Mobile Phones >
If you are sure you have a solid connection, toggle Airplane Mode or restart the Messages app
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SamCostello-d7fcf106ec2048ccb06d1e2190b3396d.jpg "How to Fix It When iPhone Text Messages Are Not Sending (1)")
In This Article
In This Article
- Solutions to Try
- Why Text Messaging Isn't Working
- Frequently Asked Questions
As long as you're in the range of a network, getting text messaging working again is usually pretty easy. Here's what we've found works.
How to Fix It When iPhone Text Messages Are Not Sending
Follow these instructions to get your iPhone to send text messages again.
Connect to a network. Messages go through your cell phone provider's connection. If you are instead connected to a Wi-Fi network, your iPhone will use the Wi-Fi connection. If you are connected via Wi-Fi, turn off Wi-Fi, wait until the iPhone connects to your carrier's network, and try sending a message again.
Turn Airplane Mode on and off. By toggling Airplane Mode on and off, you'll force the iPhone to request a new connection to the network, and texting should start working again.
Quit and restart the Messages app. Sometimes apps encounter conflicts and need a helping hand (er, finger swipe). Force-quit the messaging app, then try again.
Restart the iPhone. Restarting your device can remove any software conflicts that have stopped messages from coming or going.
Check the iMessage system status. It may be that the problem has nothing to do with your iPhone; maybe the Apple servers are down. Check the Apple System Status page to see if there's a problem with iMessage. If there is, you'll have to wait for Apple to resolve it.
Confirm the recipient's phone number and email. If your texts still don't send, make sure you have the correct contact information. Check the recipient's phone number or, if you use the Messages app, their email address.
If you confirmed that you sent messages to the right person, but you're not getting replies, the recipient may have blocked your number. If they don't see your texts, they don't know to respond, thus giving you the impression that they're not going through.
Confirm that your message type is supported. Not every phone company supports every kind of text message. There's broad support for SMS (Short Message Service), the standard text-messaging protocol. However, not every company supports Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), which sends photos, videos, and songs.
Turn on Group Messaging. If the text message that won't send has a photo or video, or you're trying to text a group of people, confirm that the settings to support these features are enabled. Select Settings > Messages. Under SMS/MMS, toggle MMS Messaging and Group Messaging to the On (green) position.
Check the phone's date and time settings. Your iPhone must register the correct date and time settings for network-based services to work correctly. Select Settings > General > Date & Time, then move the Set Automatically switch to On (green). If it is already on, turn it off and on again.
Reactivate iMessage. If you use iMessage to send texts, verify that iMessage is turned on. The problem may be that the setting was accidentally turned off. To turn it on, select Settings > Messages, then toggle the iMessage switch to On (green).
Reset network settings. The iPhone Network Settings are a group of preferences that control how the phone accesses cellular networks. Errors in those settings could interfere with sending texts. To solve these problems, reset your Network Settings.
Update carrier settings. Your iPhone has hidden carrier settings that help your phone communicate with the cellular network to place calls, transmit data, and send texts. Wireless carriers periodically update these settings. Make sure you have the latest version by updating your carrier settings.
Update iOS. The latest version of iOS always contains the most up-to-date feature enhancements and bug fixes. Updating iOS when you run into problems is always a good idea.
How to Update iOS Wirelessly on the iPhoneIf you tried all of the above steps and your iPhone still will not send text messages, it's time to talk to the experts. Set up an Apple Store appointment for tech support.
If you used to have an iPhone but switched to Android and have problems with your texts, Apple has a solution. You can fix the iMessage Android bug with a simple free tool.
Causes of Your iPhone Not Sending or Recieving Text Messages
Texting feels like the most basic function of a phone, even more so than calling. Some reasons it's not working could be:
- You are out of range of a network
- The Messages app isn't responding
- Apple's system isn't working
If there are fixes in your control, you should be back up and texting in no time.
FAQ
How do you send a voice message on iPhone?
Open a conversation in the Messages app, then touch and hold the Record Audio button to record your message. Use the Play Message button to preview your recording before you send it, then use the Send Audio button or the Delete Audio Recording button to deliver it or trash it, respectively.
How do you schedule a text message on iPhone?
You can schedule a text message on iPhone using the Shortcuts app. Go to the Automation tab and select Create Personal Automations, then follow the on-screen prompts to create and schedule your text message.
How do you delete a text message on iPhone?
Tap and hold your finger on the message bubble, then select More. Select the messages or conversations you want to delete, then select the trash can icon. Keep in mind that deleting conversations is permanent; once it's gone, it's gone forever.
How do you block a text message on iPhone?
To block messages from a specific person or phone number, select the name or number at the top of the conversation, then select Block This Caller. You can view or manage your blocked list by going to Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts.
How do you unsend a message on iPhone?
Unfortunately, a text message cannot be unsent. If you're quick enough, you may. be able to cancel it before it sends. But once it's delivered the other person can read it, so make sure it's the message you want to send before you press that Send button.
What does the moon mean on my iPhone text message?
If you see a half-moon icon next to a message, it means you've enabled the Do Not Disturb mode for that conversation or you've muted that particular contact. If Do Not Disturb is on, all notifications from that conversation are silenced. To unmute the conversation, swipe left on it and choose the bell icon.
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for letting us know!
Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day
Subscribe
Tell us why!
