9 Fixes For iMessage Not Working

iMessage is a message service that Apple launched for iOS users in 2011. Apart from serving the purpose of a messaging service, this app came into the picture to compete with BlackBerry messenger back in the day. It uses cellular data services instead of the regular text messages supported by SIM/cellular service providers. 

It has a limit of 160 characters for text messages. However, iMessage can send MMS messages along with stickers and locations. It also provides message delivery and read statuses of the successfully sent and read messages. 

These features are only available to Apple devices and can’t be extended to Android users. However, if the iMessage not working, fix it using the following guide.

What Are the Blue and Green Bubbles On iMessage For?

For ease of distinction in your messages app, the iMessage messages appear in blue bubbles. On the other hand, cellular messages or SMS are in green-colored bubbles in the iOS interface. 

If you are expecting your messages to show in blue bubbles, but they end up being in green color, then something’s not right. Your iMessage has crashed, or your handset is not adapting well to its services. 

Follow the iMessage not working guide below and learn to identify the reason and fix the same.

Ensure you Do Have An iMessage Issue

The very first step is to make sure iMessage is not working. Or it is a momentary glitch on your specific device. Here’s how you can confirm.

1. Send a Test iMessage

The basic test would be to send a new message using the iMessage service. As mentioned, your messages should appear in blue bubbles. 

2. Restart iMessage and Your Device

If the above check confirms that iMessage is not working on your device, you can try and restart the iMessage app. To achieve this, visit the settings of your Apple device and use the toggle button to turn it off. Then, restart your device.

After this, enable iMessage again on your device’s settings app.  Later on, check if the problem persists.

3. Is it Not Working for Every Contact?

Have you been trying to connect with a single contact on iMessage? If so, try out the other active contacts on this iOS service. This will help you narrow down whether the issue is with your iMessage or the receivers. 

4. Start new conversations

One additional check to verify the iMessage issue is to start a new conversation with iMessage users. This is an extra filter to narrow down the scope of error with the messaging app. 

5. Check if iMessage is Down.

One rare but reasonable possibility is that the app is facing some downtime. You can check this with other iOS and iMessage users. You can also check the iMessage app on other Apple devices such as Mac, iPad, and watchOS.

Or you can check with Apple itself. To do so, you’ll have to: 

• Visit the official Apple support website.
• Then navigate to the Apple system status page and check the status of the iMessage service. If it is in green, the service is up and running. Otherwise, please be patient with the team to fix it.

Fix iMessage not working: Step by Step 

If you’ve reached this far with us, we understand you are still facing issues with the app. Thus, we have collected the possible fixes for your iMessage issues that you can place yourself.

1. Check Your Internet Connection

As simple as it sounds, you need to check if your device is connected to the internet. Then, verify your device is working well with that active connection. This is important because the app uses cellular data to connect and operate with iMessage servers. 

If this is fine and you are still unable to see new messages in blue bubbles, move ahead in the fixes list.

2. Try A different WiFi network.

One quick fix would be to change your WiFi network. It is possible that your app is not working with the current WiFi. So, you can switch to other saved Wi-Fi networks. Or use the forget WiFi network option and re-add it to check the compatibility between the 2. 

3. Sign Out and In Again Into iMessage

Moving ahead, you can try signing out of the iMessage app using the steps below:

• Open the Settings app and locate the ‘Messages’ option.
• Tap the Messages option to open the ‘Send & Recieve menu.’ Towards the bottom, you should be able to locate the sign-out option.
• Note down your Apple ID to sign out and sign in later. 

You can use the above steps for almost every Apple device facing iMessage problems.

4. Use airplane mode.

Another way to establish a new network connection on your iPhone or iPad is using the airplane mode configured in them. It is one feature to suspend your device’s transmission services. 

You can follow this flow: Settings App -> Airplane mode -> Use the toggle button to turn it off and on.

Therefore, you can try disabling it and wait for at least 30 seconds. After that, restart your iPhone and turn off the mode.  Then, check if the network and internet connections are well restored or not. After that, give your iMessage app another try.

5. Ensure iMessage Has Correct Configurations

So far, you have checked that iMessage is not working despite having active internet. But, for your iMessage to connect with a different iMessage user, you need to have their email address configured.

If you are trying to locate and connect with an Apple device user whose email address is not configured for your device, it won’t work.  

Once again follow, Settings app-> Tap Messages -> Tap Send & Receive. Check the associated email addresses and update them if it is necessary.

6. Delete Old Messages

Since iMessage supports MMS messages, you may have used it heavily. And you’ve reached the limit of the app to work while maintaining the previous data. It could work if you could remove older conversations and free up some space from Apple’s servers.

7. Check For an iPhone Update.

One possible and permanent fix can be to check for an iOS software update. A delayed or pending iOS update can also cause the iMessage app to malfunction. 

Here’s how you can check it:

• Open the Settings app and tap general.
• Click on the Software update menu and check if it shows any pending updates. If so, update them and check your iMessage issues again.

8. Reset All Network Settings

Among the many fixes for iMessage, another option is to reset network settings. That too, all of them at once. However, you don’t have to stress about losing data, as this change only impacts network settings. However, your saved Wi-Fi networks and Wi-Fi passwords will be lost.

You can reset network settings using the steps given below:

1. Open the Settings app again and Tap General. 
2. Scroll to locate the Transfer or reset iPhone option.
3. Tap on it to open the Reset menu. Under this, you’ll be able to see Reset Network settings. 

Once done, enter your Wi-Fi passwords again to establish data connectivity and test the iMessage app again.

9. Connect With Apple Support 

If none of those mentioned solutions has worked for you, we recommend you comment with official Apple support. 

You can file a case on the official website or visit authorized retail outlets. Also, you can connect with the support engineers using the phone numbers mentioned on the official site.