FaceTime and iMessage - Activation and Troubleshooting

Tuesday, September 23, 2014
FaceTime is Apple's video calling service. It allows anyone with a recent iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, or Mac to make free calls to any other Apple user over Wi-Fi or cellular connection. On the iPhone, FaceTime is bundled into the Phone app. On the iPod touch, iPad, and Mac, FaceTime is a separate app. 

Techspecs - FaceTime



On all devices, FaceTime can connect to any Apple-registered iPhone phone number or email address. That makes it perfect for keeping in touch with family who lives far away, with the kids while traveling, with business partners at distant offices, or even with that special someone while shopping for the perfect gift.

With iOS 7, Apple added FaceTime Audio as a way to make voice calls over the same network.

Apple originally announced that they would release FaceTime as an open standard so that third parties to create FaceTime for Android, FaceTime for PC, etc. So far, that hasn't happened till date but we will be eagerly waiting for it.

FaceTime and iMessage Activation

iPhone automatically registers your phone number for use with FaceTime and iMessage however you can also use your Apple ID.
  •        To use FaceTime with your Apple ID, navigate to Settings > FaceTime and tap "Use your Apple ID for FaceTime."
  •        To use iMessage with your Apple ID, navigate to Settings > Messages > Receive At and tap "Use your Apple ID for iMessage."


When you enable FaceTime or iMessage with an iPad or iPod touch, you need to enter a valid Apple ID and password. Other users will be able to contact you on FaceTime and iMessage using this email address.

FaceTime and iMessage Troubleshooting
If you see "Waiting for Activation", "Activation unsuccessful", or "An error occurred during activation".

These messages occur when your iPhone is trying to activate your phone number with iMessage or FaceTime.
To resolve these status messages, follow these steps. After each step, turn FaceTime and iMessage off and on again in Settings > Messages and Settings > FaceTime.
2.    Make sure that you have a cellular network connection with your cellular provider. You need a cellular network connection to activate iMessage and FaceTime with your iPhone phone number.
3.       Go to www.apple.com in Safari to make sure that you have a data connection. You need a data connection to activate iMessage and FaceTime with your iPhone phone number.
4.    Make sure that you can send and receive SMS. You need a valid SMS messaging plan to activate FaceTime and iMessage.
5.    Make sure that FaceTime hasn't been restricted: tap Settings > General > Restrictions > FaceTime.
6.    Set iPhone to the correct time zone: tap Settings > General > Date & Time.
Note: If Set Automatically is on but the incorrect time zone appears, turn Set Automatically off and choose the correct time zone, date, and time.
7.    Contact your carrier to verify that there are no restrictions, blocks, or filters on text messages. Restrictions, blocks, or filters on text messaging will prevent iMessage and FaceTime registration from completing.

If "Waiting for Activation" still appears after you perform these steps, turn FaceTime and iMessage off and on in Settings > Messages and Settings > FaceTime. You may need to wait up to 24 hours to complete activation. Most attempts will take less than an hour, but some attempts may take up to 24 hours. If your issue isn't resolved after 24 hours, please contact Apple care 18004250744 for assistance. If you've recently performed a remote wipe on your iPhone, wait 24 hours from the time you performed the remote wipe, and then turn iMessage off then back on.
You can still activate iMessage and FaceTime with your Apple ID when these status messages appear. You can see that you've activated FaceTime and iMessage with your Apple ID by tapping:
§  Settings > FaceTime > You can be reached by FaceTime at:
§  Settings > Messages > Send & Receive > You can be reached by iMessage at:


please the below steps if the you find the above error while sign-in to FaceTime of iMessage.
2.    Verify that you have a data connection by going to www.apple.com in Safari. You can complete Apple ID activation using Wi-Fi or a cellular data connection. If you need help connecting to Wi-Fi, follow these steps.
3.    If you're using Wi-Fi, make sure that your local Wi-Fi network is using the recommended Wi-Fi settings.
4.    Sign in to your account and ensure that the primary email address and alternate e-mail addresses have been verified. If verification is pending, follow the instructions in the email Apple sent to that email address to complete verification. Or remove the e-mail addresses from the account.
5.    If your Apple ID isn't an email address, you can change it. The Apple ID that you're using to activate FaceTime or iMessage must be an email address. Find more information on how to change your Apple ID.
6.    Tap Settings > General > Date & Time. Make sure that your iPhone is set to the correct time zone. If Set Automatically is on but the wrong time zone appears, turn Set Automatically off and choose the correct time zone, date, and time.
7.    Enable iMessage and FaceTime while connected to a different Wi-Fi network (in a different location) if a cellular data connection is not available.
You can see that you've activated FaceTime and iMessage with your Apple ID by following these steps.
§  Tap Settings > FaceTime > You can be reached by FaceTime at:
§  Tap Settings > Messages > Send & Receive > You can be reached by iMessage at:
Many a times we find that iMessage or FaceTime is unable to verify the Apple ID or says already in use, to resolve this issue, follow the below steps.
  1. This error message means that your email address is associated with another Apple ID. It could be tied to Game Center, iTunes Store, or another service. Try using your Apple ID for those services to log in to FaceTime or iMessage on your device.
  2. If you wish to use a separate Apple ID for FaceTime or iMessage, unlink the email address from any other Apple ID before using it as a separate Apple ID for FaceTime or iMessage.
  3.  If you would like to change your Apple ID to another email address, go to My Apple ID and follow the below instructions to change your Apple ID.

How to change the Apple ID associated with the device

In most cases, your Apple ID is also the primary email address of your Apple ID account. You can change your Apple ID to any address, except an address used by another Apple ID. You can change the address of any Apple ID, except an Apple ID that ends with @icloud.com, @me.com, or @mac.com.
1.    Sign out of iCloud, the iTunes Store, App Store, FaceTime, Find My Friends, Find My iPhone, and iMessage on each device that uses your current Apple ID for these services.
2.    Go to My Apple ID (appleid.apple.com).
3.    Select “Manage your Apple ID” and sign in. Forgot your password?
4.    Select Edit next to “Apple ID and Primary Email Address.”
5.    Enter the email address to use as your Apple ID, then select Save Changes. Apple will send a verification email to that address.
6.    Open the email from Apple, then click Verify Now in the email. Didn't receive the email?
7.    When the My Apple ID page opens, sign in with your renamed Apple ID.
8.    When you see a message that verification is complete, you can begin using your renamed Apple ID. You should also update the features and services that you use with Apple ID.


If you're still unable to resolve the symptoms above after performing these troubleshooting steps, please contact Apple care 18004250744 for assistance.
To sign out of your Apple ID

Go to Settings > FaceTime, tap your Apple ID, and select Sign Out.
Go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive, tap your Apple ID, and select Sign Out.

Additional Information

FaceTime may not be available in all countries or regions. hence it is always recommended to check the cokpatibility. On iPhone, SMS messaging is required to activate FaceTime and iMessage for use with your phone number. Depending on your carrier, you may be charged for this SMS.

Although the application comes inbuilt with the device it is seldom used as it only communicates with the Apple product. Apple initially thought of allowing it for cross platform but due to some legalities they have to abandon the plan.



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