If your iMessage is not working on your iPhone, it can be super frustrating. One minute your texts are sending normally, and the next minute they’re stuck on “Sending…”, failing completely, or switching to green SMS messages. Sometimes you can’t receive messages at all, and it feels like your phone is broken.
In my experience, iMessage issues usually come down to a few common things: network problems, Apple ID activation errors, iOS glitches, wrong settings, or carrier-related issues. I’ve helped friends, family members, and clients troubleshoot problems like this many times, and honestly, I think iMessage is amazing… until it randomly decides to stop working. IMO, most iMessage failures are fixable in just a few minutes once you identify the real cause.
The good news is this article will walk you through simple, clear, step-by-step solutions—from quick fixes to advanced troubleshooting—so you can get iMessage working again without wasting hours.
Why iMessage Is Not Working on iPhone (Common Signs)
Before we fix anything, let’s confirm the symptoms. Your iMessage might be failing if you notice any of these:
- Messages are stuck on “Sending” or “Not Delivered”
- Messages go as green bubbles (SMS) instead of blue (iMessage)
- You see “Waiting for Activation”
- iMessage works on Wi-Fi but not on mobile data
- You can send messages but can’t receive
- Group chats don’t work properly
- Photos and videos won’t send
If any of this sounds familiar, you’re in the right place.
First: Quick Checks (Fix iMessage in 60 Seconds)
Sometimes the problem is something simple. Try these quick checks first.
Check Your Internet Connection
iMessage needs an active connection.
- Try opening Safari and loading a website
- Switch between Wi-Fi and Mobile Data
- Turn Airplane Mode ON for 10 seconds, then OFF
✅ Fix Tip: If your internet is unstable, iMessage may fail silently.
Make Sure iMessage Servers Are Not Down
Rare, but it happens.
If Apple’s iMessage service is down, your iPhone won’t send messages even if your settings are perfect.
✅ What to do: Wait 10–30 minutes and try again.
Restart Your iPhone
Yes, it’s basic, but it works more often than you’d expect.
✅ A restart can fix:
- temporary iOS glitches
- stuck background services
- messaging sync issues
Main Causes of iMessage Not Working on iPhone
Here are the most common reasons iMessage fails (and why it happens).
iMessage Is Disabled in Settings
Sometimes it gets turned off after an iOS update or settings change.
Activation Issues (“Waiting for Activation”)
Your iPhone must activate iMessage with Apple’s servers. If this fails, iMessage won’t work properly.
Incorrect Date & Time Settings
iMessage relies on time syncing to activate and connect correctly.
Apple ID Issues
If your Apple ID is signed out or glitching, iMessage may stop syncing.
Network / Carrier Problems
Your carrier can affect SMS fallback, mobile data, and even activation messages.
How to Fix iMessage Not Working on iPhone (Step-by-Step)
Work through these fixes in order. Most users don’t need every step.
1) Turn iMessage OFF and Back ON
This refreshes the service and forces your phone to reconnect.
Steps:
- Open Settings
- Tap Messages
- Toggle iMessage OFF
- Wait 10 seconds
- Toggle iMessage ON
✅ This often fixes the “stuck sending” issue instantly.
2) Confirm You’re Sending from the Correct Number or Email
If your iPhone is sending from the wrong account, messages can fail.
Steps:
- Go to Settings > Messages
- Tap Send & Receive
- Check that your phone number is selected
- Select the correct Apple ID email (if needed)
✅ Important: Your phone number should usually be the main option.
3) Check Your Cellular Data Settings for iMessage
If iMessage works on Wi-Fi but not cellular data, this is a big one.
Steps:
- Go to Settings > Cellular
- Make sure Cellular Data is ON
- Scroll down and confirm Messages is enabled
✅ Takeaway: iMessage can’t work on mobile data if Messages is blocked.
4) Fix “Waiting for Activation” Error
This is one of the most common issues.
Try these steps:
- Go to Settings > Messages
- Toggle iMessage OFF
- Go to Settings > FaceTime
- Toggle FaceTime OFF
- Restart your iPhone
- Turn both iMessage and FaceTime ON
✅ You may need to wait a few minutes for activation.
Note: Apple says activation can take up to 24 hours, but it usually doesn’t take that long.
5) Set Date & Time to Automatic
This can fix activation and syncing issues.
Steps:
- Open Settings
- Tap General
- Tap Date & Time
- Turn ON Set Automatically
✅ This is a small change, but it helps a lot.
6) Sign Out of Apple ID and Sign Back In (Safe Fix)
Sometimes iMessage stops working because your Apple ID session is bugged.
Steps:
- Go to Settings
- Tap your name at the top (Apple ID)
- Scroll down and tap Sign Out
- Restart your iPhone
- Sign back in
✅ After signing in, go back to:
Settings > Messages > Send & Receive and confirm your number is selected.
7) Reset Network Settings (Best Fix for Connectivity Issues)
This clears saved Wi-Fi networks, VPN settings, and network glitches.
Steps:
- Go to Settings
- Tap General
- Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone
- Tap Reset
- Select Reset Network Settings
✅ Warning: You’ll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi after this.
8) Update iOS (Fix Bugs That Break iMessage)
An outdated iOS version can cause iMessage bugs, especially after Apple updates server-side settings.
Steps:
- Open Settings
- Tap General
- Tap Software Update
- Install any available update
✅ If you recently updated and iMessage broke, don’t worry—another update usually fixes it.
9) Check if You’re Blocked or the Contact Has Issues
Sometimes it’s not your phone—it’s the conversation.
Check this:
- Try messaging someone else
- Try starting a new chat thread
- Ask the other person if iMessage works for them
✅ If one contact fails but others work, the issue is likely contact-related.
10) Delete and Recreate the Message Thread
This sounds annoying, but it can fix corrupted chat threads.
Steps:
- Open Messages
- Swipe left on the conversation
- Tap Delete
- Start a fresh conversation
✅ FYI: This works well for group iMessage glitches.
Why Messages Turn Green Instead of Blue (And What It Means)
This is confusing for a lot of people.
- Blue bubble = iMessage
- Green bubble = SMS/MMS
Your iPhone may switch to green if:
- iMessage is off
- the person doesn’t use iPhone
- you have no internet
- Apple servers are down
- your phone can’t activate iMessage
✅ Pro Tip: Turn OFF “Send as SMS” if you don’t want your phone to switch automatically:
Settings > Messages > Send as SMS (toggle OFF)
When You Should Contact Your Carrier or Apple Support
If you tried all fixes and iMessage still fails, the issue may be outside your control.
You should contact support if:
- iMessage won’t activate after 24 hours
- your phone number won’t register
- FaceTime also fails to activate
- you recently changed SIM cards or carriers
- you have constant “Not Delivered” messages
✅ In my opinion, if both iMessage + FaceTime are broken, it’s usually an account activation issue.
Final Checklist (Fast Summary)
If you want the fastest results, do these in order:
- Restart iPhone
- Toggle iMessage OFF/ON
- Check Send & Receive
- Set Date & Time Automatic
- Reset Network Settings
- Sign out/in Apple ID
- Update iOS
Most iMessage issues get fixed before step #5.
FAQ: iMessage Not Working on iPhone
1) Why is my iMessage not sending but I have Wi-Fi?
This usually happens because iMessage activation is stuck, your Apple ID isn’t syncing, or your iPhone is using the wrong “Send & Receive” address. Start by toggling iMessage OFF/ON and confirming your phone number is selected.
2) Why does my iMessage say “Not Delivered”?
“Not Delivered” can mean:
- weak internet connection
- Apple server issue
- the other person’s phone is off
- you’re blocked or they’re offline
Try switching networks and sending to a different contact to confirm.
3) How do I fix iMessage stuck on “Waiting for Activation”?
The best fix is:
- toggle iMessage + FaceTime OFF
- restart the iPhone
- toggle them ON again
- set Date & Time to automatic
If it still doesn’t activate after 24 hours, contact Apple Support.
4) Why are my messages green instead of blue?
Green messages mean your iPhone is sending SMS/MMS instead of iMessage. This happens if:
- iMessage is disabled
- you don’t have internet
- the contact doesn’t use iPhone
- iMessage activation failed
Turning iMessage ON and fixing activation usually brings back blue messages.
5) Will resetting network settings delete my photos or apps?
No. Reset Network Settings does not delete personal data like photos, apps, or messages. It only resets Wi-Fi networks, saved passwords, VPN, and connection settings.
