How to Fix “iMessage Waiting for Activation” on iPhone

iMessaging waiting for activation is a threat when you want to install the iMessage app on iOS devices such as iPhone, iPad, and iPod. The iMessage activation isn’t so easy when you compared the iMessage activation with Android activation.

If you compare the iMessage activation on iPhone with iMessage activate on Android, you will discovered that there is nothing like iMessage waiting for activation.

However, for some sort of reasons, the iMessage activation on iPhone will remain stagnat when the activation process stopped. The reason why iMessage not activating on iPhone varies and could be one of the reasons we’ll explain in this guide.

Whichever reason is why the iMessage app isn’t working on your iPhone because of failed activation, this post will provide a lasting solution to fix the iMessage waiting for activation on iPhone, iPad, and iPod.

What is iMessage?

iMessage is a free messenger app for iOS devices such as iPhone, iPad, and iPod which is strictly different from the iOS messaging built-in app. The iMessage app start working on iOS 5 and above.

This impless that if your device is at least running the iOS 5. The app, however, doesn’t use the normal network carrier for message delivery rather it use the iOS internet connection or WiFi to send and receive messages.

The app can only send messages, media, video, audio, etc to other iMessage users without been charged. The app, however, works on Mac computer with the Mac installer and using a 3rd party tool such as the BlueStacks, NoxPlayer, and other popular emulators to run iOS apps on Mac computers.

iMessage waiting for Activation Causes

You expect the iMessage app to activate fully on your iPhone when you enter the activation code or click on the activation link (if not pre-installed) on your iPhone.

However, if this is something you didn’t expect, the waiting for activation on iPhone, iPad, and iPod could make you weary. For this reason, the possible reasons why the iMessages app is saying the app is waiting for activation could be the follow reasons.

1. iMessage isn’t instant Activation

According to Apple, to fully activate iMessage on iOS (iPhone, iPad, & iPod) it could take up to 24 hours. However, if you are looking for a shortcut to activate the iMessage on your iPhone you may end up with the iMessage waiting for activation.

2. Poor Network Coverage

iMessage is a free messenger app that activates over the internet with an active internet connection. However, if you are trying to activate the iMessage app on your iPhone or other iOs devices such as iPod and iPad, you must enable the internet connection and have a strongth internet strength to activate the iMessage app.

3. You have not Entered the Activation Code

This could also be the reason why the iMessage app is waiting for activation on your iPhone. Just like the WhatsApp app, the iMessage app will send an activation code to your registered number via SMS.

However, you are expected to enter this activation code into the “iMessage activate” column and click on the activate button. Inability to enter the activation code could simply result to iMessage unable to activate.

4. Time Zone not Correct

This is another reason why the iMessage activation isn’t working on your iPhone. You can’t activate the iMessage app in a zone where the zone time is not correctly set.

However, you have to make sure that your time zone is correct when you want to activate the iMessage app on your iPhone.

How to iMessage Waiting for Activation

From the above, you’d have probably been able to identify the reason why the iMessage activation isn’t working on your device. However, here are some of the ways to fix the iMessage waiting for activation on your iPhone.

Restart your iPhone

iMessage waiting for activation

Let’s start with this before we consider any technical approach to fix the “iMessage not woking” when you are tryin g to activate the iMessage app on your iPhone.

After you have downloaded the iMessage app and installed it on your iPhone and you are faced with “iMessage waiting for activation”, first restart your iPhone as this alone could go alone way to provide the solution to make the iMessage activation works.

How to turn off iPhone

Turning off your iPhone might clear off what is causing the iMessage from activating on your iPhone.

  • Press and hold the iPhone power button
  • Slide the power button to the right
  • This will turn off your iPhone

Once your iPhone is turned completely, wait for a couple of seconds and then press the power button again to turn on your iPhone.

Reset your Zone Date

iMessage waiting for activation

If you fall short of this when you want to activate the iMessage app on your iPhone, you have to make the necessary correction to be able to activate iMessage app.

  • Go to your iPhone settings
  • Tap on the “General” option
  • Click on “Time & Date”

Make sure that your time zone is correctly set. However, if you do not know the actual time in your zone choose the “automatic” time option to use the current time on your iPhone network coverage.

Enable & Disable Airplane Mode

Disable network on iPhone

A quick fix to your inactive internet network connection is to turn of the airplane mode and then disable it after a few seconds. You can turn on the plane mode via the network settings or by just pressing the power button and swipe to airplane mode to activate it.

  • Open your iPhone settings
  • Go to network
  • Toggle the airplane mode
  • When the airplane mode is turned green it has turned on
  • Then, toggle back the airplane mode to turn it off
  • Done

Now, try to reconnect to your iPhone internet connection and try to reactivate the iMessage app on your iDevice.

Turn of iMessage App and Turn it On

Disable iMessage app

This could also help to fix the “iMessage waiting for activation” on your iPhone. As a matter of fcat, a glitch between the iOS device and the iMessage app might cause the iMessage activation problem.

  • Go to settings >> iMessage app
  • Click on the toggle icon right in the front of the iMessage app
  • Once the toggle icon changes to blue the iMessage app will remain inactive

Now, try to enter the iMessage activation code sent to your phone number and see if the waiting message disappears and you are able to active the iMessenger.

Update iOS for a new version

iMessage waiting for activation

If you are running the outdated version of the iDevice OS the iMessage app can be malfunctioning and could pose an activation threat when you are trying to activate the iMessenger app on your iOS.

  • Go to your iPhone settings
  • Click on the general tab
  • Click on software update
  • Click on the “download and install”

This may take some few mniutes. It can even extend to hour. However, make sure you are connected to a good WiFi to download this update or schedule your device to upgrade to the latest iOS update when connected to a WiFi.

Signout Apple ID & Login Again

iMessage waiting for activation

You can’t do without the Apple ID when you are dealing with an iOS devices such as iPhone, iPad, and iPod, including Mac computers. However, if you are having a bit of glitches installing the iMessage app on your iPhone with “iMessage waiting for activation”.

  • Go to the settings
  • Click on messages
  • Tap on send and receive
  • Tap on the Apple ID at the top of the screen
  • Click on sign out from the pop up.

Now, you’d be successfully logged out of your Apple ID. Now, at the interface, click on “Use Your Apple ID for iMessage “, log into your Apple ID password and username to log into your Apple ID account.

Now, go back to the iMessage and try to activate your account. At this point, the iMessage waiting for activation would be gone.

Leave a Comment