Resetting Network Settings May Fix iMessages Not Working in iOS 7

[MacRumors]

Since the release of iOS 7 earlier this month, a number of users have been complaining about issues with iMessages failing to be sent or received from their iOS devices.

While Apple's iMessage service has suffered from occasional outages, including a minor one documented on the company's System Status page earlier today, some users have been complaining of multi-day outages on their devices, suggesting that something more than a simple service problem may be occurring. Anecdotal reports have indicated that the issue may have worsened with last week's release of iOS 7.0.2, but reports of problems do date further back than that.

Some users have reported that turning their iOS devices off and back on fixes the problem, while others indicate that the solution has not worked for them. In our own testing with a device experiencing difficulties, the following steps appear to have fixed the issue (Note: this will cause your device to forget previously entered Wi-fi passwords)

1. Turn off iMessage in Settings > Messages
2. Reset networking settings in Settings > General > Reset
3. Reenable iMessage in Settings > Messages

Many users are reporting that these failed iMessages are also not falling back to traditional text messages as should occur when iMessage is unavailable. Instead, the iMessages simply hang during the sending process and eventually show as undelivered.

Article Link: Resetting Network Settings May Fix iMessages Not Working in iOS 7

 

[trainwrecka]

Another thing to check is your service provider. If it says "Sprint" please put iMessage in the "OFF" position.

 

[vmachiel]

Hmm that actually worked for me, awesome!

 

[mbrannon47]

This has been bugging me for a couple days now. Will try this.

 

[840quadra]

I have had luck with going in and out of Airplane mode back in the ios6 days, however haven't run into this issue yet in iOS7.

 

[jrlcopy]

My office wifi blocks images being sent thru imessage.

 

[dannyyankou]

While Apple's iMessage service has suffered from occasional outages, including a minor one documented on the company's System Status page earlier today

I was one of those 10% affected today :/

 

[.Andy]

1. Turn off iMessage in Settings > Messages
2. Reset networking settings in Settings > General > Reset
3. Reenable iMessage in Settings > Messages

 

[audunhaugland]

I just had to restart my iphone. Then it worked again.

But some iMessages never got thru to me. I know, they were from my wife.

 

[grodyzo]

This has been happening to me on and off again since I downloaded GM build. Still happens now that I'm at 7.0.2. Very frustrating that it doesn't fall back to regular text messages.

 

[dmcwally]

Weird. Today was the only time I had a issue ever not including outages with imessage and then I read this article. Guess I'll try it and see what happens

 

[junker]

This happened to me a few days back (had updated a few days prior to this) I think I ended up restarting my device and it appears to be fixed.

On another note - is there a way to change the background in imessage to get more contrast? I really hate everything being stark white.

Some things in iOS 7 are good (features and functionality) but I thinkt the design is too stark....like it was designed by an engineer and not a designer. :/
Especially in calender...ugh.

 

[BigJohno]

Having this issue a lot lately. I will try the fix and see if that helps.

 

[mightyneek]

I just had to restart my iphone. Then it worked again.

Ditto. Did the same. Worked for me. Strange.

 

[SkyRaider]

Image

Haha, love that show, never have the chance to quote it though.

Glad there's at least one fix for it, been quite annoying when I don't realise messages haven't sent.

 

[oliversl]

Too glad I'm still on iOS 6

 

[Ralphalph]

Yep

Yeah this happened on my iPhone 5. I just got off the phone with applecare who told me to reset the network settings -- then I read this post! Seems to have worked for now.

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I just had to restart my iphone. Then it worked again.

But some iMessages never got thru to me. I know, they were from my wife.

That worked for me for a little bit, but the problem returned. And iMessages sent to you just go into a black hole in the interim.

 

[840quadra]

My office wifi blocks images being sent thru imessage.

I don't think I would turn on my wifi if the company is doing that high of detail in packet filtration / sniffing.

Hopefully you can get cellular service .

Too glad I'm still on iOS 6

iOS6 does it too often enough, I still have devices running that OS

 

[BC2009]

But some iMessages never got thru to me. I know, they were from my wife.

Some might consider that a feature. Built-in excuse for failure to respond.

 

[fawlty]

FWIW, check Settings/Messages/Send as SMS.
I had to turn it on after upgrading to iOS 7.

 

[riffcat]

Sure way to resolve iMessage Activation/Network Error

If what is posted above does not resolve and issue persists:

Follow instructions here: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4268?viewlocale=en_US and if persists below should solve your iMessage issues.

1. Sign out and Turn off BOTH iMessage and Facetime (both use same device token)
2. Backup iTunes or iCloud (either one)
3. Settings -> General -> Reset -> Erase all Content and Settings
4. On the device complete iOS setup and Setup as New (skipping all the AppleID and iCloud parts to sign in)
5. Settings -> Messages and sign in iMessage
6. Send a "test message" to self using your own AppleID email address
7. Send a "test message" to self using your own phone number
8. If resolved restore from iCloud or iTunes backup

Facetime and iMessage use both a Server Token and Device token. Erasing device and restoring from backup resets the device token and resetting your appleID password resets the server token.

If having issues with iMessage and Sprint call them and ensure they have the correct ICCID provisioned that matches your iPhone. Also, if you have Sprint and integrated Google Voice then yes that may cause iMessage issues and you may only be able send iMessage using your AppleID, not with your phone number.

 

[giantfan1224]

Will resetting network settings lose all my known Wifi's?

 

[iansilv]

I wouldn't want to get that picture- it sucks!

 

[street.cory]

For some reason my mobile data seems to stall. It happens randomly with no rhyme or reason.

So I turn Airplane mode on then back off and I'm good to go.

Still pisses me off every time I have to do it.

 

[dfwtbear]

Will resetting network settings lose all my known Wifi's?

Yes