Exclamation mark badge on iPhone Messages app icon

Since I upgraded my iPhone 6s to iOS 11 (it is now on 11.2.1) there has been an exclamation mark badge on the Messages app icon for the first 10 seconds after powering the iPhone on.

I could live with that if it weren’t for another, likely related, issue: After powering the iPhone on, the Messages app does not show any iMessages sent to me while the phone was off. I can see those iMessages on my iPad and Mac, just not on my iPhone.

I have tried everything I could think of: Reset network settings; Restored the iPhone and applied latest backup; Turned iMessage of and on multiple times. All to no avail.

Does anyone one have an idea of how to troubleshoot the exclamation mark issue I am experiencing?

Thanks.

Posted on Dec 13, 2017 3:58 PM

21 replies

Book Author

Level 1

24 points

Dec 28, 2017 6:12 PM in response to Chris762

Thanks for the update. My fix was also short-lived. Similar to you, the exclamation mark has returned to my iPhone (and it still does not receive iMessages when switched off).

Jan 4, 2018 7:26 AM in response to Chris762

I have an iPhone 6+, not an S. The same thing happens with my iPhone, red exclamation point in the messages bubble. It doesn’t seem to effect anything after a few moments.

Book Author

Level 1

24 points

Jan 4, 2018 7:34 PM in response to Community User

If someone sends you an iMessage while your iPhone is powered off, do you see the iMessage after powering on your iPhone?

Jan 9, 2018 2:33 AM in response to Driver8666

What iOS version are you using. This problem occurred when I just loaded Ver 11.2.1

Book Author

Level 1

24 points

Jan 25, 2018 8:17 PM in response to Chris762

I have the same positive experience with 11.5.2 as you. The issues have been fixed. Thank you so much for continuously providing helpful updates.

Chris762

Level 1

24 points

Dec 21, 2017 1:09 PM in response to Book

Having read your experience with the Apple Genius, I contacted Apple Support in the UK and recounted the guidance the Genius had provided to you, the steps you had taken and the outcome. Apple Support indicated that they are aware of both the rogue exclamation mark and the missing messages problem. They indicated that they consider the issues to be unrelated, adding that they are not only affecting the iPhone 6S. I then replicated the steps you have taken i.e. reset as a new phone rather than from a back-up. At the time of writing, the exclamation mark has gone and my phone is receiving messages when it is switched off. I can't understand why it appears to have worked for me and not for you, but if you have any questions which you think may help you resolve the problem, I will do my best to answer them.

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Exclamation mark badge on iPhone Messages app icon