iOS 17.5.1 Messages app has stopped working intermittently

Following on from my last post. I did end up on a call with Apple Support. After some digging the guy from Apple informed me that Apple is aware of the issue but didn't have a specific date for the fix.

A few other comments the community might find interesting

• Apple engineers don't actively watch the discussions forum and the channel to have Apple look at issues is via their support process.
• The support guy asked that I capture videos of the issue as additional evidence will raise the priority within Apple.
• They also recommended performing a "Reset all settings" rather than the "Reset Network Settings". I haven't done this yet.

I'd suggest that for those having this issue you a) raise a case with Apple, b) progress until you speak with someone and c) add the requested evidence to the ticket.

I don't think the videos help in the diagnosis, but it does show the challenges people are having and makes it "real".

I've talked with multiple senior techs at Apple Support. They are fully aware of the issue.

In order to escalate the issue, EVERYONE needs to call Apple Support and report the issue. The more people that complain to Apple Support, the faster it'll get resolved. Try to speak with a senior manager. Documented cases will encourage them to act faster.

The latest advice given to me by Apple Support was to reinstall the 17.5.1 update. Follow these instructions: Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support. However, DO NOT RESTORE. Hit cancel. Select Software Update instead. This will simply replace the 17.5.1 update.

(Full disclosure, I haven't tried this yet)

Oddly my messages was working all week while traveling out of state. Now that I'm back home, it's not working anymore. It's not related to WiFi, as I've tested both. Odd.

Not that this helps, but all the devices we use have various problems (MacBooks, iPhones across 4 family members). The behaviour is really strange. We've tired all the suggested work arounds including a complete erase and restore from iCloud.

Symptoms include

• Messages not sending and evetually ending with a failed message error in red text.
• Messages not being reveived. We've resorted to calling people because we know there's no guarantee messages are being sent or being received.
• Messages app won't load on iPhone (either blank black or white screen). Need to quit the app and try again, but still doesn't work
• Massges app on MacBook not being able to send or receive (get system notification that message failed to send)
• Tried turning off iMessage (sign out and back in). Message app on MacBook won't load, needs force quit.
• Messages app takes ages to sign in then displays "Unexpected Error". Restart MacBook and magically it's signed in and works for a few hours then stops again.
• Messages appear on Apple Watch but not iPhone.
• Messages sent hours ago are received.

It's really frustrating and we've spent hours in wiping phones, resetting networks settings, etc. Given that messages is broken on the MacBook it makes me think this isn't limited to the iPhone.

Only really noticed the last few weeks (since the start of June 2024 with io 17.5.x).

Next stop - Apple Support.

Same problem here with two of my phones on 17.5.1.

I've tried all of the above suggestions and nothing works.

Additionally, at the same time that the Messages app is freezing up, I also cannot click on the Messages setting in settings. It just sits there frozen as well.

Sometimes I just get a blank white screen when opening Messages.

Sometimes it will show the list of texts with no photos next to them, but is just frozen.

Sometimes it will show the list of texts with the photos of the people, but is just frozen.

Sometimes I can scroll through them, but can't click on any messages.

Sometimes I will try to scroll and the list won't move at all, until it just crashes.

It's an intermittent problem, that's been happening for a month or so, but seems to be happening more frequently. About every other day. It usually last between 12 and 24 hours before it starts working again.

Hi, I have a similar issue - I am on iOS 17.5.1 and I can't use messaging. Message app freezes when opening. I can receive messages - I see the little red circle but opening will freeze the app and show only a white screen. Trying to access the settings creates the same thing. It will stop on the settings screen once selecting messages. My take is that the app is not properly set-up by Apple and this is an inherent bug. At the same time I am noticing and extremly high drain of battery power - I am loosing 10-15% of battery per hour on an iphone 15 pro even without usage. My take is some process in the back is creating a bug and thus drains the battery and does not allow the app to open correctly. Reinstall and reset did not work either.

I am having a similar issue and contacted Apple support twice, resetting network settings helped initially, but then did not work. My wife is also having a similar issue. They suggested completely erasing the phone and restoring from back up, which I have not tried, but it does not seem that that has helped other users so I would rather not go through the hassle. Something that will likely not work. This problem only started happening to my wife and I in early June with iOS 7.5.1.

I had the same problem and completely earased my phone including the 2 e-SIMs I have and I did not restore from a backup. Messages worked perfectly for about 10 days, the problem has recurred now however and messages is only working intermittently. This is very frustrating!

Hi. I am experiencing the same problem on two iPhones (12 pro Max and 15 pro Max), iMac and Mac book pro. It doesn't happen to me on a 2nd generation iPhone SE which I purposely haven't updated to 17.5.1. I have already done all possible protocols, even wiping the phone and reinstalling following instructions from Tech Support. All to no avail, has anyone come up with a solution? Or should we wait for new SLN software in September?

Did you contact Apple Support and did you get any suggested steps to fix this problem?

It's happening to a lot of people and there are many threads on the topic. I've been experimenting with combinations of settings with no luck. I have a Reddit thread with my findings here: https://www.reddit.com/r/ios/comments/1d3puny/1751_messages_app_lockshangscrashes/.

Same thing with mine. Reset the phone, works for 5 minutes. Stops working. I can't back out of a message I was in. Cannot read new messages. The time, cell signal and battery info disappear at the top too. Just gives me a blank white screen. Super frustrating.

This is happening with my message and call app on my 10 pro max. I just have a blank white screen that crashes after a few seconds.

Even with the Google app and GMAIL installed on my phone, I cannot input anything. Facebook messenger, NADA.

I have reset network settings and tried to reset all settings on my phone, but both failed.

I am updated to 17.5.1 also, and I have noticed that my camera's focus has been super blurry the last few months. I have also not been able to send MMS photo messages to people with androids.

How can this be resolved? Lord forbid if someone had a medical emergency, they are SOL on either end.

Apple, please do better.

I’m having the exact same issues - the settings app freezes when I try to open Messages settings and the high battery drain that came out of nowhere.

One of my biggest problems with this situation is that I have many 2FA requests that only use a text to my phone, and that’s a big issue for me if I can’t login because of this bug that is clearly an Apple issue.

It’s so frustrating that I can’t even disconnect iMessage so I can at least receive text messages to my phone number.

I’ve tried some of the supposed fixes, but they are temporary band aids that don’t last.

Same issue for me too. Both my wife and I are going through this. All suggested fixes are temporary at best. I’ve rebooted my phone so many times I’ve lost count.

Not good enough Apple. I rely on texts for work and this is creating significant issues for me, and many others by the sounds of things.

in addition to the messages issue the touch screen side of things seems to be working less well with lagging and hanging across multiple apps. This is also intermittent.

I can’t wait for an updated iOS to resolve these issues.

Thanks

Ben

Same. 3 different models of iphones, completely locked out today. Some days it works, others it doesn’t. Have tried ALL the things - close apps, restarting apps and phones, etc. Just the white screen of nothing. Sort of a big deal!