How to Fix iMessage Not Delivered Issue?

How many times have you experienced a glitch while messaging via iMessage? You would probably say not often because it is rare, and we know that. But, we also know that it is not an impossible case and hence in this post, we shall focus our discussion on the iMessage Not Delivered issue. So, if you are an iOS user, or are planning to switch devices to an iPhone, this post is for you. But before everything else, let’s see the basics of this issue.

What is the iMessage Not Delivered Issue?

When you have this issue on your device, you do not see the Delivered label under your messages. Most iOS users see it as a major issue but in reality, it is a simple issue. We have troubleshooting methods that you can use to fix this issue. In this post, we have discussed all the possible methods which you may use to take care of this issue.

Reasons for iMessage Not Delivered Issue

Before we start with the methods to fix the iMessage Not Delivered issue, let us take a look at the reasons why you could face this issue in the first place. The most common reasons, based on the reports of the users are:

• Poor Network on iPhone
• Improper Settings on the device
• Service not supported by the Carrier
• Service is not available on the recipient’s device

How to Fix the iMessage Not Delivered Issue?

Now that we know what might have caused this issue on your device, it is appropriate that we now move to the steps to fix it. In this section of the post, we have mentioned all the major methods using which you may use to fix your issue. But before you do that, we recommend you perform a few checks.

1. Perform Basic Checks on your iOS Device

In more than 50% of the issues, there is a basic issue such as the ones mentioned below. So, we recommend you make sure you have the following configurations in order. It is highly possible that you would fix your iMessage issue after this section of the post.

1. Check the Network connection

Do you know that you need a cellular data connection to send messages via iMessage? If not, then we would suggest you turn your cellular data on and then try sending the messages.

2. Check Device Storage

When you send messages via iMessage, the media that is attached to the message takes up some space. This space must be available on your device if you are the recipient. So, if the recipient of the message does not have sufficient space, he would not get the message delivered and you will have to face the iMessage Not Delivered issue on your device.

3. Check if iMessage is Turned On

The iMessage feature is not a default feature on iOS devices. So, you have to turn it on and activate it after you start using your device. Here is how you would turn it on:

1. Open Settings on your iOS device.
2. Go to Messages and then you shall find iMessages.
3. Turn the iMessage feature On and wait for the activation.
4. The activation takes up to 24 hours, So, you will need to wait until the next day.

Once the activation is successful, you may use the iMessages feature seamlessly.

2. Restart Your iOS Device

If you have performed the basic checks and still face the iMessage Not Delivered issue, then you must try to restart your device. This works for most users, regardless of the device they are using. You can simply reboot your iPhone, Mac, or any other device on which you are facing this issue. Here is how to do that:

1. Unlock your iPhone.
2. Press the side button and one of the Volume buttons.
3. When the Power Off slider appears, wait for 30 seconds after choosing the option to restart.

The device will restart and your issue would be fixed, in most cases. However, if your device is not responding, you would need to force the restart. Here is how to do a forced restart on iOS:

1. Press and release the Volume Up and Down buttons respectively.
2. As soon as you release the volume down button, press and hold the Power button.
3. When you see the Apple logo, it means the device has restarted.

Either way, your device should not show any iMessage issue after the successful reboot. However, if the issue persists, we have discussed a few more methods to fix it.

3. Reactivate the iMessage Feature

Sometimes, the iMessage activation feature shows some glitches. This might happen when there is a buggy update or after a major update. So, it is advisable to activate the iMessage again to make sure the feature remains active on your device. Here are the steps to do it:

1. Open Settings on your iOS device.
2. Go to Messages and then move to iMessages.
3. Turn the iMessage feature to Off and then again turn it On.
4. Wait for the activation process to finish. The activation takes up to 24 hours.

After the activation, you would notice that the iMessages will get delivered, if the cause was a faulty update. If not, you will need to use other methods to fix the iMessage Not Delivered issue.

4. Use Send as Text Message Feature

The SMS feature is a built-in feature and the default method to send text messages. So, if there is some bug in the device firmware, it would stop the iMessage from functioning. So, try to send the message as a Text Message. To do so, here are the steps:

1. Open the Messages app on an iOS device.
2. Go to the Message which was not delivered.
3. Tap on the message and a pop-up will appear.
4. Choose ” Send as Text Message”.

If the message gets delivered as a Text Message, then you must wait for some time before the firmware gets updated. However, if the issue persists, you must go for the next method to fix the issue.

5. Check if Your Data Carrier Supports the Service.

Many data carriers do not allow for features such as iMessage to operate on their network. Although they are very few, they exist. So, it is best to call them up and seek clarification regarding the same. In the meantime, you may switch over to a WiFi network to use the iMessage feature.

Conclusion

This was all about the iMessage Not Delivered issue and we have discussed in detail how to fix it. If you have any other issues which we have not discussed in this post, let us know via comments and we shall update the post accordingly Additionally, make sure that the recipient’s phone number is correct, and that they have not blocked your number. By following the steps mentioned in this post, you can easily fix the iMessage Not Delivered issue and continue messaging seamlessly. Until then, please help your friends and family by sharing this post about iMessages.