iMessage suddenly stopped working

[ac623]

My phone number suddenly stopped working with iMessage today on my Public Mobile line (stuck on "waiting for activation"). I have been using this same line and iPhone for over a year with no changes until today.

Here is what I've observed and tested:

• Business Line Works: I run Dual SIM, and iMessage activates completely fine on my business line on the exact same iPhone—the failure is strictly isolated to my Public Mobile number.

• SMS Behavior: Standard unencrypted SMS works, and I am able to receive 2FA security codes from Public Mobile, but apparently background/encrypted activation short codes are failing? Because of this, the silent background text to Apple’s activation server isn't delivering.

• Troubleshooting Done: Tested with my business line turned completely off, reset network settings, toggled iMessage/FaceTime off/on (it stays off because they can't activate), signed out of Apple ID, rebooted, and confirmed my number is listed under Settings > Phone > My Number.

Since nothing changed on my end and my hardware/other line work perfectly, it looks like a sudden backend SIM/provisioning routing glitch on this line.

[ac623]

Hello @Chalupa_Batman 

Thank you for taking some time out of your day to respond. I am unable to remove my phone number as when I edit my phone number and click "save", nothing happens. I tried force restarting my device and rosetted network settings. I have tried disabling my wifi and turning on airplane mode as well. 

I am just confused as to why my other line with Rogers is working fine, but my personal Public Mobile line is not.

[Chalupa_Batman]

Hey @ac623 

A few things you can try. Try to force re-registering your number. Go to settings, phone, my number and remove your phone number. Wait 5 minutes, reboot the phone and then go back to the same and re-enter your number. This forces iMessage to register again.

You can turn off both iMessages and Facetime in your settings, do a force restart. press volume up and then down and hold power button until the apple logo appears.  Once the phone restarts, turn iMessages and face time back on.

You can also try turning off WiFi, then turn airplane mode on for 30 seconds, reboot the phone and leave WiFi off and turn airplane mode off.  

As a last resort, you can reset your Network Settings. Worse case, if it's an eSIM, just open the app, buy a new eSIM as it's free after 15 days. That might fix it all as well.

EDIT: Please note, I'm a customer like you and it's almost 10pm here and I'm off to bed cause I have to be up at 5am for work. I won't be able to respond further this evening. Hope the above helps.