Level 1

36 points

iMessage freezing when sending pictures

If a picture is selected then iMessaged and it hasn’t sent yet, then try to send more pictures to the same contact or group, my phone freezes and have to close iMessage and wait for first message to send before can send the next. This has happened at least half a dozen times. Also, with the new update my phone will randomly get stuck with the screen half down like it would if you tap the home button, but at times it wasn’t tapped and mostly happens on the lock screen. Have an iPhone 7 and the most recent update. Wish it was possible to undo the update! And sad it didn’t work good on a phone only a year old.

Posted on Nov 15, 2017 6:22 AM

Top-ranking reply

CarlAVII

Community Specialist

Posted on Nov 15, 2017 7:06 PM

Hi, Krosen1210,
From your post, I understand that you are having trouble sending pictures via iMessage. Specifically, when you send one iMessage, you are unable to send another until the first one is finished sending. If you try to send additional pictures, your Messages app becomes unresponsive. Additionally, you’ve noticed another situation where the display will pop down halfway (Reachability) without prompt. I’m happy to help!
The first recommendation I have, if you have not already, is to force close the Messages app: How to force an app to quit - Apple Support. Then, restart your iPhone: Restart your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support. This restart will address both iMessage and Reachability
If you have completed these two steps, in this order, and the issue with iMessage continues, the next step would be to check your connected network. If it’s private Wi-Fi, like at your house, reset the router if you’re able. This typically can be done by unplugging the router from power for a few seconds, but some routers also have a reset button. Check with your user manual or the manufacturer for the specific instructions.
If you’re on public Wi-Fi (or are otherwise unable to reset the connected Wi-Fi network), or you are using cellular data, try switching networks. You can go from Wi-Fi to cellular data or vice versa, and also try another Wi-Fi network.

In regard to Reachability, you can turn the feature off if restarting the iPhone has not helped, and you decide you do not wish to use the feature under Settings > General > Accessibility > Reachability. Switch the toggle from the on (green) position to the off (grey) position by tapping it.
Should you need additional help after trying these steps, do not hesitate to respond back. If you do, please confirm the iOS version number running on your iPhone 7. You can get that under Settings > General > About > Version.
Cheers!

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106 replies

Feb 9, 2018 7:16 PM in response to El_Barto007

I am having the same issue with the iPhone X I just received two days ago. I try to send a photo via text—no matter how I attempt to send it, it gets stuck. I have to reboot the phone and usually that works for one photo, then it just does it again and again.

That was the first in a series of issues I had with the iPhone 7 Plus. It had so many problems I just gave up on it. That was my main complaint as I’m an artist use this feature quite often and need it working.

So far this has been inherited it looks as if, unfortunately. I absolutely love everything else about this phone. I don’t know how to use anything but Apple devices so I’m kind of stuck as I learned all this at an older age and when I have tried other devices it felt like regression.

Feb 18, 2018 3:15 PM in response to Community User

I still have not fully recovered from this problem. I believe it’s related to the upgrade 11.2.5. My son is having the same problem with an iPhone 6. His wife is not having the problems with an iPhone 6 and has not upgraded to 11.2.5. My friends who have 11.2.5 have no problems but they are on iPhone 7.

I’ve been reading Internet articles for three weeks trying to troubleshoot the problem I’m experiencing. I’ve had to deselect groups in contacts, turn off my Wi-Fi m, reset my network settings, delete my email applications I’ve been to the Verizon store I’ve been to the Apple Store. I’m almost fully recovered but I still get Errors that my iMessage failed to send even though the recipient says that they’ve sent. Meanwhile my battery only holds a charge for 20 minutes now.

I’ve sat in the phone waiting for Apple support 40 + minutes until my phone dies, hang up without anyone answering.

Thank you Apple. I appreciate the ( lack of ) support, appreciate the in-quality products

Ikleen

Level 1

8 points

Feb 26, 2018 12:10 PM in response to Krosen1310

Hello,

Totally new to here. I too have this freezing issue with my iPhone 7 Plus. Have tried support and even drove 2.5 hours one way to get no new phone! Has anyone tried setting up their phone as a new iPhone? This is what Apple keeps wanting me to try. I don't like to do that. If I can't get this resolved I am for the first time considering leaving iPhone and going Android!

GeeZ06

Level 4

3,216 points

Feb 26, 2018 2:31 PM in response to hi_there61

Ok, so what exacty does your iPhone / iMessage app do when you try and send a text with a picture and or Message Sticker? Mine would lock up and the only way to regain control was a force quit of the app. Funny think though my recipient would receive the message and picture fine. Go figure.

Ikleen

Level 1

8 points

Feb 26, 2018 10:50 PM in response to hi_there61

I have this with iPhone 7 Plus and it is up to date and I have also done a back up and restore. Apple thinks I should do a restore and set up as new but I doubt this is going to solve it and I don't really want to lose everything.

perian82

Level 1

4 points

Mar 1, 2018 1:31 PM in response to CarlAVII

I’ve been having the same issues with my iPhone 5s on iOS 11.2.6. I stopped receiving group text messages and the few that do come through do so all at once in the middle of the night (12-5am). The group messages are work ones and important, but even though I’ve never had a problem before, now I do. I can still receive individual messages from both iPhone and Android.

The other thing is that I can’t send pictures via text anymore, either as an attachment from the message window, or as a share from the photos and camera apps. I’m not sure if I can receive pictures, but I doubt it.

I’ve checked all my settings for messages, photos and camera to make sure nothing has changed there: it hasn’t. I have the same issue on my private home network as I do on my 4G and public work network. I have deleted message threads and restarted them, I’ve reset my network settings, hard restarted my message/photos/camera apps and my phone, but no dice. I have a call scheduled with Apple Support after work today, but I’m not holding out much hope for them to suggest anything new, short of resetting my phone to factory settings, which I really don’t want to do as I’ve read about several people online getting no result when they’ve done it...

perian82

Level 1

4 points

Mar 2, 2018 10:56 AM in response to debby9591

Apple Support put me on hold almost as soon as I called because everything they would have suggested I had already tried lol. They suggested following up with my carrier and/or resetting my phone to factory settings which I’m trying to avoid because, from what I’ve read online, it most likely won’t work anyway. I’m yet to call my carrier but while I’m not expecting that to help either, it’s a better option to try first. It seems crazy there is such a wide variety of people having the same issue and no obvious fix ...

Mar 4, 2018 8:51 AM in response to Community User

It’s amazing to me that this is a problem that they know about and don’t know when the fix is coming out.

It wasn’t that long ago that their software was top notch. It’s not even close anymore.

My wife’s iPhone is still displaying iMessages out of order.

Mar 13, 2018 8:49 AM in response to Krosen1310

I noticed that it’s only with the messages app. If you try to send a picture or screenshot through another app, WhatsApp, Snapchat, etc.. it works perfectly. Now, Apple has denied that there is anything wrong with their message app.

untechie

Level 1

8 points

Mar 14, 2018 10:54 AM in response to kbastian

I love you response! So true. Telling us to force close and app or restart the phone is highly insulting. It’s like if your tv doesn’t work, check to make sure it’s plugged in 😂 Thanks for the worthless advice Apple!

untechie

Level 1

8 points

Mar 14, 2018 1:11 PM in response to jasonb b

apple’s tech support in general, over web/email/phone. When you finally get a hold of someone, you have to spend 35 minutes going over their basic force quit/Restart this even when I’ve made it apparent I’m not clueless and have obviously gone through the basic steps. It’s infuriating.

jasonb b

Level 1

53 points

Mar 26, 2018 8:16 AM in response to Community User

Something else I noticed after going to IOS 11. iMESSAGES are received out of order! Have you guys noticed this? Say I send an imessage, sometimes when some replies fast, their message comes in ABOVE my message! You guys see that too? It's usually when you are texting someone with fast replies, but it drives me nuts!

https://www.payetteforward.com/imessage-out-of-order-iphone-heres-real-fix/

Has anyone been able to fix this with the suggestions above???

Mar 26, 2018 8:41 AM in response to jasonb b

Yes several of my family friends coworkers are having the same issue on multiple iPhone platforms. They laughed at me and told me to bite the bullet, upgrade my iPhone.

NOPE. NO APPLEWATCH EITHER.

DONE WITH APPLE INATTENTION TO TESTING AND QUALITY.

I had to Google many 3rd party sites to find resolution to these issues. Apple still ignores.

CDB2

Level 1

8 points

Mar 30, 2018 5:38 PM in response to Krosen1310

I have the exact same issue with my iPhone 7. Delayed insertion after a selecting a photo then the messaging icon. This has been an issue since ios11 was released. Folks at the Apple store have noted it too but have no idea why it’s happening.

Mar 31, 2018 5:32 PM in response to Krosen1310

I have the same problem with photos on the 6s after an update. Every apple update screws up more things that weren’t broken on the phone. I will never buy another apple phone— over rated, overpriced garbage

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iMessage freezing when sending pictures