Wondering why #iMessage is not working on your #Apple iPhone 7 (#iPhone7) or having trouble with iMessage after iOS update? This content might be able to help. Read on to learn how to diagnose and resolve the underlying cause.
For iOS newbies, iMessage is a messaging service patented by Apple for iOS devices, including the latest iPhone variants. It allows users to send messages for free using their iPhones, iPads, and Mac devices. Millions of users around the world have been using this popular messaging platform, thus it’s programmed to be stable and well-structured. But just like any other application, iMessage can likewise be penetrated by bugs and glitches. In this post, we will address some of the issues and problems encountered by iPhone 7 owners while using iMessage service on their respective devices.
Why is iMessage not working on my iPhone 7?
A number of factors may cause iMessage to dysfunction or not work properly on your new iPhone. Among the identified culprits are as follow:
- Server interruption or outage affecting iMessage services
- Phone number or Apple ID not registered with iMessage
- Network or connectivity issues
- Incorrect date and time on your iPhone
- Software bugs
Keep reading to learn how to deal with each of these factors, resolve the root cause, and then start using iMessage on your new iOS smartphone with no more troubles.
Relevant Symptoms:
Subsequently listed are relevant problems with iMessage on the iPhone 7 that are also covered and addressed in this content.
- Cannot Send/Receive iMessages
- iMessage hangs or freezes while sending message
- Messages show as undelivered
- iMessage waiting for activation error
- Missing iMessage messages
- iMessage not working on iOS 10, later iOS updates
- iMessage not delivered
Potential Solutions and Recommended Workarounds
The following are standard troubleshooting procedures and potential fixes recommended by Apple Support should you encounter problems with sending and receiving iMessages, as well as other relevant iMessage issues that may have transpired following the most recent iOS update. You can try any of the subsequent solutions, which you think best applicable to your condition.
Step 1. Ensure there are no on-going service issues or outages affecting iMessage
This is a must do especially if the problem has just occurred suddenly. For you to check, head on to the official Apple Support page and then navigate to system status. Doing this first, will help you save time and effort from troubleshooting. If an outage is going on, then all you have to do is wait until it’s over because iMessage service should be back to normal by then.
Apple’s iMessage service has suffered from occasional outages, which are documented on the company’s system status page.
Step 2. Make sure you have registered iMessage with your phone number or Apple ID
Issues can also manifest if you have not registered iMessage with your phone number or Apple ID. So be sure to check on that as well. If you are not sure, head on to Settings-> Messages-> Send & Receive and then see if your phone number or Apple ID is registered. Also ensure that you have selected or enabled iMessage for use.
Step 3. Check and ensure data connectivity is active
To verify if you are connected, open Safari and then navigate to apple.com. If the page won’t load or you cannot connect to the website even with data connectivity enabled on your iPhone, then try to switch to a Wi-Fi connection and see if it works afterwards.
Important Note
- If you encounter iMessage problems like iMessage is not available while on a call over cellular data, then more likely, your network does not support simultaneous data and voice calls. Simultaneous data and voice calls are only supported by 3G and faster GSM networks. As temporary solution, you can switch from cellular to Wi-Fi network. To do so, go to Settings-> Wi-Fi and enable Wi-Fi to use iMessage while on a call.
Step 4. Restart your iPhone
Sometimes, temporary software inconsistencies can also affect iMessage services. If this is the first time iMessage is not working on your iPhone 7 and all the aforementioned factors are checked, then your next workaround is to perform a restart on your device. For starters, a restart on the iPhone 7 is done by pressing and holding the Power button until the red slider appears. Drag the slider to turn your iPhone completely off. After around 30 seconds, press and hold the Power button again until the Apple logo shows up on the screen. A reboot is also highly recommended if your Message app keeps crashing.
Step 5. Verify and ensure date and time settings are configured correctly
If iMessage fails to activate after downloading and installing the most recent update to iOS or you are getting an iMessage waiting for activation error on your iPhone, there is a higher chance that the date and time are not set properly on your device.
To verify date and time are correct, go to Settings-> General-> Date & Time-> Set Automatically. Also ensure that you are connected to Wi-Fi and that your carrier supports iMessage.
Toggling Airplane mode on and off can also help in getting rid of the iMessage waiting for activation error.
Step 6. Reset Network Settings on your iPhone 7
If the problem persists after performing a restart, then try to reset network settings on your iPhone. Resetting network settings can help especially if the iMessage problem is triggered by a network glitch. The process will erase all your current network settings and restore them to factory default settings. This means that your Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, as well as VPN and APN settings that you have used before will be erased. That being said, make sure you take note of them beforehand. Once you’re all set, turn off or disable iMessage on your device by going to Settings-> Messages.
After turning iMessage off, go to your iPhone Settings-> General-> Reset-> Reset Network Settings, and then wait until the reset process completes. After the network settings reset, re-enable iMessage by going back to Settings-> Messages and then turn on iMessage on your iPhone 7.
Other Potential Solutions for iMessage Issues after iOS update
If none of the above workarounds is able to fix the problem or iMessage is still not working on your iPhone 7, you can try any of the other applicable workarounds below.
- If iMessage is not working only with specific contact, make sure that the contact trying to message you is not blocked in your Messages app. To check on block-listed contacts, go to your iPhone Settings -> Messages-> Blocked-> and then verify the contact from the blocked list. Also ensure that the contact you are trying to send a message to is registered with iMessage.
- Another workaround you can try on if the problem occurs with a specific contact or contacts, is to back up or forward important messages and then delete your current messaging threads with the contact. Create a new message to the contact and then retry using iMessage. If that won’t do any good, try to delete and re-add the contact in the Contacts app. After that, create a new message to the newly created contact and see if it works now.
- Finally, backup and restore your iPhone 7 as new. This however, should only be considered as final resort especially if the iMessage problem occurs after installing a new update to your iPhone iOS and that it persists after performing all the recommended solutions. You may opt to proceed with the backup and restore processes with iCloud or iTunes. For iCloud backup and restore, you will need to connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network in order to proceed. iTunes on the other hand, requires you to connect your iPhone to a computer with the latest version of iTunes program installed. Just choose the method that is best for you.
- In the case of lost iMessages and text messages, you can try using an iOS content recovery tool designed to help recover lost iMessages and text messages even without backup. All you need to do is head on to the App Store and then search for iOS content recovery tool available for your iPhone 7, download and install it and they have a try.
- For undelivered or unsent iMessages in iOS 10, verify and ensure you are connected to Wi-Fi or 3G/4G network. If you see an exclamation mark (!) or alert icon, tap that icon and then try to send the iMessage again.
- If your iPhone cannot receive iMessages, try to turn off LTE or use it for data only.
- For iMessages that won’t open or blank, a force restart can help get it fixed. To do so, hold down the Home and Power buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears. If that won’t do any good, you may opt to continue with reset all settings on your device or finally, restore your iPhone and set it as new.
- Check if iMessage is sending from your phone number by going to Settings -> Messages -> Send & Receive-> select your phone number in the columns labelled Start New Conversation From and You Can Be Reached By iMessage At. If you don’t see your phone number listed, then add it. But before adding your phone number, you have to sign out from your Apple ID by simply tapping on your Apple ID and then tap Sign Out. After signing out, go back to Settings-> Messages-> Send & Receive-> tap on Use your Apple ID for iMessages-> sign in with your Apple ID. Make sure that your phone number and Apple ID are listed under “You Can Be Reached By iMessage At” section.
- Disabling 3D Touch and the Reduce Motion features is also used by others a temporary fix for a pertinent problem, in which some iMessages features and effects are not working.
- Make sure that you entered the correct phone number or email address for the recipient.
If none of these methods is able to fix the problem and that iMessage is still not working on your iPhone 7 device, please contact your carrier for iMessage service verification and other recommendations. Or you can also escalate the problem to Apple Support and ask for further assistance.