iPhone and Android: text messages not sending
Texts fail for different reasons depending on whether they are sent as iMessage, standard SMS or RCS chat. Understanding the difference makes the fix much easier.
The three types of message
- iMessage is Apple's service between Apple devices. It uses data or Wi-Fi and appears in blue bubbles.
- SMS and MMS are traditional texts through your mobile provider. On iPhone they appear in green bubbles. They need signal and a working plan.
- RCS is a newer chat standard that gives SMS-style messages extras like typing indicators and larger photos. It needs both phones, and often your provider, to support it.
Quick checks
- Check you have signal or Wi-Fi. Turn Airplane mode on and off.
- Check the phone number is correct, including the right code if abroad.
- Restart the phone.
iPhone steps
- Open Settings then Messages (on newer versions it may be inside Apps). Check iMessage is on, and that Send as SMS is on, so messages fall back to a normal text when iMessage fails.
- If you recently moved from an iPhone to Android, you may not receive texts from iPhone users. Switch off iMessage on the old iPhone before removing the SIM, or use Apple's online deregister tool.
- Where available, RCS Messaging may be listed in the Messages settings. Availability depends on your provider and iOS version.
Android steps
- Check which messages app you use. Samsung phones often have both Samsung Messages and Google Messages.
- In Google Messages, tap your profile picture then Messages settings and look for RCS chats. If it says setting up or verifying, check your internet connection and wait.
- If RCS keeps failing, try turning it off and on again.
- Check your plan has texts left, if you are on a limited plan.
- Settings then Apps, choose your messages app, then Storage then Clear cache.
When to get more help
Contact your mobile provider if texts fail to everyone while you have good signal, or if you have just changed your SIM or phone. We can help with moving messages from one phone to another.
Did this help? If you are still stuck, email Vision Tech and tell us what you can see on the screen. Menus and button names can differ slightly between versions and makes. If something does not match, stop and ask rather than guess.