iMessage Not Working On iPhone 7? Here's The Real Fix!

David Lynch

JUNE 20, 2017

iMessage is not working on your iPhone 7 and you don't know why. The texts you send and receive are no longer blue — they're all green! In this article, I'll explain why your iPhone 7 is not sending or receiving iMessages and how to fix the problem for good.

Blue Versus Green Messages. What's The Difference?

If you use the Messages app a lot, you've probably noticed that some messages you receive and in green bubbles, while others are in blue. So what's the difference? Blue messages are iMessages, while green messages are SMS text messages.

Apple created iMessages as a way to bypass the standard character limit (160 characters) of SMS messaging. iMessages are also sent using Wi-Fi or data rather than via a texting plan from your wireless carrier.

Can I Send iMessages From My iPhone 7 To Androids?

No, iMessages can only be sent between Apple devices such as iPhones, iPads, iPods, and Macs. When you text an Android using your iPhone 7, you're sending an SMS or MMS text message.

Why Is iMessage Not Working On My iPhone 7?

At this point, we can't be certain why iMessage is not working on your iPhone 7. It could either be an issue with your iPhone, in which case you won't be able to send or receive iMessages to or from anyone, or it could be an issue with one of the people you're trying to contact, in which case it's probably an issue on their end.

To see if it's an issue with just one of your contacts, just try sending an iMessage to a couple of other people. If iMessages are sending to them, then the issue is likely with your one contact. If iMessages aren't sending to anyone, then it's probably an issue with your iPhone.

Follow our troubleshooting guide below to diagnose the real reason why iMessage is not working on your iPhone 7.

How To Fix An iPhone 7 Not Sending Or Receiving iMessages

7 Steps Total
1.

Turn iMessage Off And Back On

Turning iMessage off and back on can sometimes fix a minor software issue when your iPhone is not receiving iMessages. Think of it like restarting your iPhone, but specifically for iMessage.

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap Messages.
  3. Tap the switch next to iMessage. You'll know iMessage is off when the switch is positioned to the left and gray.
  4. Tap the switch again to turn it back on. You'll know iMessage is back on when the switch is green and positioned to the right.
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2.

Make Sure Send & Receive iMessage Is Turned On

Turning on Send & Receive gives your iPhone the ability to send and receive iMessages from other iOS devices. If send and/or receive is turned off, your iPhone won't be able to send or receive iMessages in the Messages app.

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap Messages.
  3. Scroll down and tap Send & Receive.
  4. Look for a check next to your phone number under "You can be reached by iMessage at" and "Start new conversations from".
  5. If there isn't a check mark next to your phone number, tap it to give your iPhone the ability to send and receive iMessages.
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3.

Sign Out And Back In To iMessage

Signing out and back into iMessage has the potential to fix any technical issues that may have been interrupting your iCloud account's ability to send and receive iMessages. From this screen, you can also log into a different iCloud account if the account your currently signed into is old.

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap Messages.
  3. Tap Send & Receive.
  4. Tap your Apple ID at the top of your iPhone's display.
  5. Tap Sign Out.
  6. To sign back in, tap Use your Apple ID for iMessage.
  7. Enter your Apple ID (if necessary) and Apple ID Password.
  8. Tap Sign In.
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4.

Turn Wi-Fi Off And Back On Again

Turning Wi-Fi off and back on again can sometimes fix minor technical issues that may causing your problem.

How Do I Turn Wi-Fi Off And Back On Again?

There are two ways to turn Wi-Fi off and back on again:

Turn Wi-Fi Off And Back On Again In The Settings App

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi.
  3. Tap the switch next to Wi-Fi.
  4. You'll know Wi-Fi is off when the switch is gray.
  5. To turn Wi-Fi back on, tap the switch again.
  6. You'll know Wi-Fi is on when the switch is green.

Turn Wi-Fi Off And Back On Again In Control Center

  1. Swipe up from below the bottom of the screen to open Control Center.
  2. Tap the Wi-Fi  icon.
  3. You'll know Wi-Fi is off when the  icon is black inside of a gray circle. wi-fi off in control center
  4. Tap the icon again to turn Wi-Fi back on.
  5. You'll know W-Fi is on when the icon is white inside of a blue circle. bluetooth is on control center
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5.

Update Your iPhone Software In Settings

Apple puts out new software updates to improve efficiency, fix bugs, and introduce new features. Updating iOS can fix problems with your iPhone's software.

How Do I Update My iPhone Software In Settings?

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Tap Software Update.
  4. Tap Download and Install or Install Now.
  5. Enter your passcode if prompted.
  6. The update will begin once it has been verified.
  7. The update is complete after your iPhone restarts.
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6.

Reset Network Settings

When your iPhone connects to a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth device for the first time, it saves information about how to connect to that network or device. If something changes with that process, it may cause connectivity issues.

Deep software problems, especially with network settings, can be difficult to track down. Rather than trying to track an issue down, we're going to reset all network settings and give your iPhone a fresh start.

How Do I Reset Network Settings?

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Scroll down and tap Transfer Or Reset iPhone.
  4. Tap Reset.
  5. Tap Reset Network Settings.
  6. Enter your passcode if prompted.
  7. Your iPhone will shut down, reset, and turn itself on again when the reset is complete.
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7.

Repair Your iPhone With Apple

Apple repairs iPhones at the Genius Bar in Apple Stores and through their online mail-in repair service. Apple repairs are high-quality, but out-of-warranty repairs can be much more expensive than third-party solutions. If you're looking to save some money you're not covered by Apple's warranty, you may want to check out our other recommendations.

How Do I Repair My iPhone With Apple?

How To Repair Your iPhone With Apple's Mail-In Service

  1. Visit Apple's support website to begin the online mail-in repair process.
  2. Alternatively, call 1-800-MY-APPLE (1-800-692-7753) to set up a repair.

How To Repair Your iPhone At The Genius Bar Inside Your Local Apple Store

  1. Visit Apple's website to make a Genius Bar appointment before you go into the store. Apple Stores are extremely busy, and if you don't have an appointment, you may have to wait for hours or end up being turned away. (Editor's note: I'm a former Apple tech and we're not exaggerating — please, do yourself a favor and make an appointment first!)
  2. When you arrive, go to the Genius Bar to check in for your appointment.
  3. Genius Bar appointments always include free diagnosis. If you're under warranty, many repairs can be done on the spot, but it all depends upon which parts are in stock. If you're not under warranty, the Genius will give you a quote for the cost of a repair.
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iMessages: Sending & Receiving!

iMessages are fixed and your iPhone is able to send and receive them once again. It's incredibly frustrating when iMessages are not sending on your iPhone  7, so share this article on social media to help others avoid a headache. Thanks for reading and feel free to leave us a comment below if you have any other questions about your iPhone 7!

AUTHOR

David Lynch

David Lynch is an expert on cell phones, cell phone plans, and other tech. After using a flip phone into his early 20s, he learned the ropes about iPhones and Androids from a former Apple employee. Today, his articles and videos are read and viewed by millions, and he has been cited by major publications including Reader's Digest, Wired, CMSWire, Consumers Advocate, and more.

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