"I have an iPhone 6 and just upgraded to iOS 11 but I can't send iMessage now and I keep getting this activation error message on my phone. How can I fix iMessage not working in iOS 11? This is one of the highly reported problems of iOS 11 just like the flashlight not working in iOS 11, alarm and airdrop not working in iOS 11 troubling users seriously.
The reason for iOS 11 iMessage not working is difficult to pinpoint, it may be the poor internet connection, the carrier won't support the message you are sending or wrong configured settings. You can try following simple tips one by one to figure out the issue.
10 tips to fix iOS 11 iMessage not working on iPhone and iPad
iOS 11 iMessage not working may shows as the effects not working, bubble effects not appearing, screen effects not appearing or handwriting feature not working. No matter what the problem is, try to use following simple tips to troubleshoot.
1. Check the Apple's iMessage server is down or not
Although this rarely happens, the possibility does exist. If the iMessage server is down, no one can use the iMessage feature. You can go to the Apple official site to check the information.
2. Connect iPhone/iPad to a network
iMessage needs a data connection to the network, therefore, you need to make sure your iPhone has connected to a Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi not working in iOS 11?) or cellular network before you activate iMessage. Go to Settings > turn on WLAN or Cellular.
3. Reset iPhone/iPad network
If the network has been already on but you can't connect to the internet, you can fix this by resetting network. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Setting.
4. Make sure iMessage is set up and on
If you haven't turned on iMessage yet, you can't use it in any way. Go to Settings > Messages and checking that iMessage is turned on. Also, check that your phone is set up correctly to receive iMessages: go to Settings > Messages again and check the addresses and mobile number you have listed in Send & Receive.
According to Apple, some people with new iPhone 14 models may be facing iMessage and FaceTime activation issues after setting up their phone. Some of the problems encountered may include:
- Inability to receive iMessages or FaceTime calls.
- Seeing a green message bubble instead of a blue bubble when sending a message to another Apple device.
- Conversations in Messages showing up in two separate threads instead of one.
- Recipients seeing your messages coming from the wrong account, for example from your email address if you had selected your phone number.
Update Your iPhone 14 Software
Apple says the simplest way to resolve these issues is to update your iPhone 14 to iOS 16.0.1. The update is now available for all iPhone 14 models. To update your device, follow these steps. If you get a notification on your device that says an update is available, tap Install Now. You can also follow these steps:
- Plug your device into a power outlet using a Lightning cable and power plug, and make sure you're connected to a Wi-Fi network.
- Launch the Settings app.
- Tap General, then tap Software Update.
- Tap Download and Install.
- Enter your passcode if prompted to do so.
If You're Still Having Issues After Updating
If after updating to iOS 16.0.1 you are still experiencing problems, here are a few other steps you can try that may resolve things.
- In the Settings app, tap Cellular/Mobile Data. Make sure that your phone line is turned on. If you use multiple SIMs, make sure that the phone number you want to use is selected and turned on.
- Go to Settings -> Messages, then tap Send & Receive.
- Tap the phone number that you want to use with Messages.
- Go Back to the main Settings menu, then tap FaceTime.
- Tap the phone number that you want to use with FaceTime.
If none of the above works, you may need to restore your device to iOS 16.0.1 by connecting to a Mac or PC to fix the bug and fully activate your new iPhone.