How to Solve iMessage Error Problems in iOS 7.0.2

Image : iMessage Not Working on iOS 7 – Waiting for Activation Error

There really isn’t any one reason why iMessage decides to stop working. This makes it difficult to fix the problem so we have come up with a list of solutions for you to try. Some will work and some won’t so it’s best to go through the list, one at a time and try everything until one of them, fixes the problem.

Just occasionally, the problem will lie with Apple, in their servers. Or it may be that the recipient of your messages is not actually on there or you just haven’t got the settings configured correctly.

These fixes apply to iOS 7 and lower:

• Check your Network Settings and Wi-Fi proxies.  Sometimes, if the 3G or Wi-Fi network is only working on a weak signal, iMessage won’t work properly.  If you are using Wi-Fi, move closer to the router and, if you are using 3G, reset your cellular connections. You can also check to make sure the network proxies are not stopping the natural flow.

If this doesn’t work, on to the next step:

• Turn iMessage off and then on again.  Sometimes this will just reset everything back to normal and iMessage will work fine:
  1. Open Settings
  2. Tap on Messages and then tap on iMessage to turn it off
  3. Wait a few seconds and then tap to turn it back on 
     
  4. Check that your chosen network is active and then try to send a message to an iMessage user
  5. If this doesn’t work, try signing out of your Apple ID and then signing back in again – you can do this through the Send and Receive menu
  6. If you have to do this repeat the first few steps above for switching iMessage off and on again.

In the event that this doesn’t work:

• Check your Send and Receive settings
  1. Open Settings
  2. Tap on Messages
  3. Tap on Send and Receive
     
  4. You will see your phone number, email address and Apple ID in here, make sure everything is as it should be.
     

There are several things you will need to try in here:

1. Delete you email and just use your phone number
2. Use one or the other to see if iMessage is working
3. Choose both – you will then be taken to a new screen that says “start new conversations from” – you should choose your phone number

Some people have found that removing older text messages, especially long ones, kick started iMessage into starting again. Some others have found that restoring and setting up as a new phone worked as well.

One user has noticed that the date on your iPhone must be set to auto update – this has been shown to fix the issue as well:

1. Go to Settings
2. Tap on General
3. Tap Date and Time
4. Tap to set Automatically On