Issues with imessage/facetime after iOS 18.1 update

I had the same issue. I updated to 18.1 this morning then iMessage stopped working. Tried to turn it back on in Settings > Messages but kept getting an activation error. I reset my network settings and it came back on. Hooray! Here is the path: General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Hope this helps someone else.

I am having this same issue with my iPhone 15 Pro after updating to 18.1. When I try and send a message to a group via iMessage, where this had previously been a regular thing with no problem, now I get a Cannot Send Message that says iMessage needs to be enabled to send this message. When I then go to the iMessage app and see that iMessage is off, and I turn it on, the toggle/button goes green for a moment and then switches off again and I get a message "Activation unsuccessful. Turn on iMessage to try again." I have tried this again many times and turned the phone off and on three times, and always have the same continuing problem. Obviously, there is a glitch in the new software update.

This problem appears to be over now on my phone. I’m not sure exactly why. But, the last thing I did (and I’m am not sure of causation) was twice to turn off the RCS messaging option (located above the MMS option) and then to restart the phone with that off. Then, I went in and turned it on again. I did this a couple times. The next day, or the following day, the phone is able again to receive passwords from my bank and from a social network by SMS messages that, for the last couple weeks, I could only get by email. So, it appears that the problem has passed.

It sounds like your iPhone has a hardware issue.

Start here.

iPhone Repair and Service - Apple Support

This problem with the inability to receive SMS messages persists. I am unable to receive two-factor security messages from my bank, from a social media site, even from AT&T itself as I was in the process of replacing this iPhone 15Pro with a 16Pro - and was unable to get a code in order to complete the purchase! I've read n another Reddit chat (by jeff11ftracer) that Apple has an open case to resolve this issues. The problem has to do with a ping between the carrier and your phone. Resetting the phone and network settings won't make a difference, nor a new SIM card, nor a reboot. Reportedly the problem is with Apple engineering. Does anyone know the status of this work to fix the inoperable ping problem? My iPhone 15Pro remains not useful to me for many important functions until this problem is fixed! This is getting to be highly frustrating. Do I really need to reward Apple by buying a 16Pro, which will cost me approaching $1,000, to fix the problem Apple created on my 15Pro with its software upgrade? Apple should send me a new phone!

I’ve been having these issues all morning and afternoon and suddenly iMessage started working about 15 minutes ago. Earlier, I couldn’t send any pics. I turned off the RCS messaging option (located above the MMS option) earlier today and was able to send pics again. I still couldn’t send iMessages but it suddenly started working.

I updated to 18.1 and now my messages are delayed and it’s even worse with android users. They are not getting my messages at all or I am missing text messages from android users to my iPhone. Any solutions yet?

You’re welcome. Best of luck.

iOS18 update gave me huge problems on iPhone 12

cant function:

touch is off

your discussion forum does not give me keyboard to enter queries

other glitches toi

Help

Thanks for the suggestion but be careful, I did the reset, iMessage still doesn’t work and all my WiFi passwords have been wiped.

I too am having issues sending texts and even losing text being sent it just disappears from my phone

really in all these years why should any release have so many issues just frustrates me

I tried so many things and this was the one that fixed it!!! Thank you so much 💜💜

Hi, My iMessage keeps routing me to text message and now I was having a hard time switching it back to iMessage