What if iMessage is not working on iPhone? Here are 12 ways to fix it

What if iMessage is not working on iPhone? Here are 12 ways to fix it.

Do you keep facing problems using iMessage on your iPhone? Despite how good Apple’s instant messaging service is, various things can prevent it from working properly. Server-side complications, connection failures, misconfigured iMessage settings, and errors can all contribute.

If iMessage is taking a long time to send your messages, is unable to deliver them, or is not syncing conversations correctly, the following troubleshooting methods may help. Not all fixes are suitable for your specific problem, so you can skip those that don’t.

What if iMessage is not working on iPhone? Here are 12 ways to fix it

1. Check iMessage System Status

iMessage routes your messages through Apple’s servers. If you had no problems using the service just a moment ago, but iMessage is not working now, then it is worth checking for server-side issues.

Go to Apple’s system status page and scroll down to iMessage. If you see a known issue in the list next to it, you must wait until Apple resolves it. If there is no problem, you should see a green dot or “Available” tag instead.

What if iMessage is not working on iPhone? Here are 12 ways to fix it

2. Check Wi-Fi/Cellular Data

Make sure your internet connection is OK. Try opening multiple websites in Safari, playing YouTube videos, etc. If they load fine, skip. If not, here are some simple things you can try.

Restart your Wi-Fi router.
Connect to a different Wi-Fi network.
Extend Wi-Fi rental.
Open the iPhone Control Center and turn airplane mode on and off.
Make sure you haven’t used up your daily or monthly cellular data quota.
Disable VPN (Virtual Private Network).

There are other connectivity issues that can cause iMessage to not work.

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3. Resend Message

If iMessage is unable to deliver the message due to a short-term connection issue on your side or on the recipient’s side, it can still go through if you resend it after a while.

To do this, tap the red exclamation mark next to the undelivered message and select “Try Again”. In case of an emergency, you can also send it as a regular text message. To do this, click on Send as a text message instead.

What if iMessage is not working on iPhone? Here are 12 ways to fix it

4. Enable/Disable Send as SMS

You can also set the Messaging app to automatically send regular text messages (indicated by green text bubbles) when iMessage isn’t working. To do this, open the Settings app on your iPhone, select Messages, and turn on the toggle next to Send as SMS.

What if iMessage is not working on iPhone? Here are 12 ways to fix it

If you already have this setting enabled and want to use the only iMessage, go to Settings> Messages and turn off Send as SMS. This will not affect conversations with non-iMessage contacts. You can also resend failed messages as plain text.

5. Turn iPhone Off/On

Try turning off your iPhone and then turning it back on. This alone can eliminate random errors or glitches that interfere with the normal functioning of applications such as Messages.

What if iMessage is not working on iPhone? Here are 12 ways to fix it

If your iPhone uses Face ID, quickly press and release the volume up button, press and release the volume down button, and then press and hold the side button. Then swipe right at the prompt “Slide to Turn Off” to turn off iPhone. Wait a few seconds and then press and hold the side button again to turn it back on.
If your iPhone uses Touch ID, press the side button to display the Slide to Power Off prompt. With your iPhone off, press and hold the Side button again to turn it on.

6. Check iMessage Settings

If iMessage still doesn’t work and your iPhone won’t send or receive messages from a specific set of iMessage contacts, check if the service is configured correctly.

Open the Settings app, tap Messages, and select Send & Receive. Then, make sure you select your phone number and the corresponding email addresses you want to receive and respond to imessages. You can set this under You can receive and reply to iMessages.

What if iMessage is not working on iPhone? Here are 12 ways to fix it

Also, make sure you select the correct phone number or email address where you want to start iMessage conversations in the Start New Conversations From section.

7. Turn iMessage On/Off

Turning iMessage off and on again is another fix that can help resolve slow or undeliverable messages. Open the Settings app and select Messages. Then turn off the switch next to iMessage.

Reboot your iPhone. Then head back to Settings> Messages and turn on the toggle next to iMessage.

What if iMessage is not working on iPhone? Here are 12 ways to fix it

Note. It can take up to several minutes for iMessage to activate on the iPhone.

8. Update iOS

If you’ve recently upgraded to a new version of iOS, it’s important to keep installing the latest incremental updates. This allows you to rule out any known software bugs that prevent iMessage from working properly.

To do this, open the Settings app, select General, and click Software Update. If there is a software update listed, click Download and Install.

9. Delete Conversation/Retry

If iMessage doesn’t work with only a specific contact, try starting a new conversation from scratch. Start by deleting the current thread – swipe right on it and tap the trash can icon. If you have any important attachments, you can save them before doing this.

What if iMessage is not working on iPhone? Here are 12 ways to fix it

Then tap the New Message icon in the upper right corner of the Messages app to start a new conversation.

10. Check Date and Time

Is the correct time zone selected on your iPhone? Otherwise, iMessage may not work correctly.

Go to Settings> General> Date & Time. Then turn on the toggle next to Install Automatically. Or tap Time Zone to manually select your time zone.

What if iMessage is not working on iPhone? Here are 12 ways to fix it

11. Change DNS (Wi-Fi Only)

Are your iMessages not going through when they’re only connected to a specific Wi-Fi connection? Replacing DNS (Domain Name System) servers with a popular DNS service such as Google DNS can help.

1. Open the Settings app and tap Wi-Fi.

2. Tap the I icon next to an active Wi-Fi connection.

3. Click “Configure DNS”.

4. Select “Manual” and then remove the existing DNS servers.

5. Add the following DNS servers.

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What if iMessage is not working on iPhone? Here are 12 ways to fix it

6. Tap Save.

Open the Messages app and try resending any failed iMessages.

12. Reset Network Settings

If you still have problems with iMessage, you can reset your network settings. Open the Settings app, tap General, tap Reset, and tap Reset Network Settings. Then click “Reset Network Settings” again to confirm.

What if iMessage is not working on iPhone? Here are 12 ways to fix it

Note. The reset procedure will delete all saved Wi-Fi networks, so you’ll have to manually reconnect later.

13. Sync Messages with iCloud

Messaging can’t sync iMessages with the rest of your devices? If so, check if Messages is enabled in iCloud. To do this, go to Settings> Apple ID> iCloud and turn on the toggle next to Messages if it’s off.

What if iMessage is not working on iPhone? Here are 12 ways to fix it

You should repeat this on other Apple devices as well. The process works the same on the iPad. However, on a Mac, you must first open the Messages app, select Messages from the menu bar, choose Preferences, go to the iMessage tab, and then select the Messages in the iCloud checkbox.

Start Using iMessage Again

Hopefully, the above fixes worked and you are back to using iMessage normally on your iPhone. You can also fix similar iMessage related issues on Mac. Or, just end the day and play a few iMessage games with your friends instead.

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