"Not delivered" SMS (green) text messages on iOS 15

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"Not delivered" SMS (green) text messages on iOS 15

After upgrading to iOS 15 I can no longer send text messages, I receive them but when I try to send them I always get " Not delivered".

I tried the following:

check Network (Airplan mode is off)
Reset Network Settings and restart
Toggle off and on Mobile Data
Network Selection Manual (previously I had it setup on Automatic)
Toggle off and on Wi-Fi Calling
Restart and soft reset several times
Toggle off and on iMessage
Toggle off and on Send as SMS

No luck so far. I suspect it related to the upgrade to iOS 15 as nothing else changed.

Network is Vodafone.

Any help ... please?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone X

Posted on Sep 21, 2021 12:21 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

IdrisSeabright

Level 10

168,869 points

Sep 21, 2021 12:26 PM in response to DMATaz

Are you having trouble just with SMS (green) messages? Or with both SMS and iMessage (blue)? If just SMS, start by contacting your carrier.

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Answer 2

Oct 25, 2021 7:57 PM in response to DMATaz

I have a new (10/25/21) iPad Pro with iOS 15.1 and have tried all of the above recommendations. Still can’t send texts to android (green). I also have a previous gen iPad Pro, an iPhone 12max and iMac all with the latest updates and they can send texts to android. Thoughts????

I’ve restarted, re-booted, toggled on off and still..

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Answer 3

DMATaz Author

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Oct 26, 2021 2:15 AM in response to PaulRammer

I assume you try via an iPad Pro with 3G, right? If you do not have a SIM card you cannot send text messages to Android users. If you have 3G and you cannot send to Android (green) then you should definitely address it with the carrier.

You might try putting the SIM card into a GSM phone where you can check the Message Center to see if it is setup correctly. If yes then do go to the carrier and have them check your account.

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Answer 4

DMATaz Author

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Oct 26, 2021 2:10 AM in response to DMATaz

Finally I got it solved. It had nothing to do with the iPhone or iOS, it was a de-sync between some systems on the Vodafone's backend they said.

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Answer 5

DMATaz Author

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Sep 22, 2021 1:26 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Answer from Vodafone: "you have no restrictions in our network and billing systems" so I am back where I started! Just a thought, anybody know how can I verify what Message Center I have setup in my iPhone?

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Answer 6

Sep 22, 2021 1:38 PM in response to DMATaz

What I'd suggest (based on having worked for a mobile carrier for 20 years) is to call them back and request they remove text messaging from your account and add it back.

Just a thought, anybody know how can I verify what Message Center I have setup in my iPhone?

I have no idea what you mean by "Message Center". Can you explain a bit more?

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Answer 7

DMATaz Author

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Sep 22, 2021 1:43 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Message Center is a mobile number that you enter in settings and it is used in order to send text messages. Here is a definition I found on a website:

"Message center number or SMSC number means network element in the mobile telephone network. Its purpose is to store, forward, convert and deliver Short Message Service (SMS) messages. The main duty of an SMSC is to route SMS messages and regulate the process."

More details here:

Vodafone Message Center Number {All States} - Sep 2021 (trickgenie.com)

Any mobile needs to have it in order to be able to send SMS. On iPhone you do not have the option to see it (I found some articles that say you need to dial a code like *#5005*7672# or **5005*7672# and network will return the Message center but it did not work for me.

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Answer 8

Sep 22, 2021 1:58 PM in response to DMATaz

Perhaps it's a UK thing? In the aforementioned 20 years of working in the U.S. cell phone industry, I never heard the term. It could be related to the two different numbers you may actually have if you've ported your number from one carrier to another but, that's not going to suddenly change (unlike account features which sometimes just go wonky) and seems unlikely to be the issue in this case.

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Answer 9

DMATaz Author

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10 points

Sep 21, 2021 12:28 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Only with SMS. iMessages are Ok. I do not think it's from the operator because everything is fine on my wife iPhone XS and my son's iPhone 12 mini. We are all on the same operator with same settings!

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Answer 10

Sep 21, 2021 12:38 PM in response to DMATaz

If it's only with SMS, contact your carrier. The fact that your wife and son are not having issues is not really relevant. Each phone is configured individually by the carrier.

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Answer 11

DMATaz Author

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Sep 21, 2021 12:51 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Ok, I will do that and report back, thank you

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Answer 12

Sep 21, 2021 12:55 PM in response to DMATaz

Good luck!

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Answer 13

DMATaz Author

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10 points

Sep 24, 2021 8:09 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

I went to Vodafone, changed SIM card with a new one. Same result, text messages still not delivered. Moreover, iMessage is now stuck in "waiting for activation". It's getting worse and worse ...

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Answer 14

DMATaz Author

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10 points

Sep 24, 2021 8:10 AM in response to DMATaz

They confirmed that on their backend there are no restrictions for my number

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"Not delivered" SMS (green) text messages on iOS 15

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