After an iOS update, it is not unusual for an iPhone to behave differently for a short time while settings, carrier services, and background processes settle. However, if Messages will not send or receive texts, iMessages, photos, or verification codes, the problem needs careful troubleshooting. In most cases, the cause is a temporary network issue, a changed iMessage setting, an Apple ID activation problem, or a carrier configuration that needs to be refreshed.
TLDR: If iPhone Messages stops sending or receiving after an iOS update, first check your cellular or Wi Fi connection, restart the iPhone, and confirm that iMessage, Send as SMS, and your phone number are enabled. Then update carrier settings, reset network settings, and sign out of iMessage if activation appears stuck. If messages still fail, contact your carrier for SMS issues or Apple Support for iMessage activation and software related problems.
Understand Whether the Problem Is SMS, MMS, or iMessage
Before changing multiple settings, identify what type of message is failing. This matters because Apple’s Messages app handles more than one messaging system.
- iMessage uses Apple’s servers and requires internet access through Wi Fi or cellular data. These messages usually appear in blue bubbles.
- SMS uses your mobile carrier’s texting service. These messages usually appear in green bubbles.
- MMS is carrier based and is used for picture messages, group texts with non Apple users, and some longer messages.
If only blue bubble messages fail, the issue is likely related to iMessage, Apple ID, or internet connectivity. If only green bubble messages fail, the issue is more likely with your carrier, SIM, plan, or cellular signal. If both fail, look closely at network settings, iOS bugs, or account level restrictions.
1. Check Apple’s System Status
Before assuming your phone is at fault, check whether Apple’s iMessage service is experiencing an outage. Go to Apple’s official System Status page and look for iMessage, Apple ID, and related services. If iMessage is down, there is little you can do except wait until Apple resolves the issue.
This step is especially important after a major iOS release, because many users may be activating services at the same time. If Apple’s systems are working normally, continue with the steps below.
2. Restart Your iPhone Properly
A restart sounds basic, but it is one of the most reliable fixes after installing an iOS update. Updates can leave background processes, network registration, or iMessage activation in an unstable state. Restarting forces the iPhone to reload core services.
- For iPhones with Face ID, press and hold the side button and either volume button, then slide to power off.
- For iPhones with a Home button, press and hold the side button or top button, then slide to power off.
- Wait at least 30 seconds, then turn the iPhone back on.
After restarting, open Messages and send a short test message to both an iPhone user and a non iPhone user, if possible.
3. Confirm Wi Fi and Cellular Data Are Working
iMessage requires an active internet connection. Even if your iPhone shows Wi Fi bars or cellular bars, the connection may not actually be passing data. Open Safari and visit a reliable website. If pages do not load, Messages may not be the real problem.
Try the following:
- Turn Wi Fi off and send an iMessage using cellular data.
- Turn cellular data off and try using Wi Fi.
- Toggle Airplane Mode on for 15 seconds, then turn it off again.
- Move to an area with stronger signal if SMS or MMS messages are failing.
If your internet connection is unstable, fix that first. For iMessage, a weak or captive Wi Fi network, such as hotel, school, airport, or office Wi Fi, can prevent messages from activating or sending properly.
4. Verify iMessage Settings
After iOS updates, iMessage may occasionally become disabled, stuck in activation, or set to the wrong sending address. Check the settings carefully.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Messages.
- Make sure iMessage is turned on.
- Tap Send & Receive.
- Confirm that your phone number and the correct Apple ID email address are selected.
If your phone number is missing or stuck with a spinning activation indicator, turn iMessage off, wait one minute, then turn it back on. Activation may take several minutes. Apple notes that activation can sometimes take up to 24 hours, especially after changing SIM cards, phone numbers, carriers, or signing in again after an update.
5. Turn On “Send as SMS”
If iMessage fails and the recipient has a phone number, your iPhone can often fall back to a regular SMS message. However, this only works if Send as SMS is enabled.
Go to Settings > Messages and turn on Send as SMS. This setting is useful when the recipient’s iPhone is offline, iMessage is temporarily unavailable, or your own iMessage service is not working correctly. Keep in mind that SMS messages may be billed by your carrier depending on your plan.
6. Check Date, Time, and Time Zone
Incorrect date and time settings can interfere with secure services, including iMessage activation. This is common if an update changed location permissions, time zone settings, or the device was restored from backup.
Go to Settings > General > Date & Time and enable Set Automatically. Then restart the iPhone and test Messages again.
7. Update Carrier Settings
Carrier settings control how your iPhone connects to your mobile network for calls, SMS, MMS, voicemail, and data. After an iOS update, your carrier may release a new configuration to maintain compatibility.
To check for a carrier settings update:
- Connect to Wi Fi or cellular data.
- Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap About.
- Wait for about 30 seconds. If an update is available, a prompt should appear.
If you see the prompt, install the update. If no prompt appears, your carrier settings are likely already current.
8. Check MMS and Group Messaging Settings
If regular texts work but photos, videos, or group messages fail, MMS may be disabled. This is particularly relevant when texting Android users or participating in mixed group conversations.
Open Settings > Messages and look for:
- MMS Messaging
- Group Messaging
Make sure both are enabled if available. Some carriers hide these options or manage them automatically. If the options are missing and MMS does not work, contact your carrier and confirm that MMS is included and active on your plan.
9. Sign Out and Back Into iMessage
If iMessage is enabled but still refuses to send or receive, signing out can refresh your Apple ID messaging registration.
- Go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive.
- Tap your Apple ID.
- Select Sign Out.
- Restart your iPhone.
- Return to the same screen and sign in again.
After signing in, confirm that your phone number and email address are checked. Send a test iMessage. If it says Waiting for activation, give it time, but make sure your iPhone has cellular service because Apple may use a silent SMS in the background for activation.
10. Reset Network Settings
If messages still fail, resetting network settings is one of the strongest troubleshooting steps that does not erase your photos, apps, or personal files. It clears saved Wi Fi networks, VPN settings, cellular preferences, and other network related configurations.
Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Enter your passcode and confirm.
After the iPhone restarts, reconnect to Wi Fi and test Messages again. You may need to re enter Wi Fi passwords and reconfigure VPN settings if you use them.
11. Look for Blocked Contacts and Message Filtering
If you cannot receive messages from specific people, they may have been blocked accidentally. Go to Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts and review the list. Remove anyone who should be allowed to text you.
Also check whether message filtering is making messages harder to find. In Messages, tap Filters if available, and check sections such as Known Senders, Unknown Senders, or Recently Deleted. After updates, users sometimes think messages are missing when they have actually been sorted into a different filter.
12. Confirm Your SIM or eSIM Is Working
For SMS and MMS, your iPhone depends on your carrier line. If you use a physical SIM, remove it carefully and reinsert it. If you use eSIM, go to Settings > Cellular and confirm that the line is turned on.
For dual SIM users, check which line is being used for messages. Go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive and Settings > Cellular to confirm that your active number is selected correctly. A recent iOS update may expose settings that were previously hidden or reset preferences for the default voice and data line.
13. Install Any Follow Up iOS Update
Major iOS updates are sometimes followed by smaller updates that fix activation, carrier, battery, or connectivity bugs. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available update. Before updating, make sure your iPhone is backed up to iCloud or a computer.
If Messages broke immediately after a major update, a follow up patch may be the permanent solution. Avoid installing beta software on your primary phone if reliable messaging is critical for work, banking, health care, or two factor authentication.
When to Contact Your Carrier or Apple
Contact your carrier if green bubble SMS or MMS messages fail, if verification codes do not arrive, if your SIM or eSIM seems inactive, or if calls and cellular data are also unreliable. Ask them to check messaging features, account provisioning, SMS center settings, roaming restrictions, and any blocks on short code messages.
Contact Apple Support if iMessage remains stuck on activation, your phone number will not appear in Send & Receive, or the problem began immediately after updating and persists after network resets. Apple can help determine whether the issue is with iMessage registration, Apple ID, iOS software, or the device itself.
Final Advice
Messages problems after iOS updates are frustrating, especially when they affect verification codes, family communication, or work conversations. The safest approach is to start with simple checks, then move gradually to account, carrier, and network resets. In most cases, restarting the iPhone, confirming iMessage settings, updating carrier settings, and resetting network settings will restore normal sending and receiving without data loss.
If the issue continues beyond 24 hours, do not keep changing settings randomly. Document what you have tried, note whether SMS, MMS, or iMessage is affected, and contact the appropriate support channel. Clear details will help your carrier or Apple resolve the problem faster and reduce the chance of unnecessary repairs or account changes.