How to Fix FaceTime Waiting for Activation Error [8 Fixes]

Facetime waiting for activation for more than a day? You’re not alone.

Several iPhone users have reported seeing a “waiting for activation” or “FaceTime activation failed” message when trying to activate the app.

Usually, FaceTime activation can take up to 24 hours. However, if you’re past this time and FaceTime is still not activated, don’t panic. There are easy ways to fix it. And we’ll guide you through them step by step!

This article provides 8 practical ways to solve the waiting for activation error on FaceTime. These methods are effortless to follow and will get your video chatting back into action!

Let’s get started!

Part 1. Why Is My FaceTime Still Waiting for Activation?

Several factors are responsible for the Facetime waiting for activation error. These can result from technical issues with iOS software or random glitches.

Let’s look at some of the most probable reasons for this message.

• Regional Restrictions
  Facetime may not be available in your country. Apple has launched it in a select few regions. These include the US, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and India.
• Outdated Software
  Outdated software can lead to random crashes and errors with apps. Not using the latest iOS version can be another cause for this error.
• Poor Network Connectivity
  Another reason Facetime is not activating is a slow network connection. As a video chatting app, it requires a stable network connection to work optimally.
• iOS System Issues
  Random bugs and glitches with the iOS system can cause FaceTime activation failure. This is particularly applicable when using beta updates or the latest iOS version.
• Inactive Phone Number
  Facetime uses a confirmation message for activation. Using an inactive phone number or an iPhone without a SIM card can lead to waiting for the activation error.

Regardless of the reason, there are easy ways to fix the Facetime Activation error. Let’s look into them in the section below.

Part 2. 8 Ways to Fix FaceTime Waiting for Activation

Are you ready to solve the FaceTime activation error? We’ve got eight effective solutions for it below. Try all of them to see which works best for your device.

Way 1. Check Your Phone Number

One of the most common fixes for the “Facetime waiting for activation” error is ensuring your phone number is correct and active. It should be able to send and receive messages. This is essential because Apple sends a message to your phone to check its status and give it a pass for activation.

So, check if you have registered the correct number with your iPhone. Here are some simple steps to do it.

Step 1. Unlock your iPhone and access the “Settings” app.

Step 2. Scroll down and select the “Phone” option.

Step 3. A new screen will open up. Here, tap “My Number” to check your phone number.

Let’s move forward to the next solution to fix this issue.

Way 2. Restart FaceTime

You might still face the Facetime waiting for activation error even though your phone number is correct and active. In that case, a quick restart can help. Turn off your FaceTime app and then turn it on again.

Here are the steps you can use to restart FaceTime.

Step 1. Go to your iPhone’s “Settings.” Scroll down to find the “FaceTime” app. Click on it and continue.

Step 2. Look for the toggle switch next to “FaceTime.” Tap on it to turn the toggle off, which will disable FaceTime.

Step 3. Power off your iPhone. Wait for one to two minutes before turning it back on. Then go to “Settings > FaceTime” and tap the toggle to switch the app back on.

Step 4. Close the background tabs for Settings and FaceTime. Then, open the FaceTime app again. It should be back to working usually.

Let’s see another easy way to fix this error if this one does not work for you!

Way 3. Check Network Connection

FaceTime uses a stable internet connection to communicate with Apple’s servers. If the network connection is unstable, the activation request may not reach the servers properly.

This is because a poor connection can cause delays. Furthermore, some parts of the activation data may not be sent or received. Connecting to a stable network would be a quick fix.

Here’s how you can check your iPhone’s network connection.

Step 1. Open your iPhone’s “Settings” menu and press the “WiFi” option.

Step 2. See if the WiFi is turned on and connected to a network. An “Unsecured network” or “No internet connection” next to the network means your connection is not optimal.

Step 3. Tap the small “i” next to the network and choose “Forget This Network.” Then, connect to a stable network using the available options.

Step 4. If connecting to a stable network does not work, try resetting your network connection. To do this, go to Settings > General  and tap “Transfer or Reset iPhone.”

Step 5. Press “Reset” to open the reset options and choose “Reset Network Settings.”

Still dealing with the “Facetime activation failed” error? Keep reading for another quick fix for it.

Way 4. Check Your Date & Time Zone Settings

FaceTime activation requires proper communication between your phone and Apple servers. These servers check the date and time of your device to establish a secure connection. Using the wrong time zone settings can lead to FaceTime waiting for activation errors.

You can quickly fix this using your phone’s correct date and time. Find the steps for it below.

Step 1. Go to your iPhone’s “Settings” menu and tap “General.”

Step 2. Scroll down and press the “Date & Time” option. This will open the settings for the date and time zone.

Step 3. Tap the toggle for “Set Automatically” to turn this feature on.

Step 4. That’s it. Return to FaceTime and check whether it’s still stuck on the activation error.

If your phone is already set to automatic time zone, this method is not for you. Let’s move on to the next fix for the waiting for activation error on FaceTime.

Way 5. Re-sign into Apple ID

FaceTime is associated with your Apple ID, and therefore, it is activated once you activate your phone. But if that is not possible and you were unable to do the activation, then resetting the Apple ID could solve it. To do this, you’ll need to sign out and sign back into your Apple account.

Let’s see how to do it with the following steps.

Step 1. Access your iPhone’s “Settings” app and press your name at the top.

Step 2. Move down to the end and tap the “Sign out” button. Enter your password and tap “Turn off” to sign out.

Step 3. Restart your iPhone, and when it turns back on, go to “Settings” again.

Step 4. Press the “Sign in” option at the top to log in with your Apple ID and password.

Now, try to activate Facetime again, and you will be fine. However, if it does not work, don’t panic. There is another way to fix the activation error. Keep reading to learn about it.

Way 6. Turn on Airplane Mode and Then Turn It off

The Facetime waiting for activation error may be a random glitch in your iOS system. It might be interfering with network connectivity and causing an activation error. A simple fix would be to turn on airplane mode and turn it off moments later.

It can be done easily. Here are the steps for it.

Step 1. Unlock your iPhone and swipe down from the top right on the Home Screen.

Step 2. Tap the small airplane icon at the top left to turn on “Airplane Mode.” The icon will turn orange once it’s turned on.

Step 3. Wait 10 to 20 seconds. Then tap the “Airplane” icon again to turn it off. It should turn grey now.

This should resolve the issue for you! However, this solution may only work for some. Let’s see another way to fix the Facetime activation error.

Way 7. Upgrade iOS

FaceTime activation errors sometimes result from an outdated iOS system. You might be using an older software version that is incompatible with the FaceTime app, which can result in random crashes and errors with iOS apps, including FaceTime.

A quick fix for this is to get the latest updates. Continue below to find out how it’s done.

Step 1. Open your iPhone’s “Settings” app and press the “General” option.

Step 2. Select “Software Update.” This will trigger the iPhone to look for the latest update, which will then appear on the screen.

Step 3. Press the “Download and Install” button on the available update and tap “Install” again to begin.

Your phone may already be up to date if you don’t see any updates available. In that case, we have a sure fix below that will instantly resolve all the hidden issues with the iOS system.

Way 8. Repair the iOS System

While the Facetime waiting for activation error may result from random glitches, sometimes a hidden problem with the iOS system can cause this error. These issues are hard to diagnose and solve on your own.

However, a specialized iOS system repair tool can do the job easily. AnyFix is an advanced system repair tool that removes all the issues with your iOS system. With three different repair options, you can fix your iOS system with and without erasing your data!

Let’s see how to use AnyFix to get past the FaceTime activation error.

Step 1.  Download and install AnyFix on your computer and open it. Choose the “System Repair” tool from the main screen and click “Repair Now.”

Step 2. Link your iPhone and computer with a USB cable and unlock your phone. You will see the following screen once your phone is detected. Click “Start Now” to begin.

Step 3. Select the level of repair you want from the next screen. Choose “Standard Repair” to preserve your phone’s data, and click the “Standard Repair” button.

Step 4. AnyFix will now search for the configuration profile to fix your iPhone’s system. Check the firmware information and click “Download” to get the file.

Step 5. Once the firmware downloads, you can verify it by looking at the window below. Click “Start Standard Repair” to initiate the repair process.

Step 6. AnyFix will begin the repair process to fix your iOS glitches. A “Repair Completed” message will show up, indicating the completion of the repair process.

And you’re all done fixing your iOS system! AnyFix makes this process effortless with its one-click solutions, which are easy to use, even for beginners! Now, you won’t have to deal with the Facetime activation error if a software glitch is responsible for it!

Final Thought

Facetime waiting for activation problems can result from several issues. These include regional restrictions, outdated software, system bugs, poor network connectivity, or an incorrect phone number.

We have provided eight practical ways to fix this issue. These solutions are effortless to follow and can help resolve the Facetime activation problem.

But among them, AnyFix offers a quick and sure way to overcome this error. It is effortless to use and requires no technical steps. Go ahead and use these methods to get your video chatting back in action!