RCS waiting to activate

[dwatja]

Is anyone else having this issue? My messages app on my iPhone is stuck at “waiting to activate” under RCS.  I’ve spent days with Verizon support and 11 hours yesterday including 2 at a Verizon store. Still nothing. Verizon support is no use. 
I can’t send or more importantly receive most messages from Android users. I’m at my wits end. 
Verizon keeps saying they’ll escalate, but they don’t. 

[vzw_customer_support]

Hi dwatja, 

I'm sorry to read that you've had trouble with getting support on this issue. I'm sending you a Private Message so that I can collect a few more details about your account. 

-Necia

[vzw_customer_support]

Hi dwatja,

If your RCS is stuck on "waiting to activate,"  it could be due to a few reasons. Can you try checking the following:

Restart your iPhone

Check your Carrier Settings to ensure they don't need an update

Check your Messaging App Settings and ensure RCS is set to "auto"

Check your network strength and if you're in a poor signal area, try moving to a different location

Check to see if you're on the latest version of iOS

-Necia

[livetorope]

I have now spent 4 hours on the phone with Verizon and Apple (Verizon said it was an Apple issue, it definetely is NOT!!) trying to get this fixed.  I have done every troubleshooting step at least four times.  They are now putting in a ticket.  This is ridiculous!!!

[vzw_customer_support]

We value your time and want to provide you with a lasting solution. In this situation, if all troubleshooting has been completed and a ticket was submitted then we need to wait for that to be resolved. Tickets are sent to an offline team and this can take a few days to be reviewed, investigated and resolved. Please let us know if you have any other question or concerns meanwhile. 

~Gina

[1036castle]

I have same problem. I’m completely over it!

[vzw_customer_support]

I'm sorry to hear that you have been experiencing issues with your SMS messaging. Feel free to send us a Private Message. We'd love the chance to further review and help get this resolved so you can fully enjoy your device.

-Christy

[FrustratedUser51]

Just transferred a line from AT&T to Verizon. Brand new iPhone 16 purchased from Apple. Did phone to phone transfer. On the new phone, RCS waiting activation and the line is not sending or receiving certain messages to Android phones. Called Verizon last night and the rep asked me what RCS messaging was 😔 Spent an hour resetting network settings, wiping and resetting eSIM, and toggling on and off a bunch of settings. No success. Very frustrating.

[vzw_customer_support]

Hello FrustratedUser51. Welcome to Verizon. Thank you for sharing the details of your experience with the messaging. We want you to have a smooth transition and full ability to communicate with others whether that is a call or a text. Have you been able to resolve the RCS messaging? Are you able to send and receive text/messages to both iPhone and Android? Let us know if we can continue troubleshooting any unresolved issues.

-Deb

[Idiotboop]

Im having this exact same issue, did you ever get it fixed?

[vzw_customer_support]

Hey there! I know how important it is to ensure RCS is working correctly. What is the make and model phone you are trying to get RCS set up on? What exactly is happening when you try?

-Christopher

[Abarone917]

I hope you got it fixed but I had the same issue 

https://community.verizon.com/t5/Apple/If-anyone-has-RCS-messages-waiting-to-activate-and-they-just/...

the line has to be ported over again

[baggerly6]

I just got my phone yesterday and activated it and I'm having the same issue. Stuck on RCS waiting on activation, and it won't activate iMessage for my phone number, only associated email addresses.

[vzw_customer_support]

We're sorry to read that you're having issues with your texting. Are you able to make calls or use data when not connected to Wi-Fi? ~Peter

[baggerly6]

Yes, I can send iMessages from the email address, but it doesn't seem to let me send SMS messages on network.  I've tried restarting the device and resetting the network, but no success. RCS still says waiting on activation, and when I try to select my phone number on iMessage is says activation unsuccessful.

[vzw_customer_support]

Hello baggerly6, we're sorry to learn about the issues you're having. Are you still needing assistance? If so, please let us know. 

~Ivone

[vzw_customer_support]

Just checking in, are you still with me? 

-Nikki

[jjwerth3]

I had this issue in Google Messages. The Verizon Rep had me delete the app and reinstall. That resolved it for me.

[Hobbes604]

All the Verizon reps that pop on see that many people are having the issue, but they aren’t replying with any suggestions. I’m having the same, with every manner of restart and reset, but nothing. It worked for a couple weeks, and our four iPhone lines all have the exact same problem with RCS. Our one android line works fine with RCS. Cool that they are raising prices but can’t fix basic issues. I’m about done with Verizon because they take hours of effort to get nothing accomplished. 

[vzw_customer_support]

I'm sorry to hear that you're running into trouble with your messaging. Can you tell me more about the troubleshooting you have done with us? Do you recall if the change aligns with a software update or new app download?

-Melissa

[lee973]

I am having the same problem. My iPhone is updated to iOS 18.3 thinking that may fix it. It did not. Rcs messaging was working until today. I have tried everything