Unable to add phone number to imessage (working solution)

Unable to add phone number to imessage, this article gives you a detailed explanation on how to fix the problem and this is both applicable to iphone, ipad and Mac.

By default, iMessage will automatically add your phone number once you have a SIM card or eSIM in your iPhone.

In a situation whereby you don’t have a SIM card or an eSim in your iPhone and iMessage activated with only your Apple ID, you can still add a phone number to your iMessage and FaceTime account.

However, if you have tried adding a phone number to your iMessage and which didn’t happened, below are the ways to fix the problem.

Unable to add phone number to imessage

Fix unable to add phone number to imessage

Below are the ways to fix unable to add phone number to imessage;

  1. By checking network connection.
  2. You should properly verify your phone number.
  3. Update iOS.
  4. Restart iMessage.
  5. Sign out from your apple ID and sign back in.
  6. Update your phone.
  7. Reset network settings.

Now let me explain them one after the other.

1. Check network connection

This is the first and foremost thing to check simply because iMessage and facetime requires a good internet connection in order to activate.

Ensure that your device has a stable internet connection, either through Wi-Fi or cellular data. iMessage requires an active internet connection to function properly.

2. Phone number verification

If you try to add a phone number to your iMessage or apple ID, you must verify the phone number before it will be added to your apple ID or apple account which will in turn show up in your iMessage and facetime.

This may be the reason you’re having the issue of being unable to add phone number to imessage and equally facetime.

Please read below as I will show you a step by step process on how to add phone number to your iMessage and facetime.

3. Update your phone

Outdated iOS versions may cause compatibility issues. In most cases outdated phone will prevent iMessage and facetime from working or activating.

You neec to check if your phone has a new software update. If you are using an older phone, I recommend you to please buy a new phone.

To check if there’s a newer version of iOS available for your device and update, kindly go to Settings > General > Software Update to check for updates.

Once you see a new software update available, please don’t hesitate to update your phone.


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4. Restart iMessage

Enabling and disabling iMessage also help to fix the issue of unable to add phone number to imessage.

Open the Settings app, tap on “Messages,” and toggle the iMessage switch off. Wait for a few seconds and toggle it back on. This action can refresh iMessage and resolve minor glitches.

5. Reset network settings

Sometimes, network settings can cause issues with iMessage and resetting it might help fix the problem.

To reset them, go to Settings > General > Reset and tap on “Reset Network Settings.” Keep in mind that this will remove all saved Wi-Fi passwords, so make sure you have them handy.

6. Sign out of your apple account and sign back in

This is usually the last resort unless you have to reset your phone.

This involves you going to your apple account on your phone and to sign out. For a faster procedure, in the Messages settings, tap on “Send & Receive,” and then tap on your Apple ID. Select “Sign Out” and confirm the action.

Afterward, sign back in using your Apple ID and check if you can add the phone number.

If all methods didn’t work, then you may have to reset your device.

How to add phone number to iMessage on iPhone, ipad and mac

To add phone number to iMessage, iPad and Mac, do the followings;

  1. Open the settings app on your iPhone and tap on your profile account.
  2. Tap on Name, Phone Numbers, Email to open the option.
  3. Tap on Edit and tap on the option that says Add email or phone number.
  4. You will see a pop up, tap on Add a Phone Number option.
  5. Properly select your country code and enter your phone number.
  6. Once you entered your phone number, tap on Next.
  7. A verification code will be sent to the phone number you entered, kindly enter the verification code in the space provided for it.
  8. Once the phone number has been verified, you will see a pop up saying the phone number will be added to facetime and iMessage, select OK.

And that’s it.

What you should do next is to head over to your message settings, tap on “Send & Receive and check if the phone number is there. Definitely it should be right there once you get everything probably done.

Unable to add phone number to imessage

Unable to add phone number to imessage

Add a phone number

As long as you are able to verify the phone number you want to add to your apple account or apple ID, it will be added to your iMessage and facetime.

Remember, if you have an iphone, ipad and Mac, as long as you’re using the same apple ID for all the three devices, the phone number you have in your iPhone iMessage and facetime, will shown up in your iPad and Mac iMessage and facetime.

If you don’t have an iphone but only an ipad and Mac, you can still use the above method to add a phone number to your apple account which will show up in facetime and iMessage.

Another process id to go to the official Apple ID account and add a phone number though I prefer this option.

How to activate iMessage with phone number

To activate iMessage with phone number, simply have an active sim card in your phone or eSim, it will make iMessage and facetime to automatically activate with the sim number.

Mind you, an active internet connection is required for the activation.

If you don’t have a SIM card or an eSim in your iPhone, then iMessage and facetime will activate using your apple ID. However, you can later add phone number to your iMessage and facetime account.

Kindly scroll up to see the step by step process on how to add phone number to iMessage on iPhone.

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