iMessage not Working? Latest & Simple Steps to Troubleshoot & Fix it

  – Is iMessage not Working?  – 

If you use an iPhone, You’d have noticed that when you send messages, some display in blue while others are green. 

iMessage not Working?

The blue messages use iMessage, Apple’s proprietary messaging service, while the greens are standard SMS/MMS messages. If you turn iMessage off, all your messages send as standard messages and display in green.

If you’ve been trying to send iMessages using your iPhone and all of your messages are suddenly appearing in green bubbles, then iMessage isn’t working correctly on your iPhone.

In this article, I’ll explain what iMessage is and how to diagnose and fix problems with iMessage on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod.

What Is iMessage And How Does It Work?

iMessage was Apple’s answer to Blackberry Messenger, and it is fundamentally different than traditional text messaging (SMS) and multimedia messaging (MMS).

This is because iMessage uses data to send messages instead of the text messaging plan through your cellular service provider.

iMessage is a great feature because it allows iPhones, iPads, iPods, and Macs to send messages that transcend the traditional 160-character limit of text messages and data limits associated with MMS messages.

The primary drawback of iMessage is that it only works between Apple devices. It’s impossible to send an iMessage to someone with an Android smartphone.

What Are The Green Bubbles and Blue Bubbles On iPhones?

When you open the Messages app, you’ll notice that when you send text messages, sometimes they are sent in a blue bubble, and other times they are sent in a green bubble. Here’s what that means:

  • If your message appears in a blue bubble, then your text message was sent using iMessage.
  • If your message appears in a green bubble, then your text message was sent using your cellular plan, either using SMS or MMS.

iMessage Not Working?

Before you assume the worst, it can’t hurt to examine the problem. Are you sure iMessage isn’t working with anyone or is it just not working with one contact?

If you’re having trouble with iMessage when sending messages to a single contact, the problem could be on their end.

On the other hand, if iMessage isn’t working with any of your contacts, and you know they’re using iMessage, the problem is probably happening with your device.

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Send A Test Message (Or Two)

If you haven’t already, try sending a message to a friend or family member you know uses iMessage.

If iMessage doesn’t work with them, try contacting another person that you know uses iMessage. This will help you figure out if the problem is on your device.

You may not have multiple contacts you can check with if most of your friends use Android.

In this case, if you have multiple devices with iMessage, try sending messages with each. That way you can see if it works on your Mac but not your iPhone, for instance.

If iMessage is working but you just can’t send or receive messages with your Phone, then read this guide.

How To Fix iMessage On Your iPhone or iPad

1. Turn iMessage Off, Reboot, And Then Back On

Head to Settings -> Messages and tap the button next to iMessage to turn iMessage off on your iPhone or iPad.

Next, hold the power button down until you see ‘Slide to Power Off’ and slide your finger across the bar to turn off your iPhone or iPad. Turn your device back on, head back to Settings -> Messages, and turn iMessage back on.

2. Make Sure iMessage Is Set Up Correctly

Make Sure iMessage Is Set Up Correctly

Head to Settings -> Messages and tap to open the menu item called ‘Send & Receive’.

Here, you’ll see a list of the phone numbers and email addresses that are configured to send and receive iMessages on your device.

Look under the section titled ‘Start New Conversations From’, and if there isn’t a checkmark next to your phone number, tap on your phone number to activate iMessage for your number.

3. Check Your Internet Connection

Remember that iMessage only works with a Wi-Fi or cellular data connection, so let’s make sure your iPhone or iPad is actually connected to the internet.

Open up Safari on your device and try navigating to any website. If the website doesn’t load or Safari says you’re not connected to the internet, your iMessages won’t send either.

Hint: If the internet isn’t working on your iPhone, you might be connected to a Wi-Fi network that doesn’t have a good internet connection.

Try turning off Wi-Fi and resending your iMessage. If that works, the problem was with Wi-Fi, not with iMessage.

4. Sign Out Of iMessage and Sign Back In

Head back to Settings -> Messages and tap to open ‘Send & Receive’. Next, tap where it says ‘Apple ID: (your Apple ID)’ and choose ‘Sign Out.

Sign back in using your Apple ID and try sending an iMessage to one of your friends with an iPhone.

5. Check For An iOS Update

Head to Settings -> General -> Software Update and check to see if there is an iOS update for your iPhone. Apple routinely pushes out updates to address iMessage issues with various carriers.

6. Reset Network Settings

Issues with network connectivity can also cause problems with iMessage, and often times restoring your iPhone’s network settings back to factory defaults can resolve an issue with iMessage.

To reset your iPhone or iPad’s network settings, go to Settings -> General -> Reset and choose ‘Reset Network Settings.

A word of warning: Before you do this, make sure you know your Wi-Fi passwords, because ‘Reset Network Settings’ will erase all of the saved Wi-Fi networks on your iPhone.

After your iPhone reboots, you’ll have to re-enter your Wi-Fi passwords at home and at work. Your iPhone’s Bluetooth and VPN settings will also be reset to factory defaults.

7. Contact Apple Support

There are rare occasions when all of the above troubleshooting steps wouldn’t fix a problem with iMessage, and you’d have to escalate the issue to Apple engineers who would personally resolve the issue.

If you do decide to visit an Apple Store, do yourself a favor and call ahead to make an appointment with the Genius Bar so you don’t have to wait around to get help.

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Conclusion

Most of the time, iMessage requires a simple fix, as noted in the troubleshooting steps listed above. If your Apple device is experiencing iMessage issues, try following the steps listed above and give some feedback on what worked for your device.

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