why is there an exclamation point in my message icon but when I click there is no message?

Question

Siameseaz Author

Level 1

18 points

why is there an exclamation point in my message icon but when I click there is no message?

Mysterious exclamation point appears in my

iphone 6 message icon but there is no message. What ‘s this mean?

Posted on Jan 4, 2018 9:04 PM

Reply

Answer 1

CarlAVII

Community Specialist

Jan 5, 2018 4:48 PM in response to Siameseaz

Hello Siameseaz,

Thanks for that info and choosing the Apple Support Communities. If I understand correctly, you are seeing an exclamation point notification on the Messages app on your iPhone. Based on your description, this could be a message that was not delivered, and here is more info:

If you see a red exclamation point

If you try to send a message and you see with an alert that says Not Delivered, follow these steps:

Check your network connection.

Tap , then tap Try Again.

If you still can’t send the message, tap , then tap Send as Text Message. Messaging rates may apply. Contact your carrier for more information.

If you can't send or receive messages on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Cheers!

Reply

Answer 2

Leanne_68

Community Specialist

Jan 6, 2018 11:59 AM in response to Siameseaz

Thanks for replying, Siameseaz, and that additional info, it really helps! Since this doesn't fully address your issue, your next step is to force close the Messages app and restart your iPhone as iOS clears cached data and does other system optimizations when you turn your device off and on.

Force an app to close on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
Restart your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

If you're still having this issue, your next step is to reinstall iOS on your device; this will help us isolate the situation further. Reinstalling iOS should not affect any of your data, but it is always a best practice to make sure you have a current backup in either iTunes or iCloud.

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
Import photos and videos from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Once you have a current backup, follow the steps from the "If your device turns on but gets stuck during start up" section in this article:

If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch won't turn on

Use the “Update” option and not “Restore” and these steps will reinstall iOS. Keep in mind that these steps were written for a different issue, but they will still help us isolate the situation further. Have a great day and thanks for using the Apple Support Communities!

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Answer 3

Siameseaz Author

Level 1

18 points

Jan 5, 2018 7:07 PM in response to CarlAVII

Thanks for the response. I only get the ! on my messages icon briefly. Then it disappears. No other notification such as “not delivered.”

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Answer 4

Siameseaz Author

Level 1

18 points

Jan 5, 2018 7:09 PM in response to Siameseaz

Oh, and it doesn’t seem to have any relationship to my sending messages. People reply promptly. What worries me is maybe things sent to me are getting lost.

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Answer 5

Siameseaz Author

Level 1

18 points

Jan 6, 2018 12:00 PM in response to Leanne_68

Thank you. I will proceed with the forced shutdown and go from there. Will report back.

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Answer 6

Jan 30, 2018 8:38 PM in response to Siameseaz

i tried everything and it still is on my iPad. Help!

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