So you just got a new iPhone and can‘t wait to use iMessage. iMessage is Apple‘s messaging app that allows iPhone, iPad, and Mac users to exchange messages, photos, videos, and more over Wi-Fi. As an Apple device owner myself, I find iMessage to be a seamless and convenient communication option.
But before you can start iMessaging your friends emojis and reactions, you need to take a couple minutes to set it up and activate it.
In this step-by-step guide, I‘ll walk you through exactly how to activate iMessage using your phone number as your identifier. I‘ll provide screenshots for every step of activation, troubleshoot any error messages that may show up, and share some power user tips to take your messaging to the next level.
By the end, you‘ll have iMessage good to go! Let‘s get started.
Overview of iMessage
First things first, a quick look at what iMessage is and how it works under the hood…
iMessage made its debut back in 2011 along with iOS 5 as Apple‘s response to competing messaging platforms. It quickly became popular for allowing iPhone users to exchange messages without racking up expensive SMS/MMS fees from their cell provider.
Instead, iMessage sends messages using the internet over Wi-Fi or the device‘s cellular data connection. As long as both the sender and receiver are connected to the internet, messaging is completely free. Even better, those messages sync seamlessly across all devices linked to the same Apple ID, whether that‘s an iPad, Mac computer, or Apple Watch.
Pretty smart on Apple‘s part!
On a technical level, iMessage works through encrypted communication between Apple‘s servers and any devices registered to an iCloud account. All messaging content is secured with end-to-end encryption during transit and can only be read by the intended recipient. For encryption purposes, each device registered to iMessage must be authenticated before it can participate.
That‘s where activating iMessage comes in…
Requirements for Activating iMessage
While iMessage is included for free on any iPhone (and most Apple products), there are a few requirements to actually activate it:
- An iPhone or iPad running iOS/iPadOS 10 or later – Most modern devices already meet this
- An internet connection – iMessage relies on internet access, whether through Wi-Fi or a cellular data plan
- An activated SIM card – The phone number associated with your SIM card serves as one method of authentication
- Valid Apple ID – Your free iCloud account credentials can also authenticate your device
As long as your device meets these requirements, you can likely activate iMessage without any issues. The process involves registering your phone number and/or Apple ID with Apple‘s servers so all your messages route properly between devices.
Next, I‘ll walk you through two different paths for activation – using your phone number or using your Apple ID.
Activating iMessage with Your Phone Number
For my money, the quickest and easiest way to activate iMessage is directly through your phone number.
Here is the step-by-step process:
- Open the Settings application on your iPhone‘s homescreen. This is the one with an icon that looks like gears.
- Next, scroll down on the menu and select "Messages". Tap to open it up.
- On the Messages settings screen, you should see a slider button next to iMessage with the text "Off" in green. Go ahead and tap the slider to turn iMessage "On".
- A confirmation pop-up will appear warning that your carrier may charge for SMS messages during activation. This is normal! Tap OK to proceed.
- Return back to the Messages settings. You should now see the text "Waiting for Activation…" under your Apple ID email and phone number. This means it is contacting Apple‘s activation servers.
- Great news – the activation went through! Now select "Send & Receive" to choose the phone number you want linked to iMessage.
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On the Send & Receive screen, tap the slider for "Use your Apple ID for iMessage" to make sure your Apple ID enables iMessage as well. Sign in with your Apple ID credentials if prompted.
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Finally, select your phone number right underneath your Apple ID to link it to iMessage too. Now all message sent as either your phone number or Apple ID will appear in the same iMessage inbox!
That‘s all it takes to activate iMessage on your new iPhone! As long as you are connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data, you can now start sending iMessages to friends and family who have an Apple device.
Troubleshooting iMessage Activation
Despite how quick and painless the activation process usually is, you may encounter some errors that block successful activation.
Here are some of the common iMessage activation issues and my top troubleshooting tips:
Activation Unsuccessful
If you receive a message that "Activation Unsuccessful" or just remains stuck on "Waiting for Activation", try the following steps:
- Restart iMessage – Go back into Settings > Messages and toggle iMessage off. Wait 10 seconds then toggle it back on to restart the service.
- Make sure cellular data or Wi-Fi is turned on so your device can reach Apple‘s servers
- Verify the date/time settings on your iPhone are correct
- Force quit and relaunch the Messages app
SIM Not Supported
This implies that either your SIM card is not activated with your cell provider or it is damaged in some way. Double check it is securely inserted in your device and contact your carrier. You may need to swap it out.
Error Activating iMessage
If you receive a message that "An error occurred during activation" try these troubleshooting steps:
| Error Message | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| An error occurred during activation | Outdated carrier settings | Call cell provider to update |
| Cannot activate iMessage on this iPhone | Date/time settings off | Enable "Set Automatically" in Date & Time settings |
| Could not sign in to iMessage | Internet connectivity issue | Switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data |
- Update iOS software through Settings > General > Software Update
- Reset Network Settings under General settings (will not erase content)
Outside of these common activation errors, feel free to contact Apple Support directly if you continue having issues getting iMessage set up. They are usually very helpful in finding a fix!
Activating Without a Phone Number
What if you don‘t have a SIM card in your iPhone or just don‘t want messages tied to your phone number? No worries – you can activate iMessage using ONLY your Apple ID instead.
Here is how to get it set up:
- Head to Settings > Messages and make sure iMessage is toggled ON
- Tap into Send & Receive
- Select "Use your Apple ID for iMessage"
- Enter your Apple ID and password > Hit Sign In
This will authenticate your device for messaging through that Apple ID. One limitation is that you can only send/receive messages on Wi-Fi since there is no cellular plan attached.
But as long as internet access isn‘t an issue, you‘ll enjoy the full iMessaging experience on your iPhone or iPad sans phone number!
Expert Tip: Two-Factor Authentication
Now that you have iMessage configured, I recommend taking an extra step to lock down the security of your Apple ID.
Through two-factor authentication (often abbreviated 2FA), you can require a second "factor" like a code sent your phone whenever you sign into your Apple account. This prevents anyone but YOU from accessing your account even if they have your password!
To enable 2FA:
- Open Settings > [Your Name]
- Tap Password & Security
- Select Two-Factor Authentication
- Choose between text verification code or automated prompts
And that‘s all there is to it! I strongly suggest this extra layer of protection now that your messages are flying through cyberspace.
Alright, go enjoy sending those Animojis! Let me know if you have ANY other questions about iMessage. I‘m always happy to chat more about Apple products.
