All iPhone users are well aware of the iMessage app, a built-in instant messaging app that allows you to send free messages on your iPhone. Using phone data or the Internet, you can send messages for free. iMessage has changed how you send messages on cellular, networks, and you can send free text messages without any word limit. This app allows users to send free messages only if both the sender and receiver are IOS users.
If you receive the message and see a blue bubble on it, it means the user has sent it through iMessage. But if you see a green bubble, it means the user has sent through a non-IOS device.
Sometimes when you send a message through iMessage, you may not send it. There are some reasons why your iMessage is not working. Here, I will mention some of the reasons why your iMessage is not working and ways to troubleshoot them.
Reasons iMessage Is Not Working
Sometimes when you try to send messages on iMessage, your messages do not work, and there might be the reasons behind it. Some of the reasons why your iMessage is not working
can be:
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Device Might Not Be Connect With The Internet
You will need the Internet to send text messages or MMS through iMessage. You will need a good internet connection to send messages. Even if you do not have a good internet connection, you can also use your cellphone data like 3G, 4G, or 5G. Without an internet connection, you cannot send messages on iMessage.
Your iMessage Might Not Be Active
You are not able to send your message on iMessage if you have not activated your
iMessage. You can only send messages on iMessage only if you are have activated your
iMessage. Both the receivers and senders' iMessage must be activated to send and receive, free messages on iMessage.
iMessage Might Be Down
Sometimes, when iMessage is not working, you will not be able to send or receive messages on iMessage. This happens rarely, but it does happen. When iMessage is down, then you will be notified by Apple. You can also visit the Apple website to get updates about the storage of the iMessage service.
If iMessage Space is Insufficient
If you face a slow down of iMessage or are unable to receive MMS or any other files on
iMessage, then it might be due to insufficient space. If you cannot receive MMS or files and folders on iMessage, you must first check your storage space.
IOS Is Not Up-To-Date
Sometimes, even when you do not update your software, you might also not be able to send iMessage. When you do not update your phone regularly, bugs can hinder you from using the iMessage app or other apps.
5 Ways To Troubleshoot iMessage Problems
If you are having trouble with your iMessage, you must follow the steps given below:
Check Your Internet Connection
The first thing to do when your iMessage does not work is to check your Internet connection. To check if your device is connected through the Internet or to check if your Internet is working or not, you can open your safari browser and check it. To check your internet connection, follow the steps given below:
- Go to Setting
- Now click on wifi
- If wifi is on, turn the wifi off and then turn it on again.
- Click on “Back” on the top of the screen
- Now click on the Cellular option
- On your cellular option, turn it off and then turn it on again after a moment.
- Do not forget to check the wifi and data icon on the top of the screen.
If the problem is with your wifi, you need to check your router and try to fix the problem. If you cannot fix your wifi yourself, you can ask for help from your internet service provider.
Also Read: Turn off Two Factor Authentication iPhone
Set Up Your iMessage Correctly
If you are using IOS devices for the first time, you might not be able to set your iMessage correctly. Or, if your iMessage has not been set up correctly, your message will not be sent or received through iMessage. Here’s how you can activate your iMessage correctly:
- Go To Setting
- Click on Message
- Now click on Send & Receive
- You need to check your phone number is on Start New Conversation From
Once you set iMessage correctly, then you will be able to send or receive messages on iMessage. You can check if the iMessage has worked correctly or not by sending a message on iMessage.
Restart Your Device
If your iMessage is not working correctly, then you can try restarting your device. Sometimes, restarting your device can also help solve many problems, including failure in sending and receiving messages on iMessage. To restart your device, you can follow the steps given below:
- Go to Setting
- Click on Message
- Click on iMessage and swipe the button to turn it off
- Now click on the power button and slide the power icon to turn your device off.
- Turn on your device again.
- Again go to Setting.
- Click on Message.
- Now turn on iMessage
Now you can use iMessage to send and receive messages.
Clear Your Storage
As I mentioned above, sometimes, you will not receive any message when your device storage is insufficient. Hence you need to clean your storage. Here’s how you can clean your storage by deleting some messages on your IOS device:
- Open message, swipe right to left on the message, and select the message you want to delete.
You can even use another method of deleting messages which is:
- Click on the tap to edit button, which you can find on the top left-hand corner of the message.
- Now select delete to delete the message right away.
If there are some important messages you do not want to delete, then you can save the message on the Keep section.
- Go to Setting.
- Tap on Message.
- Click on “Keep Message“
- Now select the time phase from 1 month to 1 year you want to save the message.
Check Your IOS Updates
Sometimes, when you have not updated your IOS software, you can also get problems with your apps like iMessage. Follow the steps given below to check updates of your IOS device:
- Go to Setting
- Tap on General
- Click on Software Update
- If you have not updated the latest software, you will see a new version available and click on Download and Install.
- Now enter your passcode if asked and agree with the terms and conditions.
- Once you receive the software downloaded notification, again go to Setting and then general.
- Click on Install now or later at night as per your preference.
Conclusion
To wrap up, before you head towards solving a problem, you need to know the reason behind the problems. Similarly, if your iMessage is not working, you need to know why it is not working and then find the solution for it. Above, I have mentioned some of the reasons why your iMessage might not be working and solutions for them. I hope it will be helpful to troubleshoot your problem. Also, if you have some more methods of troubleshooting the iMessage problem, feel free to write them in the comment section below.
FAQ
Why Is My iMessage Not Working on My iPhone?
There can be different reasons behind iMessage not working on your iPhone; some of the reasons can be:
- If your iMessage is not activated
- iMessage might be out of service
- You might not be connected to the Internet
- iMessage might not be set up correctly
- IOS might not be up-to-date
- Your storage might be full
Why Is Activation of iMessage Unsuccessful?
If the date and time are incorrect or the time zone has not been set up correctly, then activation of iMessage will be unsuccessful. Also, iMessage activation takes 24 hours, so you need to wait for 24 hours for your iMessage to be activated.
How Do I Force iMessage To Activate?
While activating your iMessage, you need to wait for 24 hours to activate. Even after 24 hours, if your iMessage doesn’t work, you should check our IOS version and make sure to have the latest IOS version on your device. Also, do check your carrier to make sure you are connected to your carrier.
Why Is My iMessage Green?
When one of the receivers or senders is non-iPhone users, then messages on iMessage are green. When both sender and receiver send and receive a text message through iMessage, the message is blue. For this case, both sender and receiver should be Apple users. If all your messages are green, then you need to manage them from your Setting.
This was a guest post by Juliya Smith.
Juliya Smith
Hello, I am Juliya a mother of 2 children and a content editor at fenced.ai where I share parenting tips and guides on how to keep your child safe online