Texting problem: Please re-send using a valid 10-digit number

Question

Level 1

8 points

Texting problem: Please re-send using a valid 10-digit number

I've been having problems texting ever since I've upgraded to the latest firmware. When I try to text a person from my contacts, I get a text right back from 1 (121)611-611 : Error Invalid Number. Please re-send using a valid 10 digit mobile number or valid short code.

I KNOW my contacts have 10 digits. I've double and triple checked that. The only way I can text is by going into the text window, open a new text, enter the 10 digit number and then write the message. It goes through fine. It even converts the 10 digit number to my contacts name when I do it like that and it sends.

I also have this issue when I reply to texts! I try to reply but it doesn't go through.

Has anyone experienced this and/or know how to fix this? I've tried a Restore, but it keeps happening.

Dell, Windows XP Pro

Posted on Oct 23, 2008 6:27 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Oct 23, 2008 8:07 PM in response to BlacknChrome

What happens if you store the numbers in the international form? eg. +1 and then the 10 digits.

It wouldn't surprise me if the iPhone is not actually replying by sending to the number of the received message but sending to the number it matched to in the contacts.

Reply

Answer 2

BlacknChrome Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 23, 2008 8:24 PM in response to Matthew Smith

All of my contacts have 10 digit numbers.

This started ever since the 2.1 update. My phone has been acting strange ever since that. The battery life didn't get any better. Safari constanly crashes. It takes longer for texts to be sent. Swiping emails doesn't work (swiping to bring up the red icon to delete emails. Instead it opens email 4 out of 5 times instead of allowing me to quickly delete it.)

Every other cell phone I used won't let you dial if you add 1 to the beginning of the number. I just dialed a number w/ 1 and that worked - that's pretty strange.

Reply

Answer 3

Oct 23, 2008 9:55 PM in response to BlacknChrome

I'm not sure about your issues with Safari and such.

On GSM-based phones, like the iPhone, you can store and use phone numbers in the international format. eg. +12025551212, +61411123456. That's with the + sign. The network should realise it is in the international format and handle it without a problem. Storing numbers this way allows people to travel to other countries and still make calls to people from the address book and not worry about the local international access code.

Usually SMS messages are received with this form. Try sending an SMS using a number in this form.

Reply

Answer 4

Nov 3, 2008 11:30 AM in response to BlacknChrome

I'm having the same problem, but it only happens on one contact. I have a Dallas area code (214) and he has a Plano area code (972), but I get this message if I have a 1 before the number or after.

I have a 1 before other contacts that have different area codes (469) and I can text them just fine. I don't understand.....

Reply

Answer 5

BlacknChrome Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 4, 2008 8:03 PM in response to dis grey

I took a trip to the Apple store. Somehow something go disconnected between my contacts and the text messages. He suggested that I delete everything out of my text message folder and delete any contact that was giving me problems.

An easier way of doing that (for me) was to restore the phone. Instead of selecting to restore from a previous version, I had to do a fresh install. This solved the problem. I did lose all of my previous text conversations. I lost all of my voicemails. I had to redo the homescreen. I had to change all of my settings.

Reply

Answer 6

BlacknChrome Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 24, 2008 8:27 AM in response to Matthew Smith

I added +1 to a contact. I tried texting that person from Contacts. I still get this error. This is extremely frustrating because it used to work fine.

Reply

Answer 7

Oct 24, 2008 8:53 AM in response to BlacknChrome

try contacting AT&T. it might be something on their end if its SMS related.

Reply

Answer 8

dis grey

Level 2

200 points

Oct 24, 2008 10:41 PM in response to locondcoco

Try going into SMS and not only clearing the conversation but deleting it entirely and see if that helps.

Reply

Answer 9

Nov 3, 2008 11:32 AM in response to LiLNipsFatal

I meant to say I have the problem if I have a 1 before the number and when I take it out. It doesn't matter.

Reply