iMessage activation unsuccessful an error occurred during activation in iOS 16

You would have waited a day without getting the Activation Unsuccessful on iMessage in iOS 15 and 16. Several reasons include:

1. Unstable network connection.
2. Inaccurate Date and Time.
3. Minor bugs.
4. Trouble on iMessage from Apple.
5. Outdated iOS.
6. Corrupt Network Settings.

Don’t worry—we have you covered to tackle the iMessage waiting for activation or iMessage unsuccessful error on your iPhone or iPad.

• Check your iOS Device Network Connection
• Set iPhone Date and Time Automatically
• Sign out and sign in Apple ID from your iPhone
• Check system status on Apple’s system status page
• Turn off iOS Messages and turn it on again
• Update or Upgrade iOS with the latest version
• iPhone Reset Network Settings

Check your iOS Device Network Connection

If you have unstable network connectivity while activating iMessage, you should resolve this. First, you should check whether your WiFi or Mobile data is at fault. Then, you can reconnect them and check. If your WiFi or data is not at risk, then you should use Flight Mode so that your iOS establishes connectivity.

If there was nothing with your network, the issue could also be from Apple’s side.

Set iPhone Date and Time Automatically

If your iOS Date and Time settings are inaccurate, activation in iMessage can be unsuccessful. This happens when your phone is not in sync with your location’s date and time. To prevent this, you should ensure that the Date and Time Settings on your iOS are correct. Even if not, you should set them to automatic to avoid other issues.

Follow the steps given below to set the date and time promptly. Timeour iOS:

• Open the Settings and go to the General.
• Navigate to Date and Time and turn on Set Automatically.

When the Set Automatically Date and Time option is enabled, your device automatically sets a time zone you don’t have enough time to cin, change again, even if you have recently traveled. The issue would have been fixed if it had been due to an inaccurate date and time. However, it may also be that you tried to activate iMessage in the presence of an unstable network. So, the following method will fix it for you!

Sign out and sign in to your Apple ID from your iPhone.

Another possible reason is that your Apple ID is incorrectly set up on your iOS. You can again set it up if it is not set up correctly. However, while doing so, you must sign out from your iOS again.

Follow the steps given below to sign out and sign in Apple ID on your iOS device:

• Open the Settings app and tap your name to open your Apple ID.
• Now, click on Sign Out.
• Enter your Apple ID credentials to confirm.

After you are signed out, sign in again with your Apple ID. There might also be some minor issues interfering with iMessage Activation, leading to the “An error occurred during iMessage activation”.

Check the system status on Apple’s system status page.

There might be a possibility that nothing is wrong with your iMessage, but there’s a technical issue with Apple’s Server. You may visit Apple’s System Status Page.

Now, check if all the services are working correctly. You are concerned with iMessage, so check whether there is a green or red circle towards the left of iMessage. If there is a red one, it is not working; if there is a green one, there is nothing to bother about.

Turn off iOS Messages and turn it on again.

To eliminate minor issues with your device that obstruct successfully activating iMessage, you should reboot your iOS to fix it. Before the process, it would be better to turn off iMessage!

Follow the steps given below to fix iMessage Activation Unsuccessful using the reboot option:

• Head over to Settings and navigate to Messages.

• Toggle off the iMessage button.

• Press the power and volume down buttons simultaneously till you see the Power Off slider.
• Drag the slider towards the right and wait till your iOS shuts down.
• Now, press and hold the Power button till you see the Apple logo on your screen.

Your device has now rebooted. However, you might have to turn on iMessage after the process.

• Open Settings > Messages > Toggle on the iMessage.

If your iPhone or iPad software is not updated, there could also be an iMessage Activation error.

Update or upgrade iOS to the latest version.

You can update your device’s software to eliminate bugs and keep up with the latest Apple features. Therefore, your device will function optimally without any error.

Follow the steps given below to update your iOS:

• Connect to WiFi or the Internet and Open the Settings app on your iOS device.
• Navigate to General.
• Tap on Software Update.
• Click on Install Now and wait for it.

Your iOS will be updated to the latest version soon, depending on your data speed. However, if your device is already updated to the latest version and you are still getting Activation Unsuccessful on iOS Messages, then your Network Settings are corrupted. The below method will help you out!

iPhone Reset Network Settings

The Reset Network Settings will not wipe your data; however, you must again configure WiFi, Hotspot, and Data Usage Settings.

• Go to the Settings and open General.
• Navigate to Transfer or Reset iPhone.
• Tap on Reset and then click on Reset Network Settings.
• Enter the passcode, and your device’s network settings will be reset.

This will reset all your network settings to default. So, any inappropriate network configurations or corrupt Network Settings will fix the issue.

Final Verdict

Kudos. If you are struggling with Waiting for activation on iMessage on any iOS device, you can effectively fix it now. Depending upon the cause of inactivation, several methods will help you.

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