Fix Facetime Waiting for Activation Error on iPhone

If you have set up a new phone or switched phone numbers or carrier, you may get FaceTime waiting for activation issues. If you work with the iPhone, you may face the issue of waiting for activation error in iMessage and FaceTime several times. There are instances where iMessage works perfectly for a while after that you suddenly receive such a message and lose control of the app.

There are various possible error messages that indicate an activation issue with FaceTime or iMessage. But the most frequently-occurring one is the Waiting for activation error that appears in the iMessage or FaceTime panels in the Settings app. If you see any of the following error messages you need to activate iMessage again. This may be the case if you have recently changed the network supplier or got a new iPhone :

• Waiting for activation
• Activation unsuccessful
• An error occurs during activation
• Cannot sign in, please check your network connection.

Fix the issue of facetime waiting for activation error on iPhone

• Turn OFF/ON FaceTime

It is a simple and easy method. Sometimes turning off FaceTime and then turning it back solves the problem.

• You need to go to Settings then FaceTime and then Toggle OFF.
• Then after a minute or two, you need to turn it back ON. Check if you can get it to work this time.

• Restrictions

You need to check if FaceTime is not working, it may block in restrictions.

• You need to go to Settings then Screen Time and then Content & Privacy Restrictions.
• Then Disable Content & Privacy Restrictions.
• If it is not possible due to certain other reasons, ensure FaceTime is turn ON in the list of Allowed Apps.

• Sign-out and Sign Back In

It may be the issue with your iCloud account that has trouble activating your FaceTime account. You can sign out of FaceTime and then sign back in to see if it works.

• You need to go to Settings then FaceTime.
• You need to use your Apple ID for FaceTime.
• Then tap on Sign Out. After a couple of minutes, try to login back and see if it fixes the problem.

• Reset network or WiFi Settings

You need to reset WiFi settings if in case there is an issue with your network.

• You need to go to Settings then General then Reset and then Reset Network Settings.
• Then the iPhone reboot.
• FaceTime may send the activation message. After a while, it gets activated with your number and Apple ID.

• Phone Number Details

You ensure that you get the right number listed in your ‘My Number’ feature under Contacts.

• You need to navigate to Settings then Phone then My Number.
• Then enter the number you use on the iPhone.

• Date & Time, Country Settings

You ensure that your Date & Time settings are in proper order. If the Date & Time is set to automatic, ensure the time zone is rightly selected and the time displays correctly. If not, you need to set it manually. 

• Contact Your Carrier

You ensure that your mobile carrier provides support for iMessage. You can contact the support team to check if there is any limiting condition imposes for iMessage such as block or filters on text messages.

• Power Off iMessage and Hard Reset Your Device

• You need to navigate to Settings then Messages and deactivate iMessage.
• Then reboot your iOS device by holding the Power Key and Home buttons continuously for about 10 seconds.
• You need to press volume down and Home buttons to perform a hard reset of iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.
• You need to press and release Volume Up for iPhone 8 and later series. Then press and release Volume Down. And then hold the Power Key for 10s.
• Then activate iMessage when your device restarts.

• Update Your iPhone’s Carrier Settings

• You ensure that Wi-Fi or mobile data enables on your iPhone.
• Then press About and you can view an option to update if there is any new software bit available.
• You can view the version of the carrier settings next to the option Carrier.
• The carrier setting for your new carrier automatically downloads when you automatically insert a new SIM card.

• Turn airplane mode on and off

You can also try this method by turning Airplane Mode on. Then wait a few seconds and then turn it off.

• Place your SIM card in a different phone then reset that phone

• You need to go to Settings then General then Reset and then Reset All Content and Settings.
• Then put the SIM card back in the main iPhone and iMessage activates almost instantly.

• Reset all content and settings

The activation issue may be a device-specific issue. You need to reset the device and set it all up again.

• You need to go to Settings then General then Reset and then Reset All Content and Settings.
• This wipes out your device and allows you to either set it up as new or set it up from a previous iCloud backup.

• Ensure your cell plan allow you to receive SMS

If you activate FaceTime and iMessage on an iPhone, Apple sends you an SMS as part of the activation process. This SMS is basically invisible to the user as all happens in the background. But this is equivalent to Apple sending an SMS to the phone to verify its status. If your phone cannot receive SMS messages then Apple may not able to authorize the device to activate FaceTime and iMessage. In this case, you need to double-check with your carrier that you can receive text messages.

• Update to the latest version of iOS

You need to update the latest version of iOS if you have some issues.

• You need to go to Settings then General and then Software Update to update to the latest iOS version.

Apple-designed iMessage in such a way as to provide a seamless experience. The activation and deactivation of iMessage may not work smoothly and properly for all users. You can try the above-mentioned methods and check whether the issue gets resolve or not. The above methods are applicable to all generations of the iPhone. There can be minor changes in steps between each iOS version. You can resolve the issues effectively with little effort.

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