i need you people to fix this for me why am I getting this when trying to activate my iMessage it doesn’t work after I restart my phone and still reset it I am tired so I need you people to fix this for me thank you
[Edited by Moderator]
i need you people to fix this for me why am I getting this when trying to activate my iMessage it doesn’t work after I restart my phone and still reset it I am tired so I need you people to fix this for me thank you
[Edited by Moderator]
Posted on Sep 20, 2026 10:52 PM
Sep 21, 2026 7:09 AM in response to Gtdonald
Welcome and thank you for reaching out. 🤗
To use either iMessage or FaceTime, you need to activate them on your iPhone. If you see an error message when you try to activate, follow these steps.
When activating iMessage or FaceTime, you might see one of these messages:
What you need before you sign in:
If you're using an iPhone, you need SMS messaging to activate your phone number with iMessage and FaceTime. Depending on your carrier, you might be charged for this SMS.
If a prompt appears stating "Your network provider may charge for SMS messages used to activate iMessage and FaceTime", tap "Turn On" to allow possible SMS charges.
Turn off and restart iMessage and FaceTime:
Try to activate your iMessage or FaceTime account online:
You will receive an email if your account is ready for iMessage and FaceTime use.
Use an email address to sign in to Messages or FaceTime instead:
You can also use your email address with iMessage and FaceTime. Sign in to your Apple Account and review all the email addresses you have on file, including the one that you're trying to verify. If the email address is incorrect, you can update it. Then click Resend next to the email address that you want to verify.
To select your email address to use with Messages:
To select your email address to use with FaceTime:
When you use both your phone number and your email address with Messages, you might start or receive separate conversation threads with the same contacts. Set your phone number or email address as the primary way to start and receive Messages.
FaceTime isn't available in all countries or regions.
If you can't turn on or sign in to Messages and FaceTime when you try on your Mac or iPad
If your phone number still doesn’t have a check next to it in Settings after 24 hours:
It might take up to 24 hours for your carrier to verify your phone number with Apple. Contact your carrier to make sure that you can send and receive international SMS messages and wait up to 24 hours after you try the troubleshooting steps above.
If iMessage is on and a spinning gear appears next to your phone number, your device automatically attempts to verify your phone number. There is no need to repeatedly turn iMessage off and on.
If you don't activate iMessage or your eSIM when you set up a new iPhone with iOS 26:
iMessage does not activate automatically after you set up an eSIM in Settings later. Your messages might cause a Not Delivered alert, appear as SMS/RCS messages in green bubbles, or come from your email address instead of a phone number.
To activate iMessage in this situation:
Information about products not manufactured by Apple, or independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance, or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability. Contact the vendor for additional information.
Good Luck! 👋🏼😉
Smiliñ 😎 Brian | Community Volunteer
Sep 21, 2026 8:39 AM in response to Gtdonald
Did you try to use a Wi-Fi network, no VPN activated, to enable iMessage for your email address?
Did activating it online? If this did not work, were any error messages given?
Did you try to call the official Apple Support and ask them to look into your personal data from their side?
You can choose the phone number for your region from the drop down menu on this Apple Support page:
Sep 21, 2026 12:37 AM in response to Gtdonald
Can you activate iMessage by using the web?
...
You will receive an email if your account is ready for iMessage and FaceTime use.
...
copied from: If you can’t turn on or sign in to iMessage or FaceTime on your iPhone - Apple Support
If this does not work either, you should contact the official Apple Support and ask them to look into that from their side.
You can choose the phone number for your region from the drop down menu on this Apple Support page:
Contact Apple Support - Apple Support
Sep 21, 2026 8:15 AM in response to Smilin-Brian
It still not working 🤦♂️ please help me to look into it.
Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256361658