iMessage not working - stuck on "waiting for activation"
ashleytimm
Newbie

Hello all,

I have had my iPhone 4 since June 2011 and have had no issues with it until the past few days. I noticed that I was having troubles sending iMessages to fellow iPhone users - something I never had issues with before. Now and again a message here or there would send as text rather than iMessage, but it always went back to iMessage after a short time. This morning however, iMessage was completely not working, with anyone - I even sent a test text to myself, and even that would not send as an iMessage (normally it would). Reading through various Apple Forums it told me to try to turn off, then turn back on my iMessage feature....however, as soon as I turned it off and tried to turn it back on, it stalls at "waiting for activation" and now does not work at all. I have been waiting for roughly an hour, and still nothing.

I have tried a hard reset. I have tried various "fixes" found on Apple forums, but it still is not working. Has anyone else had this problem and do you know a fix? I'm not sure whether this is an iPhone issue or an issue with Verizon's carrier service. Any help is very much appreciated.

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Re: iMessage not working - stuck on "waiting for activation"
gina7239
Specialist - Level 2

Something might be really wrong.

Do u have good signal. It might wait for activation if not a really good data connection because our house is not having trouble with that part.

I have have had an iphone since april 2011 and ive had a problem recently as it sends as text although I have iMessage on and send as text off. I know imesage is only iphone to apple product. It one way doesent recognize the recipent is an iphone or apple product. But sending back it worked. Also it shows as an iMessage but then turns into a text.

Verizon tech support and customer service blamed it on apple also said have a text block on verizon end of the phone to solve it but I have a text block on the phone that it comes with saying it wont send as text if imessage wont work. They didn't believe there's such thing but whatever. I think a text block on Verizon thats just a work around but i think there should be a real resolution and not blame apple for everything. I have had less issues with this then others. I like to text and understand costs for it but I shouldn't be charged for a messege to another iPhone when I have done all procautions. I like to pay for things that i desirve and not things that technically if things work right. both phones have ios5 or above both have I messege on and send as text off. This has happened off and on for awhile but it has been months since it happened last and I got charged for 7 texts sent and 7 recieved.

Sorry for the rant but I see I'm not the only one.

When I send a messege with 2 people it sent as a picture message. Is that normal?

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Re: iMessage not working - stuck on "waiting for activation"
gina7239
Specialist - Level 2

Something might be really wrong.

Do u have good signal. It might wait for activation if not a really good data connection because our house is not having trouble with that part.

I have have had an iphone since april 2011 and ive had a problem recently as it sends as text although I have iMessage on and send as text off. I know imesage is only iphone to apple product. It one way doesent recognize the recipent is an iphone or apple product. But sending back it worked. Also it shows as an iMessage but then turns into a text.

Verizon tech support and customer service blamed it on apple also said have a text block on verizon end of the phone to solve it but I have a text block on the phone that it comes with saying it wont send as text if imessage wont work. They didn't believe there's such thing but whatever. I think a text block on Verizon thats just a work around but i think there should be a real resolution and not blame apple for everything. I have had less issues with this then others. I like to text and understand costs for it but I shouldn't be charged for a messege to another iPhone when I have done all procautions. I like to pay for things that i desirve and not things that technically if things work right. both phones have ios5 or above both have I messege on and send as text off. This has happened off and on for awhile but it has been months since it happened last and I got charged for 7 texts sent and 7 recieved.

Sorry for the rant but I see I'm not the only one.

When I send a messege with 2 people it sent as a picture message. Is that normal?

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Re: iMessage not working - stuck on "waiting for activation"
ashleytimm
Newbie

I have full 3CG reception as well as connection to a strong, secure wireless network and still it is not working, which means it is a deeper issue. I've also been messaging with friends who have iphones and imessage enabled, friends whom I am typically sending iMessages to and today I can do nothing but text them, so again, I know this is a deeper issue. But I'm still trying to figure out if it is an issue on Apple's side or on Verizon's side, so I know where to turn to have it fixed. I'm sorry you're having the same problems.

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Re: iMessage not working - stuck on "waiting for activation"
soupcannon
Specialist - Level 1

Are you running iOS 5 or higher ?

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Re: iMessage not working - stuck on "waiting for activation"
ashleytimm
Newbie

Yes, I'm running on iOS 5.1, I believe.

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Re: iMessage not working - stuck on "waiting for activation"
soupcannon
Specialist - Level 1

If both parties don't have iOS 5 or higher it will not be a iMessage

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Re: iMessage not working - stuck on "waiting for activation"
ashleytimm
Newbie

Yes, I am aware of this, however iMessage is no longer working with people it had previously worked for, and the individuals it had previously worked with, their iMessage feature is working fine, except with me.

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Re: iMessage not working - stuck on "waiting for activation"
soupcannon
Specialist - Level 1

Make sure you haven't accidentally disabled it in message settings

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Re: iMessage not working - stuck on "waiting for activation"
ashleytimm
Newbie

It is turned on in message settings, but it will not activate, which is the problem - as I've stated above.

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