iPhone 16 - Number unavailable for iMessage and FaceTime

[Goz2K]

Hi,

I've been with O2 for over 20 years now and recently upgraded from an iPhone 13 to an iPhone 16. I also switched my tariff at the same time as I wasn't using anywhere near my data allowance.

I noticed that my iMessage wasn't sending via my number but via my email instead and noticed that under Messaging in Apps that my number had the spinning gear against it. Tried all the usual, turn iMessage off, turn FaceTime off, restart phone, sign out of Apple ID and then turn it all back on again.

Went back to the shop, guy had a look at it and decided we'd give it 24hrs just in case there was something needing setup at O2 HQ. Same again the next day, went back to the shop and was given a replacement SIM. Same again the next day, advised to do network reset after hour cooldown on the phone, done, still nothing. I have since backed up everything, factory defaulted the phone and setup from scratch. Again still not able to access iMessage.

I've confirmed that the iPhone number in my Apple account has exactly the same number as my SIM. I am a bit stumped as to what I can do so if anyone has any advice it would be thoroughly appreciated.

Cheers !

[MI5]

@Goz2K 

You need to check with O2 that iData was added to your account when you changed tariffs.

Guide: How to find help & contact O2 

[Goz2K]

Thanks MI5 ! I will have a look

[Goz2K · Accepted solution]

@MI5

You were not far off the mark. Popped into the shop again today and after about an hour got the problem resolved. A number of issues as I seen it, bad roll out of eSIM from the network, a bar on my premium (not sure if relevant), physical SIM with same number as eSIM.

Solution was to setup phone with eSIM, clear bar, remove physical SIM, turn off iMessage then FaceTime, log out of Apple ID, restart, log back into Apple ID then turn iMessage and FaceTime back on.

Kudos to the team at Kingdom Centre O2 who had all the staff in on it at one point.

[Oxonian]

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@Goz2K wrote:

Kudos to the team at Kingdom Centre O2 who had all the staff in on it at one point.

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@Goz2K 

One for @Dave-O2 to note and feed back when he returns to work in January. 👍

[MI5]

Good news @Goz2K