iMessage activation failed? The ultimate solution to the “waiting for activation” problem!

iMessage is an excellent text platform for expressing oneself. But when the message cannot be sent and "waiting for activation" is displayed, it can be a big problem, especially when you need to send important information. Don't give up! This article will explain the meaning of this message and quickly help you recover your connection and continue sending interesting GIF images.

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What does "wait for activation" mean?

There are many reasons why iMessage displays "Waiting for activation" and may vary slightly depending on the error message. According to the official Apple website, there may be five situations:

• Wait for activation
• Activation failed
• An error occurred during activation
• Unable to log in, please check the network connection
• The iMessage server cannot be contacted. Please try again.

Any of these situations will cause you to fail to send iMessage.

Causes of iMessage activation problems

Reasons for iMessage waiting for activation may include:

• iMessage failure. Try refreshing the app or restarting the device to resolve it.
• There is no SIM card in the phone. A newly installed phone may initially struggle to connect to the server or activate cellular data.
• Wi-Fi is unstable. If you try to use iMessage over Wi-Fi and the signal is weak, your phone may not be able to send messages correctly.
• Your phone plan is not activated. Have you recently changed your phone plan? The operator may not have fully activated your plan.

There are many reasons, but don't worry, the solutions are equally rich!

How to fix the "Waiting for Activation" error message

For many iPhone users, iMessage is an essential application. If you prefer using it over other messaging apps (whether it's end-to-end encryption or its numerous interesting features), the following solutions can help you get back to normal.

1. Check your internet connection

If you have ever tried sending iMessage on a subway without an internet connection or signal, you will notice that the message cannot be sent, and the blue send indicator bar will usually stop halfway. This is because these messages rely heavily on good connections, so check the internet connection first.

If your Wi-Fi icon is hollow and there is no signal bar, or you go into settings and there is an exclamation point and the words "No Internet connection" under the connected Wi-Fi, there is a problem with your connection. To fix this, you can try:

• Switch Wi-Fi switch
• Restart your phone
• Restart the Wi-Fi router

If none of these options work, you can try to forget the network and reconnect from scratch. The method is as follows:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Click "Wi-Fi".
3. Click the info icon next to your preferred Wi-Fi.
4. Click "Forgot this network".

After forgetting the network, go back to the Wi-Fi page and reconnect.

2. Switch flight mode

Recently flying or turning off flight mode for faster charging? Your iMessage problem may be solved simply by switching flight mode. To check your flight mode settings:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Click the switch next to Airplane Mode to turn it off (it should appear gray).

If you see that Airplane Mode is turned off, try turning it on, wait for a while, and then close again. Airplane mode cuts off the phone's wireless connection, which may help the iPhone reset itself.

3. Verify date and time settings

This may sound strange, but a date and time error on the iPhone can cause a server connection to fail. If you travel across time zones frequently, it is best to turn on Auto Settings so that it is always set to the correct date and time. The method is as follows:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and click “General”.
3. Select Date & Time.
4. Turn on Automatic Settings.

Whether you are in Japan today and in Canada tomorrow, aligning your phone with the correct date and time in the region will help improve server connections.

4. Close and restart iMessage and FaceTime

Another way is to restart iMessage directly. Since FaceTime is another built-in communication tool on Apple devices, resetting it may also be helpful, as both iMessage and FaceTime may have a "Waiting for activation" error message. To restart these applications:

1. Go to the Settings app.
2. Scroll down until you see "Information".
3. Click "Information" and close iMessage.

5. Wait for a few seconds and then open again.
6. Return to the main Settings page and perform the same steps for FaceTime.

You may see a "Waiting for activation" message under "Send & Receive" for a few seconds, and then restart.

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5. Restart iPhone

"Have you tried turning it off and turn it on?" This is the oldest and perhaps the most annoying question in technical troubleshooting, but restarting the iPhone is probably the easiest and most effective solution. Just press and hold the power button and the volume up button at the same time for a few seconds, and then slide the power off button.

Alternatively, you can perform a forced restart, which is useful when the phone is frozen or fails.

1. Press and release the volume up button.
2. Press and release the volume down button.
3. Press and hold the power button until the Apple logo appears.

If you have an older iPhone model than the iPhone 8, read our full iPhone reset guide to learn more.

Whatever iPhone model you have, maintaining your device and making sure it is optimized and maintained will keep it running for years. Some maintenance work will help you avoid cluttered storage space, malfunctions, and other frustrating problems with your phone, and CleanMy?Phone can help.

Once you open the app, you just need to click on the large "Scan" button in the middle. CleanMyPhone will scan your phone content and pick out things like duplicate photos and blurry pictures, then let you organize the media to your liking.

Please read also:

• How to enable iMessage on iPhone
• How to check if someone blocks your iPhone number
• Best SMS App
• iMessage cannot be synced on Mac

6. Reset iPhone to factory settings

Restart invalid? A slightly more intense measure may include resetting your iPhone to factory settings. Here's how to do this without losing all data:

1. Sync your iPhone to your computer and back up the device using the backup manager.
2. Go to Settings > Universal on your iPhone.
3. Scroll down to "Transfer or Reset iPhone".
4. Select "Erase All Content and Settings" and follow the steps to reset your phone.

Before doing this, make sure that the phone is fully backed up as this data will not be retrieved. If you need more insight, check out our guide on how to reset your iPhone to factory settings without losing data.

7. Check operator settings updates

Sometimes operator settings updates may occur. To check for updates:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Click "General" > "About this machine".
3. Scroll down to "Operator" and you will be able to see if there is an update option.

If no updates are available, you must continue to explore the other options in this list. If so, make sure to perform the update as soon as possible.

8. Make sure the text message works properly

If it shows that your iMessage is waiting for activation, checking if your text message is working properly is a good diagnosis to see if there are bigger problems. The method is as follows:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Scroll down to "Information", click on it, and close iMessage.
3. Send regular text messages for testing.

Since iMessage activation involves sending SMS to Apple's server, if SMS doesn't work properly, it's obvious why things don't work as expected.

9. Check VPN settings

I've always used a VPN on my iPhone and MacBook because it gives me peace of mind that my personal data and IP address gets hidden when I access the internet, especially when using public Wi-Fi. The problem is that VPNs sometimes interfere with certain applications and operations because they are constantly rerouting—which can also affect iMessage. If you use a VPN:

1. Go to the Settings app.
2. Click "General".
3. Scroll down and click "VPN & Device Management".
4. Click "VPN" to view your settings, such as if you are connected and if you are on "Connect on Demand". You can also try turning the VPN on or off to see if that helps.

All in all, I believe it is always better to have a VPN ready whenever you need it. If it accidentally interferes with the functionality of iMessage, I have been able to quickly turn the VPN on and off for a quick fix.

If you don't use a VPN, your internet connection will in some cases be more vulnerable to security threats and connection issues. Your personal data and IP address are just there for cybercriminals to intercept, which is why I recommend using a VPN whenever possible. I've been using VPN for over two years and it makes my online experience safer and more reliable.

ClearVPN blocks your IP with just one click of a button and keeps you safe online thanks to industry-standard encryption algorithms. While you can change your geolocation manually, the platform will also recommend the best servers for the fastest speeds.

10. Log out and log back into your Apple account

iMessage is associated with your Apple account email, so it may be helpful to log out and re-sign into your Apple account. The method is as follows:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Click on the Apple Account at the top.
3. Scroll down and click "Login".

After successfully logging out, follow the same steps to log in again.

iMessage Waiting for activation: Resolved!

Dealing with any iPhone puzzle can be an irritating process – especially when communication related issues such as iMessage not working. There are several ways to fix this problem from the server to troubleshoot various configurations in Settings. Apps like CleanMy?Phone, IM, and ClearVPN simplify your iPhone experience, protect your privacy, integrate your communications, and organize your media. These convenient apps, along with over 250 other apps, are accessible via Setapp’s 7-day free trial – a subscription service for native iOS and macOS apps that can get the most out of your device.

FAQ

Why is my iMessage logged out and unable to be activated?

If you can't send iMessage and only see green text message bubbles, go to your settings and scroll down to "Information". iMessage should be turned on, and you should make sure you do not experience any connection issues with Wi-Fi or cellular data.

How long does it take for iMessage to activate?

The first activation of iMessage usually takes seconds to minutes, but the process can take longer. If iMessage is still not activated after a few hours, you may want to try some troubleshooting methods.

Can I use iMessage without activation?

iMessage is directly linked to your Apple account and phone number, and it needs to be activated to communicate with Apple's servers. Unfortunately, it is not possible to use iMessage without activation.

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