Updated your iPhone to iOS 13 or iPad to the latest iPadOS 13 but you still find that iMessage is not working?
Then, believe us, you’re not alone. Multiple users over at the Apple forums, Reddit, as well as our own readers, have claimed that the iMessage app has been lately down, not sending messages, certain features not working, etc.
In this guide, we will go through step-by-step with nine ways on how to fix iMessage not working on iOS 13 or iPadOS. The guide will cover not just the messaging component of the iMessage but also every feature and issue which you might be experiencing with the iMessage app ever since updating to iOS 13 or the iPadOS 13.
Without further ado, let’s jump right in. 🙂
How to Fix iMessage Not Working on iOS 13 or iPadOS: 12 Ways
1. iMessage Won’t Activate After Updating to iOS 13.
A few Redditors have reported that there has been an issue with their iMessage app after updating to iOS 13 which has been showing as “Waiting for activation…” in their device’s settings.
The tried and tested solutions for this issue is as follows:
- Wait for it to activate although this can take anywhere from a couple of minutes to a couple of hours. This also depends on the status of the iMessage server on Apple’s side.
- Sign out of your iCloud, restart the device and then sign back into iCloud. This can be done: Settings > Your Apple Profile (top) > Sign Out.
- Disable your Wi-Fi and proceed with ‘Waiting for the activation’ using your Cellular Data instead.
- Take out your SIM card and then reinsert it back in and try activating once again.
- Lastly, turn off your iMessage, sign out of iTunes and App Store and then reset your network settings.
We will go over the last method number #4 step-by-step below since it is quite a lengthy and delicate method.
Step 1: Firstly, to turn off iMessage, simply jump into your iPhone or iPad’s Settings and then scroll down to Messages and tap on Messages.
Step 2: Next, simply toggle off the switch right next to iMessage.
Step 3: Now, sign out of your iTunes and App Store. This can be done by going into your Settings > Your Profile > Sign Out (at the bottom)
Step 4: This is where you need to proceed to reset your iPhone or iPad’s network settings. To do this simply go into your Settings > General > Reset > Reset network settings. You will be prompted to enter your passcode to confirm the reset.
Step 5: Once the reset process is done, sign back into your iTunes and App Store by following the same pathway in Step 3.
Step 6: Lastly, toggle iMessage back on again by following the same steps, as shown in Steps 1 and 2. You can test if the activation process is resolved.
2. iMessage Shows a Message That It Is indexing? — “More Results will be shown once Messages finished indexing” Issue.
If you catch iMessage saying “More results will be shown once Messages finishes indexing.”, then know that the indexing process may take some time.
However, a user by the name DomDj over at Reddit had the same issue happen, and this is what the user suggested the following steps fix it:
Step 1: Jump into your Settings app and then tap on your Apple profile (at the top).
Step 2: Next, tap on iCloud.
Step 3: The issue that was pointed out is that the messages in iCloud are turned off for some reason, and by tapping to turn on iCloud for Messages you should see automatically that the notification saying “Uploading messages to iCloud”.
This should able to quickly finish the indexing process and get iMessage working once again. If the steps above don’t work, then give some time for the messages to be indexed especially if you have a large number of messages which arent deleted.
3. iMessage Not Showing Photos and Attachments Under Message Details After Updating to iOS 13.
Apple has made the message details section (the section where you would tap the little i icon) more similar to WhatsApp’s media attachment library — where you can view all of the attachments, media, and photos sent to that contact of yours on iMessage.
The issue since updating to iOS 13, however, has been that all the media, photos and attachments you’ve sent are missing from this message details section.
So what can you do to fix this predicament? Now there are two ways to go about it.
- Re-Toggle Messages in iCloud Settings. This can be done: Settings > Your Apple Profile > iCloud > Toggle off and back on the Messages option.
- Force to Rebuild Messages Indexing. This can be done: Settings > Siri & Search > Messages > Toggle all options off in this page > Restart device > Toggle all the options back on again. Doing this should force your messages to jump-start the indexing and loosen it up from any sticky situations.
- Force Restarting your iPhone or iPad. Force restarting your iPhone is relatively simple. Apple has written a great illustrative guide on how to force restart your iPhone here. Learn more about how to force restart iPhone. If you’re on an iPad, you can refer here: Learn more on how to force restart iPad.
4. The “Downloading Messages from iCloud” Message at the bottom of the screen is not going away.
Do you find a “Downloading messages from iCloud” message at the bottom of your iPhone or iPad’s screen and it’s not going away?
Then understand that the message will appear until and unless if all your messages are completely done downloading messages from iCloud.
There are several steps that you can undertake to proceed with the message. You can:
- Just wait it out. Often this can take anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours depending on the number of messages you have.
- Sign out of your iCloud. Restart the device and then sign back into iCloud. This can be done: Settings > Your Apple Profile (top) > Sign Out.
- Re-Toggle Messages in iCloud Settings. This can be done: Settings > Your Apple Profile > iCloud > Toggle off and back on the Messages option.
- Force to Rebuild Messages Indexing. This can be done: Settings > Siri & Search > Messages > Toggle all options off in this page > Restart device > Toggle all the options back on again. Doing this should force your messages to jump-start the indexing and loosen it up from any sticky situations.
5. “Messages in iCloud is Currently Disabled” Issue on iMessage.
Are you being pestered with a message that keeps persistently saying “Messages in iCloud is currently disabled”?
Then know that there are a few useful solutions that you can take to fix it and once and for all get rid of it.
Here are the solutions:
- Just wait it out. Often this can take anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours depending on the number of messages you have.
- Repair the iCloud Account. If the error presides after 24 hours then repair the account. We will explain in detail the steps below.
- Force Restarting your iPhone or iPad. Force restarting your iPhone is relatively simple. Apple has written a great illustrative guide on how to force restart your iPhone here. Learn more about how to force restart iPhone. If you’re on an iPad, you can refer here: Learn more on how to force restart iPad.
We’ll explain solution #2 in detail and guide you step-by-step:
Step 1: First and foremost go into your iPhone or iPad’s Settings and then tap on Your Apple Profile (at the top).
Step 2: Next, tap on iCloud and then iCloud again.
Step 3: Over here, you need to toggle off and back on the Messages option.
Step 4: Now go back to the Messages in iCloud is Currently Disabled message you see in your Messages app and then tap on to Repair Account. The repairing account process can take anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours, so hang tight!
Step 5: Lastly, once the repair is done, the message will no longer be shown to you, and you may proceed to use iMessage as normal.
6. Messages Out Of Order on iMessage on iPhone or iPad? Here’s The Fix.
The messages being out of order issue on iMessage has been a common occurrence since the days of iOS 11. We’ve also written a detailed guide on how to fix it precisely although the solutions shared here will be the up-to-date ones that will work for your iPhone or iPad if you’re on iOS 13 or iPadOS 13 respectively.
So if you ever find that your messages are arriving in the wrong order for iMessage, then here are the solutions to consider:
- The working solution. This is how it is done: Settings > General > Date & Time > Turn off Set Automatically for about 10-15 seconds and then turn it back on.
- Toggle off iMessage, restart the device, toggle iMessage back on.
- Check for a carrier update. Here’s a guide from Apple on how to do that.
- Force restart device.
7. “Sharing Name and Photo not available” Error in iMessage.
Find that you keep getting a message that says “Sharing Name and Photo not available — Sharing Name and Photo is not available because multiple numbers are associated to your Apple ID”?
What the error means is exactly what it suggests – meaning there are multiple phone numbers which are associated with your Apple ID. This is the case if you and your family use the same Apple ID on all the devices; thus, this results in a conflict.
Apple recommends that each user has their own unique Apple ID with and then use the Family Sharing plan to share purchases, storage and location between themselves. You can learn more about the Family Sharing plan here directly from Apple as well as learn how to set up a Family group to begin sharing the content here.
Now back to the issue at hand, contrary to using the Family Sharing plan, there are a couple of ways to fix the error: 1) removing the multiple phone numbers which are associated with your Apple ID 2) turning iMessage Off and On 3) Signing Out and Back Into iCloud. We will first try out the below steps to make sure a few things are enabled before we jump into the actual solutions.
- Check if iMessage is turned on: Go into your iPhone’s (or iPad’s) Settings app and then scroll down until you see the Messages option. Tap on Messages. Toggle on the iMessage option if you haven’t already done so.
- Check if you’re signed in to iCloud: Go into your iPhone’s (or iPad’s) Settings app and then tap on Your Apple Profile (at the top). Now tap on iCloud and make sure that it is working and that it remains connected as it should show you the corresponding storage sizes for your iCloud account.
- Check if you’re using the right Apple ID: It’s important to make sure you log into the right Apple ID account. To check go into your iPhone’s (or iPad’s) Settings app and then tap on Your Apple Profile (at the top). Then make sure the email address and the details match up. Also, make sure that the Apple ID used for iMessage is the same one used for iCloud. This is important. You can tap on the Name, Phone Numbers, Email option to see if your email and phone number is correctly entered.
Once you’ve made sure the above has checked out, let’s jump into the methods:
1. Removing the Multiple Phone Numbers Which Are Associated with Your Apple ID
Step 1: To do this, go into your Settings app then scroll down and tap on Messages.
Step 2: Next, tap on Send & Receive.
Step 3: From the list, uncheck the phone numbers that are not being used. This is particularly the case if you have two SIM cards on your iPhone.
Step 4: Now just right under the list, you should see in the small text “Apple ID: -your Apple ID email address-“. Tap on your Apple ID email address (make sure to double-check that the email address for the Apple ID is the right one — the one that is giving you the error). Hit Sign Out.
Step 5: Next, go back into the Settings app, scroll down and tap on Facetime (it’s right under Messages).
Step 6: Now, from the list, choose your Apple ID and hit Sign Out.
Step 7: Repeat Step 1 to access Messages and then sign back into iMessage using your Apple ID.
Step 8: Now, once you’ve signed back in, tap Send & Receive. This is where you will need to uncheck the multiple phone numbers and emails to remove them so that only one number is checked (selected) to be linked to your Apple ID per Apple’s rules. Once you’ve removed the phone numbers, you will no longer have the messages which were attached to those removed numbers appear on your device.
Help! I can’t remove a phone number as is it still is linked with an existing iPhone which I don’t have access to. What do I do?
In such case, try changing the password for the Apple ID by heading over to this page: Recover Your Apple ID. By changing the password, it will automatically log the Apple ID out of all the iPhones, iPads, and Macs which had the Apple ID linked with. This will effectively remove the phone numbers as well. If you’re still unsure on how to do this, feel free to comment down below, and we will try our best to help. 🙂
2. Turning iMessage Off and Back On
Another alternative solution is to simply reset iMessage by going into your Settings > Messages > iMessage. Simply toggle it off, wait for around 10-20 seconds and then turn it back on.
This method works to jumpstart the iMessage, especially if Method 1 (above didn’t work).
3. Signing Out and Back Into iCloud
Similarly to signing out and back into iMessage, doing the same for iCloud is also one possible alternative to fixing the issue.
Step 1: Simply go into your Settings > Your Apple Profile (top) > Sign Out.
Step 2: Next, enter your passcode and select all options to Keep a Copy Of.
Step 3: Lastly, hit Sign Out to confirm once again. Give it roughly 10-20 seconds before you sign back into your Apple ID. As you sign back in, make sure to use the correct Apple ID. This will make sure that iCloud and iMessage are synced and working properly. Also, make sure to re-enable Find My iPhone since it gets turned off as soon as you signed out.
8. Announce Messages with Siri Not Working in iMessage After Updating to iOS 13.
The ‘Announce Messages’ feature was first released with iOS 13.2 and there what came with its arrival was a series of issues and errors as it was just not working with the AirPods 2.
Now so that you know, the Announce Messages with Siri feature only works with any audio device which is built using the Apple H1 Chip (or any later versions). This means the Apple AirPods 2 (2nd Generation AirPods), Powerbeats Pro, Apple AirPods Pro and later models will support the feature; however, the AirPods 1 (1st Generation AirPods) will not.
We have written a complete guide with 9 ways on how to fix ‘Announce Messages’ with Siri not working in iMessage after updating to iOS 13 which discusses more on this topic. Feel free to use it as a side reference.
9. Keep Getting Not Delivered Error When Sending Messages on iMessage?
Find that you keep getting a “This iMessage was not delivered.” error every time you try to send a message, or you keep seeing the red exclamation mark with the Not Delivered error?
Then this section is written to address that issue with iMessage. There are a few causes for this issue: 1) the recipient may have switched off their device 2) the recipient may have switched on Airplane mode 3) the internet is not working for you or your recipient.
One thing to make clear: this issue is not because of any SIM card-related problems. iMessage relies on the internet rather than the cellular network to send messages; hence the issue will be internet-related rather than cellular-related.
Here are the solutions to the “This iMessage was not delivered” issue:
1. Emergency? Call Them or Send the Message as a Text Message
If you’re in an urgent situation, then the quickest alternative is to send the message as a text message. You can do this by tapping on the red exclamation point and then choose the option to Send as SMS.
You can also alternatively select by default to send all messages as text messages by default temporarily until iMessage is available. Simply go into your Settings > Messages > Send as SMS. By enabling Send as SMS, this will make sure all messages that are sent are in the form of text messages and saves you the trouble of having to tap on the exclamation point for every message to be sent as an SMS.
2. Check Internet Access
The main reason why your iMessage is saying Not Delivered is that either from your end or the recipient’s end that there is a lack of internet access. As aforementioned, iMessage requires an internet connection for it to work and in which case no Wi-Fi is available, then the issue is thrown. Check your Wi-Fi by either looking at your Wi-Fi indicator on the top of your iPhone or iPad or jump into Settings > Wi-Fi.
Consecutively, your recipient has to also be connected to a Wi-Fi network as well.
3. Check If iMessage Is Turned On
You can check this by going into your Settings and then Messages. Then make sure that iMessage is toggled on.
While you’re at it, try restarting the iMessage setting by first toggling it off and then turning iMessage back on.
4.Update iOS or iPadOS
Apple usually releases a quick update every once in a while to address various bugs and issues for iMessage. The iOS (and iPadOS) update changelogs help explain all the changes and fixes made with each update.
If you’ve been putting off an iOS (or iPadOS) update lately or if you’ve not checked for any new updates in a while, then it is recommended to do so.
Here’s how you can check for iOS/iPadOS updates on iPhone or iPad and subsequently installing them:
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
Step 2: Then, tap on General and then tap Software Update.
Step 3: If a new iOS or iPadOS is available, then tap on Download and Install to begin installing the update. You will be prompted to install the update once the download is complete and the device will enter into the updating mode.
5. Restart Your Device
Although the success rate of this solution is questionable, it’s certainly worth a try as it helps to reestablish Wi-FI network connections. You can shut down your device by going into Settings > General > Shut Down and then Slide to Power Off. To restart your device, simply turn it back on by pressing its Power button.
6. Activate Airplane Mode and Then Disable
This method achieves the same result as restarting your iPhone or iPad. Again, it’s worth a try if you’ve already restarted your device.
7. Sign Out of Your Apple ID and Sign Back In
Lastly, signing out of your Apple ID and then signing back in helps to patch up any issues with iMessage since it is linked to your Apple ID.
To sign out of your Apple ID:
Step 1: Go into your Settings > Your Apple Profile (top) > Sign Out.
Step 2: Next sign back in using the right Apple ID.
10. All iMessages Appear As Green Bubbles Instead of Blue Bubbles? Here’s The Fix.
If you see green message bubbles instead of blue ones, then it is because the green message bubbles were sent using MMS/SMS instead of iMessage. Whereas, blue ones are sent using iMessage.
In such case, you were expecting messages to be sent as blue bubbles but appear as green bubbles are similar to the issue under Number 8 (above).
The reasons could be:
- The recipient doesn’t have an Apple device.
- iMessage is turned off on your device or your recipient’s device
- iMessage could be temporarily down from Apple’s end.
- Internet-connectivity issues.
Here’s what you can do about it:
1. Check If iMessage Is Working from Apple’s End.
First things first, make sure that iMessage service is not down from Apple’s end. Although this happens rarely, Apple can experience downtime where certain services may be either experiencing issues or having maintenance be done.
You can refer here: https://www.apple.com/support/systemstatus/.
2. Check If You’re Not Experiencing Any Internet Issues
As suggested in Number 8 (above), the reason why your messages could be sent as green bubbles or otherwise known as MMS/SMS text message instead of iMessages is that either from your end or the recipient’s end that there is a lack of internet access. As aforementioned, iMessage requires an internet connection for it to work and in which case no Wi-Fi is available, then the issue is thrown. Check your Wi-Fi by either looking at your Wi-Fi indicator on the top of your iPhone or iPad or jump into Settings > Wi-Fi.
Consecutively, your recipient has to also be connected to a Wi-Fi network as well.
3. Check If Message Is Not Turned Off
You can check this by going into your Settings and then Messages. Then make sure that iMessage is toggled on.
While you’re at it, try restarting the iMessage setting by first toggling it off and then turning iMessage back on.
11. Cannot Delete Photos and Attachments from Messages?
Can’t seem to delete the photos and attachments from your Messages app? Then this is for you. iOS 13 has brought tons of changes with the way you would delete photos and attachments received in the Messages app. Many users have reported that this has been an annoying issue with the new changes.
Thankfully, after the recent updates from Apple as well after much going back and forth with Apple, we’ve managed to find out how you can actually delete photos and attachments from Messages in iOS 13 (or iPadOS).
Here’s how you do it:
Step 1: Go ahead open your Messages app and then tap any message thread/conversation which you want to delete images or attachments for.
Step 2: Next, find a single image or attachment that you wish to delete.
Step 3: Now, long press on the image (or attachment) until you find a dropdown menu box appears with 3 options: Copy, Save, More. You will want to tap on the More option.
Step 4: What you do now is select the image(s) and/or attachments by tapping the circle next to them. Once you’ve selected all ones which you wish to delete, tap on the little trash icon (bottom-right).
Warning
At this time, you cannot delete all images from a single message conversation thread in one single click of a button. There is a workaround however which we discuss below. The Delete All button will delete everything (not just the images). Since many of us have important messages that we want to keep for future reference, tapping on the Delete All button is not wise.
Step 5: Lastly, just confirm that you want to delete the selected images and/or attachments and poof! They’re gone.
How to Delete Multiple Images and Attachments in iOS 13 (The Fastest Way)
Our recommended way of deleting images on iMessage, perhaps even the quickest way is as follows:
Step 1: Go into your Settings app and then tap on General.
Step 2: Next, iPhone Storage (or iPad Storage if you’re on an iPad).
Step 3: Then, from the list of apps, select Messages.
Step 4: From here simply tap on Photos to bring up all the Photos. You can remove them by tapping on Edit, selecting all of them and hitting the trash icon.
Consecutively you can also Review large attachments as well and then delete the images from there.
It’s kind of like a centralised storage place where you can manage and delete all content stored within the Messages app at whim. This is far easier without having to worry about tapping and pressing down on each image to delete them or finding the multiple delete button inside the Messages app which is more than often missing with each iOS 13 updates.
12. Links Not Working in iMessage? Cannot Open a Link from iMessage? Here’s What To Do.
If you’re experiencing issues with opening links from iMessage then try these three things: 1) force closing the Messages app 2) restarting the device 3) checking for updates.
Here are the steps for each:
1. Force Closing Messages App
To force an app on iOS 13 is pretty straightforward but can be tricky for you if you’re new with an Apple device. If you’re on an Apple device without a Home button, then simply swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle of the screen (as shown below).
Next, this will bring up a list of all apps which are running in the background of your device. Simply swipe up on the apps, one-by-one to force close them.
If you’re on an Apple device with a Home button, simply double press on the Home button to bring up the list of all apps which are running in the background of your device. Simply swipe up on the apps, one-by-one to force close them.
Tap on the Messages app once again to open it and try to open the links.
2. Restarting Your Device
Try restarting your iPhone or iPad like you normally would by shutting it down first then powering it back on. Unfamiliar with how to turn on and off your iPhone or iPad? You can learn more about it here on Apple’s guide, which provides helpful illustrations on how to do so. Also, there are so many Apple devices available which we won’t be able to guide through one-by-one for each here in this massive guide. 🙂
3. Checking iOS or iPadOS Updates
Apple usually releases a quick update every once in a while to address various bugs and issues for iMessage. The iOS (and iPadOS) update changelogs help explain all the changes and fixes made with each update.
If you’ve been putting off an iOS (or iPadOS) update lately or if you’ve not checked for any new updates in a while, then it is recommended to do so.
Here’s how you can check for iOS/iPadOS updates on iPhone or iPad and subsequently installing them:
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
Step 2: Then, tap on General and then tap Software Update.
Step 3: If a new iOS or iPadOS is available, then tap on Download and Install to begin installing the update. You will be prompted to install the update once the download is complete and the device will enter into the updating mode.
Once you’ve updated to the latest iOS version, test your iMessage once again to see if it is still not working.
This ends our guide on how to fix iMessage not working on iOS 13 or iPadOS 13. Thank you for reading this article and for your continuous support. If you have questions related to this topic, please feel free to leave a comment below, and we will love to help you out. 
Linked Resources in This Post 🔗
- How to Fix iMessage Not Working on Mac
- How to Fix “Error Occurred During Activation for iMessage (or FaceTime)” on Mac
- How to Delete Multiple Images from iMessage
If this guide helped you, please share it. 🙂
