Unable to Contact the iMessage or FaceTime Server, how to fix

Several users have said that they are unable to activate FaceTime or iMessage because they are experiencing an error indicating iMessage (or FaceTime) Activation. Unable to contact the iMessage (or FaceTime) server. Try again.

If you are unable to activate FaceTime or iMessage because of this error, then this article is for you.

This guide will take you through some troubleshooting steps. Please note that the steps below are listed in order. After trying each step below, open Settings and try to activate FaceTime or iMessage again to see if you’ve fixed your issue.

How to fix FaceTime, iMessage server error

Ensure that your iPhone or iPad has the latest version of the iPhone or iPad software

The first troubleshooting step if you are unable to connect to the iMessage or FaceTime server is to update your device to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS. This will ensure that you install the latest software updates. Since FaceTime and iMessage are part of iOS or iPadOS software, updating the device will also update FaceTime and iMessage. Here is how you can check for updates and then update your device.

On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app.
Tap General, then choose Software Update.
If there is an update available, follow the instructions to download and install the update.

Note: You may also want to turn on Automatic Updates.

ensure that your iPhone or iPad has a Wi-Fi connection or a cellular connection

You need a strong internet connection for your device to contact iMessage or FaceTime servers. If your iPhone or iPad is having connection problems, you may experience this. Please make sure that your device is connected to a strong cellular data or Wi-Fi network. You can easily check this. Open Safari on your device and visit geekschalk.com. Does our website load? If not, it means that your device is not connected to the Internet, causing your FaceTime or iMessage activation error.

If you are trying to activate FaceTime or iMessage over Wi-Fi, here is what you can do:

Restart your Wi-Fi router:
- Unplug your router or modem from the power outlet.
- Wait for about a minute.
- Replug.
It is possible that your Internet service provider is having issues. You may want to contact your service provider for more help.

If you are trying to activate FaceTime or iMessage over cellular network, here is what you can do:

Try to turn on Airplane Mode, wait 10 seconds, and turn it off (Settings > Airplane Mode).
Turn Cellular Data off and wait 10 seconds and turn it on again (Settings > Cellular or Mobile Data.
Ensure that the Use Cellular Data option on your device is on for FaceTime and iMessage. You can check this option by going to Settings > Cellular or tap Mobile Data and then turn on FaceTime and iMessage.
Go to Settings > General > About. This will check for a Carrier Settings update. If there is an update, a popup will appear.
Again there may be issues with your cellular company. Contact your carrier.

If you are using a VPN service, turn it off and try again. Go to Settings and turnoff the VPN toggle.

Ensure that your time zone setting on your device is correct

Please ensure that the date and time settings on your iPhone or iPad are set correctly for your time zone. Here is how:

On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app.
Tap General, then choose Date & Time.
If you see that the date and time are incorrect, update them. You may want to turn on the option to set the date and time automatically” by turning on the toggle next to Set Automatically.

Ensure that Apple’s iMessage and FaceTime servers are up and running

Go to Apple’s System Status page (direct link) to see if there’s an outage for the FaceTime and iMessage services. This happened to me too. I could not activate FaceTime and iMessage on my iPhone and iPad and the problem was some of the Apple services were down.

Apple may regularly perform maintenance or run upgrades. And some of these may temporarily interfere with services such as FaceTime and iMessage.

If this is the case, there is little you can do but wait. Apple will resolve this.

Restart

The next fix is to restart. Please follow these steps:

Turn off iMessage and FaceTime

On your iPhone or iPad, turn off both iMessage and FaceTime by going to Settings > Messages or Settings > FaceTime.

Restart your iPhone or iPad

Turning off your device will vary depending on the iPhone or iPad model you have:

iPhone X and later and iPad without a Home button models: Press and hold the volume up (or down) button and the side button together until the power-off slider appears. Then release the buttons and move the slider from left to right. Wait, about 30 seconds, for your iPhone or iPad to turn off. And then press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.
Other iPhone and iPad models: Press and hold the power button (it can be on the top or right) until you see the power-off slider. Drag the slider. Then wait about 30 seconds and press and hold the power button until you see the Apple logo to turn on your iPhone

Turn on iMessage and FaceTime

Now go back to Settings > Messages or Settings > FaceTime and turn on iMessage or FaceTime.

Reset your network settings

If you are still facing this problem, reset your network settings. Please note that doing so will also reset your Wi-Fi passwords, VPN settings, etc. Here is how you can do this: