Messages app freezes when I try to send a text/message to a number not in my contacts.

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Level 1

12 points

Messages app freezes when I try to send a text/message to a number not in my contacts.

iPhone 13 on iOS 16.6.

If I use Messenger to try to send a message/text to a mobile number that's not one of my contacts, Messenger locks up completely. I can't erase the number or do anything with the app. I have to swipe it up to force close it.

The app freezes as soon as I get as far as a number that it doesn't recognise. Here in the UK, mobile numbers start with 07 so I'm OK typing 07 but as soon as I've typed a number that is not in my contacts, the app will freeze.

E.g. if I only have 07944 111 222 and 07944 111 333 in my contacts, as soon as I type 07944 111 4 then the app will freeze - as soon as I enter the final digit 4.

Feels like a setting somewhere but I have no idea where. This has happened on my previous iPhones too and I've never got to the bottom of it.

Any ideas to save me from having to create a new contact for each number I want to message?

Posted on Aug 4, 2023 10:00 AM

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Answer 1

ma77dav Author

Level 1

12 points

Aug 4, 2023 10:22 AM in response to ma77dav

I can't edit my message. Actually, the problem is when I type in a number rather than a name. I've just created a contact for the person I want to text. I then tried to send a text by entering the number I'd just used for the new contact. The Messenger app still freezes when I type the 4th digit even though that number is one of my contacts.

So the only way I can send a message is to type the name of the contact and select the right one.

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Answer 2

Dec 13, 2023 3:55 PM in response to ma77dav

I have this issue in the US. It followed me when I went from the iPhone 13 Pro Max to iPhone 15 Pro Max. Not sure what's going on and I support phone for my work. Another way to get around this is to enter the numbers in Notes or somewhere and the copy and paste it into Messages. Then it'll take it. But it's been weird and I haven't been able to find where to fix this.

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Answer 3

ma77dav Author

Level 1

12 points

Jun 28, 2024 9:03 AM in response to chrisfromdobbs ferry

I'm afraid not. I tried WebBlazer1's suggestion to enter the number in Notes and then paste it into messages. That works but is clunky.

I've tried resetting all settings and backing up to Mac and restoring but nothing has fixed this. The best suggestion I've heard is to backup, wipe my phone and then set it up again but _don't_ restore from backup. This sounds like a pain so I've left it.

To wipe my phone and start again, I'd need to make a note of all the apps I have installed (around 200), all my settings options, the way I have my icons laid out on my phone etc and then download everything and start again.

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Answer 4

Jun 28, 2024 6:41 AM in response to ma77dav

Did this ever fix ? I have had it since a while and it followed phones and os

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Messages app freezes when I try to send a text/message to a number not in my contacts.

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