Sometimes Apple’s iMessage service prevents users from signing into iMessage and FaceTime for no apparent reason. If you find that you Cannot Sign into iMessage or FaceTime, the methods as provided below might help you fix this problem.
Unable to Sign-in to iMessage and FaceTime
The problem of being unable to sign-in to iMessage and FaceTime could be due to a variety of reasons, ranging from problems with Apple servers to incorrect iMessage Settings or just because iMessage happens to be such a glitchy service.
In most cases, you will see an error message on your iPhone saying “Unable to contact iMessage server” or “An Error occurred during activation” or similar.
Hopefully, one of the methods as provided below should help you fix the problem.
If none of the methods work, you can either Create a New Apple ID or contact Apple Support and ask them if your Apple ID has been blocked or placed on special status (“challenged” state)
1. Set Date & Time Automatically
The most commonly recommended solution for problem with iMessage and FaceTime is to make sure that your iPhone can automatically set its Date and Time.
To check, tap on Settings > General > Date & Time.
On the “Date and Time” screen, toggle ON the option for Set Automatically.
After this, see if you are able to sign into iMessage or FaceTime.
2. Check Send/Receive Option
iMessage makes use of Apple ID to send and Receive iMessages. Hence, make sure that your Apple ID is listed under “You Can be Reached By iMessage At” section in addition to your Phone Number and other Email Addresses.
Tap on Settings > Messages > On the Messages screen, scroll down and tap on Send & Receive.
On the next screen, make sure that your Apple ID email address is listed under “You Can Be Reached By iMessage At” section of iMessage screen.
3. Sign-out/Sign-in to iTunes and App Store
In case you are signed-in to “iTunes and App Store” on your iPhone, sign-out of App Store and sign back-in again.
Tap on Settings > iTunes & App Store> Apple ID.
Next, tap on Sign Out option in the popup that appears.
Next, press on the Power button, until Slide to Power Off option appears on the screen of your iPhone. Turn OFF your iPhone by moving the slider to the right.
After your iPhone is turned OFF, wait for 2 minutes and start your iPhone back again. See if you are now able to sign-in to iMessage and FaceTime.
Sign Out of Apple ID
It is possible that iMessage is having a problem identifying your Apple ID. Hence, try to logout of your Apple ID on your iPhone and then log back in again.
Open Settings on your iPhone and tap on your Apple ID Name.
On the next screen, scroll down to the bottom of the screen and tap on Sign Out.
Next, Restart your iPhone (Completely Power OFF and Restart) and Sign back into your iPhone using your Apple ID and Passcode.
Now see, if you are able to Sign-in to iMessage and FaceTime.
4. Reset Network Settings
Tap on Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
Next, connect to your WiFi network and try to sign-in to iMessage and FaceTime on your iPhone.
5. Check For Software Update
In general, a pending iOS update should not interfere with iMessage. However, it is still a good idea to make sure that your iPhone is updated to the latest version of iOS.
Tap on Settings > General > Software Update.
On the next screen, see if there are any updates available and tap on Download to Install the updates to your iPhone.
6. Switch to Google DNS
It is possible that you are unable to connect to Apple Servers due to the DNS of your internet provider being too crowded and busy.
You can try to use Google’s free DNS service and see if this helps in fixing the problem of being unable to Login to iMessage and FaceTime.
You can find the steps to switch your iPhone to Google DNS in this article: How to Use Google DNS On iPhone and iPad
7. Reset All Settings
Tap on Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings.
Wait for your iPhone to Restart and connect to your WiFi Network by entering your WiFi Network Password. Once you are connected, try to Sign-in to FaceTime or iMessage.
8. Soft Reset iPhone
In case the problem with iMessage on your iPhone is due to a software glitch, you can try to Soft Reset iPhone and see if you can connect to iMessage and FaceTime.
As mentioned above, if none of these methods work, you can create a New Apple ID or contact Apple Support and report this annoying problem.