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Question

iMessage not working after porting number over


Hi All,

It’s my second day with iD mobile and things are not going well.

I am trying to activate iMessage and just gives me a loading circle next to my number.

Tried

1. Go to Settings
2. Messages
3. Turn off iMessage.
4. Go to General
5. Reset
6. Reset Network Settings.
7. Once the iPhone is open.
8. Go to Settings
9. Messages Turn ON iMessage.
10.This will recognize the new sim and have it verified.

Go to Settings.
Tap Phone.
Tap My Number.
Use the delete button to remove the old number.
Use the keypad to enter the new number.
Tap Save

3x new eSim.

Apple support say everything is setup fine.

Was working fine the other day.

Any help would be greatly be appreciated.

Many thanks.

8 replies

MZone
Platinum 
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  • Platinum 
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  • 959 replies
  • April 23, 2025

Have you tried resetting network settings. Also phone number needs to be in the format +447

The loading circle can take a few hours to resolve itself but just be patient and wait.

I also turned both iMessage and FaceTime off for a few hours and then turned them both on one at a time waiting for each one to activate first. 


andewhite
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  • 12167 replies
  • April 24, 2025

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/108758

This Apple support article might help, ​@donkey3

I suggest starting at “Remove your phone number”. 

Then proceed to “Set up your phone number”. 

Another possibility - was your current number ever linked to another Apple device?


Siân
iD Mobile Employee
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  • iD Mobile Employee
  • 788 replies
  • April 24, 2025

Hi ​@donkey3  and welcome to iD! Sorry to hear that it hasn’t been a smooth start!

Have you tried the suggestions by ​@andewhite  and ​@MZone  at all?

Please let us know if you need any further help.

Thanks


  • Author
  • New
 Contributor
  • 3 replies
  • April 24, 2025

Hi all, thank you for the replies.

I have tried all the steps above and even been to curry’s to get a physical SIM card to replace the eSIM.

It’s showing a circle like a progress wheel in send and receive next to my number.

Without resetting the entire phone, any ideas?

Thank you in advance, donkey3


andewhite
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Contributor
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  • Platinum 
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  • 12167 replies
  • April 25, 2025

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/119859

This Apple support article might help, ​@donkey3

The section about checking your time zone settings are correct is important, and I would say so is using UK region (i.e. Settings > General > Language & Region). 

Is the mobile number linked to another Apple device?

If all else fails, turn OFF the iPhone, remove SIM and leave it turned OFF overnight, before trying again.


Tom
iD Mobile Employee
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  • iD Mobile Employee
  • 8225 replies
  • April 25, 2025

Hi ​@donkey3 

 

I’d also recommend the above from ​@andewhite in this case.

 

Tom


  • Author
  • New
 Contributor
  • 3 replies
  • April 25, 2025

Funnily enough, after them disconnecting my services and converting my account to PAYG - iMessage activated.


  • Author
  • New
 Contributor
  • 3 replies
  • April 25, 2025

Just want to say thank you for everyone trying to help.

ID mobile is not for me.