the screen)

♦ Wake up the screen, Using the Power button or Sleep/Wake button once.

Solution 3: Reset or Update Carrier Settings or APN settings to resolve Why won’t my iMessage activate iOS?

After SIM upgrade or Change/Switch to another carrier, Reset carrier settings are required. Once you clear all the APN or Carrier settings, on Reboot time all the data will automatically fill based on the latest value. So we can use the latest update and benefits from the carrier like iMessage easily activate or install activate and use without the long wait.

• Go to the Settings.
• Next Click on General > Scroll down the screen till the end to Tap Reset > Tap Reset Network Settings to confirm.

Solution 4: log out of iMessage and Re-login that fix Why won’t iMessage activate on my phone?

Moreover, the solution on the iMessage “waiting for activation” error can be resolved by turning off or on the iCloud account on your iPhone and iPad.

• Go to the Settings > Messages > scroll your screen and Tap on Send & receive.
• Tap your Apple ID > Sign-out
• Turn off your iMessage settings > Message > turn off the iMessage toggle. Wait for a moment and Turn on it by enabling the option. At that time enter your Apple ID and see again it has been resolved.

Solution 5: Correct data and Time is an answer to why is my iMessage stuck on waiting for activation? Please Set Date time up-to-date

The auto time zone may be giving an error, the auto time zone will set the current time, but the zone maybe not be for you. To disable it and set the date and time manually.

• Go to the Settings App
• Tap General
• Click on Date & Time,
• Now Set Zone, Date and Time.

Use Apple ID as iMessage or FaceTime address,

Contact your Carrier and Request for activating iMessage in the System on your Phone number.

Solution 6: iMessage activation without the phone number

iMessage Should be Turned on For a Phone number

We can activate iMessage for Number or Apple ID. I tried and activated Apple ID successfully on my iPhone, the First time when I faced this issue.

• Go to the Settings app > Messages >iMessage> Select Apple ID or Email as iMessage.

Solution 7: Update or Restore your iOS on your iPhone and iPad

Restore is the best option to resolve the iMessage “Waiting for activation” error.

1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac using lighting cable.
2. Launch iTunes, From the menu choose Summary tab > Tap on your iPhone > Restore iPhone

Take a backup of your iPhone or iPad update: Backup iPhone on iTunes or iCloud

• Restore tutorial detailed: Find and restore the old backup in iPhone and iPad [How to] or Also go with the Clean restore – Fix big problems with troubleshooting tips.

Popup will appear to prevent your old data should be lost, so take backup whole iPhone or iPad.

Otherwise, download the latest (.ipsw) firmware for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch with the latest iOS. And use that for the update or install iOS on your iPhone and iPad.

Solution 8: What to do when iMessage won’t activate on your iPhone gets Error iMessage Activation after SIM changed

iMessage is already turned on for the old mobile number, So it’s activated means settings are enabled. After the new SIM install, you will get Popup Message for Activate iMessage > Press OK. And Turn on iMessage on a new Number or SIM.

• Otherwise, Check and Enable iMessage manually from iPhone Settings,
• Go to the Settings > Messages > Enable iMessage toggle.

Enter SIM card and Replace or use Another SIM card for the test if your iPhone saying: iMessage waiting for Activation no SIM card

iMessage Service uses Wireless data So Check that Wi-Fi or Cellular data is working correctly.

I hope you guys enjoyed and use iMessage sent between iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and Mac.

Solution 9: See Your Carrier Plan and contact it

Your carrier is supporting iMessage service or not at first, and verify any restriction on you for iMessage, Blocks, and more.

iMessage service is not free and permission to use by all carriers. Supported carriers in your countries can be eligible for Sending Free Text Messages on iPhone (iMessage). Recently most Cellular companies have given iMessage free to Apple users. After that, we can use it on Mac (it will be auto sync on the Mac system, once you activate it on the iOS device)

Solution 10: Activate iMessage on WiFi, Cellular Disabled

This can happen only in specific situations, Just follow me

1. Turn off iMessage, Go to the Settings > Messages > iMessage (Disable)
2. Enable Airplane mode, from the control center.
3. Turn on Airplane mode wifi will automatically be disabled. So turn on WiFi again, manually. Open control center (See Swipe down from the top right corner on iPhone X & Swipe up on iPhone 8/8 Plus, iPhone 7/7 Plus, and Earlier) and Find Airplane icon in network card, Tap on the icon to turn on Airplane mode. 
4. Then, Enable iMessage from the settings App
5. Next, Disable Airplane Mode – OTA you will receive a notification for Apple ID.
6. iMessage activation is required to use different new Messaging features in iOS (Peer to Peer payment, Send new Emojis & Stickers), Otherwise, iMessage doesn’t use.

Solution 11: Check Restriction and Disable it

• Also Check the Restriction to Make necessary changes, that prevent modifying the account Go to the Settings > General > Restrictions > Accounts > Allow Changes (On iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch).

Solution 12: iMessage send as a Text Message

Your messaging communication failed because you are stuck on sending iMessage. Now in the latest iOS model, we can send iMessage as a text message. Just force touch and hold on to Blue iMessage until you see the popup with the option send as text. select it and send finally it. and Communicate with your friends waiting for activation.

Here you saw maximum possibilities to Resolve iMessage “waiting for activation” Error Fixed. Don’t miss sharing which one try is useful for you personally with a big smile.

Till that are you facing a problem to fix the iMessage error “waiting for activation” then comment below with the problem and suggestions?

HowtoiSolve Staff

Jaysukh Patel is the founder of howtoisolve. Also self Professional Developer, Techno lover mainly for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and iOS, Jaysukh is one of responsible person in his family. Contact On: [OR]

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