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Red exclamation mark removal

I have a red exclamation mark on my message icon. Why is it there and how do I remove it?

iPad Pro Wi-Fi + Cellular

Posted on Feb 5, 2018 5:42 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 6, 2018 2:39 PM

Hello Steelebrew61,

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities. I understand you have a red exclamation mark on the Messages app you use on your iPad, and you'd like to know how to remove it. I'm happy to provide you with a solution for this.

There are a couple of different reasons you may be seeing that exclamation mark. Are you currently signed into Messages on your iPad? If so, the exclamation mark may be there because an outgoing message failed to send successfully. Open the Messages, tap on the message thread that had a failed message, and then exit the Messages app. The exclamation mark should no longer be there. If it still is, restart your iPad and check again. If you would like to try sending the failed message again, go back to the message, tap on the little red exclamation mark next to the failed message, and then select Try Again as seen here:

If you can‘t send or receive messages on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Another reason you may see a red exclamation mark on an app icon is if the setup within that app hasn’t been completed. If you don't currently use iMessage on your iPad, did you sign into Messages on it in the past? If so, signing out of your Apple ID in Settings > Messages > Send & Receive, instead of turning Messages off, can cause a red exclamation mark to appear. Try signing into Messages with your Apple ID, and then turn off Messages if you don't wish to use it. You should see the red exclamation mark immediately disappear.

Let me know if the issue persists after following these steps.

Take care!
1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 6, 2018 2:39 PM in response to Steelebrew61

Hello Steelebrew61,

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities. I understand you have a red exclamation mark on the Messages app you use on your iPad, and you'd like to know how to remove it. I'm happy to provide you with a solution for this.

There are a couple of different reasons you may be seeing that exclamation mark. Are you currently signed into Messages on your iPad? If so, the exclamation mark may be there because an outgoing message failed to send successfully. Open the Messages, tap on the message thread that had a failed message, and then exit the Messages app. The exclamation mark should no longer be there. If it still is, restart your iPad and check again. If you would like to try sending the failed message again, go back to the message, tap on the little red exclamation mark next to the failed message, and then select Try Again as seen here:

If you can‘t send or receive messages on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Another reason you may see a red exclamation mark on an app icon is if the setup within that app hasn’t been completed. If you don't currently use iMessage on your iPad, did you sign into Messages on it in the past? If so, signing out of your Apple ID in Settings > Messages > Send & Receive, instead of turning Messages off, can cause a red exclamation mark to appear. Try signing into Messages with your Apple ID, and then turn off Messages if you don't wish to use it. You should see the red exclamation mark immediately disappear.

Let me know if the issue persists after following these steps.

Take care!

Red exclamation mark removal

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