Longtime iPhone users have probably encountered numerous bugs in iOS over the years. One of the most infuriating has to be related to the messaging app. iMessages are notorious for not working from time to time. There may be several reasons why your messages have an “Undelivered” status.
This article will cover the top ways to fix your iPhone “iMessage not delivered” issue.
Check Internet Connection
Checking the Internet connection may be a no-brainer, but signals drop from time to time, sometimes without users even realizing it. You can check your connection in two ways.
Via Wi-Fi
If you are connecting to the Internet using a Wi-Fi network, follow the steps below:
- Navigate to Settings.
- Go to “Wi-Fi.”
- Make sure the switch is “on.”
Once your phone’s Wi-Fi is turned on, you can choose between “one network” or “another.” Choosing the network option is what most users will do. It is a standard Wi-Fi network that typically requires a password to access.
On the other hand, the “other” option is a hidden network. These do not appear in Wi-Fi lists, so users must enter the correct network name, type, and password.
When you successfully connect to a network, the Wi-Fi signal icon appears at the top of the iPhone screen.
Via mobile data
Mobile phones use mobile data by default (when available) if they cannot find a viable Wi-Fi connection. If you are having problems with an Internet connection using mobile data, make sure the data option is activated.
- Go to Settings on your phone.
- Select “Cellular.”
- Verify that the toggle is “on.”
For phones with dual SIM capability, only one line can be activated for mobile data. Tap “Mobile Data” and make sure the correct line is selected.
Do you have Internet access?
Let’s say you checked your preferred access method and made sure everything was selected correctly. The next step is to check if you have Internet access.
One of the most obvious ways to check your Internet access is to open the Safari browser. If it loads successfully, you can also try opening another app. Occasionally, users encounter an issue where the iPhone shows an Internet connection, but some apps show the error message “No Internet Connection.”
There are a few ways to avoid this message if you encounter it.
- Disconnect or delete your VPN.
- Turn airplane mode on and off.
- Make sure the Date & Time feature updates automatically.
- Reset network settings.
- Reset all settings.
Sometimes you can solve Internet connection problems by simply turning some settings on and off. However, if that doesn’t work, you can move on to resetting the settings.
Please note that network and all settings resets do not result in loss of personal files. However, you will need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords, mobile data details, and personalization information in case you reset all settings.
Restart your device
There are several ways to reset your phone. Your options may be limited due to your operating system version, so check first. If your iPhone is running iOS 16 or later, the easiest way to reset your device is with Siri.
Tell Siri to “restart my iPhone” and tap “Yes” when prompted. You can also invoke Siri by pressing and holding the side or home buttons on models with a physical home button below the screen.
Below are some additional methods to reset different iPhone models.
iPhones with Face ID
If you’re an iPhone user with Face ID capabilities, here’s how to reset:
- Press and hold the side button and either volume button together.
- After your device vibrates, it will display the “Slide to power off” slider.
- Slide the slider to the right until the screen turns off.
- It may take up to 30 seconds for your phone to completely turn off.
- Press and hold the side button to turn it back on until you see the white Apple logo.
- After the startup sequence, your iPhone will be ready to use.
iPhones with the home button
Apple still sells models with a physical home button below the screen. Depending on the model, there may be a side button or even a button on the top of the device. To reset them properly, here’s what you need to do.
- Press and hold the side button (or top button, depending on your device).
- Slide the “Slide to power off” slider to the right.
- After your phone turns off completely, press and hold the side (or top) button.
- Wait until the white Apple logo disappears.
Reboot device using settings
You can always use Settings to restart your iPhone. Here’s how to get started:
- Go to settings.
- Tap “General.”
- Scroll down and tap “Turn off.”
- Drag the slider when prompted to turn off the device.
- Wait 10 seconds and turn on iPhone again.
Am I locked out of my iPhone or is it not bothering?
One of the reasons why your iMessages are not being delivered is that the other person might have blocked you. However, solving this is not such an easy task. Other than the other person telling you outright, there is no definitive way to know that you have been blocked. However, there are some things you can do to be safe.
Do not bother
It’s easy to tell if someone has their phone set to Do Not Disturb (DND). You’ll still receive a delivery notification when you send an iMessage to a person with DND or any other focus mode enabled. If you don’t receive one, there’s a good chance you’re blocked.
Blocked users do not receive “Delivered” or “Read” notifications. However, it is important to note that this method only works if the other person also owns an iPhone.
a phone call
The easiest, if not the most socially awkward, way to find out if you’re blocked is to call the other person. If it goes straight to voicemail or rings once and then goes to voicemail, it’s further evidence that you may be blocked.
Try a different number or device
You can use a different number or phone to see if you will get the same results. If you still can’t reach the other person, there may be a technical problem on the other end.
Frequent questions
How to know if you are blocked on iMessage?
There is no clear indicator that someone has blocked you on iMessage. You can try calling the other person, sending them a message from a different number, or just waiting.
Does undelivered mean blocked?
If your iMessage isn’t delivered, it doesn’t automatically mean it’s blocked. You may need to check your internet connectivity or restart your phone. Alternatively, the recipient might also experience some technical issues.
Am I blocked if my iMessage doesn’t say delivered?
There are several reasons why your iMessage was not delivered. While crashing may be one of them, it can be as simple as network connection issues. Trying to contact the other person through other means of communication could uncover the root of the problem.
Get the message across
There are several reasons why your iMessage may be marked as “undelivered.” Sometimes the problem is on your side and a simple internet check or phone restart can solve the problem. Or the recipient may be experiencing technical problems.
However, if you suspect that you have been blocked, contact the recipient to confirm using another device or call them directly. It’s the only way to know for sure.
Have you had problems with iMessages not being delivered? What solutions worked for you? Let us know about them in the comments section below.
