Hi,

I'm wondering if there is anyone from Spark who can help me with another one of these dreaded iMessage activation issues?

My 13 yr old son has just moved from an iPhone 4 to a 5s using his hard earned savings and iMessage is failing to activate when it was working on the iPhone 4 using the same number.

There is no change in SIM, carrier or number porting involved, just a swap from the 4 to a 5s.

The 5s came 'refurbished' from 1day.

After a couple of hours on the phone to Apple Care last night, it was discovered that the new phones 'activation policy' was USA and locked to a US carrier, which may have been causing the activation problems.

The new phone has mobile data working on Spark and can send and receive SMS messages.  Also have it connected to Wi-Fi.

The Apple Care rep suggested that we restore the phone using iTunes and choose to set up as a new phone.  He advised that the 'next activation policy' was showing as 'unlocked' so following this procedure should fix the activation issue.  We tried it and sure enough, iTunes popped up with a message at the end of the restore stating 'iPhone unlocked' or something to that effect.  It also told me there was a carrier update available which I said yes to updating.

After going through the initial new phone setup, we tried turning iMessage on, got waiting for activation, then activation failed again.  I have also read that activation can take 24 hours, but I'm not sure if we now need to wait 24 hrs after 'unlocking' the phone or if we should be good to go now.

I understand from reading previous threads that there is an international SMS involved in iMessage activation and I'm wondering if someone from Spark can check for me if the SMS is being sent from the phone and if a reply is being received?  (I can PM mobile number).

Any other advice on previous experiences or how this all pieces together would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Nigel