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:
Waiting for activation
Activation unsuccessful
An error occurred during activation
Could not sign in, please check your network connection
Unable to contact the iMessage server. Try again.
Make sure that you’re connected to a cellular data or Wi-Fi network.
Make sure that your device has the latest version of iOS.
Make sure that your time zone is set correctly. In the Settings app, tap General. Then tap Date & Time.
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.
In the Settings app, tap Apps.
Tap Messages, then turn off iMessage.
Go to Settings, then tap Apps again.
Tap FaceTime, then turn off FaceTime.
Turn iMessage and FaceTime back on.
Go to apple.co/IMFT-mac.
Under Enable Apple Account, tap Get Started.
Sign into your Apple Account and follow the onscreen instructions. If you use a phone number with FaceTime and iMessage, make sure to enter that phone number.
You will receive an email if your account is ready for iMessage and FaceTime use.
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:
In the Settings app, tap Apps.
Tap Messages.
Tap Send & Receive, then choose your email address.
To select your email address to use with FaceTime:
In the Settings app, tap Apps.
Tap FaceTime.
Scroll to You Can Be Reached By FaceTime At, and choose your email address.
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
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.
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:
In the Settings app, tap Apps.
Tap Messages.
Turn iMessage off and back on.
If you still can't sign in, you might see one of the following error messages:
"An error occurred while activating iMessage or FaceTime" with a "Get Help" button
"iMessage or FaceTime Activation Failed. This account is blocked due to reported spam."
If you also did not receive an email after completing a request to activate at apple.co/IMFT-mac, your account is likely blocked from iMessage and FaceTime and a request to remove the block was not approved.
iMessage and FaceTime are intended for communicating with family, friends, and other contacts—not for conducting commercial activities or for sending unwanted messages. iMessage or FaceTime misuse may result in service limitations. For more information, see the iCloud terms of service and the privacy policy for Messages.
You might still be able to send and receive SMS, MMS, or RCS messages if you use an iPhone with a cellular plan and you turn off iMessage. You might also be able to use iMessage or FaceTime with your email address instead of your phone number.