Are yous having problems sending or receiving text letters using your iPhone, iPad or Mac? Accept your ordinarily blue speech bubbles turned green? Are messages non showing up in the right order? Is iMessage telling you that your text hasn't been delivered? Are y'all wondering why iMessage is not working?

In this feature we look at causes of iMessage failure and offering straightforward troubleshooting tips to help y'all gear up the messages app on your iPhone, iPad or Mac. Discover out how to tell if iMessage is down, what to do if iMessage stops working on your iPhone, and what to do if iMessage is not working in your Mac. We volition aid you set up all your iMessage problems.

If yous simply want to set upwards the service, see How to gear up up iMessage on iPhone.

Why is iMessage non working?

At that place are lots of reasons why iMessage tin finish working: it could exist an effect with Apple's iMessage server, a trouble with the Messages app, or your settings could need adjusting.

Before we move on to specific difficulties, let'due south work through nine uncomplicated troubleshooting steps that volition solve the almost common issues with iMessage.

1. Bank check if iMessage is down

The first possibility is that the server that iMessage is run from is down - which could mean that iMessage isn't working for anyone. This is rare, but information technology does happen occasionally.

You can check if whatever of Apple's online services are experiencing outages by checking the System Status page.

How to fix iMessage not working on iPhone, iPad & Mac: System Status

On this web page Apple gives you a heads-upwards about any services with planned maintenance work, along with a report of any recently resolved bug in any of its services. Nonetheless, if your result has only only appeared, bear in mind that the website's update frequency tends to be measured in minutes, non seconds - perhaps every bit many as 30 on occasion - so the problem may not have been spotted yet.

Even if Apple tree's Arrangement Status site suggests all is well, there could exist an outage that's local to you. As an alternative to Apple's page, you could endeavor Down Detector, which provides a graph detailing outage reports from the past 24 hours, and even an outage map to see whether you're in an affected area.

You lot could too search for the give-and-take iMessage and related terms on Twitter; if lots of people are talking almost the problem then it's clearly not just yous.

The fix

The adept news is that even if iMessage is down, you should nonetheless be able to communicate with your friends via normal texts.

If iMessage is failing, your message should automatically exist pushed into green-bubble texts instead of blue-chimera iMessages. Green indicates that the message is being sent equally a text, rather than an iMessage). (Here's how to tell an iMessage from a standard SMS text.)

If this isn't working for you, read our guide to sending texts when the recipient isn't getting your iMessages. If an iMessage isn't sending if you hard press on the message you should see an choice to "Send as Text".

iphone text

ii. Make sure you've got a connectedness (and enough information)

iMessage needs a data connection to work, and then you lot demand to make sure you've got 3G or 4G (or 5G) available, or a good WiFi signal. Without WiFi or a cellular information connection your iMessage won't transport.

Cheque you can admission the web by performing a quick search in Safari. If y'all see no results you lot've identified the root of your problem.

If yous don't have a good cellular connection you could try turning Plane Style on and off to encounter if you lot can improve your reception. Depending on your iPhone either swipe in from the elevation right or swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone or iPad screen, and select and deselect Plane Mode - the plane icon.

Even if the cellular connection is great, you might not take enough data. Is there a chance you lot've used up all your data for the month? Are you even sure that data is included in your contract? Contact your network provider to cheque. (Read almost how to save data on your iPhone here.)

The set up

If you lot are out of data, or the 3G/4G connection is poor, try one of the following:

  • In add-on to switching the aerials on and off using Plane Mode, turning your iPhone on and off again may also help it find a stronger bespeak.
  • Log onto a nearby Wi-Fi network to send your iMessage. To find a nearby network, go to Settings > Wi-Fi and take a expect to see if there is a free Wi-Fi network nearby.
  • If your Wi-Fi connexion is the problem then turn off Wi-Fi and utilize 3G/4G.
  • If none of those tips works you may demand to reset your network settings. Tap Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings and meet if this fixes the problem.
  • If you still don't become a data connection, and at that place is no WiFi available, you should be able to press and hold on the undelivered message and choose to 'Transport equally text bulletin' from the options that come upward. A text bulletin should get through fifty-fifty over a GPRS connexion.

How to fix iMessage not working on iPhone, iPad & Mac: Send as text message

3. Make sure iMessage is on and set upwards correctly

Check you lot're fix to send and receive iMessages by going to Settings > Messages and checking that iMessage is turned on.

If when you get to this folio you run across a bulletin suggesting that iMessage is "Waiting for activation" or "Activation unsuccessful", and then read this article: What to do when iMessage won't actuate on your iPhone.

If iMessage is switched on and there is no message near activation, check that your telephone is fix up correctly to receive iMessages: Go to Settings > Letters and check the addresses and mobile number you accept listed in Send & Receive.

The prepare

Assuming it's non an activation issue, run through the following:

  1. Turn off your mobile number or email accost in the list of places where you lot tin Send & Receive from. We suggest trying a process of elimination to see if iMessage works with only your mobile number or simply an email address.
  2. Cheque there is a tick beside your phone number in the First New Conversations From department if you're using an iPhone.

How to fix iMessage not working on iPhone, iPad & Mac: iOS Settings

4. Plough it off and on once again and restart Messages

As in all good troubleshooting articles ane essential piece of advice is to turn it off and on again. You lot could start off past double-pressing the Home button and swiping upwards on the Messages app, before relaunching it. If the app was hanging this may well set up the problem.

The fix

If things still aren't working you lot could endeavour the following:

  1. Reboot iMessage by going to Settings > Messages and turning off iMessage, then plow off your iPhone by pressing and holding the on/off switch, slide to power off, and then wait for your iPhone to outset up again.
  2. One time y'all've rebooted, return to Settings > Messages and plough iMessage back on.
  3. Sign out of your Apple ID and then sign in once again. You can do this from Settings > Letters so tap on Transport & Receive and at the top of the folio tap on your Apple ID and choose Sign Out.
  4. Then sign in once again and meet if this has fixed the problem.

For related advice you may likewise like to read How to ship and receive text messages on Mac and How to use Messages on the iPhone.

5. Delete some letters

If your Letters app has a lot of photos and videos information technology might tiresome down a bit. Deleting some of your iMessages - particularly the ones with lots of photos might solve the problem (simply note that images sent via iMessage won't automatically appear in your Photos app).

The fix

At that place are a few ways to reduce the size of your iMessage library.

  • To delete letters you can swipe from right to left on a bulletin in the Messages list and choose Delete.
  • Or you tin tap the Edit button in the top left-hand corner of Messages and delete messages that way.
  • There is also a 'Go along Letters' option in Settings > Letters. Await for Message History and tap Keep Messages - you can select Forever, 1 year or 30 days. Before y'all decide to delete messages later on 30 days, be sure yous aren't about to lose some important messages! (For related communication, we have a feature well-nigh how to retrieve deleted text letters.)
  • While you're here, you can besides change your settings so that you transport depression-res images, which take upward less space. Get to Settings > Messages and toggle Low-Quality Image Manner on. (It's the concluding choice, correct at the bottom of the page.)

iPhone

half-dozen. Check iOS is up to date

If your software isn't upward to date there may be a issues stopping it from working properly.

The fix

To check if an updated version of iOS is available (and download and install it if so), go to Settings > General > Software Update.

For more item on the updating process and the issues it may entail, run across How to update iOS.

7. Check Network settings

Make sure it's non a problem with your Network settings.

The fix

Here'due south how to reset your Network settings if Messages aren't sending.

  1. Get to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. You'll have to enter your passwords over again subsequently yous practise this.
  2. You could too try turning off Wi-Fi Assist. Wi-Fi Assist will switch to a cellular point when it is stronger than your local WiFi network. Turning it off has worked for some people. Go to Settings > Mobile Information and roll down to WiFi Help and switch it off if it's on.

8. Check Time Zone settings

Some users have found that they had issues sending Messages when the time zone wasn't set to update automatically. It'south not clear what was causing the problem, perhaps it's to practise with the carrier settings.

The fix

Hither'south how to change your fourth dimension zone settings:

  1. Go to Settings > General > Date & Time and make sure your time zone is set automatically.
  2. Gear up Automatically to ON.

9. Reset all Settings

As a last resort, you could practise a total Reset…

In Settings go to Full general > Reset.

10. Ask Apple

If y'all are still having problems so it'south probably time to get an appointment with a genius at the Apple Store, here'due south how.

Specific problems with iMessage

Below we look at some specific problems with iMessages - allow us know if you feel whatever issues with the service, or if you lot discover a ready of your own.

iMessage activation unsuccessful

Setting up iMessage on an iPhone or iPad should exist a elementary procedure, merely it can sometimes be problematic. In some case people are seeing an error message when they try to actuate iMessage (or FaceTime) on their iPhone.

You may run across one of the following error messages:

  • Activation unsuccessful.
  • An error occurred during activation.
  • Waiting for activation.
  • Could not sign in, please check your network connection.
  • Unable to contact the iMessage server.

The ready:

We offering lots of advice almost how to set up this event here: What to practise when iMessage won't activate on your iPhone.

In summary:

  • Check if iMessage has been deactivated in Settings > Messages.
  • Turn Messages off and on once again in Settings > Letters. Exercise the same with FaceTime. Then plow your iPhone off and on again. Once your iPhone is on once again go back to Messages and turn information technology back on.
  • Contact your mobile network about the problem.
  • You may just have to wait - it can take 24 hours to be activated.

Why isn't my friend receiving iMessages?

If you know your friend has an iPhone, iPad or Mac, they should be able to receive iMessages - but they may not take the iMessage feature activated, or not be registered for it.

It's also possible that they accept recently inverse networks and demand to actuate iMessage.

Alternatively, it'southward possible that your friend has switched to using an Android or Windows device? They may however be able to receive iMessages on their iPad and Mac, only they won't receive them on their new handset. If they no longer desire to receive iMessages they need to deregister from iMessage.

The Set

If you know your friend has an iPhone, it may just be that they need to plow on the service. In which example, tell them:

  • Go to Settings > Messages.
  • Turn on iMessage.

All the same, it may non exist that simple, so we have a separate tutorial about the steps they need to take to brand sure iMessages will go through.

If your friend no longer has an iPhone information technology's still possible that you tin can send iMessages - but they won't be delivered to their new handset. If they would prefer to plow off iMessage to avoid missing out on texts, they can do the following:

  1. If they still have the old iPhone they can go to Settings > Messages.
  2. Switch off iMessage.
  3. It'southward as well possible to conciliate iMessage using a web tool here.

Later turning off iMessage, the text letters you send on an iPhone volition exist light-green rather than bluish.

iPhone Messages

iMessage visual effects aren't working

Back in iOS 10 Apple introduced some fun blithe furnishings that you can apply to enhance your iMessages.

For case, y'all can press and agree on a speech chimera to add a thumbs upwards or a heart, you lot can send sketches, and if you printing and hold the arrow that you normally tap to send a message you will become admission to fun effects similar Send with Repeat, Spotlight, Balloons, Confetti, Love, Lasers, Fireworks, Shooting Stars, and Commemoration.

The prepare

If the problem is that some of these visual furnishings aren't being received by your recipient, endeavour the post-obit:

  1. Bank check that your recipient has installed iOS 10 or iOS 11.
  2. Some effects likewise won't work if your friend has Reduced Motion activated on their iPhone (they may have changed the setting to relieve battery power every bit per the advice in this feature). In that instance, they need to Go to Full general > Accessibility > Reduce Motion > Off.

Note, your furnishings won't work if they're not sent as an iMessage; if your friend doesn't have an iPhone iPad or Mac they won't see them.

Tin can't send a group iMessage

If you're having trouble sending messages to groups of people, i reason could be that one of your contacts no longer has an iPhone.

How to fix iMessage not working on iPhone, iPad & Mac: Group message

When yous send a group message in iMessage all your contacts will show upward equally blue, until you add someone who doesn't accept iMessage, and then they will all plough green as the iMessage group volition not be supported.

If you had a grouping iMessage and one of your contacts stopped using their iPhone this would suspension the group iMessage. To find out if this is the case, start a new group message rather than continuing with the old one.

It's likewise possible that you can't send a grouping message to an existing thread because you left the conversation.

The fix

If y'all think you've close yourself out of a group message, as nosotros described higher up, you will need to do the following:

  1. Open up the Messages app and tap the group bulletin you're trying to answer to.
  2. If you've left the conversation a message will tell y'all then.
  3. Yous tin can't unilaterally rejoin a chat: you'll need to have one of the remaining participants add together you again.
  4. Alternatively, you lot could just outset a new conversation with all the aforementioned participants and go from in that location.

What if yous are intent on grouping messaging your friends and not all of them have iPhones? In that case, your best option is to use Whatsapp. We have this tutorial most using Whatsapp here.

Lost or accidentally deleted Messages

If you've accidentally deleted important messages, or if you've updated your iPhone and realised that some messages have disappeared, don't worry: you may be able to get them dorsum.

The fix

There are 5 master means of getting back lost or deleted iMessages:

  • Retrieve from an iCloud backup.
  • Retrieve from the iCloud website.
  • Contact your phone provider.
  • Recollect from an iTunes backup.
  • Recollect using a third-party app.

We cover all of these in a divide article: How to think deleted text letters.

Letters on iPhone non actualization (or out of order) on Mac/iPad

The matching Messages apps on iOS and Mac should allow you to hands and conveniently deport on iMessage conversations across the 2 platforms. But sometimes the ii apps neglect to sync properly, and iMessages sent from (or received on) the iPhone neglect to appear on the Mac, or vice versa.

The fix

Do non worry. This is such a common complaint that Apple has fabricated it possible to store all your in iCloud - which means that they volition always be in sync on all your devices. For more data, we take this tutorial nearly using iMessages in iCloud.

If you lot aren't cracking on turning on iMessages in iCloud (information technology may impact your available storage) y'all could effort the following:

  1. Go to Settings > Messages > Ship & Receive. Make sure all the email addresses (non just phone numbers) that you want to associate with that iMessage account take been ticked. (Y'all may need to tap 'Use your Apple ID for iMessage' at the meridian to brand the addresses announced.)
  2. Now open the Messages app on your Mac. Click Messages in the top menu bar, then Preferences. Click Accounts, then tick the appropriate email addresses once again. You may need to enter more than details for some of them.
  3. Finally, restart Letters on each device and (hopefully) you'll find that the upshot is solved.

For more detail, see How to sync iMessage conversations on iPhone, iPad and Mac.