iphone imessage activation unsuccessful

The following steps might fix this issue @Joe Barlow:

1. Sign-out from Apple ID on your iPhone.
2. Shutdown / turn OFF your iPhone.
3. With a browser, sign-in with your Apple ID at https://appleid.apple.com.
4. Remove your iPhone device from your Apple ID account and sign-out.
5. Sign-in at https://www.icloud.com and check your iPhone device is not listed.
6. Turn ON your iPhone, sign-in using your Apple ID (on your iPhone) and re-check all the Settings.

Otherwise, you might need a replacement iD SIM card @Joe Barlow, which some forum members have found resolves problems activating iMessage and FaceTime, after porting to iD.

iD don’t have a telephone help & support option - everything is online. 

A replacement iD SIM card can be collected from any Currys store, otherwise you’ll need to use the iD online Live Chat to ask for a replacement, then wait for Royal Mail to deliver the replacement.

iD say to allow 3-5 working days from the date of dispatch for postal delivery.

Good question - don’t know. Often there are SIM card packs on the counter displays in-store.
I think Currys only sell plans for iD Mobile and Vodafone. 

Are you in a location where you’re able to send and receive text messages? 
Apple’s activation process sends an SMS from your iPhone device to Apple, to verify your device and mobile number. 

Perhaps the Apple online support article at https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201422 might help. 

Otherwise, the following post details how @ncl698 solved this issue: 

Having the same issue, since recieveing my SIM and having ported the number facetime and i-message not working! Tried all the comments in the forum and still no resolve. This is terrible, surely a simple SIM swap and provider transfer should not experience such issues! Please help urgently before I cancel my contract 

Hi, 

I had the same issue.

I went to Currys on Wednesday, activates the account and the sim on Friday. 
Only by restarting the network settings did my old number appear but i still cant use imessage or facetime with my phone number. 
I went back to Currys who were stumped and after trying all of the above recommend a factory reset on the phone.

I did the reset and still the same issue. Spoken to Apple twice who couldn’t help either and who’s only advice was to wait a couple more days so it might resolve itself other wise I’d have to take it to the shop. 
 

Does anyone have a way to talk directly with ID? 
 

Thanks 

Dafydd

Hi Dafydd, I have been onto apple support and their trouble shooting steps prove beyond doubt it is an IDmobile/sim issue. I too have had a sim swap and still the issue persists. I have logged ticket and complaint with IDmobile and await an email from their tech support team to attempt resolution. Apple during their trouble shooting steps stated that the SMS configuration/international SMS isn’t working correctly as for the I-message and FaceTime to activate correctly the handset needs to send a stealth request to the Apple servers and this is the part that is failing. Until apple gain a response from the stealth message it won’t activate!  The tech support guys simulated from my handset whilst on a remote session to

prove the issue. I can’t believe IDmobile don’t have a simple fix for this or at least some finite troubleshooting steps to resolve easily. If it can’t be resolved in 48hrs to our satisfaction then it’s a cancelled contract and back to someone who can provide the services and functions needed. I will obviously update this thread as and when I get any up updates.

Hi @Jamie Clarke,

Welcome to the Community!

Did you receive an update from the Complaints Team or the Technical Team for a fix?

If you would like us to check for any updates, please let us know.

Kash

Kash, just received a text stating the issue is resolved? It is not resolved! The same issue persists. I was told/informed I would receive an e-mail from the tech support team. Nothing received. Still no reply from the complaints team either! Customer service is shocking, especially as this seems a common issue. Kash please re-open the escalaltion and complaint!

I’ve spoken again to Apple after they asked me to wait 24hrs. 
They got me to send a text saying HELP to 48369 which was not delivered. 
They then told me it could be an issue with ID and their SMS service and international calling/texting. 
 

As it seems near impossible to get a hold of ID for a quick resolution I think I might just switch providers and walk away. 

I’m with SMARTY and Vodafone and the activation number used to activate iMessage/Facetime on both networks was +447786205094. 

What device and iOS version are you using?

Settings > Mobile Services 

Is the correct mobile number shown? It should be in an international format starting +44.

Have you tried signing out of iCloud on your device and signing back in? Timezone is correct, yes?