iMessage "Tap to Download" Issue

I have had the same issue with my phone as well. Same with my husband and my sister. It’s really unfortunate that we can’t get the pictures we were sent. Plenty of space in both iCloud and iPhone storage.

Same issue for me for years 😡😡😡

Can anyone, engineer, SDE from apple fix this?!!!

So annoying that we have lot of people with same issue and no one care at all or just redirect the issue to people around 😢😢😢

just updated the new ios 15.1 as well, reset, ton of space and nothing fixed

Curious as to if you have discovered a solution. I am having the same issue. Plenty of space on my iphone and I also have the 2TB icloud plan with plenty of space. I have tried logging in and out, updating software etc. Tap to Download does nothing when I click on the link. this seems to be happening with older pics as current ones seems available.

SAME!!! I’m trying to screenshot some older messages before I get a new phone, and some pix are there, but most aren’t. Just the “tap to download” box that does nothing to bring the photos back. I too have tried ALL the troubleshooting options multiple times, even turning icloud backup off for messages so they’ll stop saving in the cloud and download on my phone. I have PLENTY of space, over 40GB. PLEASE somebody fix this problem!

SAME with my 12Pro iOS 15.2.1.

Pictures disappear after I read them and they are replaced with “tap to download” boxes that do not work.

PLENTY of space, iPhone and iCloud!

No problem with iPad. iPad imessages display received pictures and there are no "tap to download" links for pics.

So much for thinking a picture will say a thousand words, SOL, we lost 3 years; some photos returned, most still not downloading... All this started after the IOS15 install... APPLE DO YOU EVEN CARE!

Some results, still missing earlier photos, attachments, etc.. Thanks for passing along anecdotal solutions. Fact: While apple revenues increase, support declines…and the end users, once again figure out how to survive!

Same issue with two iPnones:

iPhone 8, iOS 15.2.1, 64 GB storage, 18 GB available, iCloud storage 50 GB/28 GB available.

iPhone 12 Pro, iOS 15.2.1. 256 GB storage, 233 GB available, iCloud storage 50 GB/31 GB available.

Clearly not a storage issue. I am reluctant to try what gganne suggested as a fix for fear of losing more than just the photos that are not appearing when "tap to download" does not work. Can others report on the details of the steps involved and their results? Thanks in advance.

I’ve spent hours with 3 different support team members. Reset my phone to factory settings twice, signed out of iCloud, signed out of network, stood on my head and every option shown on this thread - some things multiple times. I do not believe this is something that the user can fix, there’s something that Apple needs to find and fix and the fact it’s been going on this long really irritates me. The support people are wonderful but I don’t want to spend any more of my time resetting things and trying to troubleshoot, it is a known issue. The root cause needs to be identified by Apple!!!

A photo in a text vanished after only 2 weeks. Same problem - Tap to Download doesn't work - all I get is a circle and "Downloading..." in blue, but nothing downloading. I see over 1,500 people have this issue and nothing works.

One suggested solution was go to iCloud then Messages - must tap iCloud to get to Messages because Messages is not in the list presented before tapping iCloud

I just tried what Apple suggested with turning off iMessage all together. Turn off the phone, then turn it back on and turn messages back on. I checked my iMessage and was able to see the photos. It did not work.

I am beyond frustrated! I have a new iPhone 13 with iOS 16.4.1 and plenty of storage!

Having same issue! Lots of memories are locked into my texts and not being able to download them for more than 8 months is unacceptable. Apple, please address this issue or provide a solution!

Read “HazelEyesArie’s” response in this thread; that will fix it.