iMessage Not Working on iPhone XR? Here’s How to Fix It

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Can’t send or receive iMessages on your iPhone XR? Whether messages are stuck, undelivered, or just not showing up at all, there are several ways to get iMessage working again. Here’s how to fix it.

Make Sure You’re Online

iMessage only works with Wi-Fi or cellular data. If your phone isn’t connected to the internet, iMessage won’t send or receive anything. To test your connection:

  • Open Safari and visit any website.
  • If it doesn’t load, fix your network connection first before troubleshooting iMessage.

Toggle iMessage Off and On Again

This simple reset can resolve temporary glitches:

  1. Go to Settings > Messages.
  2. Turn iMessage OFF.
  3. Restart your iPhone XR (hold Side + Volume button, slide to power off, then turn back on).
  4. Go back to Settings > Messages and turn iMessage ON.

Try sending a test iMessage after it reactivates.

Check iMessage Send & Receive Settings

Make sure your phone number is enabled for iMessage:

  1. Go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive.
  2. Under Start New Conversations From, make sure your phone number is checked.
  3. If not, tap to activate it.

Reset Your Network Connection

Sometimes iMessage issues are tied to Wi-Fi or network glitches. Try refreshing the connection:

Wi-Fi Reset:

  • Go to Settings > Wi-Fi, toggle it OFF and back ON.

Airplane Mode Trick:

  1. Turn on Airplane Mode in Settings.
  2. Wait 10 seconds, then turn it OFF again.

Forget and Reconnect to Wi-Fi:

  1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
  2. Tap the (i) next to your network and choose Forget This Network.
  3. Reconnect with your Wi-Fi password.

Sign Out and Back Into iMessage

A login session issue might be the cause. Here’s how to refresh it:

  1. Go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive.
  2. Tap your Apple ID and choose Sign Out.
  3. Restart your phone.
  4. Go back and sign in again.

Install the Latest iOS Update

Apple often fixes iMessage bugs in iOS updates:

  • Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
  • If there’s an update available, tap Download and Install.

Reset All Settings (If iMessage Still Won’t Work)

This won’t delete your data, but it will reset settings that might be interfering with iMessage.

  1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
  2. Tap Reset > Reset All Settings.
  3. Enter your passcode and confirm.

Still Not Working? Try a Factory Reset

If all else fails and you’re still having issues:

Back up your iPhone first.

  1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
  2. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
  3. Follow the prompts to set up your iPhone as new.

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