iMessage usually takes 24 hours or less to activate. So, if you receive the message “waiting for activation,” don’t worry. You can wait it out. But, if you are greeted with “iMessage needs to be enabled“, you should double-check your steps for enabling iMessage.
How to Enable iMessage on Your iPhone/iPad
You can enable iMessage on your iPhone or iPad with the following steps.
How to Enable iMessage on Your Macbook/iMac
There are no specific toggles in Mac to enable iMessage. However, you can use enable it by logging in to your Apple ID.
iMessage Errors on Your IPhone and IPad
If your device still shows no sign of activation, then it’s time to troubleshoot the error. There could be a number of issues preventing your iMessage from activating, such as:
An error occurred during the activationiMessage needs to be enabled to send messageUnable to contact the iMessage serverCould not sign in, please check your network connection
Check out the fixes below, as one of them will most likely work for you.
Things to Consider Before Troubleshooting
Be sure to check the following things before you ascertain the problem to be device-related.
Make Sure iMessage Is Available Through Apple System Status: Before assuming something is wrong with your device and moving on with troubleshooting, make sure that there are no issues with Apple’s system. You can check if the iMessage is currently available through the company from the system status section of their website.If the iMessage feature is working properly, the iMessage section in the system status will be shown in green color. If it is not green, then Apple is working on it. Try using iMessage again once the status turns green again. Till then, be patient as the issue might not be with your device.Check Your Internet Connection: Since iMessage requires some form of internet access, please check your Wi-Fi, internet speed. If your internet speed is not stable, try restarting your router. If the internet issue persists, contact your internet service provider.If you are using the internet through cellular data packages, make sure the internet is working. E.g., try using other apps that require internet access or try loading any pages on your browser to see if the data connection is working or not..
Troubleshooting iMessage Errors in iPhone and iPad
To fix iMessage errors on iPhone and iPad, you can try these fixes below.
Try Enabling & Disabling iMessage
Enable and disable iMessage on your iPhone or iPad using the process taught above using the toggle in the message’s app at the side of the iMessage option. On a Mac, sign out. If this doesn’t fix the issue, move on to the steps below. The fixes below will work for both iPhones & iPads.
Turn On and Off Airplane Mode
Turning on your airplane mode will disable all connections of the device, including network, Wi-Fi, and even Bluetooth. Though the initial purpose is to be used on an airplane, this process helps you get a new connection to the Wi-Fi or cellular network once again.
Delete Any Stuck iMessage Conversation Threads
If there are any stuck messages on iMessage, try deleting that message or the whole conversation thread. Sometimes starting a new conversation can help fix the error. You can properly refresh iMessage and start a new chat.
Reset Your Network Settings
When you reset your network settings, all previous configurations of networks, VPN, etc., are reset. You will have to get a new connection, fixing the issue.
Restart Your Device
Rebooting your iPhone helps to restart the messaging feature of your iPhone. Please use the steps below according to the model of your iPhone to reboot the device.
iPhone X Series, 11, 12, or 13 or iPad Without Home Button
iPhone Se 2, 8,7 or 6
iPhone Se,5, or Ipad With a Home Button
Check if the Date and Time Zone Is Correct on Iphone & iPad
Your iMessage needs the correct time zone and date to function properly. Check if your date and time zone are set properly.
Check Your iOS Update
Apple creates updates for your iOS so that they can fix previous errors and bugs. If iMessage has a bug, updating the OS will fix the issue. Check if your IOS is updated or not; if not, we recommend updating the operating system.
Sign Out and Back Into Apple Id
As iMessage relies on your Apple id, try signing out and signing back in so that the process of iMessage restarts.
Check if There Is a Carrier Update
A Carrier update is notified via notification pop-up, so it is not noticeable on day-to-day use. So, we do not remember to check for updates. It brings new features for 5G networks or even Wi-Fi calling. It’s best to have it updated as soon as it is prompted. If you do not remember if you updated this, you could check via the following process.
Fix iMessage Errors on Mac
Here’s how you can fix iMessage errors on Mac:
Restart Your Mac
Restarting your Mac will restart all apps and processes in its system. Errors are sometimes fixed during the reboot of these app processes.
Auto Proxy Discovery
Auto Proxy Discovery will help your Mac detect whether a proxy is necessary or not. This proxy discovery will also help transfer traffic from networks properly.
Delete Threads of Conversation on Your iMessage
We recommend deleting unstuck messages or the threads themselves if you have issues with your iMessage in Mac. Note: The above steps will make your iMessage not save any chat after closing.
Sign Out and Sign in to iMessage
Logging out and in can sometimes reboot issues with your profile.
Check-in With Apple Support
If these steps do not work, please check if your normal SMS is working; if it isn’t, it’s best to contact your carrier and explain the issue. They will be able to guide you to possible alternatives here on after. If it’s not a carrier issue, it’s best to contact Apple’s support team.
Why Are My Iphone Texts Not Syncing With the Apple Watch?
This issue generally occurs due to pairing, mirror issues, or pairing issues. Follow the steps below and see if the messages sync. Check if the Mirror option is working Reset the Sync Data Other General Fixes to try
What Is the Difference Between iMessage & SMS?
iMessage needs an internet connection and only works among Apple devices. The text boxes are blue in color. Meanwhile, SMS only needs a cellular plan. These messages aren’t encrypted. On an iPhone, SMS text bubbles are green in color.
Can You Know if Someone Is Online in iMessage?
Unfortunately, iMessage does not have online status symbols like traditional messaging services.
title: “How To Enable Imessage In Easy 3 Steps” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-20” author: “John Shibley”
iMessage usually takes 24 hours or less to activate. So, if you receive the message “waiting for activation,” don’t worry. You can wait it out. But, if you are greeted with “iMessage needs to be enabled“, you should double-check your steps for enabling iMessage.
How to Enable iMessage on Your iPhone/iPad
You can enable iMessage on your iPhone or iPad with the following steps.
How to Enable iMessage on Your Macbook/iMac
There are no specific toggles in Mac to enable iMessage. However, you can use enable it by logging in to your Apple ID.
iMessage Errors on Your IPhone and IPad
If your device still shows no sign of activation, then it’s time to troubleshoot the error. There could be a number of issues preventing your iMessage from activating, such as:
An error occurred during the activationiMessage needs to be enabled to send messageUnable to contact the iMessage serverCould not sign in, please check your network connection
Check out the fixes below, as one of them will most likely work for you.
Things to Consider Before Troubleshooting
Be sure to check the following things before you ascertain the problem to be device-related.
Make Sure iMessage Is Available Through Apple System Status: Before assuming something is wrong with your device and moving on with troubleshooting, make sure that there are no issues with Apple’s system. You can check if the iMessage is currently available through the company from the system status section of their website.If the iMessage feature is working properly, the iMessage section in the system status will be shown in green color. If it is not green, then Apple is working on it. Try using iMessage again once the status turns green again. Till then, be patient as the issue might not be with your device.Check Your Internet Connection: Since iMessage requires some form of internet access, please check your Wi-Fi, internet speed. If your internet speed is not stable, try restarting your router. If the internet issue persists, contact your internet service provider.If you are using the internet through cellular data packages, make sure the internet is working. E.g., try using other apps that require internet access or try loading any pages on your browser to see if the data connection is working or not..
Troubleshooting iMessage Errors in iPhone and iPad
To fix iMessage errors on iPhone and iPad, you can try these fixes below.
Try Enabling & Disabling iMessage
Enable and disable iMessage on your iPhone or iPad using the process taught above using the toggle in the message’s app at the side of the iMessage option. On a Mac, sign out. If this doesn’t fix the issue, move on to the steps below. The fixes below will work for both iPhones & iPads.
Turn On and Off Airplane Mode
Turning on your airplane mode will disable all connections of the device, including network, Wi-Fi, and even Bluetooth. Though the initial purpose is to be used on an airplane, this process helps you get a new connection to the Wi-Fi or cellular network once again.
Delete Any Stuck iMessage Conversation Threads
If there are any stuck messages on iMessage, try deleting that message or the whole conversation thread. Sometimes starting a new conversation can help fix the error. You can properly refresh iMessage and start a new chat.
Reset Your Network Settings
When you reset your network settings, all previous configurations of networks, VPN, etc., are reset. You will have to get a new connection, fixing the issue.
Restart Your Device
Rebooting your iPhone helps to restart the messaging feature of your iPhone. Please use the steps below according to the model of your iPhone to reboot the device.
iPhone X Series, 11, 12, or 13 or iPad Without Home Button
iPhone Se 2, 8,7 or 6
iPhone Se,5, or Ipad With a Home Button
Check if the Date and Time Zone Is Correct on Iphone & iPad
Your iMessage needs the correct time zone and date to function properly. Check if your date and time zone are set properly.
Check Your iOS Update
Apple creates updates for your iOS so that they can fix previous errors and bugs. If iMessage has a bug, updating the OS will fix the issue. Check if your IOS is updated or not; if not, we recommend updating the operating system.
Sign Out and Back Into Apple Id
As iMessage relies on your Apple id, try signing out and signing back in so that the process of iMessage restarts.
Check if There Is a Carrier Update
A Carrier update is notified via notification pop-up, so it is not noticeable on day-to-day use. So, we do not remember to check for updates. It brings new features for 5G networks or even Wi-Fi calling. It’s best to have it updated as soon as it is prompted. If you do not remember if you updated this, you could check via the following process.
Fix iMessage Errors on Mac
Here’s how you can fix iMessage errors on Mac:
Restart Your Mac
Restarting your Mac will restart all apps and processes in its system. Errors are sometimes fixed during the reboot of these app processes.
Auto Proxy Discovery
Auto Proxy Discovery will help your Mac detect whether a proxy is necessary or not. This proxy discovery will also help transfer traffic from networks properly.
Delete Threads of Conversation on Your iMessage
We recommend deleting unstuck messages or the threads themselves if you have issues with your iMessage in Mac. Note: The above steps will make your iMessage not save any chat after closing.
Sign Out and Sign in to iMessage
Logging out and in can sometimes reboot issues with your profile.
Check-in With Apple Support
If these steps do not work, please check if your normal SMS is working; if it isn’t, it’s best to contact your carrier and explain the issue. They will be able to guide you to possible alternatives here on after. If it’s not a carrier issue, it’s best to contact Apple’s support team.
Why Are My Iphone Texts Not Syncing With the Apple Watch?
This issue generally occurs due to pairing, mirror issues, or pairing issues. Follow the steps below and see if the messages sync. Check if the Mirror option is working Reset the Sync Data Other General Fixes to try
What Is the Difference Between iMessage & SMS?
iMessage needs an internet connection and only works among Apple devices. The text boxes are blue in color. Meanwhile, SMS only needs a cellular plan. These messages aren’t encrypted. On an iPhone, SMS text bubbles are green in color.
Can You Know if Someone Is Online in iMessage?
Unfortunately, iMessage does not have online status symbols like traditional messaging services.
