iMessage on iPhone not working after updating to iOS 18.5

Seconding that it was because my phone number was blocked because it was reported as "spam".

My phone was not getting texts/ imessages while my macbook and watch were. I would go to settings and see my phone number was toggled off randomly a few times a day. I had to reactivate my phone number once and that worked for about a month. After reading these comments I brought it up to the apple support person and they checked and confirmed that my phone number was reported as spam. I submitted a request to undo this and hopefully that works!

You're definitely not alone many users have reported iMessage issues after updating to iOS 18.5, including messages defaulting to SMS or RCS, and not receiving iMessages at all.  1. Check iMessage Activation

• Go to Settings > Messages.

• Make sure iMessage is turned ON.

• Tap Send & Receive and ensure your phone number is checked (not just your email).

2. Toggle iMessage Off and On

• Turn off iMessage.

• Restart your iPhone.

• Turn iMessage back on and wait a few minutes for reactivation.

3. Reset Network Settings

• Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

• This clears out any network-related glitches that may block iMessage.

4. Check Date & Time Settings

• Go to Settings > General > Date & Time.

• Enable Set Automatically.

5. Sign Out and Back Into Apple ID

• Go to Settings > [your name] > Sign Out.

• Restart your phone and sign back in.

6. Turn Off Wi-Fi Assist (Optional)

• Go to Settings > Cellular > Wi-Fi Assist and turn it off.

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contacted Apple and they had me try all of these steps^^^^^. Nothing worked. They are aware of the issue and have yet to fix it! It is becoming much more frustrating because I am no longer receiving messages that are important. iMessage has not worked since 5/23/2025. I was referred to the “senior team” I have not been contacted in regards to this issue. Never doing an update right away.

Update...

After-

1) After reactivating my iPhone via T-Mobile w/ the builtin eSim as opposed to physical SIM card. (iPhone 12 has both options)

2) Updating my iOS to 18.7

3) Stopped backup to iCloud of Messages on all devices

4) Following this post -

"PROBLEM: Two days ago, My wife's Iphone 16 suddenly not getting messages in group text that included an Android. Then not even group texts that was only Iphones. Then started having trouble texting to single iphone users. Needless to say, the situation was reaching critical mass and my marriage was on the line.

SOLUTION: I went to Settings-Messages: turned off RCS and IMessage. Then I did a hard reset on the iphone (click/release volume up, click/release volume down, then HOLD the power button ONLY until phone shuts off AND keep holding power button until Apple logo reappears. THEN release). Now, turn RCS and IMessage back ON. I am not a techie - I think turning these things off and going through the hard reset clears out any glitches. Then when you turn it back on, the Iphone 16 has to resync everything with your carrier/apple. When it resyncs RCS and Imessage, it starts with a glitch free, clean slate. My wife now thinks I am a genius and my marriage is saved! Hope this helps others!"

I can happily say my iMessage has been working correctly on my MacBook, and the text forwarding option has been restored in my iMessage settings on my iPhone.

I hope this helps shed some light and helps others.

This worked! Thank you! Settings>imessage>send&receive>check your phone number

I had a similar problem. It was just resolved. I had updated my iPad Air M3 to 18.5. I was then unable to send messages to Android people and groups. My iPhone (iOS 17 still) was unaffected. My MacBookPro was also unaffected. Turns out, on my iPhone, in the settings for Messages > Text Message Forwarding > my iPad was turned off. At no time do I remember myself specifically changing that setting.

I finally called Apple after trying everything and they said I was on a spam caller list (I’ve seen someone post they got put on that after the update) which is what happened to me but the rep gave me a little attitude and said I would be blocked forever next time if I spammed again I mentioned I saw people post this error on the forum and she just tried to change the subject

My phone number got pulled again.....and the forwarding option to other devices went away...so this did not really work. I got one text to my computers and phone before it broke again.....

18.7 fixed my issues, at least for now. Updated my iphone 13, and the option for text message forwarding to my other devices magically appeared. So progress, but I have been burned before with things looking like were going to work and then breaking again. I'm guessing maybe 26 will also fix things but I did not make that jump. Good luck, and if the latest software update fixes things for anyone else, let us all know....

I contacted  senior support, they remoted-in, tried everything. Nothing worked.

*A final step I tried that helped (not fixed):

Turned off FaceTime and iMessage.

Did a HARD REBOOT (Volume up & down, quickly, then press and HOLD power button, ignore 'Slide to power off" screen and wait for a hard reboot. Certainly helped,  support did not.

Waiting for 18.6... :-(

Call Apple they are putting people on the spam list after the update and they have to unblock it themselves

Call Apple the update is placing people on the spam list and Apple can remove that block

ifeanyi269 wrote:

Pls help a brother out ooh,I’m experiencing the same issue.my iphone iMessage has stopped working.each time I try to activate it,I gets an error due to activation message.

What is the error message?

Have you worked through this article:

If you can’t turn on or sign in to iMessage or FaceTime on your iPhone - Apple Support

After going back and forth with Apple and T-mobile I also learned that my number was blocked on Apples side and they refused to unblock it or help me further. Easiest solution given to fix the iMessage and FaceTime was to change my number. I my numbers for years but at least now I won’t be getting scam calls.

My problem has been fixed. My phone number was reported as spam LOL

I noticed this problem starting on July 2nd. Ironically when I logged into my Mac I saw some angry messages from people thinking I ghosted them. Apple hasn’t helped me any; when asked about the issue some employees and over the phone tech would act all confused. T-mobile both tech and in-store employees have mentioned multiple customers with the same issue…. Went into a store again recently and although the common potential fixes have been conducted, T-mobile agreed that it was a bug in IOS 18.5. Trust me, I’m frustrated like the rest of you since my phone is also used for work along personal. Hopefully IOS 18.6 comes out this week or next and resolves this widely known issue. If it doesn’t I’ve threatened to switch to Android and I don’t like that idea. I have an iPhone 13 and even if I upgrade to a 16 or the 17 in September idk if that would fix future issues since the 17 and newer would run IOS 26 and onward

My iMessage stopped working after the update. I have tried all the “fixes” above but nothing is working. I can receive from iMessage but sending reverts to green and sends as SMS.

I have signed out, and back in.

Turned iMessage on and off.

checked to see if my numbers was “checked” under send and receive.

turned airplane mode on/off.

Nothing is working. Now I am missing important messages for work.