Problem with iMessage activation: How to get rid of it in iOS 26

Users who have recorded iOS 26 and try to activate iMessage may find difficulties if there are inactive ESIMs on their device. The manufacturer refers to this in one Auxiliary document published in the past weekwhich has so far only been available in English. If the activation does not exist, messages no longer arrive (anymore) or are then sent as a text message or RCS message, although the counterpart dominates iMessage.

Two Sims with one number

Apple always links iMessage to iPhones with the respective mobile phone number. Customers have to go through an activation process for a new device for a SIM card and/or device change or the transfer of an ESIM. An SMS is sent in the background to ensure that the number can be verified. Even this sometimes causes problems and ensures that it can take a while for imessage to be available. Sometimes the device is not able to properly receive SMS with the activation.

The problem in iOS 26 is now apparently another according to Apple: it seems to appear that some users on the same iPhone have an active and an inactive SIM of the same number. This is the case, for example, when you have switched to the ESIM, but leaves the old SIM in the device. Sometimes it is the other way around. It is still unclear why iOS 26 apparently does not notice that one SIM is inactive and that it can be disturbed by it during the imessage activation.

Remove SIM or delete ESIM

Apple now recommends the following steps: If the inactive Sim is a physical Sim, you should remove it from the device, as it is no longer needed anyway. On the other hand, if the inactive Sim is an ESIM, you go to the device’s mobile phone settings and delete them. Then go to the iMessage settings and select the number there to start activation again.

In addition to the non-possible shipping of iMessage messages or fallback on SMS/RCS With an email sender be sent instead of a phone number. Finally, the iMessage settings may also show two numbers.