I’m trying to text a friend with an Android phone, but my iPhone keeps saying the message won’t send. Is there a way to fix this?
You’re not the only one with this issue. Below are updated tips to get your iPhone sending and receiving texts normally again, including handling new features in iOS 18. If you also have trouble with receiving calls, see our guide on the iPhone call failed problem.
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Like many iPhone users, you might see errors when sending or receiving messages, particularly with Android devices.
Why your iPhone may not send texts to Android devices
Several factors can cause this issue. Some are longstanding, others are new with iOS updates. Common causes include:
- Your iPhone may still attempt to use iMessage even when the contact is on Android, instead of properly falling back to SMS or the new RCS mode.
- Your carrier may not support certain messaging features (SMS, MMS, or RCS) or they might not be enabled for your line.
- Outdated carrier settings or misconfigured network settings.
- The recipient’s number might be blocked, or formatted incorrectly (including country code issues).
- Your SIM card may have faults, or the network provisioning is broken.
- If you switched from iPhone to Android (or vice versa) without deregistering iMessage, messages may still route incorrectly.
Apple’s official support page instructs users to check network connectivity, enable fallback to SMS, and contact their carrier if SMS fails.
Solution 1 Toggle Airplane Mode
Turning Airplane Mode on and off resets your cellular radio and often resolves network glitches.
- 1.Open Control Center (swipe down or swipe up depending on model).
- 2.Tap the Airplane icon to enable it.
- 3.Wait about 5 to 10 seconds.
- 4.Tap again to disable it and restore connections.
Solution 2 Confirm Message Settings
Ensure your Messages settings allow fallback and proper communication types.
- 1.Go to Settings > Messages.
- 2.Toggle on Send as SMS (this ensures fallback from iMessage).
- 3.Enable MMS Messaging if you send images or group texts.
- 4.Enable Group Messaging if needed.
- 5.Tap Send & Receive and verify your phone number is selected for both sending and receiving.
Solution 3 Disable and Reenable iMessage
Turning iMessage off and on can clear stale routing issues.
- 1.Settings > Messages > turn off iMessage.
- 2.Wait 10 to 20 seconds.
- 3.Turn iMessage on again.
- 4.Go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive and reselect your number.
Solution 4 Sign Out and Back Into Apple ID
This resets your account connection to Apple’s messaging services.
- 1.Open Settings, tap your name (Apple ID banner).
- 2.Scroll down and choose Sign Out.
- 3.Restart the iPhone.
- 4.Return to Settings and sign in again.
Solution 5 Use Automatic Date & Time
Incorrect date or time can break messaging security checks.
- 1.Settings > General > Date & Time.
- 2.Toggle on Set Automatically.
- 3.If it fails, manually set your correct time zone.
Solution 6 Switch Cellular Mode (5G / LTE / 4G / 3G)
If the default mode is having trouble, switching can help.
- 1.Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data.
- 2.Select among 5G, LTE, or 4G/3G and test messaging again.
Solution 7 Check Blocked Contacts and Number Format
The contact’s number may be blocked or incorrectly entered.
- 1.Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts. Unblock if needed.
- 2.Verify the phone number in Contacts, including correct country code.
Solution 8 Restart Your iPhone
A full power cycle often clears many issues.
- For newer iPhones: hold Power + Volume until slider appears, then slide to power off.
- For older iPhones: hold Sleep/Wake until the slider appears.
- After shutdown, power on again and try message.
Solution 9 Remove and Reinsert SIM Card
A bad SIM or loose connection can prevent SMS delivery.
- 1.Power off your iPhone.
- 2.Use a SIM ejector tool or paperclip to remove SIM.
- 3.Inspect for damage, clean gently, then reinsert or replace if faulty.
Solution 10 Reset Network Settings
Resets cellular, Wi-Fi, VPN, and Bluetooth setups (your data stays intact).
- 1.Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- 2.Tap Reset.
- 3.Choose Reset Network Settings and confirm with passcode.
Solution 11 Contact Your Carrier
There may be a carrier-side issue preventing SMS/MMS or RCS from working.
- Ask if SMS/MMS is enabled on your line.
- Check for network outages in your area.
- Have them re-provision your line or check for hidden blocks.
Solution 12 Disable VPN, Proxy, or Network Filter Apps
VPNs or proxy apps can interfere with messaging protocols.
- 1.Settings > VPN, and toggle off.
- 2.Or open your VPN/proxy app and disable it temporarily.
Solution 13 Update Carrier Settings
Sometimes carrier updates are pushed outside of iOS updates.
- 1.Settings > General > About.
- 2.If there is a carrier settings update prompt, install it.
Solution 14 Update iOS to Latest Version
Apple fixes bugs and messaging glitches in updates. iOS 18 introduces support for RCS messaging between iPhones and Androids where carriers allow.
- 1.Settings > General > Software Update.
- 2.If an update is available, tap Download and Install.
Solution 15 Reset All Settings
This restores system defaults (network, display, layout) without deleting your apps or data.
- 1.Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- 2.Choose Reset then Reset All Settings.
- 3.Enter your passcode, then confirm.
Solution 16 Use and Manage RCS Messaging (iOS 18 and later)
With iOS 18, Apple added support for RCS (Rich Communication Services) for iPhones, allowing more advanced cross-platform messaging features when carriers enable it.
Key things to watch:
- 1.Region and carrier support: RCS is not available everywhere. iPhone RCS currently works only in select countries (e.g., the US, Canada, parts of Europe).
- 2.Carrier must enable RCS for iPhones: Even if you’re on iOS 18, your carrier might not yet support RCS for your line. You can check Settings > General > About > Carrier and see if IMS status includes “RCS.”
- 3.Toggle RCS Messaging in settings: Go to Settings > Messages > (scroll down) and toggle on RCS Messaging if available.
- 4.Recipient side matters: For an RCS conversation to succeed, the Android contact also needs to have RCS enabled on their device (e.g. via Google Messages).
- 5.Connectivity requirement: RCS uses mobile data or Wi-Fi (unlike plain SMS). Without a data connection, messages will fallback to SMS or fail.
- 6.Encryption status: At this time, Apple’s RCS implementation does not include end-to-end encryption, though future updates may add support via the new RCS standard (MLS) that includes encryption.
FAQs
Why won’t my iPhone send texts to Android users?
Because Android devices do not use iMessage, your iPhone must fallback to SMS, MMS, or (in iOS 18) RCS. If fallback is blocked or misconfigured, messages will fail.
Can weak signal prevent text sending?
Yes. If your cellular service is poor or absent, SMS/MMS will not go through. RCS may work over Wi-Fi if data is available.
What is RCS and why is it important?
RCS (Rich Communication Services) is a modern standard that enables better cross-platform texting: high-quality media, read receipts, typing indicators, etc. With iOS 18, iPhones have gained RCS support where carriers allow it. iOS 18 RCS explained
Does resetting network settings delete my data?
No. That action only clears Wi-Fi, VPN, cellular, and Bluetooth settings. Your apps, photos, and files stay intact.
What if I switched from iPhone to Android and can’t receive texts now?
Your number may still be registered with iMessage servers. Use Apple’s deregister iMessage web tool or follow the steps above to disable iMessage before or after switching.
What if none of the solutions work?
Contact your carrier. Ask them to check SMS/MMS provisioning, RCS enablement, line status, or hidden blocks. They may need to reconfigure your account on their backend.
