iPhone contacts show green bubbles in Messages after update

Saegzz wrote:

I have but they have not responded. They must have iMessage on bc These are both long term contacts.

Being on "long term contracts" (for what? ) has nothing to do with whether or not they are using iMessages. That's something you turn on or off depending on your needs and preferences.

Point being we’ve texted for years with no issue. Maybe the update. It’s the only thing that has changed in last week or so

Just because it used to work doesn't mean something hasn't changed. They could have turned iMessage off. They could be somewhere that doesn't have a data connection. Or something else. Until they verify that they have iMessage enabled and have an active data connection, the problem being on their end can't be ruled out. The fact that they haven't responded would seem to lend some support to the theory the issue is on their end.

Saegzz wrote:

I’m experiencing fellow iPhone users with green chat bubbles again. Seems to have started since last update (26.3) I’ve noticed this with 2 of my contacts. FYI, I’m updated to 26.3 and iMessage is turned on

Here why https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213887

I'm on ios 26.3 since the day it came out and have no issues.

Saegzz wrote:

I’m experiencing fellow iPhone users with green chat bubbles again. Seems to have started since last update (26.3) I’ve noticed this with 2 of my contacts. FYI, I’m updated to 26.3 and iMessage is turned on

Have you asked those two contacts if they are logged into iMessage and have data access?

Saegzz wrote:

I have but they have not responded. They must have iMessage on bc These are both long term contacts. Point being we’ve texted for years with no issue. Maybe the update. It’s the only thing that has changed in last week or so

Then call them. Send that link I posted to them too.

Again, many people have updated to ios 26.3 and there has been no major report of this issue.