iMessage Not Delivered: 10 Fixes for Failed Messages (2026)

January 31, 2026 9 min read BubblyPhone Team

iMessage not delivered? Learn why your iPhone messages fail and 10 proven fixes, including the iOS 26 eSIM bug, network issues, and activation problems.

Why Does iMessage Say "Not Delivered"?

When you see "Not Delivered" under your iMessage, it means your message didn't reach Apple's servers—or the servers couldn't connect to the recipient's device. This can happen for several reasons:

Your side:

  • No internet connection (cellular or Wi-Fi)
  • iMessage not activated properly
  • Outdated iOS software
  • Network settings issues
  • Apple server outages

    • Recipient's side:

  • Their phone is off or in Airplane Mode
  • No internet connection on their end
  • They've switched to Android
  • iMessage is disabled on their device
  • They have a full iCloud storage

    • Important: "Not Delivered" doesn't mean you've been blocked. If you're blocked, your message typically still shows "Delivered" on your end—it just doesn't reach their device.

    The iOS 26 iMessage Bug (New in 2025-2026)

    If you're running iOS 26 and experiencing "Not Delivered" errors, you may have encountered a known bug that Apple has acknowledged.

    What Causes It

    The bug occurs when you set up an eSIM after the initial iPhone setup process instead of during it. When this happens:

  • iMessage doesn't activate automatically
  • Messages show "Not Delivered" errors
  • Messages may send as green SMS/RCS bubbles instead of blue iMessages
  • Messages might send from your email address instead of your phone number

    • How to Fix the iOS 26 eSIM Bug

  • Open Settings > Apps > Messages
  • Toggle iMessage OFF
  • Wait 10-15 seconds
  • Toggle iMessage back ON
  • You'll see "Waiting for Activation" briefly
  • Once the toggle stays green and the message disappears, iMessage is fixed

    • This forces iMessage to re-recognize your phone number from the eSIM.

    10 Fixes for iMessage Not Delivered

    Work through these fixes in order—start with the simplest solutions first.

    Fix 1: Check Your Internet Connection

    iMessage requires an internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular data) to work. SMS uses cellular network only.

    What to try:

  • Check if you have Wi-Fi or cellular signal
  • Try loading a webpage to confirm you're connected
  • If using Wi-Fi, try switching to cellular (or vice versa)
  • Toggle Airplane Mode on for 30 seconds, then off

    • Signs of connection issues:

  • Weak signal bars
  • Wi-Fi icon with exclamation mark
  • Pages won't load

    • Fix 2: Try Sending Again

    Sometimes it's a temporary glitch. Retry the message before troubleshooting further.

    How to retry:

  • Tap the red exclamation mark next to your failed message
  • Tap Try Again
  • Wait a few seconds to see if it delivers

    • If it fails again, continue with the other fixes.

    Fix 3: Send as Text Message Instead

    If iMessage isn't working, you can send as a regular SMS text instead.

    How to send as text:

  • Tap the red exclamation mark
  • Tap Send as Text Message
  • The message will send as a green bubble via SMS

    • Tip: You can enable automatic fallback to SMS:

  • Go to Settings > Apps > Messages
  • Turn on Send as SMS
  • Now failed iMessages will automatically retry as SMS

    • Fix 4: Toggle iMessage Off and On

    This forces iMessage to reactivate, which often fixes delivery issues.

    Steps:

  • Go to Settings > Apps > Messages
  • Toggle iMessage OFF
  • Wait 15-30 seconds
  • Toggle iMessage back ON
  • Wait for "Waiting for Activation" to complete (may take a minute)

    • This is especially effective for the iOS 26 eSIM bug mentioned above.

    Fix 5: Check iMessage Send & Receive Settings

    Your messages might be sending from the wrong address, or your phone number might not be properly linked.

    How to check:

  • Go to Settings > Apps > Messages
  • Tap Send & Receive
  • Verify your phone number is listed and checked
  • Under "Start New Conversations From," make sure your phone number is selected (not just your email)

    • If your phone number isn't listed:

  • Toggle iMessage off and on
  • Check that your carrier account is active
  • Contact Apple Support if the number doesn't appear

    • Fix 6: Restart Your iPhone

    A simple restart can clear temporary glitches affecting iMessage.

    How to restart:

  • iPhone with Face ID: Hold Side button + Volume button until slider appears, slide to power off, wait 30 seconds, press Side button to turn on
  • iPhone with Home button: Hold Side button until slider appears, slide to power off, wait 30 seconds, press Side button to turn on

    • Fix 7: Update iOS

    Apple regularly releases updates that fix messaging bugs. Make sure you're running the latest version.

    How to update:

  • Go to Settings > General > Software Update
  • If an update is available, tap Download and Install
  • Wait for the update to complete

    • Many iMessage issues have been fixed in recent iOS patches.

    Fix 8: Check Apple's System Status

    Sometimes the problem isn't on your end—Apple's iMessage servers may be down.

    How to check:

  • Visit Apple's System Status page at apple.com/support/systemstatus
  • Look for iMessage in the list
  • If there's a yellow or red dot, Apple is experiencing issues
  • Wait for Apple to resolve the outage

    • Server outages typically resolve within a few hours.

    Fix 9: Reset Network Settings

    This is a more aggressive fix that clears all network configurations. Use it if other fixes haven't worked.

    What it resets:

  • Wi-Fi networks and passwords
  • Cellular settings
  • VPN configurations
  • Bluetooth pairings

    • How to reset:

  • Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone
  • Tap Reset
  • Tap Reset Network Settings
  • Enter your passcode
  • Confirm the reset
  • Reconnect to Wi-Fi after the reset

    • Fix 10: Contact Apple Support

    If none of the above fixes work, there may be a deeper issue with your Apple ID, carrier settings, or device.

    When to contact support:

  • iMessage won't activate at all
  • You see persistent error messages
  • Your phone number never appears in Send & Receive
  • You've tried all troubleshooting steps

    • How to contact Apple:

  • Apple Support app on your iPhone
  • support.apple.com
  • Visit an Apple Store
  • Call Apple Support

    • For carrier issues (SMS/MMS problems): Contact your cellular carrier instead of Apple.

    Does "Not Delivered" Mean I'm Blocked?

    Not necessarily. Here's how to tell the difference:

    Signs You're NOT Blocked

  • "Not Delivered" appears (blocked messages usually show "Delivered")
  • You can retry and the message eventually goes through
  • The issue happens with multiple contacts, not just one
  • You're experiencing other connectivity issues

    • Signs You MIGHT Be Blocked

  • Messages to one specific person never deliver, but all others work
  • Calls to that person go straight to voicemail after one ring
  • FaceTime calls fail immediately
  • You were previously having a conversation that suddenly stopped working

    • The only definitive way to know is if the person tells you—Apple doesn't notify users when they've been blocked.

    Preventing Future iMessage Delivery Issues

    Keep iOS Updated

    Enable automatic updates: Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates

    Maintain Good Connectivity

    iMessage works best with:

  • Strong Wi-Fi signal
  • Reliable cellular data
  • Cellular data enabled for Messages (Settings > Cellular > Messages)

    • Monitor iCloud Storage

    If iCloud storage is full, iMessage syncing can fail:

  • Check storage: Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage
  • Free up space or upgrade your plan

    • Enable Send as SMS

    As a backup, enable SMS fallback:

  • Settings > Apps > Messages > Send as SMS

    • Related Issues and Solutions

    Green Bubbles Instead of Blue

    If messages are sending as green SMS instead of blue iMessage:

  • The recipient may not have iMessage enabled
  • They may have switched to Android
  • Your iMessage may need reactivation (see Fix 4)
  • Check Send & Receive settings (see Fix 5)

    • Messages Sending from Email Instead of Phone Number

    This often happens with the iOS 26 eSIM bug. Fix it by:

  • Toggling iMessage off and on
  • Checking Send & Receive settings
  • Making sure your phone number is selected under "Start New Conversations From"

    • "Waiting for Activation" Stuck

    If iMessage is stuck on "Waiting for Activation":

  • Make sure you have internet access
  • Wait 24 hours (activation can take time)
  • Try toggling off and on again
  • Contact Apple Support if it persists beyond 24 hours

    • Frequently Asked Questions

    Why does my iMessage say not delivered?

    iMessage says "Not Delivered" when your message can't reach Apple's servers or the recipient's device. Common causes include poor internet connection, iMessage activation issues, outdated iOS, or the recipient's phone being off or disconnected.

    Does not delivered mean I'm blocked on iMessage?

    Not necessarily. "Not Delivered" usually indicates a technical issue on your end or the recipient's, not blocking. If you're blocked, messages typically still show "Delivered" on your end—they just don't reach the recipient.

    How do I fix iMessage not delivered?

    Start by checking your internet connection, then try sending the message again. If that doesn't work, toggle iMessage off and on in Settings, restart your iPhone, update iOS, and check your Send & Receive settings to ensure your phone number is active.

    Why do some iMessages say delivered and some don't?

    This happens when your connection is intermittent or when specific recipients have issues. If only one person's messages don't deliver, the problem may be on their end (phone off, no internet, switched to Android). If multiple messages fail, the issue is likely on your side.

    How do I know if someone blocked me on iMessage?

    There's no definitive way to know. However, signs include: messages never showing "Delivered" (only to that person), calls going straight to voicemail, and FaceTime calls failing immediately. The most reliable sign is a change in conversation patterns.

    Why are my texts green instead of blue?

    Green bubbles mean your message was sent as SMS/MMS instead of iMessage. This happens when: the recipient doesn't have iMessage enabled, they're using Android, your iMessage isn't activated, or there's no internet connection.

    How long does iMessage activation take?

    iMessage typically activates within minutes, but it can take up to 24 hours in some cases. If it's been longer than 24 hours and you still see "Waiting for Activation," contact Apple Support.

    Can I send iMessage without Wi-Fi?

    Yes, iMessage works over cellular data as well as Wi-Fi. Make sure cellular data is enabled for the Messages app in Settings > Cellular.

    Why does iMessage work for some contacts but not others?

    If iMessage works for some contacts but not others, those specific contacts may have iMessage disabled, be using Android, or have their phones turned off. The issue is on their end, not yours.

    Should I reset my network settings for iMessage issues?

    Reset network settings as a last resort after trying simpler fixes like toggling iMessage and restarting your phone. It will erase all Wi-Fi passwords and VPN settings, so only do it if other fixes haven't worked.

    Related Guides

    Having other messaging issues? Check out these guides:

  • How to Schedule a Text on iPhone: Send messages at the perfect time
  • Auto Reply Text on iPhone: Set up automatic responses
  • How to Forward a Text: Share messages easily

    • Wrapping Up

    Seeing "iMessage not delivered" is frustrating, but it's usually fixable with some basic troubleshooting. Most issues come down to internet connectivity, activation problems, or software bugs—all of which have straightforward solutions.

    Key takeaways:

  • Check your internet connection first
  • Toggle iMessage off and on to force reactivation
  • The iOS 26 eSIM bug is a common new cause—fixed by toggling iMessage
  • "Not Delivered" doesn't mean you're blocked
  • Update iOS regularly to get bug fixes
  • Enable Send as SMS as a backup

    • If you've tried all ten fixes and messages still won't deliver, reach out to Apple Support for personalized help.

    Last updated: January 2026

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