SMS troubleshooting solutions
Where 3G is no longer supported (e.g., in the US), VoLTE must be activated on your device for you to send and receive SMS messages. See how to activate VoLTE.
Try these solutions one at a time, checking after each one to see if the issue is resolved:
- Make sure to disable Do Not Disturb mode.
- Check whether you’ve blocked phone numbers.
- Check that your phone has access to the network.
- Restart your mobile device.
- Make sure your SMS application is up to date.
- Clear the cache of your SMS application.
- If the issue is specific to a given contact, delete and recreate said contact.
- If you have changed phones recently, disable messaging features on your old phone:
- Check that your mobile device has enough storage space.
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Updating an app
- In the App Store, tap your profile icon at the top of the screen.
- Scroll down to view pending updates.
- Tap Update next to a given app to download its latest version.
If needed, check out more details about updating apps on an iPhone.
- Open the Google Play Store.
- Tap your profile icon at the top right-hand corner of the screen, then tap Manage apps and device.
- Check the Updates available.
- Tap Update next to an app to download its latest version.
If needed, check out more details about updating apps on an Android device.
Disabling iMessage on an iPhone
- Transfer your SIM card to your old iPhone.
- In Settings, tap Apps, then Messages.
Tap the toggle button to disable iMessage and return to Settings.
If needed, check out more details on disabling iMessage.
No longer have access to your iPhone?
Follow the procedure to deregister your phone number from iMessage.
Disabling RCS chats on Android
Recently switched phones and aren’t receiving all your text messages? You may need to disable RCS chats on your old phone.
- Launch the Messages app.
- Tap Other Options
, then Settings > RCS Chats. - Disable RCS Chats.
Don’t have access to your old device?
Deactivate RCS Chats using Google’s online form.
FAQ about sending and receiving text messages
Make sure Do Not Disturb mode is disabled.
Also check whether your device is in silent mode. If needed, check the manufacturer’s support page for information on how to change the volume settings:
The name only appears if the person sending a text message is saved in your contacts. To learn how to add a contact, type Support followed by your device model in the search bar at the top of the page to find your phone’s user manual.
If needed, you can also refer to the device manufacturer’s support page:
The iMessage service is exclusive to Apple devices. It enables users to send text messages and multimedia content over the Internet. Unlike SMS or photo/video messages, a cellular plan is not required to use this service.
If needed, check out more details about iMessage.
An SMS contains only text and is sent over the mobile phone network. These messages are limited to 160 characters.
Photo/video messages (or MMS, multimedia messaging service) contain attachments, such as photos and videos, and have no character limits. Sending and receiving such messages uses up mobile data. You must therefore enable your mobile data to send photo/video messages.
