With a variety of potential solutions available, it can be challenging to determine which one will effectively resolve your issue. In such cases, it’s recommended to methodically go through each step, one-by-one. By doing so, you increase the likelihood of finding a solution that works for your specific situation.
First of all you should clarify whether your iPhone doesn’t receive text messages from all devices or only Android devices. If this is the case you should start by reading the section “3. iMessage Still Enabled on the iPhone” below. If this doesn’t resolve the issue, you should start from the beginnng of our guide.
1. Edit Send & Receive Settings
If your iPhone isn’t receiving picture messages from other iOS devices or you’re experiencing issues with iMessage, there’s a straightforward solution: adjusting your Send & Receive settings to include your email.
To accomplish this:
- Open Settings.
- Navigate to Messages > Send & Receive.
- Select your Apple ID email address. This adjustment enables you to send and receive messages over the internet using your email address.
Additionally, some individuals might be sending messages to your email address without realizing it. By modifying this setting, you ensure the ability to receive these messages seamlessly.
2. Check message filters
Occasionally, texts might be arriving on your iPhone, but you might not be able to view them as they could be sorted into filters, thus remaining hidden from your immediate view. To view all your messages without any sorting parameters, follow these steps:
- Launch the Messages app and tap the back button (<) located at the top left. If this button isn’t visible, proceed to the next step.
- Select “All Messages,” and you’ll now have access to all messages without any applied filters. Take a look through the texts to see if you find the one you’re looking for.
3. iMessage Still Enabled on the iPhone
One common reason for missed texts is if iMessage remains activated on the iPhone. iMessage is Apple’s proprietary messaging service, enabling iOS devices to communicate over WiFi.
When an iPhone user switches to an Android phone without disabling iMessage on their old device, texts from other iPhones will still be routed through iMessage. Consequently, these texts won’t reach the individual’s new Android phone.
4. Turn on the cellular line
To ensure your phone’s line connection is activated, follow these steps:
- Access the Settings app and select Cellular.
- Ensure that the cellular line is enabled. If you use multiple SIM cards on your iPhone, choose the one you wish to receive texts on, and confirm that the switch next to “Turn On This Line” is green.
In case you utilize two or more SIM cards, you might have opted to display messages for only one line. To view all your messages, tap on the More button and choose “All Lines.”
5. Activate and deactivate Airplane mode
Before proceeding, access the Control Center and activate Airplane mode. Then, wait for 15 seconds and tap the same icon to deactivate Airplane mode. Following this, your phone will initiate a network search and connect to a stable network, ensuring that new texts are promptly delivered to your iPhone.
6. Do Not Disturb Mode Enabled
If your iPhone isn’t receiving texts from Android devices, a common reason could be the activation of Do Not Disturb mode on the receiving iPhone. This mode is designed to silence calls, alerts, and notifications.
To address this issue, check and disable Do Not Disturb mode to restore the receipt of text message notifications. Additionally, customizing the allowed contacts and settings within Do Not Disturb mode can ensure important texts are received while using this feature.
7. Restart your iPhone
Occasionally, your iPhone might encounter difficulties receiving texts from Android phones and other users due to temporary glitches. To resolve this issue, power off your iPhone and then power it back on. This step is crucial and shouldn’t be overlooked.
8. Verify iOS Updates
If your iPhone has skipped certain operating system updates, it could lead to issues with text messages and other functionalities. To address this:
- Check for updates by navigating to Settings.
- Tap on General.
- Select Software Update.
- If updates are available, proceed with the installation process.
- After updating, verify if texting functions properly.
9. Verify the network connection
Observe the number of cellular signal bars displayed at the top of your iPhone screen. If you see two, three, or four bars, that’s a positive indication. However, if there’s only one bar or none at all, it suggests that you’re in an area with poor or no cellular signal for your SIM card. In such cases, consider relocating to an area with better signal reception. Once your iPhone establishes a signal, it should receive the texts. Alternatively, if you’re indoors, you might want to consider activating Wi-Fi Calling, which facilitates sending SMS messages over Wi-Fi.
10. Manually search for a network
While your iPhone typically connects to your carrier network automatically, in areas with inconsistent coverage, it may fail to join a network and instead display “No Signal.” In such instances, you can manually scan for available networks by following these steps:
- Open the Settings app and select Cellular.
- Choose your line and tap on Network Selection.
- Disable the Automatic switch, prompting your iPhone to manually search for cellular networks. Once you locate the name of your carrier, tap to select it. Subsequently, you should observe one, two, or more signal bars, providing sufficient connectivity for sending and receiving text messages.
11. Confirm your SIM card can receive texts
Ensuring your SIM card is set up to receive texts is crucial. If you’re roaming locally (out of your home state) or internationally, activate Data Roaming by navigating to Settings > Cellular > select your line > Data Roaming.
Additionally, it’s essential to have an active cellular plan. Without a valid plan, your carrier won’t allow you to receive messages on your number.
To verify your plan’s status:
- Access your carrier’s app or website.
- Confirm that you have adequate prepaid allowance for sending and receiving messages.
- If you’re on a postpaid billing plan, ensure that all past bills are settled, and your service isn’t temporarily disconnected.
12. Activate MMS Messaging
If your friend or family member is attempting to send you a photo or video (multimedia attachment) via SMS, and it repeatedly fails, it’s likely because MMS Messaging hasn’t been enabled on your iPhone. Here’s how to rectify this:
- Open the Settings app and select Messages.
- Scroll down and toggle the switch for MMS Messaging to enable it.
- Afterwards, reboot your iPhone and inform your friend that you’ve completed the necessary steps. From now on, when they send you a text containing a photo or video, it should be successfully delivered to you (provided your carrier supports MMS).
13. Verify you haven’t blocked the sender
If your iPhone isn’t receiving texts from a specific individual, it’s likely because you’ve blocked their phone number. To unblock them, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app and select Messages.
- Navigate to Blocked Contacts.
- Locate the name or number of the person you want to unblock, swipe left on it, and tap Unblock. Once this is done, you’ll begin receiving texts from that individual again.
14. Remove and reinsert the SIM card
Please note that if you have an iPhone 14 purchased in the USA, you cannot perform these steps. However, for all other iPhones, including the iPhone 14 from other regions, use a SIM ejector tool to remove the SIM card. After gently wiping it with a soft, dry cloth, insert it back into the device.
Additionally, you can try inserting this SIM card into another phone. If messages are received on the alternate device, it indicates that the issue lies with your iPhone rather than the SIM card or your carrier.
15. Test Wi-Fi Calling
If you reside in an area with limited or no cellular coverage, activating Wi-Fi Calling enables you to place calls and send SMS using Wi-Fi networks.
If you’re experiencing difficulties receiving SMS on your iPhone, follow these steps:
- Navigate to Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling.
- Enable the switch for “Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone.”
If Wi-Fi Calling was already enabled, try disabling it to see if that resolves the issue.
16. Incompatible Characters in Text Content
An uncommon yet plausible explanation for message transmission issues is the presence of special characters not supported by the recipient’s platform. This discrepancy can result in the improper transmission of text content between Android and iPhone devices.
For example, emoji characters exclusive to iPhones may appear as unknown symbols on Android devices. Rectifying this issue involves replacing or removing incompatible characters from the text content to ensure successful message delivery.
17. Reset all network settings
Resetting all network settings can effectively resolve various network-related issues on your iPhone or iPad. If you’re experiencing difficulties with sending or receiving SMS texts, making calls, or using cellular data, follow these steps:
- Abra o aplicativo Configurações.
- Tap on General.
- Scroll down and select Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Choose Reset.
- Tap on Reset Network Settings.
18. Storage Full on iPhone
When an iPhone’s storage capacity is exhausted, it may no longer be able to receive new text messages until space is freed up by deleting apps, photos, or other content.
Regularly monitoring and managing iPhone storage is essential to prevent messaging problems associated with a full or nearly full device.
19. Update Carrier Settings
Your iPhone stores data that facilitates connection to and usage of cellular data networks. If this data becomes outdated or corrupted, updating the carrier settings can resolve the issue.
Here’s how to update your iPhone’s carrier settings:
- Tap on Settings.
- Select General.
- Tap on About. If an update is available, you’ll receive a notification here.
20. Reach Out to Your Carrier
If you’ve attempted the aforementioned solutions and continue to experience issues with receiving text messages on your iPhone, contacting your carrier is advisable. Your carrier offers various forms of assistance that may help resolve the issue. For instance, they can inform you of any nearby cell tower outages or address potential issues with your account.