How to fix common iPhone iMessage problems

iMessage is a hugely popular messaging platform for Apple devices used by millions around the world - but that doesn't mean it doesn't run into issues here and there. Here, we talk you through fixing various problems with Apple iMessage including: how to get your missing iMessages, how to fix iMessages not being sent, what to do if you are switching from iPhone to Android and want to continue to receive your text messages and SMS, and more.

by


Advertisement
  • The problem with iMessage 1
  • iMessages not delivered 2
  • Deactivate iMessage 3
  • Wrong names displayed in Messages 4
  • Group messaging is broken 5
  • iMessage is greyed out 6
  • Displaying email instead of number 7
  • Old messages disappeared (Part 1) 8
  • Old messages disappeared (Part 2) 9
  • More stories
Next Prev

Tip 1 of 9: How to fix iPhone message problems: The problem with iMessage

In this feature, we look at some of the issues and problems people are experiencing with Apple’s Messages app on their iPhone, iPad or Mac.

Sometimes it’s a problem with the software, occasionally it’s a problem at Apple’s back-end server. If you’re having trouble with Messages for iOS then there are a number of different things you can try. Here we outline some quick fixes for common Messages problems.

The problem with iMessage

If you swap from an iPhone to another smartphone without first deactivating iMessage, any text messages sent by your iPhone owning friends will no longer be delivered to you because they will be stuck in Apple’s iMessage servers.

If you switch from iPhone to Android for example, but don’t deactivate iMessage on the old iPhone first, all your messages from friends who use iPhones won’t get through to you.

Read next: How to send and receive text messages on Mac

Next Tip »

Advertisement
Next Prev slideshow image

In this feature, we look at some of the issues and problems people are experiencing with Apple’s Messages app on their iPhone, iPad or Mac.

Sometimes it’s a problem with the software, occasionally it’s a problem at Apple’s back-end server. If you’re having trouble with Messages for iOS then there are a number of different things you can try. Here we outline some quick fixes for common Messages problems.

The problem with iMessage

If you swap from an iPhone to another smartphone without first deactivating iMessage, any text messages sent by your iPhone owning friends will no longer be delivered to you because they will be stuck in Apple’s iMessage servers.

If you switch from iPhone to Android for example, but don’t deactivate iMessage on the old iPhone first, all your messages from friends who use iPhones won’t get through to you.

Read next: How to send and receive text messages on Mac

 

Step 2 of 9: How to fix iPhone message problems: Missing texts when switching to another smartphone

iMessages are sent from Apple's servers rather than via a mobile network. When you set up iMessage you tell Apple's servers that text messages should be diverted through this system to your phone number so that you can save you money as you won't be paying your network for the text messages.

However, if you don't remove your phone number from the association with iMessage, text messages destined to be delivered to you might get caught in the iMessage server, unable to be delivered to the new phone that doesn’t have iMessage capabilities.

 

Step 3 of 9: How to fix iPhone message problems: Deactivate iMessage

iMessage – Apple’s messaging service that enables users to send messages to friends on iPhones, iPads and Macs for free - was introduced in 2011, and even then switchers found that they weren’t getting messages after moving to an alternative smartphone. Previously the only solution was to phone Apple to ask them to manually remove your mobile number from the iMessage database.

Due to this, Apple has released a web tool to make it easier to deregister from iMessage. Now consumers can deregister themselves from the iMessage service without having to call Apple. They simply input their mobile number here, and then enter the six-digit confirmation code that is sent via SMS (presumably not via iMessage).

If you do remember to deactivate iMessage before moving to a new handset, this is the procedure you need to follow:

  1. To switch off iMessage go to Settings > Messages.
  2. Switch off iMessage using the slider.
  3. After turning of iMessage the text messages you receive on an iPhone will be green rather than blue.
  4. If you have a Mac go into System Preferences > iCloud, log in and check all the options to ensure that the phone number is not listed there. It's worth checking iCloud.com settings and your iPad settings too.

New to iMessage? Here's how to use iMessage

 

Step 4 of 9: How to fix iMessage problems: Wrong names displayed in Messages app

If you are seeing short names or nicknames instead of full names in the Messages app, this is due to a setting introduced in iOS 7. Follow these steps to get things back to normal:

Tap Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Short Name and tap Prefer Nicknames to switch it off.

Read: How to send a text message when iMessage isn't working

 

Step 5 of 9: How to fix iMessage problems: Group messaging no longer works

If you’re having trouble sending messages to groups of people you can try performing the following steps:

  1. Start a new group message rather than continuing an old one. See if this fixes the problem.
  2. If that doesn't work you may need to reset the network: Tap Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. See if this fixes the problem.

Alternatively, you could try backing up and restoring your iMessages.

  1. To back up the Phone go to Settings > iCloud > Storage & Backup and Back Up Now. (If you don’t already back up to iCloud you will need to tap iCloud Backup to turn it on first).
  2. Erase the iPhone. Go to Settings > General > Erase All Content and Settings.
  3. During initial setup, select the option to restore from backup.
 

Step 6 of 9: How to fix iMessage problems: iMessage is greyed out

Some users have reported a problem with iMessage being grayed out. One tip is to reset Messages. Follow these steps:

  1. Go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive. Tap each email address to remove it.
  2. Go back one screen and tap iMessage to turn it off.
  3. Go back again and tap FaceTime. Deselect all FaceTime emails and tap FaceTime to turn it off
  4. Wait five minutes.
  5. Turn iMessage and FaceTime back on with no email address selected. It should just have your mobile number ticked. Use this from now on.
 

Step 7 of 9: How to fix iMessage problems: iMessage is displaying the email address instead of my number

This was another change in iOS 7 that isn’t technically a bug, but a different default setting. It’s easy to fix, although it's worth noting that people will only be able to contact you on iMessage using your phone number, not your email address if you proceed with this how to:

  1. Tap Settings > Messages > Send & Receive > Apple ID (your email address) > Sign Out.
  2. iMessage should now display your phone number instead of your email address.
 

Step 8 of 9: How to fix iMessage problems: My old messages disappeared when I upgraded to iOS 7 (part 1)

A friend updated to iOS 7 last year but discovered that it deleted all her text messages, including the ones from her granny who died recently. They wondered if there is a way to get them back. 

We asked whether they had run out of space during the update, as it seemed that the phone had returned to factory settings during the update process, rather than recovering everything. If there wasn't enough space to perform the upgrade, the iPhone might not completely restore from the back up. 

They insisted that they had deleted music to make space for the update, so it seems that this wasn't what had happened. 

They noted that the iMessages had been recovered, while it was the text messages that had disappeared. Unfortunately, text messages aren't transferrable in the same way as iMessages as these are not tied to your Apple ID in the same way. However, they still shouldn't have disappeared. 

The problem is that when you sync your iPhone with iTunes or iCloud it syncs your music, photos and apps, however your text messages are not synced in the same way they are saved as part of your iPhone's back up, so there is no obvious way to recover them. 

 

Step 9 of 9: How to fix iMessage problems: My old messages disappeared when I upgraded to iOS 7 (part 2)

You may, if you are very lucky, be able to get them back if you restore from a previous back up.

  1. In iTunes find your iPhone under devices in the list in the sidebar (it there is no sidebar, go to View > Show Sidebar.
  2. Select your iPhone and then view the Summary Page. Here's where you may be able to locate an older backup from which to restore your iPhone, depending on how good you are at making backups in the first place.
  3. Click Restore Backup and cross your fingers.

If you never made a backup you cannot restore your old messages back to your iPhone, although you could try and use a program such as iTunes Backup Extractor – it's PC only though and we haven't tested it. 

Google Pixel review: Hands-on with the first phone 'made by Google'

Google Pixel review: Hands-on with the first phone 'made by Google'

1995-2015: How technology has changed the world in 20 years

1995-2015: How technology has changed the world in 20 years

The D&AD Annual becomes the Manual, with a fresh sustainable design

The D&AD Annual becomes the Manual, with a fresh sustainable design

New iMac 2016 release date rumours UK | New iMac 2016 specs & new features: Best Buy accidentally lists Kaby Lake iMac for sale - is the launch imminent?

New iMac 2016 release date rumours UK | New iMac 2016 specs & new features: Best Buy accidentally l?...…