Fix iMessage Not Delivered Issues on iPhone and iPad

November 14, 2024

If you’re experiencing issues with iMessage not being delivered, you’re not alone. iMessage is a reliable messaging service, but occasional hiccups can prevent your messages from reaching their intended recipients. Whether you’re seeing the “Not Delivered” notification or messages remain stuck in limbo, there are several reasons why this can happen—from network problems to settings conflicts. In this guide, we’ll walk you through a series of troubleshooting steps to help you fix iMessage delivery issues so you can get back to sending messages without any interruptions.

If you’ve ever sent an iMessage and encountered the frustrating “Not Delivered” error, you’re not alone. Whether it’s a simple text or an important message, seeing this notification can disrupt your communication. Fortunately, there are several ways to troubleshoot and fix iMessage delivery problems on your iPhone or iPad.

This guide outlines some common causes of iMessage delivery failures and provides actionable solutions for successfully delivering messages.

Common Causes of “iMessage Not Delivered”

Before jumping into fixes, it’s helpful to understand what could be causing the issue. Here are a few common reasons why iMessages may fail to deliver:

Network Connectivity Issues: If your device isn’t connected to the internet via Wi-Fi or cellular data, iMessage won’t be able to send.
iMessage Service Outages: Sometimes, Apple’s iMessage servers experience temporary outages, causing issues with sending or receiving messages.
Incorrect Date & Time Settings: If your device’s date and time are incorrect, it can cause authentication problems with iMessage.
iMessage Settings: There could be a configuration issue, such as iMessage being turned off or not set up correctly on your device.
Blocked Contacts: If you’ve accidentally blocked the recipient, your iMessages will not be delivered to them.
Apple ID Sign-In Issues: Problems with your Apple ID can interfere with iMessage sending.

Steps to Fix “iMessage Not Delivered” Issues

Here are some steps you can take to resolve the issue:

1. Check Your Internet Connection

iMessage requires an active internet connection to send. Make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data and that the connection is stable.

Wi-Fi: Go to Settings > Wi-Fi and make sure you’re connected to a network.
Cellular: Go to Settings > Cellular and ensure that cellular data is enabled.
If you’re experiencing slow or unreliable internet, try switching between Wi-Fi and cellular data or restarting your router.

2. Check Apple’s iMessage System Status

Sometimes, iMessage fails due to an issue with Apple’s servers. You can check the status of iMessage to see if Apple is experiencing an outage.

Visit Apple’s System Status page.
Look for iMessage in the list of services.
If there’s a yellow or red dot next to iMessage, that means Apple’s servers are down, and the issue is on their end. You’ll need to wait for them to resolve the problem.

3. Restart Your Device

A simple restart can often fix many issues, including iMessage delivery problems. Power off your iPhone or iPad, wait a few seconds and then turn it back on.

To restart your device:

On iPhone 8 or later: Press and hold the side button along with the volume up or down button until the slider appears. Slide to power off.
On iPhone 7 or earlier: Press and hold the top or side button until the slider appears. Slide to power off.

After your device restarts, try sending an iMessage again.

4. Check Your Date & Time Settings

Incorrect date and time settings can prevent you from sending messages. Ensure that your device is set to the correct time zone.

Go to Settings > General > Date & Time.
Toggle Set Automatically to ON. This ensures your device’s date and time match the network time.

If you’re in a different time zone or traveling, double-check that the time zone is correct.

5. Sign Out and Sign Back into iMessage

Sometimes, signing out of iMessage and signing back in can resolve delivery issues.

Go to Settings > Messages.
Toggle iMessage off.
Wait a few seconds, and then toggle iMessage back on.
When prompted, sign in with your Apple ID credentials.

This can help reset your iMessage account and resolve any temporary glitches.

6. Verify iMessage Settings

Make sure that iMessage is correctly set up on your device.

Go to Settings > Messages and ensure iMessage is turned on.
Tap on Send & Receive, and confirm that your phone number and Apple ID email are listed under “You can be reached by iMessage at.” Ensure the correct contact information is selected.

7. Check for Blocked Contacts

If you’ve blocked the recipient, iMessages won’t be delivered. Double-check if you’ve accidentally blocked the contact.

Go to Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts.
Scroll through the list to see if the recipient is listed. If so, swipe left on their name and tap Unblock.

8. Force Quit and Reopen the Messages App

Sometimes, the Messages app can become stuck, causing delivery issues. Force-quitting and reopening the app may fix the problem.

To force quit the app:

On iPhone X or later: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause to view the app switcher. Swipe up on the Messages app to close it.
On iPhone 8 or earlier: Double-click the Home button to view open apps, and swipe up on the Messages app to close it.

After closing the app, reopen it and try sending the message again.

9. Update iOS to the Latest Version

Apple regularly releases iOS updates that include bug fixes, performance improvements, and security patches. Updating your iPhone or iPad to the latest version of iOS can resolve issues with iMessage delivery.

To check for updates:

Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
If an update is available, tap Download and Install.

10. Reset Network Settings

If all else fails, resetting your network settings may fix persistent delivery issues. This will clear Wi-Fi passwords, cellular settings, and VPN configurations, so you may need to re-enter this information afterward.

To reset network settings:

Go to Settings > General > Reset.
Tap Reset Network Settings and confirm.

11. Contact Apple Support

If you’ve tried all the above solutions and still experience iMessage delivery issues, it might be time to contact Apple Support. Your device or account could have a more complex issue that requires professional assistance.

You can reach Apple Support via the Apple Support website or by visiting an Apple Store for in-person assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the “Not Delivered” message mean?

When you see the “Not Delivered” message in iMessage, it means that the message was not sent. The most common causes are connectivity issues, iMessage server downtime, or settings issues either on your end or the recipient’s.

Can I send a regular SMS if iMessage isn’t working?

Yes. If iMessage isn’t working, you can switch to sending regular SMS/MMS messages. If the recipient is also using an iPhone, your device should automatically send the message via SMS when iMessage fails. You can also manually select “Send as Text Message” if the iMessage fails.

Can a blocked contact prevent iMessages from being delivered?

Yes, if you’ve blocked a contact or if the contact has blocked you, iMessages will not be delivered. In such cases, you’ll typically see the “Not Delivered” message.

How do I check if Apple’s iMessage servers are down?

Visit Apple’s System Status page to see if there are any known outages affecting iMessage or other Apple services.

Conclusion

Experiencing iMessage delivery issues can be frustrating, mainly when you’re relying on it for quick and seamless communication. However, as we’ve seen, there are many potential causes for iMessages not being delivered, ranging from simple network problems to more complex device or server issues. The good news is that most of these problems can be quickly resolved with a few simple troubleshooting steps.

By ensuring that your device is connected to a stable internet source, checking your iMessage settings, updating your software, and verifying that Apple’s servers are functioning correctly, you can usually pinpoint and fix the issue. Additionally, logging out and back into iMessage, resetting your network settings, or even restarting your device can often clear up minor glitches and restore functionality.