User profile for user: Bonkypants
Bonkypants Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

iPhone sends messages to unrelated/wrong contact

For some reason my iPhone started sending messages for Person K to Person D.


The phone numbers were never in either's contact info.


Person K has an iPhone but cannot receive iMessages sent from my iPhone. K can receive messages from my iPad.


Person D does not have an iPhone and will receive messages meant for K as an SMS.


I have removed both contacts. Signed out of iCloud. Added contacts back in. Signed back in to iCloud.


Even if I type Person K's number, it shows as a iMessage "Not Delivered" but later switches to show messages to Person D.


iMessages sent from the iPad will show correctly on the iPhone. I cannot then continue the conversation on the iPhone.




iPhone 13 Pro Max, iOS 16

Posted on Apr 5, 2023 10:13 AM

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User profile for user: Soosie_J215
Soosie_J215
User level: Community Specialist

Posted on Apr 8, 2023 12:02 PM

Hello Bonkypants,


We understand you have an interesting issue with text messages being sent to the wrong contact. It appears you've already worked through a few good steps, thanks for detailing those out. We'll look at a few other settings for Messages that could be causing this issue. Here is our best resource for reference: If you can't send or receive messages on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


Specifically, we'll look at the section titled 'If you receive messages on one device but not the other'. On your iPhone do the following:


  1. Open Settings > Messages
  2. Tap Send & Receive
  3. Make sure your phone number is listed and check in the top section "You can receive iMessages to and reply from"
  4. You may also want to check your phone number for "Start new conversations from"
  5. If you do not see your phone number listed, follow these steps: Add or remove your phone number in Messages or FaceTime - Apple Support


Once that setting is corrected, you will want to delete any previous text threads to both contacts. Start a fresh text to confirm if the issue is resolved. Reply back with how it goes.


Take care.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Soosie_J215
Soosie_J215
User level: Community Specialist

Apr 8, 2023 12:02 PM in response to Bonkypants

Hello Bonkypants,


We understand you have an interesting issue with text messages being sent to the wrong contact. It appears you've already worked through a few good steps, thanks for detailing those out. We'll look at a few other settings for Messages that could be causing this issue. Here is our best resource for reference: If you can't send or receive messages on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


Specifically, we'll look at the section titled 'If you receive messages on one device but not the other'. On your iPhone do the following:


  1. Open Settings > Messages
  2. Tap Send & Receive
  3. Make sure your phone number is listed and check in the top section "You can receive iMessages to and reply from"
  4. You may also want to check your phone number for "Start new conversations from"
  5. If you do not see your phone number listed, follow these steps: Add or remove your phone number in Messages or FaceTime - Apple Support


Once that setting is corrected, you will want to delete any previous text threads to both contacts. Start a fresh text to confirm if the issue is resolved. Reply back with how it goes.


Take care.

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iPhone sends messages to unrelated/wrong contact

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