Q: iPhone to Android iMessage bug fix

I believe this has been done.  The Apple agent sent me a text and said it would take 24 hours to take effect.  It still did not fix the problem.  I have deleted every reference to my phone and completely reset my old iPhone.  Today I tested it with several friends that have iPhones.  I received a couple of texts and then bam, one of my friends could no longer text me.  It switched my number over to iMessage.    The exact thing happened this morning with my husband.  He sent 2 texts last night, then could not this morning, then later he could.  It seems to be sporadic.  This is still unacceptable.  As I said, 2 Apple agents have told me the issue is with iMessaging and they are "working on it" but no eta.  I believe this issue is so widespread that the AT&T store manager has at least offered to replace my phone if I still want to go back to an iPhone.  I wanted to try testing some more, but so far it is very inconsistent.  I am mostly relying on WhatsApp for texting if I want to make sure to get things.

This worked for me (calling Apple)!

I spent a day trying to figure this out. Ripping my hair out while looking at various forum posts. Finally found a page with clear instructions:

http://switchiphone.com

Not sure if there has been a fix but as long as iphone users have the option chosen to send as SMS when iMessage is not available, then I seem to be getting all texts! This was not the case last time I switched from my iPhone 5 to my Samsung S4. Also. Before my galaxy was even activated, I turned  off iMessage on my  iPhone so I'm not sure if that also did the trick! It's been 4 days so far and haven't had any trouble. Fingers crossed!

THE ONLY FOOLPROOF FIX TO YOUR PHONE NUMBER BEING HELD HOSTAGE BY IMESSAGE (for now):

I recently switched from an iPhone to an HTC One.  I LOVE the HTC One, because it has everything my last phone had and more.  However I too had the dilemma of my phone number getting hijacked by Apple.  I tried literally EVERYTHING to get my phone number removed from the iMessage database (from changing my Apple ID password [two or three times], telling all my iPhone family/friends to start a new message thread with me, having iPhone friends/family delete me completely from their phone and re-adding me into their contacts, to calling Apple customer support [twice] and having them re-comfirm the deletion of my number from the iMessage database, and more).

Although I was able to start getting texts from some iPhone users I still wouldn't get texts from others, because their phones still thought my HTC One was an iOS device.  So after a final attempt with Apple customer service (who is excellent, very cool and helpful) I finally decided to log into my Verizon account and change my phone number.  Voila, fixed!  I have not had a single problem since.  I downloaded a program that enabled me to text my whole contact list simultaneously with my new number and I was home free.  I know it doesn't sound convenient, but it was a delicious piece of cake compared to the mud I waded through to try and disarm the iMessage database of my old number.  I'm so relieved to be done with this issue.

P.S.

In case you wish to liberate yourself as well the program I used to text my whole contact list of my new phone number is 'MyPhoneExplorer'.  It's completely free and you can download it from:
myphoneexplorer.fileparade.com/

IMPORTANT: MAKE SURE NOT TO INSTALL ALL THE WEIRD EXTRA DOWNLOADS & PLUGINS IT TRIES TO GET YOU TO INSTALL.  You'll be all set from there.

Same problem. My mobile numbers have been deregistered from imessage for several days, and I have taken all of the recommended steps to fix the problem, including multiple phone calls with Apple. Nonetheless, all iOS devices continue to mistakenly see my mobile numbers as being an iOS device.

So my solution won't work for those who no longer have their phones.  And... It won't really be a quick fix for those who do. 

A few months ago, a friend switched to Android.  An important friend...someone whose text messages where near essential.   Well, essential enough, that when she had this iMessage issue, I turned mine off so we could communicate.  I was also thinking of switching myself.  But, that is another story and no an unpleasant one.  

So...you see...now ~I~ had the issue. My friends were having trouble texting me because ~my~ iMessage was turned off.  And ~my~ issue had nothing to do with 'that other device'.  I am still on an iPhone.  

In order to text me, the friends who thought I was essential (bless them), started turning their iMessage functionality off. 

I wonder how many people have done that... To get around a bug that clearly has more to do with iMessage functionality and not with (omg should I say it) switching to the 'enemy'

It's been quite awhile now, I don't get anymore of those emails/phone calls from friends wondering why they can't text me.   I haven't yet switched my phone.  But I will eventually get an android on my main line (I test devices and such). 

So my solution is not helpful for those who no longer have their iPhone.  Unless you don't mind waiting for those who believe you are essential to flip their own switch.     Thanks Apple, for weeding out the inessentials.

I've been having this issue with my Android device since switching from my iPhone 5 to the Note 3.  I cannot receive any text messages from someone using an iPhone.  Here are the steps I've taken:

1)  Followed all the steps and unregistered my iphone on apple.com.  That has not worked.

2)  Called Apple, they were unable to solve the problem or offer me a viable solution.  They need to send me a text message in order to manually try to fix the problem.  I can't receive text messages so that won't work.

3) Brought my phone to the Sprint Store, they can't fix the problem either.  They suggested telling all my friends to remove previous texts from me if they had imessage.  That is a ridiculous proposal.

Please help, this is a major problem as I'm losing work and personal messages.

OMG! I changed my notification preferences on this discussion a month ago, still getting them. Just as Apple screws over anyone moving from iOS to Android, they also can't manage to change user preferences on their forums

i am still having the same issue.  Apple has removed my number from the servers (days ago), and nothing seems to fix the issue.  I am so incredibly angry right now.  I have so many other Apple products and have always felt like they worked to makes things right. 

I feel incredibly let down right now.

Contact Sprint and ask them to enable PMG (private message getaway or short code) messages. Once they do call Apple again and ask to send you message again.

Go to the top of the page and on the right side click "stop email notifications". Apple does not manage that, you do.

Yeah, thanks. Couldn't figure out how to disable ALL email notifications including deleting this discussion entirely from my watch list on my own. Or.....maybe I did. I manage my preferences, its Apples job to apply my preferences to their system.

It's nice hearing success stories but what is a person supposed to do when they followed all the suggestions for fixing the text message issue including talking to Apple support and having their phone taken out of their portal but still not being able to get text messages from some iphone users?

I'm hear not to basically complain but to try and find help since all the work arounds didn't work.

imessage turned off.....check

cell phone number removed from apple portal.....check

changed apple password......check

icloud is not associated with my cell phone number.....check

iphone friend and user deleted all my text messages.....check

iphone friend and user deleted my contact information.....check

iphone friend and user added me as a contact........check

iphone friend and user tried to send me a text........failed

iphone friend and user deleted my text again......check

iphone friend and user deleted my contact information.....

iphone friend and user tried to send text to just my cell phone number.....failed.

iphone friend and user added me as a contact......check

iphone friend and user tried to send me a text.....failed

iphone friend and user gave up.......check

So I have I missed any steps in resolving this issue? If so, perhaps that's why an iphone friend and user can't send me a text message unless it first kicks out as an error.

sheryltoo wrote:

 

 

So I have I missed any steps in resolving this issue? If so, perhaps that's why an iphone friend and user can't send me a text message unless it first kicks out as an error.

There two different settings on your friends phone. If he/she goes to settings -messages it says "send as SMS"

He/she turns it to "On" - phone will do that choice automatically. Turns it to OFF - iphone(smart device that is) will tell him/her something like "imessage failed - would you like to send as SMS". If he/she does not want to use SMS - you will not receive message, but blaming Apple for that is stupid. it is your friend who choses not to send as SMS.