iOS 16 iMessage not able to send to groups with an android user in them

Ever since updating to iOS 16, I am no longer able to text groups that have an android user in them. 10 iPhones in the group = no problem. 9 iPhones and 1 android = Message Failed to Send.


I also cannot send photos to android users individually, though I can SMS text them. I just cannot MMS text them. No settings have been changed, and I have looked in the settings and see nothing that is interfering in this. I've tried resetting a fourth time just now, and still the same issue persists. Am I alone in this? It never used to happen before. I'm in several group texts that I cannot communicate in, though I can receive their texts. I just cannot send.

iPhone 11 Pro, iOS 16

Posted on Oct 10, 2022 1:47 PM

Reply
Question marked as Best answer

Still no luck here. Though I had it fixed after walking Verizon through the steps in this discussion last week. Got one group text to send and then went back to the same problem. Tried calling Verizon again this morning and was told they are aware of the issue but my only option was to wait for apple to send out a software update that will fix it.

Posted on Dec 23, 2022 7:38 AM

Similar questions

212 replies

Jan 10, 2023 4:53 PM in response to asparaguslightning

This morning, Jan 10, 2023, I spent 45 minutes with Apple support trying to fix the problem with group texting that includes at least one Android user. At the end the agent suggested that it was a problem with an Android Google user. However, I have been including that same person in weekly group texts since 2016. The problem seems to have risen after my recent update to iOS 16.

Jan 10, 2023 4:58 PM in response to Butterbean123

Butterbean123 wrote:

This morning, Jan 10, 2023, I spent 45 minutes with Apple support trying to fix the problem with group texting that includes at least one Android user. At the end the agent suggested that it was a problem with an Android Google user. However, I have been including that same person in weekly group texts since 2016. The problem seems to have risen after my recent update to iOS 16.

Are you a Verizon customer? If so, there are suggestions earlier in this thread you may find helpful.

Jan 10, 2023 5:55 PM in response to Butterbean123

Just got off of phone with Apple Support. The agent tells me that with the iOS 16 update Apple is purposefully changing the way group text work. If you send group texts to mixed Apple and Android devices the recipients will NOT be able to each other’s responses. And, all responses will come back to your phone as individual responses. This is for ‘security reason’s since mixed group texts go through MMS. However, group text to only Apple devices go through Apple’s iMessage security system and not through your cell carrier’s system. (Jeez, I hope that I am explaining this correctly. Please correct me if this doesn’t make sense.)

Jan 11, 2023 6:46 AM in response to Butterbean123

I believe you've misunderstood something or the Apple Support folks misunderstood your question. Group messaging continues to work just fine under iOS 16 and in the usual way. Everyone in the group can see all the responses. I use group messaging with mixed groups almost every day without incident.


Most of the people who are having problems have been Verizon subscribers with iPhone 14 series phones. Verizon has/had a very specific problem where Group MMS got disconnected on their end when people activated an iPhone 14.


If you have an iPhone 14 and you are a Verizon customer, contact them.

Jan 11, 2023 9:55 PM in response to Butterbean123

We can’t even send texts in a group with android, so the thing about breaking into Individual replies doesn’t make sense. The entire text chain doesn’t work if android is included. But it makes sense that it’s something about that encryption that happens with iMessage and not with messages that turn green because they go through the carrier’s servers.

iOS 16 iMessage not able to send to groups with an android user in them

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.