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IMessage not working all the time

I just did the update (to my regret) to 16.4.1 and now my IMessage won't activate, works sometimes, not others. Tried airplane mode, off and on, message off and on, turned off phone, nothing. Then I plugged it into my laptop at work to charge, and it worked. Worked fine yesterday, then this morning same thing, won't work, doesn't matter what I try. Again, plugged into my laptop at work, and suddenly I get an email saying Find my phone has been disabled (I didn't do that) and the message is working again. This is why I avoid the updates, they always screw up something.

Posted on Apr 28, 2023 6:29 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 28, 2023 6:39 AM

To activate iMessage and FaceTime using your Phone number


First, check to know whether you have an SMS plan enabled at least for One SMS*** with your carrier. Contact your Carrier (Cellular Service Provider) the agency that issued the SIM to you


If your iPhone is used with a carrier not found in the wireless carrier articles, make sure you can send and receive international SMS. (One SMS*** Only)


If you can't turn on or sign in to iMessage or FaceTime - Apple ...



*** You may not have an SMS plan enabled by your carrier for the SIM/eSIM that you use on your device. Apple Inc does not provide SMS services.



4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 28, 2023 6:39 AM in response to FergusBur

To activate iMessage and FaceTime using your Phone number


First, check to know whether you have an SMS plan enabled at least for One SMS*** with your carrier. Contact your Carrier (Cellular Service Provider) the agency that issued the SIM to you


If your iPhone is used with a carrier not found in the wireless carrier articles, make sure you can send and receive international SMS. (One SMS*** Only)


If you can't turn on or sign in to iMessage or FaceTime - Apple ...



*** You may not have an SMS plan enabled by your carrier for the SIM/eSIM that you use on your device. Apple Inc does not provide SMS services.



Apr 28, 2023 6:40 AM in response to FergusBur

iMessage (Blue) -

  • iPhone to iPhone: requires internet (Either over WiFi or Cellular Service) as it is sent over internet protocol. Needs Activation on your device.
  • iPhone to Android: Not available



SMS/MMS (Green) -

  • iPhone to Android: does not require any internet it is sent over cellular voice protocol. Needs to be enabled by your Carrier for the SIM used by you.
  • iPhone to iPhone: When iMessage is not activated or the device is not connected to the internet either over cellular or WiFi



It will turn from Blue to Green if you have enabled "Send as SMS" and whenever your iPhone is not connected to the internet it is sent as SMS (green) to all iPhone users.



Apr 28, 2023 6:45 AM in response to FergusBur

it worked perfectly three days ago before the update. I was on wi-fi and have cellular data, I was texting my iphone to another iphone. Iphone tells me Imessage needs activation, then gives me an error message saying something went wrong, it didn't activate. Plugging it into a laptop is the only thing that seems to work. not terribly convenient.

IMessage not working all the time

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