Message is the soul of an iPhone that helps all iOS users to stay connected easily. You get features like sharing photos, videos, playing games, or video calling other people instantly. But recently a large base of users has been facing an issue while activating iMessage on their devices. To fix this error and find out why does iMessage says waiting for activation we have compiled this blog that has all the answers to your burning questions.
Why Does iMessage Says Waiting for Activation?
The primary reason why your iMessage is still waiting for activation is that it might not be synced to the iMessage server. This can happen if you have not inserted a SIM card in your iPhone yet. Additionally, your iMessage may not be enabled or turned off by default, causing activation issues.
How to Fix Waiting for Activation on iMessage
It is not uncommon for an iPhone to face an activation error. Sometimes Apple servers are down due to some technical issue. You can head out to the Apple Support System Status page and check if the iMessage status is down. If you’re still facing problems, try these methods below.
Method 1: Set Correct Time and Date
Having the wrong date and time set can potentially affect many functions of your iPhone. So, make sure you have set it correctly for iMessage to connect to the Apple server without glitches.
- Go to Settings and tap on General.
- Select Date & Time.
- Turn the toggle on to Set Automatically.
Once your iPhone is set to the correct date and time, your iMessage may connect again.
Method 2: Reconnect to iMessage
If the iMessage says waiting for activation, then there can be an issue while the services of iMessage were first activated. Therefore, to solve this issue, you can turn off the iMessage service and then turn it back on after a few minutes.
Note: Some network carriers might charge you a sum every time you activate iMessage.
- Open Settings and tap on Messages.
- Now, turn off the toggle for iMessage and turn on after 3-4 seconds.
Restart your iPhone to see if the waiting for activation issue is fixed.
Method 3: Update iMessage
An outdated iMessage application can seriously affect its normal functioning. To avoid this, you can update your iMessages from the App Store.
- Open App Store and tap on the search icon from the bottom right corner.
- Type in iMessage and select the app.
- Tap on Update.
- After the update is complete, select Open.
Your iMessage will reopen with recoonection issues solved.
Method 4: Update System Software
Apple comes out with security updates occasionally. If you have been ignoring such updates for a long time, then this might be a good time to update your OS.
- Open Settings > General.
- Tap on Software Update.
- Now, tap on Download and Install option.
After software upgrade, iMessage should be able to reconfigure and fix its issues.
Method 5: Re-sign into Apple Account
Signing out of your Apple ID and then signing in again can help. Follow the steps below:
- Open Settings > Apple ID > Sign Out.
- Enter your Apple ID password.
- Select the type of iCloud Data that you want to copy on your iPhone device and tap on Sign Out.
- Now, sign in to the iCloud Account using your credentials.
Now you can turn your iPhone on after 30 seconds.
Method 6: Reset Network Settings
If you’ve tried everything and iMessage is still stuck waiting for activation, resetting your network settings is the final option. Here’s how to do it if iMessage won’t activate on your iPhone.
- Open Settings > General.
- Tap on Transfer or Reset iPhone option.
- Tap on Reset.
This way you can open iMessage and check if your problem is solved.
Method 8: Reset iPhone
In case none of the above methods work for you then resetting your device is your only option left. A factory reset can clear all data from your iPhone, therefore we suggest you backup all data before doing so.
- Open Settings > General.
- Swipe down and tap on Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Select Resent or Erase All Content and Settings.
- Tap on Continue and enter your password.
Now can turn on your iPhone and enter your iCloud account credentials.
Also Read: What Does Phone Number Not Registered With iMessage Mean and How to Fix it?
By following the methods shown in this guide, you can fix this issue of why does iMessage says waiting for activation. If you have any queries or suggestions, do let us know in the comments section below.