How to Fix iMessage Not Working on Mac, iPhone and iPad

Published Date : Jul 24, 2023
Category : How To | iOS | MAC
How to Fix iMessage Not Working on Mac, iPhone and iPad

Read the complete guide to address and resolve the iMessage not working issue on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices. 

f iMessage isn’t functioning properly, you won’t be able to read your text messages on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. This is because they will appear as green bubbles rather than blue ones. Even more seriously, it’s possible that you won’t be able to send or receive any messages at all.

The issue can be really frustrating but is easily fixable. If you are also here in search of solutions for iMessage stopped working you are on the right page. Follow the steps in this troubleshooting guide, to figure out how to fix iMessage not working on your device, regardless of the cause.

Solutions to Fix iMessage Not Working on Mac, iPhone, and iPad

The iMessage not working on iPad, iPhone, or Mac issues can be fixed by applying the underlying simple solutions. However, you don’t need to apply all the solutions, move down the list until the problem is fixed.

Solution 1: Verify iMessage Server

t is imperative that you first confirm that the issue is occurring on your end and not Apple’s side. Before we proceed with any of the potential solutions this must be the first step. If you are unable to send or receive iMessage on your iPhone, it is likely that the iMessage servers are experiencing technical difficulties.

Visit the website of Apple’s System Status. Search for the light that is located next to the iMessage icon to determine whether or not this is the problem.

f the light next to the icon for iMessage is red, then iMessage is now down and hence the iMessage not working on iPad, iPhone or Mac issue exists. To resolve the problem you need to wait until it comes back up.

f the indicator light is green, then there are no issues with the servers that iMessage uses. Continue with the next steps to fix the problem of iMessage not working on new iPhone.

Also Read: Get iMessage on Windows PC [Step By Step Complete Guide]


Solution 2: Check Internet Connection of your Apple Device

On a Mac, using iMessage requires a working internet connection at all times. The benefit of this feature is that it operates in the background, so you do not need to keep the app open at all times in order to check for new messages. And if your internet connection is poor the iMessage not working on Mac issues can come up.

Join your Mac or iPhone to a wireless or wired network using a cable. You can connect your Mac to a phone via a mobile hotspot in the event that your existing Wi-Fi connection is unreliable or inadequate.

However, if the issue is not related to the internet, move to the next fix to resolve iMessage notifications not working.


Solution 3: Verify If iMessage Turned On

The vast majority of us have made iMessage available on our iPhones. However, it’s possible that you disabled it by accident. Additionally, if you have only recently switched to using an iPhone, it is highly conceivable that you have not yet activated iMessage in the first place.

And hence you can come across the iMessage not working on iPad or iPhone issues. If you want to make sure that iMessage is turned on for your iPhone, make sure to follow the instructions that are listed below.

Instructions for activating iMessage on an iPhone:

Step 1: Launch the Settings app on your iPhone, then select the Messages option from the menu that appears.

Step 2: f you haven’t activated iMessage yet, you can do so on the next page by toggling the switch.

Step 3: You might also try turning iMessage back on again. To accomplish this, first deactivate iMessage using the toggle, then wait a few minutes before turning it back on.

In case you are still not able to find the answer for why is my iMessage not working issue, move on to the next fix.

Also Read: How to Save iPhone Text Messages on Mac or Windows


Solution 4: Try Using Airplane Mode

f you are asking yourself, “Why is my iMessage not working” one of the biggest causes is probably interruptions in your network provider. Toggling the Airplane mode on and off on your iPhone is one of the simplest ways to restore network connectivity.

This will compel your iPhone to create a connection to the nearest tower, which is advantageous if you are using mobile data at the time. Therefore, to fix the iMessage stopped working problem apply the following steps.

Step 1: To access the Control Center on your iPhone or iPad, swipe from the top-right corner of the screen in either a downward or an upward direction, depending on the model of the iPhone you have.

Step 2: After that, activate the airplane mode.

Step 3: After a brief pause, you should then switch it off. iMessage should now be operational on your iPhone or iPad.

Now you will be able to connect to mobile data or Wi-Fi as you did prior.

However, if the iMessage notifications not working issue persists, don’t panic just try the next set of solutions.


Solution 5: Reboot your Apple iPhone or Apple iPad

f iMessage stopped working on your Apple device, this might be due to a temporary glitch. This can be addressed with a system restart.

To restart your iPhone, you must first turn it off and then back on again. It is a dependable and speedy solution that may cure a variety of problems with your iPhone, including troubles with iMessage.

You have the option of using the buttons on the device itself.  Or open Settings > General > Shut Down. Turn on your iPhone once a minute or two has passed, and then attempt to send an iMessage. It ought to function in the manner anticipated.

Just in case the iMessage not working on Mac problem remains, move ahead with the following solutions.

Also Read: How to Unzip Files on Mac


Solution 6: Verify Sending and Receiving Address for iMessage

Your iPhone stores a limited number of phone numbers and email addresses, which it can use to send and receive iMessage text messages. Your iPhone or iPad will not be able to send or receive iMessages if your current phone number or email address is not one of the supported formats.

The following is a guide that will show you how to check your Send and Receive Addresses as well as your details if they have not been updated.

Step 1: To configure your iPhone’s settings, launch the Settings app. Tap the Messages icon after scrolling down the page.

Step 2: Select “Send & Receive” from the menu.

Step 3: You may view the email addresses and phone numbers that are available to you for usage with iMessage here.

Step 4: f some of your information is out of current, there is a good probability that your iCloud account and your iMessage account do not match.

Step 5: As you follow the instructions in the link, you should be able to solve the problem.

This is how you may fix your iMessage not working properly because of a discrepancy between the Send and Receive addresses. Even if you don’t have a mobile phone number, you can still use iMessage on your iPhone or iPad.

Hopefully, this will resolve the iMessage not working on new iPhone issue. If the problem remains, try the following methods.


Solution 7: Force Shut Down Messages App

Swipe your finger up from the bottom of the screen while holding it if you are using an iPhone that has Face ID. If your iPhone has a Home button, swiftly press it twice in succession. To force shut the Messages app, drag its card in the App Switcher until it is at the top of the screen. After a brief pause, launch the Messages app once more and make another attempt to send an iMessage.

Now check if iMessage not working issue is fixed. If not, try the following solutions.

Also Read: How to Type Hashtag on Mac Keyboard (100% Working Guide)


Solution 8: Set Time and Date to Automatic

Message not working on iPhone issues can come up if the date and time on your iPhone do not match the actual date and time in your region. The incorrect date and time settings can lead to the problem of the new iPhone iMessage not working.

Whenever there is a disparity in the date and time, it has an effect on a number of programs, particularly native Apple apps. We recommend that you set the date and time on your iPhone to automatically update if you want to avoid this happening.

Your iPhone will automatically set the date and time by obtaining the information from the carrier and setting it. Here is how to enable the date and time to change automatically on your iPhone.

Step 1: On your iPhone, launch the app labeled Settings.

Step 2: Navigate to the General section of the menu and pick the Date & Time option.

Step 3: On the Date & Time screen, activate the Set Automatically toggle so that it is on.

if you still have the question why is my iMessage not working and the problem remains intact with the solution try the next fix.


Solution 9: Logout and Login to iMessage Account

Another approach that is so straightforward that doing it won’t do any harm is to log out of iMessage and then log back in again.

f you’re using an iPhone or an iPad:

Step 1: Launch the Settings app, then scroll all the way down until you see Messages. Select the Send & Receive option.

Step 2: To access your Apple ID, hit the icon located at the bottom of the screen in this menu. Tap the Sign Out option that appears in the popup that appears.

Step 3: After you have signed out of your account, select the option to Use your Apple ID for iMessage.

Step 4: n the new window that has shown, it will display your Apple ID and inquire as to whether you would like to log in using that.

Step 5: To log in with that ID, use the Sign In button.

Just in case the iMessage not working on iPhone, iPad or Mac issues still exists, move ahead with the next solution.


Solution 10: Reinstall your Sim Card

When iMessage on an iPhone is not functioning properly, here is an additional straightforward option. In order to solve the iMessage stopped working issue, take out the SIM card from your iPhone and then put it back in when some time has passed.

This will effectively force iMessage on your iPhone to start again from scratch. After you have reinserted your SIM card and the iPhone has successfully registered to a network, the activation process for iMessage will start automatically. This will fix iMessage not working on iPad,iPhone, or Mac devices.

Also Read: How to Fix Bluetooth Not Working on Mac OS


Message Not Working on iPhone, Mac, and iPad: FIXED

And it’s done. Hopefully, the above solutions for Apple iMessage not working on Mac, iPad, and iPhone issues are fixed. Apply the solutions listed in the guide in the given format to save your time and effort. If you still face any kind of issues regarding iMessage stopped working, feel free to connect with us in the comments below.

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Akshara Parnami
Akshara is an Engineer turned Technical Writer. She is a tech reader who aims to deliver the best of her knowledge to the readers without complicating it. If not writing you can find her in the kitchen, because no place serves the good tea.

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