How To Activate a Phone Number for iMessage
What is iMessage?
iMessage is an instant messaging service developed by Apple Inc. and launched in 2011. iMessage functions exclusively on Apple platforms: macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS.
How To Activate a Phone Number for iMessage
- Go to Settings > Messages and make sure that iMessage is on. You might need to wait a moment for it to activate.
- Tap Send & Receive. If you see “Use your Apple ID for iMessage,” tap it and sign in with the same Apple ID that you use on your Mac, iPad, and iPod touch.
- In the “You can receive iMessages to and Reply From” section, make sure that your phone number and Apple ID are selected.
- Go to Settings > FaceTime and make sure that your phone number and Apple ID are selected in the “You can be reached by FaceTime at” section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won’t my phone number activate my iMessage?
If iMessage or FaceTime is stuck on the “Waiting for activation” screen, try resetting both apps. You can also try restarting your phone, refreshing your connection, or resetting your Apple ID. Other steps to try include ensuring time and date are correct or updating or resetting your device.
Why is my phone number signed out of iMessage?
If you see a notification on your iPhone that says you’re being logged out of iMessage, this doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve been hacked. This error can be caused by a faulty SIM card, a software bug, or your device settings.
Why can’t Apple verify my phone number?
An unstable connection can result in your phone number not verifying. When Apple ID doesn’t accept your phone number, the solution may be to follow the familiar advice to power your device off and back on again
How do I get my iPhone to verify my phone number for iMessage?
Tap Send & Receive. If you see “Use your Apple ID for iMessage,” tap it and sign in with the same Apple ID that you use on your Mac, iPad, and iPod touch. In the “You can receive iMessages to and Reply From” section, make sure that your phone number and Apple ID are selected.
How do I activate my number on my iPhone?
On your new iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular, tap Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM, then tap Transfer From Nearby iPhone or choose a phone number. On your previous iPhone, follow the instructions to confirm the transfer.
What is iMessage activation?
When you enable iMessage on your iPhone, you’ll be able to send and receive messages using cellular data or Wi-Fi with other iPhones, or over Wi-Fi with iPads or Mac computers.
Why does iMessage use my email instead of phone number?
This happens when your Apple ID is activated with iMessage and the “Start new conversations from” setting is set to your email address instead of your phone number. To change this, simply navigate to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive and configure the settings to start new conversations from your phone number.
Why is iMessage not working?
There are several reasons for this: The person that you sent the message to doesn’t have an Apple device. iMessage is turned off on your device or on your recipient’s device. To check if iMessage is turned on for your device, go to Settings > Messages > iMessage.
Why does my iPhone say no SIM?
Make sure that the SIM tray closes completely and isn’t loose. If you use a SIM tray from a different model iPhone, iPad, or from another phone manufacturer, it might not fit properly. If your device has a physical SIM card and you’ve completed the previous step, try using another SIM card.
How long does it take for Apple to verify your phone number?
If your phone number still doesn’t have a check next to it in Settings after 24 hours. It might take up to 24 hours for your carrier to verify your phone number with Apple.