How to Activate iMessage

Activate iMessages on iPhone

Open the Settings app on iPhone. This application has a gray wheel image, usually found on the Home Screen.

Scroll down and select Messages . This is the third option of the menu.

Drag the iMessages white slider to the 'on' position. The slider will turn green, showing that iMessages has been enabled. Your device can send and receive messages wirelessly, without using phone data. If you have an iPhone, you can send text messages using your phone data if you don't have a wireless network.

If you are asked to sign in to your Apple ID, just enter your username and password in the pop-up dialog box. If successful, the device will verify your login information and activate iMessages. If you don't have an Apple ID, see this tutorial for more details.

It can take up to 24 hours to activate iMessages because Apple needs to verify that the phone number and Apple ID match. Normally, the activation process is carried out in 1 hour.

Click the Send & Receive button . You're taken to iMessage settings to set up an email and phone number where you can send or receive messages.

Click on email or phone number to activate. A check mark will appear next to the account. This is a sign that allows an email or phone number to send/receive messages through the iMessage service.

In the You can be reached by iMessage at: section , you can add, remove or select email addresses to receive iMessages. On iPhone, you can add or remove phone numbers from the list. Other devices only display this phone number after being activated on the iPhone.

In the Start new conversations from: section , you can choose the address to display to the person you send iMessage to. On iPhone, you can add or remove phone numbers from the list. Other devices only display this phone number after being activated from the iPhone.

Activate iMessages on Mac

Open the Messages app. The app has a blue speech bubble icon, located on the system tray or desktop.

Click on Messages . Options are located in the menu bar at the top of the application.

If you don't already use Messages on your Mac, you'll be asked to enter or create an Apple ID. Enter your Apple username and password, or click Create Apple ID to create a new account.

Click the Preferences button .

Click Accounts . This option has a white '@' symbol, located in the upper left corner of the window.

Click on iMessages account. This option is located in the menu on the left side of the window.

Click your Apple username/password and click Sign In .

If you're signed in to your Apple account, you won't see this option.

Click on the Settings button .

Click on the Enable this account dialog box . This option is under Apple ID. A check mark will appear, indicating that your Apple account can now send and receive messages from your Mac.

Lesley Montoya

Update 01 November 2023