iMessage and FaceTime are usually the first things we all want to get working on a new Apple device. They’ve become essential for many of us.
So, it’s super annoying when you hit that “An error occurred during activation” message. It’s a pretty common issue, but thankfully, it’s usually easy to fix. There are several quick things you can try to get things working again.
Important Note: FaceTime is restricted in some countries. If you’re in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, or Pakistan, you might face this error. It’s available in Saudi Arabia from iOS 11.3 onwards and in Pakistan from iOS 12.4 onwards, so ensure your iOS is updated. Unfortunately, it isn’t available in the UAE at all.
Common Activation Problems
Besides the general “An error occurred during activation,” you might also see these messages when iMessage or FaceTime are having trouble:
- Waiting for activation
- Activation unsuccessful
- Could not sign in, please check your network connection
- Unable to contact the iMessage server. Try again.
No matter which of these errors you get, the steps below should help.
First Things First: Device Settings
Before diving into more complex fixes, let’s make sure your phone has all the basic requirements for iMessage and FaceTime to activate. Sometimes we overlook these.
First, you absolutely need a working internet connection via Wi-Fi or cellular data. Both iMessage and FaceTime rely on the internet to activate.
Second, if you’re activating iMessage or FaceTime on your iPhone, you need to be able to send SMS messages. Your iPhone has to send an SMS to Apple’s servers to activate, so it’s crucial that sending SMS works. You might also be charged for this SMS depending on your carrier, so ensure you have enough credit or an active SMS plan.
Finally, if those are both okay, check your Date and Time settings. Go to the Settings app, then tap ‘General’.
Tap ‘Date and Time’ within General settings.
Make sure your time zone is correct.
Method 1: Restart iMessage and FaceTime
If your settings look good, try turning off and on iMessage and FaceTime. This is a quick way to refresh the services and is often effective.
Go to settings, then tap ‘Messages’.
Turn off the toggle for ‘iMessage’.
Now, go back to settings and tap ‘FaceTime’.
Turn off the toggle for ‘FaceTime’ as well.
With both services toggled off, restart your device. Then turn iMessage and FaceTime back on. Hopefully, that does the trick!
Method 2: Check Your Apple ID
FaceTime and iMessage use your Apple ID, so let’s check that. Go to the Apple ID account page to verify your information.
Go to Apple ID and sign in.
Look at the email address next to your Account information and make sure it’s the right one for iMessage and FaceTime. If it’s not, click ‘Edit’.
Click ‘Change Apple ID’ to update it, and then ‘Resend’ to verify the email address.
Still No Luck?
If you’re still getting error messages, don’t panic yet. Sometimes, it just takes up to 24 hours for iMessage or FaceTime to activate.
If the problem persists after 24 hours, make sure your device is updated to the latest iOS or iPadOS version. Updates usually include bug fixes that could resolve this issue.
Also, check Apple’s list of supported wireless carriers and confirm your carrier is on the list. If your carrier isn’t listed, you’ll need to activate international SMS sending and receiving on your number.