iOS 13 iMessage doesn't default to a mobile number anymore

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Level 1

8 points

iOS 13 iMessage doesn't default to a mobile number anymore

Hi folks

Seems another glitch in iOS 13, in that when I start a new conversation and select the contact, I often get a tiny little spinning wheel next their name in the To: field, and it rarely/never selects their mobile number but landline or even email. It never used to do this!

Surely my iPhone knows that if I'm in iMessage, I want to send an SMS to a mobile phone? Every time I start a new chat, I have to select it by tapping the tiny little arrow and choosing which contact.

Any ideas?!

iPhone XS

Posted on Jan 23, 2020 4:19 AM

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Answer 1

CarlAVII

Community Specialist

Jan 26, 2020 2:21 PM in response to mac98aop

Hello mac98aop,

Thanks for posting to the Apple Support Communities, and I understand that the Messages app loads a different contact than intended. I'll dow hat I can to help.

Here are some suggestions:

Restart your iPhone
If you haven't already, be sure to back up then update to the latest version (iOS 13.3): Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
Since this is being loaded from the Contacts app, make sure to uninstall and reinstall the Contacts app: Delete built-in Apple apps on your iOS 12, iOS 13, or iPadOS device or Apple Watch

Have a great day.

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Answer 2

brenden dv

Community Specialist

Jan 29, 2020 10:42 AM in response to mac98aop

mac98aop,

The next best step is to restore the software itself:

Remove the software on the iPhone and add it back:

1. Back up your iPhone: How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support
2. Restore the iPhone to factory settings using a computer: Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support
3. Set up the iPhone as new to test if the behavior still happens.

If it does happen when set up as new, reach out to the Apple Support team: Contact Apple Support

If it doesn't, try restoring your backup to see if it happens again: Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup - Apple Support

Take care.

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Answer 3

mac98aop Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 26, 2020 11:56 PM in response to CarlAVII

No, it’s not that, but thanks for the reply.

it doesn’t load the wrong contact per se, but doesn’t default to loading the mobile number of the contact. It sometimes defaults to email or landline and I have to manually ensure it’s chosen the correct one before typing and sending the message.

I have never had to do this before. Previously if I started a new chat, messages knew to start that chat with the contact mobile number, not their office fax!?

any other ideas?

Thanks

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iOS 13 iMessage doesn't default to a mobile number anymore

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