How To Fix iPhone 7 And iPhone 7 Plus iMessage Waiting For Activation Problem

If you own an iPhone 7 or iPhone Plus, you could be having an iMessage waiting for activation problem. Also, other issues that iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus owners are having problems with are knowing how to activate iMessage when iMessage is not working.

Even though our guide will help you learn how to activate iMessage when iMessage not working, from our experience, it’s not always easy to help someone when they ask how to activate iMessage when iMessage is not working.

There are many different recommendations on how to activate iMessage all over the Internet, but not all of these methods work and leave you with iMessage activation unsuccessful and you’ll still have iMessage waiting for activation.

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Before You Start To Fix iMessage “Waiting for Activation” Issue

If you want to learn how to activate iMessage for an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus to fix an iMessage is not working problem, there are several things you need to check. Before you start trying out all these methods to get iMessage activated or iMessage activation unsuccessful attempt could happen:

It’s important to make sure that iPhone 7 that you use has the correct number listed on the device. You can view the number associated with the iPhone 7 by going to the top of contacts, there you should see your number listed as “My Number”. If not, you’ll need to go to Settings -> Phone -> My Number and enter your number.
Also check and make sure the correct Date & Time is listed. You also have the option to set to ‘Set Automatically’ that will set the Time Zone based on the location the device is at.
It’s very common that network error occur which can sometimes have iMessage not working and makes iMessage activation unsuccessful. Check for any Wi-fi issues that could cause iMessage activation problems.
Contact your wireless provider to make sure that iMessage is supported by, this will help save time when iMessage waiting for activation after iMessage activation unsuccessful. Contact your Carrier support team and verify any limiting condition on your for iMessage, blocks, or filters on text messages. Contacting your wireless provider is not the best when wanting to know how to activate iMessage.

Apple ID Sign-out, Sign-in Sometimes, you just need to sign-out of your Apple ID and then login again

Under Settings → Message, scroll down and select ‘Send & Receive’
Tap on the Apple ID and then press Sign Out
Switch “Off” iMessage now
Wait for a while (turn on/off Wifi) and then switch “On” iMessage
Enter your Apple ID details now and try to reactivate iMessage

Airplane Mode Check When iMessage Not Working

For some, when iMessage not working a great iMessage waiting for activation fix is by turning “Off” and “On” Airplane mode. We found the airplane mode activation mode in one of the discussions.

Go to Settings → scroll down and select Messages and turn “Off” iMessage (also disable FaceTime)
Turn on the Airplane mode. Wifi will be turned “Off” automatically
Turn “On” Wifi
Head back to Messages and turn-on iMessage
You’ll be prompted for your Apple ID if you haven’t added it yet
Now, head back to Settings and turn “Off” Airplane mode
You’ll be shown a notification that says ‘Your carrier may charge for SMS’ – Select “Ok”
If not, go to Messages, turn “Off” iMessage and then turn it “On” again

Reset Or Restore iMessage Waiting For Activation Fix

If none of the above methods work and you still need to know how to activate iMessage when iMessage is not working, try to reset or restore your iPhone. For a detailed guide, read How to Reset or Restart iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus. You need to reset your location settings, followed by reseting or restoring the iPhone. After you have reset the iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus, you’ll just login with your Apple ID and set up iMessage as new.