IOS 15.6 and iMessage

Hi eahartman,

Waiting for another update is not an advisable step when your device is not working as expected. To ensure you've covered all steps, here are some articles that might help:

Messages:

• For your messages, review the steps in If you can't send or receive messages on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
• Also, as it happens when iMessage is turned on, check the information under Settings > Messages > Send & Receive and make sure your information here is correct. If your phone number is wrong here, follow Add or remove your phone number in Messages or FaceTime.

Apple Watch

• Follow If your Apple Watch isn't connected or paired with your iPhone
• If it continues, also see If you can't pair an Apple Watch with your iPhone

Genius Bar reservations are best for hardware repairs - Genius Bar Reservations and Apple Support Options. As these issues are not isolated to hardware, and highly unlikely for Messages, use the Get Software Help link in that article or use this Get Support link to contact Apple if the issue persists.

Take care.

You have 90 days of free phone support from Apple with a new Phone. Best to get with a product specialist to work things through.