Can't activate iMessage on iCloud connected iPhone 4S

[Dj64Mk7]

I'm having an issue where I can't get my iPhone 4S to activate with iMessage. My 4S is my secondary iPhone, limited to WiFi only, no cell service. I've activated it on my Sprint-connected iPhone SE, as well as my Mac, but just can't get it to activate on my 4S.

 

[eyoungren]

Can you still send an iMessage?

I had an iPhone 3GS that I could only use on WiFi at one point. Because I was new to iPhone and at that time I was using an email address for iMessage instead of a phone number, iMessage always showed as "activating" for me and never as activated. But it still worked whenever I tried to send an iMessage out.

 

[Applejuiced]

You are trying to activate an email address imessage account and not a phone number that you dont have that phone numbers active sim card inside the 4S correct?

 

[Dj64Mk7]

Can you still send an iMessage?

I had an iPhone 3GS that I could only use on WiFi at one point. Because I was new to iPhone and at that time I was using an email address for iMessage instead of a phone number, iMessage always showed as "activating" for me and never as activated. But it still worked whenever I tried to send an iMessage out.

Yes, just tried this, it works.

You are trying to activate an email address imessage account and not a phone number that you dont have that phone numbers active sim card inside the 4S correct?

Yes, I am.

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And I should clarify that I'm trying to activate the Continuity features, Text Message Forwarding, and making phone calls over iCloud. I've gotten SMS forwarding, as well as phone calls, to work on my Mac, but I can't get them to work on my iPhone 4S.

 

[eyoungren]

Yes, just tried this, it works.

Then that's probably as far as you can go using an email address for iMessage on an iPhone.

 

[Dj64Mk7]

Then that's probably as far as you can go using an email address for iMessage on an iPhone.

What about the Continuity features?

 

[eyoungren]

What about the Continuity features?

If you cannot get it to show as activated because you are using an email address instead of a phone number then those features are not going to show up - which prevents you from turning them on.

 

[Dj64Mk7]

If you cannot get it to show as activated because you are using an email address instead of a phone number then those features are not going to show up - which prevents you from turning them on.

So is it then impossible to use those features on an iPhone that isn't connected to a cell network? I can't even get iMessage to activate while in Airplane Mode.

 

[eyoungren]

So is it then impossible to use those features on an iPhone that isn't connected to a cell network? I can't even get iMessage to activate while in Airplane Mode.

Yes.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204689

This feature requires an iPhone with iOS 8.1 or later and an activated carrier plan.

 

[Dj64Mk7]

Yes.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204689

Then how is it possible to do it with an iPod Touch?

 

[eyoungren]

Then how is it possible to do it with an iPod Touch?

No idea. What were you using (email or phone number) to activate iMessage with on the iPod Touch?

And you're receiving calls on the iPod Touch?

 

[Dj64Mk7]

No idea. What were you using (email or phone number) to activate iMessage with on the iPod Touch?

And you're receiving calls on the iPod Touch?

Oh no, I don't have an iPod touch. I have a Mac though.

 

[eyoungren]

Oh no, I don't have an iPod touch. I have a Mac though.

Oh, I see what you're saying!

The first part in the link I gave was for Handoff.

The calls and SMS usage though require an active cell plan, as mentioned in the link.

 

[Dj64Mk7]

Oh, I see what you're saying!

The first part in the link I gave was for Handoff.

The calls and SMS usage though require an active cell plan, as mentioned in the link.

Maybe I'm being dense, but that still doesn't make sense when you can activate it on a Mac just fine.