iMessage Timestamp and SMS Date Issue Across iPhone 12 Pro Max and 15 Pro Max After Switching from Android

Dear Apple Support Community,


I have encountered a challenging issue that spans across two of my devices, the iPhone 12 Pro Max and the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which has significantly impacted my messaging experience. Following the transfer of data from an Android device to iOS, I am faced with a recurring issue where each morning at 3 am, my messaging app refreshes in an unusual manner. My previous SMS messages, originating from my time as an Android user, reappear at the top of my conversation list, all marked with the current date as if they were newly received. This anomaly occurs daily and seems unaffected by device restarts.


The problem escalates when the device is rebooted. Subsequently, a plethora of messages, dated from as recently as a month ago to as far back as several years, are displayed in my Messages app with their send dates erroneously updated to match the time of the reboot. Consequently, recent messages are pushed down the list, hidden beneath these incorrectly dated texts.


Both of my iPhones are operating on the latest iOS version available for their respective models, with all software updates promptly applied. I have configured my date and time settings to adjust automatically and have verified that my use of a VPN is not influencing the timekeeping functions of the devices.


This issue goes beyond being a minor inconvenience; it severely hampers my communication efficiency. It creates confusion and complicates the management of my messages, particularly in a business setting where accurate timestamps are vital for following up on conversations and commitments.


Having noticed that I am not alone in experiencing this frustration, with several similar accounts shared within the community, yet no clear resolution found, I am reaching out in hopes of discovering a solution. If anyone has successfully navigated this issue or can offer any advice on how to address it, your insight would be immensely valuable.



Your support and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for any help you can provide.

iPhone 15 Pro Max

Posted on Feb 24, 2024 5:16 AM

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Feb 24, 2024 5:24 AM in response to 智永

I understand what you are experiencing with the timestamp and date issues in your Messages app after switching from Android to iOS on your iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro Max.


You may try some of these steps, please check after each step...


  1. Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary software glitches. Turn off your iPhone, wait for a few seconds, and then turn it back on.
    1. Restart the device. That's it.
    2. Still not solved --> Force restart iPhone - Apple Support
  2. Ensure that the date and time settings on both your iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro Max are set to update automatically. Go to Settings > General > Date & Time, and toggle on the "Set Automatically" option.
  3. If you are using iCloud to sync your messages, ensure that the sync settings are configured correctly. Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Messages and toggle the switch off and on.
  4. Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings: Only network settings are removed.
    1. When you reset network settings, previously used networks and VPN settings that weren’t installed by a configuration profile or mobile device management (MDM) are removed. Wi-Fi is turned off and then back on, disconnecting you from any network you’re on. The Wi-Fi and Ask to Join Networks settings remain turned on.
    2. To remove VPN settings installed by a configuration profile, go to Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management, select the configuration profile, then tap Remove Profile. This also removes other settings and accounts provided by the profile. See Install or remove configuration profiles on iPhone in this guide.
    3. To remove network settings installed by MDM, go to Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management, select the management, then tap Remove Management. This also removes other settings and certificates provided by MDM. See “Mobile device management (MDM)” in the iOS Deployment Reference.
    4. Reset your Network Settings. Tap Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This also resets Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings that you've used before.
  5. If the issue persists, you can try resetting all settings on your iPhone. This will not erase your data but will reset all personalized settings to their default values. Go to Settings > General > Transfer & Reset > Reset > Reset All Settings and confirm the action. Note that you will need to reconfigure your settings afterward. All settings—including network settings, the keyboard dictionary, the Home screen layout, location settings, privacy settings, and Apple Pay cards—are removed or reset to their defaults. No data or media are deleted.
    1. Reset All Settings: Return iPhone settings to their defaults - Apple Support:- Return iPhone settings to their defaults
    2. You can return settings to their defaults without erasing your content.
    3. If you want to save your settings, back up your iPhone before returning them to their defaults. For example, if you’re trying to solve a problem but returning settings to their defaults doesn’t help, you might want to restore your previous settings from a backup.
  6. Make sure you have the latest updates installed.
    1. Update Over-the-Air (OTA) —> Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support (IN)
    2. Update using iTunes/Finder —> Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support (IN)
  7. While not ideal, restoring your iPhone to a backup from before the issue started could potentially resolve the problem. However, ensure the backup doesn't contain the timestamp issue itself.


If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it is recommended to reach out to Apple Support or visit an authorized service center for further assistance. They can provide specific guidance based on your device model and iOS version.


This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

iMessage Timestamp and SMS Date Issue Across iPhone 12 Pro Max and 15 Pro Max After Switching from Android

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