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Apple iPhone • Connections • 10 minutes

Texts not sending — Apple iPhone

This guide is for when you HAVE signal but texts fail. If you have no signal at all, use the no-service guide instead.

  1. Check for a software update

    Go to Settings, then General, then Software Update. If one is available, install it first.

  2. Check iMessage

    Settings, then Messages, then iMessage on. Blue bubbles are iMessage (needs internet); green bubbles are regular texts (needs cellular signal).

  3. If a message says Not Delivered

    Tap it and try again. If iMessage keeps failing, turn on Send as SMS (Settings, then Messages, then Send as SMS) so it falls back to a regular text.

  4. Reset iMessage

    Settings, then Messages, turn iMessage off, wait 30 seconds, turn it back on. Activation can take up to a day and needs you signed in to your Apple Account (Settings, then [your name]).

  5. Check the number isn't blocked

    Settings, then Phone, then Blocked Contacts. If the person is there, unblock them and try again.

  6. Check date and time

    Settings, then General, then Date & Time, then Set Automatically on. A wrong clock breaks iMessage activation.

  7. Still failing for everyone?

    Restart the phone, then call your carrier. If it's just one person, the problem is likely their phone or number, not yours.

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