Apple today officially released a support document outlining potential issues for users setting up their new iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro.
IMessage and FaceTime may not work properly out of the box with iOS 16.0 due to activation issues. Issues with iPhone 14 include being unable to accept iMessage or FaceTime calls, seeing green bubbles instead of blue bubbles when contacting another iMessage user, and recipients not seeing your messages as originating from the correct account.
In brief, iOS 16.0 introduces additional device setup faults relating to iMessage and FaceTime device activation. With so many people purchasing iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max devices with iOS 16.0 preloaded today, this is obviously an unfortunate time.
Fortunately, Apple has already solved these issues with the release of iOS 16.0.1, which was made available yesterday.
According to Apple, iMessage and FaceTime issues should be rectified after updating to the current iOS version. Your new iPhone may prompt you to upgrade as part of the new device setup process before you even reach the home screen. If not, after receiving your iPhone 14, go to Settings -> General -> Software Update and update to the most recent version available.
If you’re still having iMessage and FaceTime issues after updating to iOS 16.0.1, you might need to tweak the iMessage settings somewhat. According to Apple, you should first go to Settings -> Cellular and make sure your phone line is turned on.
After that, go to Settings -> Messages -> Send & Receive. Select the phone number for which you want to utilise iMessage. Tap the phone number you want to use with FaceTime in Settings -> FaceTime.
Following those steps should result in the activation procedure for these services being reset, and your iPhone 14 functioning normally.