User profile for user: hyraddict
hyraddict Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Not able to text any non iPhone

Some time ago, on my iPhone 5 & 6 (not sure what iOS) I realized that my texts weren't getting to one person who was an Android user. It was annoying but not a huge deal. I was able to send pictures and group messages worked for this contact but just a text message to them failed. Fast forward a year and half or so to today and now after updating to iOS10, I'm not able to text any non iPhone contacts of mine (and these aren't people that have switched from iPhone to Android, they are lifelong Android users). This is obviously a problem. I can't really find anything on this topic other than the issue some people have when switching from iPhone to Android...I've never switched and was always able to text these people before I updated to iOS 10. So my question is: If I do the deregister of iMessage and wait the requisite 24 hours (or whatever), would I be able to re-register for iMessage or is my number permanently removed from using the service? I'm thinking that may be my only hope as I'm not very keen on restoring my iPhone as a new device and starting over. Thanks in advance.


Things I've tried with no success so far:


Turn off iMessage

Reset Network Settings

Changed "Enable LTE" in Cellular Data Options to Data Only

iPhone 6, iOS 10.0.2

Posted on Oct 6, 2016 1:04 PM

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9 replies
User profile for user: braden85
braden85
User level: Community Specialist

Oct 7, 2016 12:34 PM in response to hyraddict

Hello hyraddict,
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

I understand from your post that your text messages are not being received by Android users. I know how important it is for all of your messages to be received by all your contacts. I would verify that your messages settings are set up to send SMS (text messages). Yes, you can deregister your phone number and then use it for iMessage again at a later date. Before doing that though, I would tap Settings > Messages and make sure Send as SMS is turned on. If so, then I recommend reviewing the below article:

About iMessage and SMS/MMS

Best Regards.
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User profile for user: sterling r
sterling r
User level: Community Specialist

Oct 7, 2016 1:55 PM in response to hyraddict

Hi hyraddict,

I would also check with your wireless carrier to make sure your text messaging plan is set up properly. In addition, testing to see if the issue happens both over Wi-Fi and cellular data will help determine if the issue is with your internet/cellular data connection. Turn Wi-Fi off but leave cellular data on and see if the issue persists. Likewise turn cellular data completely off and leave Wi-Fi on.

Cheers.
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User profile for user: IdrisSeabright
IdrisSeabright
Community+ 2026
User level: Level 10
188,907 points

Oct 7, 2016 5:50 PM in response to hyraddict

hyraddict wrote:


Sterling,

Thanks! I tried both of those to no avail. I've had the second plan for at least 5 years so I'm not sure why AT&T would just change it.

Sometimes when one thing changes on an account (like the phone) other things get accidentally changed. If the problem is with your carrier, absolutely nothing you do on your end will fix the problem. Therefore, it makes sense to rule that possibility out first.

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Not able to text any non iPhone

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