If iMessage suddenly stops working on your iPhone—messages not sending, staying blue with no delivery, or not activating at all—the fix is usually pretty simple. Most people can solve the problem by toggling iMessage off and back on under Settings > Messages, or by signing out of and back into their Apple ID. In 2025, iOS 17 and later updates made iMessage more stable, but occasional bugs still pop up. Here’s how to get it working again in just a few steps.
1. Toggle iMessage Off and On
Start by restarting the iMessage service:
- Go to Settings > Messages
- Toggle iMessage off, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on
This refreshes the connection between your phone and Apple’s servers.
2. Check Your Internet Connection
iMessage only works with an internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data). Make sure:
- Your Wi-Fi is working, or
- Cellular data is turned on: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data
Try loading a website or using another app to verify your connection.
3. Sign Out and Back Into Apple ID
Sometimes your Apple ID session needs a reset:
- Go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive
- Tap your Apple ID > Sign Out
- Then sign back in with the same Apple ID
This re-links your iMessage to Apple’s servers.
4. Make Sure iMessage is Set Up Correctly
In Settings > Messages > Send & Receive, check that your phone number and email are checked under “You Can Be Reached By iMessage At” and “Start New Conversations From.”
5. Check for iOS Updates
Software bugs often cause iMessage problems, especially right after an iOS update.
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update
- If there’s an update, install it
Apple frequently fixes iMessage issues in newer builds.
6. Reset Network Settings
If iMessage still isn’t working:
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings
This clears saved Wi-Fi networks and resets all network connections—but won’t delete any personal data.
7. Contact Apple Support (If All Else Fails)
If you’ve tried everything and iMessage still doesn’t work, it might be a deeper account or carrier issue. Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for hands-on help.
iMessage issues can be annoying, especially when texts won’t send and your friends think you’re ignoring them. But in most cases, you can get things working again in just a few minutes by following the steps above.
