iMessage on iPhone not working after updating to iOS 18.5

I updated my iPhone last night to 18.5 and this morning, my iMessage is not working. All my text are being sent as Text or RCS, and for those group chats that are only iMessage, it's not going through at all. I'm also not getting all Texts, I know this because my Apple Watch will get the message.

Apple Watch and Mac Mini have no problems, but my iPhone just won't send through iMessage. I did reset network settings, restarted the phone, signed out of and back into iMessage, removed my phone number and added back in... didn't work.

anyone have any ideas other than resetting the whole phone? btw, planning on doing that once I get home from work.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 15 Pro Max

Posted on May 13, 2025 01:42 PM

Top-ranking reply

usmc0331vet

Level 1

18 points

Posted on May 25, 2025 10:22 AM

I think I found the fix. If you are able to enable it, go to Send and Receive. My number was not check marked and the default send/receive was my iCloud email. I then checked my number and it’s fixed 🙌.

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99 replies

May 28, 2025 11:06 AM in response to usmc0331vet

This one worked for me! Thankyou 😊

Jun 3, 2025 03:36 PM in response to jcorrea86

Cannot send images. Text works okay, but found out that if I turn off wifi on phone, then the image will send. Started after 18.5 update. Please fix Apple!

Jun 3, 2025 05:57 PM in response to jcorrea86

Having the same issue for several days and have tried a million different troubleshooting methods. Nothing works- very frustrating bc I know I’m missing receiving text messages.

chotty1

Level 1

22 points

Jun 6, 2025 08:37 AM in response to jcorrea86

Consistent failures sending iMessage pics & videos since 18.5. macOS 15.5 Messages no better.

Slam94

Level 1

8 points

Jun 6, 2025 01:18 PM in response to ladyluck1chi

Same, seriously frustrating to not be receiving people's messages.

jcorrea86 Author

Level 1

42 points

Jun 11, 2025 02:03 PM in response to yessenia267

THIS!!! THANK YOU! After trying so many thing with TMO Support and what not, I did this and lo and behold, someone marked me as SPAM.. but it got resolved and everything is working now.

sevan256

Level 1

8 points

Jun 12, 2025 09:20 AM in response to jcorrea86

Same problem. iMessage once i want to select my phone number its starts sending repetitive error msg. This is ridiculous now have to wait for a new update to "fix bugs"