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iPhone iMessage Not Activating (Fix Stuck on Waiting)

Updated Feb 13, 2026

⚠️ Immediate Fix

Stuck on "Waiting for activation"? This is usually an Apple server timeout or an SMS credit issue. Turn off iMessage in Settings. Restart your iPhone. Turn iMessage back ON. Ensure you have credit to send 1 international SMS (used for silent verification).

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Why This Happens

  • Apple Server Busy: Activation servers are overloaded.
  • Timezone Mismatch: Clock settings are confusing the token.
  • No SMS Plan: The silent activation text failed.

Step-by-Step Fix

  1. The Toggle Fix: Go to Settings > Messages. Turn OFF iMessage. Turn OFF FaceTime. Restart your phone. Turn them both ON.
  2. Set Automatic Time: Go to General > Date & Time. Ensure "Set Automatically" is ON. Security tokens fail if time is wrong.
  3. Sign Out of Apple ID: Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out. Restart. Sign back in. This forces a new handshake.
  4. Reset Network Settings: Last resort. Go to General > Transfer or Reset > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
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When to Stop

If it has been "Waiting for activation" for more than 24 hours, you must contact Apple Support. Your Apple ID might be flagged for spam or security review on their server side.