iPhone XS Max Not Sending or Receiving Text Messages? Here’s How to Fix It

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Texting on an iPhone is usually effortless—until your messages refuse to go out or come in. If your iPhone XS Max suddenly stops sending or receiving SMS, don’t panic. Try the fixes below before calling your carrier or booking a Genius Bar visit.

1. Make Sure You Actually Have a Signal

  • Look at the bars in the top-right corner. If you see “No Service” or one bar, move to a spot with better reception.
  • Toggle Airplane Mode on for 15 seconds, then off again.
  • Still nothing? Power-cycle your phone (Side button + Volume button → slide to power off → wait 30 s → press Side button).

2. Check That SMS Is Enabled

  1. Go to Settings › Messages.
  2. Turn on Send as SMS (green).
  3. If you use iMessage, toggle iMessage off and on to refresh it.

3. Verify the Recipient’s Number

  • Open the conversation and tap the contact at the top.
  • Ensure the phone number is correct (no extra digits or wrong country code).
  • If you recently ported a number, delete the thread and start a new one.

4. Clear Out Stuck Messages

  1. In Messages, find any thread with a red “Not Delivered.”
  2. Tap the red exclamation › Try Again.
  3. If it still fails, press-and-hold the message bubble › More › trash-can icon to delete it.

5. Force-Quit Messages and Reopen

  1. Swipe up from the bottom and pause halfway.
  2. Swipe the Messages card up and off the screen.
  3. Reopen Messages and test.

6. Reset Network Settings

  1. Settings › General › Transfer or Reset iPhone › Reset › Reset Network Settings.
  2. Enter your passcode and confirm.
  3. Your iPhone reboots—re-enter Wi-Fi passwords afterward.

7. Remove and Reseat the SIM Card

  1. Power off the phone.
  2. Insert a SIM-eject tool into the small hole on the side tray.
  3. Pull the tray out, lift the SIM, wipe it gently, and reseat it.
  4. Push the tray back in and power on.

8. Update iOS and Carrier Settings

  • Settings › General › Software Update › Download and Install if available.
  • For carrier settings: Settings › General › About. If a pop-up appears, tap Update.

9. Delete Old Message Threads

  1. In Messages, swipe left on big, outdated threads.
  2. Tap Delete to free space and clear potential glitches.

10. Turn Off LTE Temporarily

  1. Settings › Cellular › Cellular Data Options.
  2. Tap Voice & Data › choose 3G.
  3. Test SMS; if it works, the LTE network might be having issues. Switch LTE back on later.

11. Factory-Reset as a Last Resort

  1. Back up to iCloud or Finder/iTunes first.
  2. Settings › General › Transfer or Reset iPhone › Erase All Content and Settings.
  3. Restore your backup during setup, then test texting again.

12. Call Your Carrier if Nothing Helps

Ask about:

  • Account blocks or unpaid bills
  • SMS service outages in your area
  • A possible SIM replacement

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