iPhone 5S Can’t Send Text Messages? Here’s How to Fix It

If your iPhone 5S suddenly can’t send SMS or iMessages, it can be incredibly frustrating — especially if everything else seems to be working fine. The good news is, in most cases, the issue is caused by a temporary glitch, settings misconfiguration, or a network hiccup.

Here’s how to fix the iPhone 5S “can’t send text messages” issue.

1. Check for Signal and Network Coverage

You won’t be able to send texts if your iPhone has no signal.

Check your signal bars at the top of the screen.
If you’re in a low-coverage or dead zone, try moving to a different location.
Ask others nearby using the same carrier if they have service. If not, it could be a network outage — contact your carrier to confirm.

2. Toggle iMessage Off and Back On

Sometimes iMessage gets stuck and prevents both iMessages and SMS from going through.

To refresh iMessage:

Go to Settings > Messages
Turn iMessage OFF
Wait 30 seconds, then turn it ON again

Try sending a message again.

3. Force Restart Your iPhone

If temporary system glitches are the cause, a forced reboot may clear them.

To force restart iPhone 5S:

Hold the Home button and the Sleep/Wake (Power) button at the same time.
Keep holding until you see the Apple logo, then release both.

Now try sending a message again.

4. Check the SIM Card

A damaged or misaligned SIM can block message delivery.

Turn off the phone
Remove the SIM card and wait a few seconds
Reinsert the SIM and power the phone back on

Still not working? Try inserting a different SIM (same carrier) to rule out SIM damage.

5. Reset Network Settings

Corrupted network settings can interfere with texting. This reset clears all Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular settings — but not your data.

To reset network settings:

Go to Settings > General > Reset
Tap Reset Network Settings
Enter your passcode and confirm

Your phone will reboot. Afterward, reconnect to Wi-Fi and check your mobile connection, then try texting again.

6. Factory Reset as a Last Resort

⚠️ Back up your data first — this will erase everything on your iPhone.

To restore using iTunes:

Turn off the iPhone.
Open iTunes on your computer.
Hold the Home button and connect the phone to your computer via USB.
Continue holding the Home button until iTunes detects the iPhone in Recovery Mode.
Click Restore iPhone > Restore and Update

Once your phone restarts, set it up and try sending a text again before restoring your backup.

Still Not Working?

If you’ve tried all the steps and your iPhone 5S still can’t send text messages:

Call your carrier to make sure your messaging service is active.
Ask about blocked numbers, account restrictions, or network issues.
If SMS works but iMessage doesn’t, try signing out of your Apple ID under Settings > Messages > Send & Receive and signing in again.
If nothing else works, your phone might have a hardware issue — visit an Apple Store or authorized repair center.