If you receive unwanted calls to your phone number on an iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max, texts or iMessages in the Messages app, or unwanted incoming calls in FaceTime, you can block them by phone number or email address. Any number or address you add to a block list via FaceTime, Messages, or Phone serves as a block across all three apps and associated services.

How to block a person on the iPhone

A phone number is blocked for incoming phone calls and incoming text messages. If the phone number is also associated with an iCloud account, that person can’t send you an iMessage or initiate a FaceTime call, either. An email address must be associated with an iCloud account to block that person—they won’t be able to send an iMessage or start a FaceTime call.

In Messages, block a number or email address like this:

• Go to the conversation with the person you want to block, then tap the person’s icon at the top. Tap Info, scroll down, then tap Block Contact.

  

In FaceTime, you can block numbers or addresses using existing calls: In your FaceTime call history, tap the call, tap Block Contact, then tap Block.

From the Phone app, tap Recents, then tap the phone number or contact that you want to block or the Info button in Classic view. Scroll down, then tap Block Caller.

You can remove or add phone numbers and email addresses manually:

• Go to the Settings app on your iPhone. Tap Privacy & Security, then tap Blocked Contacts. Tap Add Blocked Contact, then select a contact to block. Swipe left on an entry and tap Unblock to remove it, or tap Edit in the upper-left corner for bulk editing.

Did you try to make a call from your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max, but it’s not going through? You probably find that you can’t hear the outgoing dial tone or the call attempt ends abruptly. Your screen may also show an error message, saying Call Failed.

Whatever the cause, here are all the different ways to fix your iPhone when it’s not allowing you to make phone calls.

1. Toggle Off Airplane Mode

When Airplane Mode is enabled on your iPhone, the feature disables both incoming and outgoing texts and calls. This is important to prevent interference if you’re on a plane. But if you don’t need to use Airplane Mode right now, make sure it is turned off by accessing your iPhone’s Control Center and tapping the Airplane Mode icon.

Toggling Airplane Mode on and off can also fix seemingly unrelated calling issues.

2. Check Your Mobile Plan

If your iPhone 18 Pro Max won’t make calls but will text, you might need to check your mobile plan. To make a call using your iPhone’s Phone app, you need an active mobile plan with sufficient call credit or minutes.

Some plans may state they include unlimited calls, but the catch is that this feature may not apply to all types of phone numbers, or you can only use it during certain times of the day.

Therefore, check with your network to see if your mobile plan has expired or has insufficient credit. If this is the case, simply reload your account, switch to a more suitable plan if needed, and you should be able to start making calls again.

3. Check Your Phone Signal

If you’re at a remote outdoor location, or if it’s raining or snowing in your area, you may experience poor cell reception. Check the cell signal icon in your iPhone’s status bar to find out if this is why your phone doesn’t allow you to make calls.

If there’s only one vertical bar filled in, you can try moving to another location to get a stronger signal in order to make a call. For example, if you’re in your bedroom, simply going to other areas in your house, such as the kitchen or garden, may get you the signal you need.

If there are no bars at all, or if you see No Service in the status bar, visit your network provider’s website and look for a coverage map to find out if you’re supposed to get any signal in your current location.

4. Turn On Wi-Fi Calling

Wi-Fi calling helps you to make (and receive) calls when you have poor cellular reception but can connect to a Wi-Fi network.

So, if you can’t make calls on your iPhone 18 Pro Max or find that your calls are frequently cut off, you can try enabling the feature to solve the problem. Just go to Settings > Cellular > Wi-Fi Calling. Toggle on Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone.

5. Check for a Carrier Settings Update

Another solution is to check if your carrier provider has network-related updates. First, connect your iPhone to Wi-Fi or enable cellular data. Then, go to the Settings app. Select General and tap About.

If an update is available, you’ll see a Carrier Settings Update prompt. Tap Update to begin the installation.

6. Restart Your iPhone 18 Pro Max

A common but effective fix for most tech issues is to simply reboot your device. Simultaneously press and hold the side button and either volume button until the sliders appear, then drag the Power Off slider. Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.

7. Remove and Reinsert Your iPhone’s SIM Card

A working SIM card is essential to text and make calls from your iPhone. If your device can’t detect your SIM card properly, this might be why your iPhone can’t make calls.

The easy fix is to safely remove the SIM card from your iPhone and put it back. The SIM card tray is located on the side of your iPhone. To eject the tray, you can use the SIM-eject tool that is included in your iPhone box (or a straightened paper clip).

After removing the SIM card, gently wipe it with a soft, lint-free cloth. Then, place the SIM card back into the tray and slide it into your iPhone. It’s important to handle these components carefully to avoid causing damage to your device in the process.

Note: iPhone 18 Pro Max models sold in the United States use advanced eSIM technology and are not compatible with physical SIM cards.

8. Update Your iPhone

Apple’s iOS software updates often come with bug fixes that fix minor software bugs. Sometimes, you can resolve your iPhone’s call issues by simply keeping your iPhone up to date.

So, go to Settings > General > Software Update to see if an update is available for your device.

9. Reset Network Settings

You might not be able to make calls from your iPhone if there are network-related problems. So, the next solution is to reset network settings on your iPhone.

Rest assured that this is not a factory reset. It simply deletes network data, such as Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth device connections—all of which can be easily set up again later on. All the content stored on your iPhone should be totally fine—like your apps, photos, and music.

Go to the Settings app on your iPhone. Tap General, tap Transfer or Reset iPhone, then tap Reset. Tap Reset Network Settings.

10. Reset All Settings

If your iPhone 18 Pro Max still can’t make calls, the last solution you can attempt is to reset all the settings on your iPhone. To do this, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone. Tap Reset and select Reset All Settings. You’ll be prompted to enter your device passcode to proceed.

Make sure you don’t choose the Erase All Content and Settings option, as that will erase all data on your iPhone.

However, this process can take a long time if you have a lot of data on your device. Before trying this solution, please consider whether the problem could actually be with the person you’re trying to call. You may want to find another way to reach out to them to ensure their phone is working before spending more time resetting settings on your own device.

Your iPhone May Not Be the Problem

There are a few reasons why your target recipient’s device may not receive your call. For example, they may have a poor signal even if you don’t. Or perhaps they put their phone into Do Not Disturb mode to block all calls.

There’s a quick way to confirm whether the problem lies with your iPhone’s functionality. You can try calling someone in the same room as you or someone you know who is available to pick up your test call.

If the call goes through successfully, it means your iPhone can make an outgoing call without issues, so the problem must be with the other person you’re trying to call.

Alternative Ways to Call Someone

If you suspect the problem is with your device, the Phone app isn’t your only option when you need to call someone. Here are some alternative methods to make a call from your iPhone.

Use FaceTime

Try using the FaceTime app to call your contact instead of the Phone app. Whether you enable video or not, this will force your iPhone to make a call over your internet connection—instead of your cell network—which may allow it to go through.

Use Third-Party Apps

If you can connect to a Wi-Fi network, you can make a call using third-party apps, such as WhatsApp and Messenger, instead. These apps enable you to make free calls over an internet connection.

However, the limitation is that your contact must also be a user of that app. Also, they need to have Wi-Fi or cellular data enabled on their device to receive the incoming call notification.

Use Another Phone

Another option is to simply borrow another person’s phone to make a call. If they’re using a different carrier, they may have a stronger cell signal than you do.

Be mindful of your call length and the potential cost of the call, though. You don’t want to end up with your friend receiving high call charges after they let you use their phone!

Use Your iPhone to Make Calls Again

If you’ve been stuck wondering why you can’t make calls on your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max, we hope this list of fixes and suggestions has helped you to fix the phone call problems you were experiencing. If the issue persists, it’s better to contact your mobile carrier or Apple Support for further assistance.

Do Not Disturb mode was added to iOS way back in 2012, and has been a popular feature ever since. When activated on an iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max, it silences all incoming notifications, calls and texts so you don’t get woken up or distracted when you need to be left alone.

It’s useful for the person using the mode, but rather less enjoyable if you’re the one who can’t get through. If someone isn’t answering your calls and texts (and you haven’t done or said anything unusually offensive recently), you’re probably wondering if there’s any way to tell if the person has their iPhone set to Do Not Disturb. And if they are, is there any way to bypass Do Not Disturb and contact them anyway?

You may also be the one using Do Not Disturb and wondering what the other person will see if they try to contact you. If you want to avoid an awkward situation read on to find out the answer to the question: if I put someone on do not disturb will they know?

In this article, we show you how to use Do Not Disturb, what happens when you do, and how to get around a Do Not Disturb setting to reach out to someone in an emergency.

What does Do Not Disturb do?

Do Not Disturb lets you silence anything on your iPhone 18 Pro Max that could cause a distraction. With Do Not Disturb on, your phone won’t ring or buzz when you receive phone calls, new text messages, new emails, or invitations. There are some notifications that will get through, such as timers and alarms and government alerts, such as emergency alerts and AMBER alerts.

It’s handy if you’re in the cinema, at a meeting, about to go to sleep, or for any other reason don’t want to be disturbed. It used to be an individual setting, but it’s been lumped together with Focus Modes since their introduction in iOS 15.

How to turn on Do Not Disturb

You can turn on Do Not Disturb from Control Center:

1. Open Control Center (swipe down from the top right of the screen).

   

2. Tap the crescent moon symbol that says “Focus.”

   

3. Select Do Not Disturb. (There are other options such as Sleep and Driving).

There are various ways to fine-tune your Do Not Disturb settings in Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb. You can set a schedule so the mode is activated automatically at bedtime, and add people or apps to the Allow Notifications exceptions so those will go through, no matter what.

There is also a “Driving” focus mode that is similar to Do Not Disturb, which by default will automatically enable when you’re driving. In that case, anyone who texts you will receive an automated message informing them of the situation.

How to tell if you have Do Not Disturb on

Note: If you turn on a Focus, its icon appears in the status bar.

How to make it possible for someone to contact you despite Do Not Disturb

To add certain people to a set of contacts that can break through a Do Not Disturb setting, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Focus.

   

3. Tap Do Not Disturb.
4. Tap on People.
5. Tap Allow Notifications From, then tap the Add People button.
6. Now select people from your contacts who should always be able to contact you.

You can also make sure that people you have added to your Favorites list can call you in an emergency. Just tap on the Allow Calls From section and choose Favorites.

To make sure that people can get through in an emergency you can also choose the Allow Repeated Calls setting in Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb > People. That way if they call again within three minutes they will get through to you.

What happens if the person you phone or text is using Do Not Disturb?

We tested this feature by getting a colleague to turn on Do Not Disturb, then calling and texting them.

When we called, we heard a single ring and were then put through to voicemail. Our colleague’s phone didn’t actually ring, and they didn’t get any kind of audible or lit-screen notification. However, when they turned the screen back on manually they saw a ‘Missed Call’ notification, as well as the missed-call text alert specific to certain carriers.

When we sent an iMessage, the message appeared to send normally. The text bubble displayed blue and the ‘Delivered’ notification showed.

Again, our colleague didn’t get a notification, but when they turned the screen on they saw the message on the Lock screen.

How to warn someone you have Do Not Disturb on

1. Go to the Settings app on your iPhone. Tap Focus, then tap Focus Status. Turn Share Focus Status on or off. If you turn it on, choose which Focus profiles can share that you have notifications silenced.

With these settings, those who iMessage you will see a notice at the bottom of the message thread that you have notifications silenced and may not see their message right away.

Why you can’t call someone’s iPhone? Are you blocked?

If the person you are trying to call has Do Not Disturb on your call will go straight to voice mail. However, if you try to call again soon after you may be able to reach them due to a setting that specifies that it is ok to Allow Repeated Calls. That means that a second call from the same person within three minutes will not be silenced.

If you still can’t get through after trying a second time, it’s possible the person is using the Silence option under Screen Unknown Callers.

Silence is an option that will send a call straight to voicemail if it determines they’re an “unknown caller,” meaning the number is not in their Contacts, Messages, recent calls, or Mail.

With this in mind, consider whether the person you’re calling may not have your contact details. Perhaps you have a new phone and they don’t know your new number? Or maybe they deleted you…

If you want to turn on Silence, which is a great way of stopping spam calls on an iPhone 18 Pro Max, but has the side effect of stopping calls from anyone not in your Contacts, go to Settings > Apps > Phone, scroll down to the Screen Unknown Callers section, and choose Silence.

The symptoms of Do Not Disturb and a full-on block are fairly similar, but the solutions are different.

How to call someone who has Do Not Disturb on

It’s useful to know that Do Not Disturb has some (optional) loopholes deliberately built in, so that people can allow calls through in emergencies. There are essentially three loopholes you may be able to exploit… er, we mean, use responsibly.

To explore these settings yourself, open the Settings app, select Focus, then Do Not Disturb.

Repeated calls

By default, Do Not Disturb is set up to allow calls through if the same number calls again within three minutes—the idea is to ignore most calls but let through urgent ones.

In other words, your first step if you suspect your friend is using Do Not Disturb should be to call again right away. If they’ve got that default feature activated, you’ll break through the DND barrier.

You’ll find this setting by selecting People in the Do Not Disturb Focus mode settings. There’s a toggle for “Allow Repeated Calls.”

Call from a different phone

You can also tailor your Do Not Disturb mode by telling it to let some people through but not others. In Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb, select People and you can add contacts from which you wish to allow calls or texts. (You can also invert this, changing the Focus mode to allow everyone through except those you identify.)

Your friend is less likely to be using this feature because it’s deactivated by default; if they are, if you’re not in the favored group there’s not all that much you can do about it.

However, if you’re a close friend of the contact but happen to have been calling from a new or borrowed phone, it might be worth calling again from your usual number if possible.

Call at a different time

Finally, Do Not Disturb can be (and frequently is) scheduled to activate at certain times of day—most commonly overnight. To set this up for yourself, select Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb and then scroll down to the Set a Schedule section. You can tap Add Schedule to set days and times you want the Focus mode enabled and even use multiple schedules at once.

If your contact is using Do Not Disturb on a schedule you may be able to get through if you call again at a different time. This is particularly likely to be the case if you’re calling at a commonly antisocial time, if you know your friend is doing important work, at an important social event, or otherwise likely to be refusing calls.

Call again in the morning or after the event has ended. Still can’t get through? You may have been blocked.

Summary

• If you suddenly stop getting read receipts for your messages, it could be because the recipient disabled the feature, enabled Do Not Disturb, or blocked you.
• If your calls go straight to the recipient’s voicemail for a few days, try calling from a different number to confirm a block.

Trying to reach someone without any luck? It’s possible you’ve been blocked. Even though there’s no definite way to figure out that someone has blocked your phone number, the following signs may indicate that to be the case.

1. No Read Receipts Appearing Under Sent Messages

If someone has blocked your number on their iPhone or Android phone, you can still continue to send messages, but their device will never receive them. Therefore, the recipient will not see those texts, and the usual Read indicator won’t appear in the messages you sent.

RCS supports read receipts, typing indicators, Tapbacks, inline replies, and high-resolution photos and videos.

If you’re an iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max user sending a conventional SMS text message via your Messages app to an Android user, you won’t receive a read receipt even if you aren’t blocked. If the recipient previously used an iPhone but switched to Android, your iMessage will also be sent as a text message instead.

Furthermore, take note that your recipient may have chosen to disable read receipts for everyone. As a result, you won’t see a read receipt even if they have read your text. For instance, not receiving an iMessage read receipt from a fellow Apple user may be a sign they blocked you on iMessage, but it may not necessarily be the case.

2. You Get Quickly Redirected to Voicemail

Unfortunately, when calling a person who has blocked your phone number, you won’t get any kind of notification about it. But if you notice that you get redirected to voicemail very soon after you start calling, that may be a sign you’re blocked.

Don’t jump to any conclusions right away, though. Maybe the recipient has turned their phone off or is in an area with no service coverage. But if this happens every time you call over a long period of time, chances are high that they might have blocked you.

3. The Person Takes Calls From Other Phone Numbers

Another method you can try is calling that person from a different phone number. Borrow someone else’s phone and dial that person’s number. You don’t necessarily need to talk; just check whether the call goes through and the person picks up.

If they pick up from this number but your own number goes straight to voicemail, then there’s the answer to your fears—they’ve blocked your number.

If you can’t use someone else’s phone for this, you can try to hide your phone number to get past the block instead.

Maybe They’re Using Do Not Disturb Mode?

Sometimes, you might think you’ve been blocked when the person you’re calling is actually using Do Not Disturb on their iPhone or Android device. They may also have enabled other Focus modes, which can block calls, messages, and app notifications to help users focus on work or rest without digital interruptions.

However, if the person you are trying to reach has Do Not Disturb or a similar Focus mode set up in a way that lets repeated calls through, try making one call right after the other within three minutes. This could help your call bypass Do Not Disturb (or similar Focus modes), provided they didn’t actually block you.

With the methods listed above, you can get a good idea of whether or not you’ve been blocked. But since there’s no way to know for sure, it’s still best to speak with them directly in person. You can also consider contacting them via social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram instead.

Summary

• An iMessage sent as a green text message and the absence of read receipts may indicate, but not confirm, that you’re blocked.
• Before jumping to conclusions, try to reach your contact through third-party messaging and social media apps.
• There isn’t a sure-fire way to find out if someone blocked you on iMessage. You’re only likely blocked if you can’t contact your recipient anywhere.

Sent a couple of iMessage texts from your iPhone 18 Pro Max but not receiving a reply from your contact? You may get worried and wonder if the other person has blocked you. Here are some signs that may indicate you’re blocked on iMessage.

You’re likely only blocked if you encounter all the listed scenarios. If you see only one or two signs, it’s probably due to other reasons, not because you’re blocked, which we’ll also explain below.

1. Your iMessage Is Sent as a Text Message

Typically, iMessage text bubbles are blue. If your iMessage is sent as a green SMS text message, it’s possible you’re blocked. That’s why your iPhone 18 Pro Max can’t recognize their Apple device and send an iMessage successfully to them.

However, there are other reasons why your iMessage is sent as a text message as well. For example, if the other person’s Apple device isn’t connected to the internet, the Messages app will fall back to SMS and send your message as a green text bubble.

2. Read Receipts Are Not Appearing

Typically after you send an iMessage, you’ll see a read receipt indicating when the other party opened it. If you’re blocked on iMessage, read receipts won’t appear anymore because the text never reached their device in the first place.

At most, you’ll see a Delivered status if their device received your iMessage before they blocked you.

Still, an innocent reason why read receipts are not appearing is because your contact has disabled them for privacy purposes. It’s a common setting for smartphone users who prefer the privacy of reading and replying to messages at their own pace.

If your target recipient’s internet connection is spotty, a blue iMessage text you sent may also not have a Read or Delivered status for quite a while.

3. You Can’t Reach Your Contact by Call or on Other Apps

If someone blocked you on iMessage, they would have to block your phone number entirely. It’s impossible for users to block a person on iMessage while still allowing phone calls from them.

Therefore, to test if you’re blocked, try calling your contact. If the call isn’t going through, don’t panic first. It may be because they’re busy at that time or facing issues where they can’t receive calls on their iPhone.

Besides calling, you can also drop them a message on third-party messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram, as well as social media apps like Facebook and Instagram.

If you’re unable to call them and can no longer find their profile on social media platforms, unfortunately, it might mean that they’ve blocked you everywhere to prevent you from reaching out to them.

However, it might not just be you that they’ve blocked. With smartphones becoming increasingly entangled with our lives, people may choose to enable Focus mode and go on a digital detox by deleting their social media to take care of their health and ensure they’re not easily contactable.

4. You Can Reach Your Contact From Other Numbers

If you can send an iMessage and call your contact normally from someone else’s phone, it may indeed mean that the other party has specifically blocked you.

However, before jumping to conclusions, check if the issue lies with your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max and its settings. Smartphones act up from time to time, causing iMessage to not work and users to be unable to make phone calls on their iPhones.

Overall, there isn’t one sure-fire way to instantly know whether someone has blocked you on iMessage or not. It’s usually a combination of indicators.

If you’re facing all four issues we listed in this article, it’s safe to assume your contact has blocked you on iMessage. Otherwise, it may be simply that the other person is caught up with work and simply needs some time to themselves.

You can send a follow-up text if you haven’t heard from them but avoid double or triple texting incessantly. Then, simply wait for them to reach out to you instead.

iMessages are texts and media sent between Apple devices over an internet connection. A successfully sent iMessage appears as a blue text bubble in your chat conversation.

However, you’re probably here because you noticed your messages are sent as a green text bubble instead of blue or perhaps saw a “Sent as Text Message” note at the bottom of the bubble.

What does this mean? Have you been blocked? Below, we explain why you’re probably not blocked, why your iMessage is sent as a text message, and how to actually test whether you’re blocked or not.

iMessage Sent as Text Message: Does This Mean You’re Blocked?

The truth is that you can’t tell if a person has blocked you based on the fact that your iMessage was sent as a text message alone. Regardless of whether you were blocked or not, you’ll still hear the sound of the green bubble text being successfully sent as usual. The message doesn’t bounce back. You can continue to send messages to the recipient.

Therefore, an iMessage sent as a text message on your iPhone 18 Pro Max does not immediately indicate that your number is blocked by the recipient. There are other reasons why your messages show up as green bubbles when you send them.

4 Reasons Why Your iMessage Is Sent as a Text Message

When your iMessage is sent as a text message, it’s worth checking whether the root cause of the issue lies with your iPhone 18 Pro Max first.

iMessage texts sending in green instead of blue is a common problem when the service stops functioning as it should, so apply various troubleshooting methods to fix iMessage on your iPhone first.

But if you have gone through the fixes and your device appears to have no issues, the problem is likely on the recipient’s end. However, it doesn’t mean you’re blocked either. There are a few simple reasons why your iMessage is sent as a text message to them.

1. The Recipient’s Device Is Not Connected to the Internet

For a text to be successfully sent as an iMessage, the recipient’s Apple device must also be connected to the internet. Otherwise, the iMessage will be sent as a text message to their device, or you might see an “iMessage Not Delivered” error on your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max if it’s not sent out.

2. The Recipient Wasn’t Using an Apple Device at the Time

Remember, iMessage only works between Apple devices. So, if your family or friend switches from an iPhone to an Android smartphone, for example, your iMessage will automatically be sent as a text message to them.

Your iPhone does not notify you that they have changed devices, even if your previous chat conversations were held using iMessage.

3. The Recipient’s Device Was Turned Off

Another simple reason is that your contact may have turned off their iPhone, or their device had shut down because it ran out of battery. When this happens, you can still continue to message them. However, your iMessage will be sent as a text message or simply remain pending until the other party turns on their device again.

4. The Recipient Disabled iMessage on Their iPhone

iMessage is a feature that can be enabled and disabled in the iPhone’s Settings app. For whatever reason, your contact may have chosen to turn off iMessage.

If this happens, you’ll be unable to send and receive iMessages from them. However, both of you can still reach each other with SMS text messages.

How to Test if Someone Blocked You From Contacting Them

There are different ways to check if someone has blocked your phone number. In this case, the most effective method is to simply call your target recipient. An iPhone user can’t choose to block you on iMessage without blocking you entirely. Therefore, if the call goes through, it confirms that you’re not blocked.

If the call doesn’t go through, you shouldn’t immediately start panicking either. There are a variety of reasons why you’re unable to make phone calls on your iPhone. Poor call signal in an area is one of the biggest culprits.

Therefore, you can also reach out to your recipient via third-party apps such as WhatsApp or Messenger. If you’re still connected on those platforms, it’s unlikely that the person had any intention to cut you off, and the issues of being unable to call them or send them an iMessage were likely minor technical hiccups.

Don’t Panic When Your iMessage Is Sent as a Text Message

Due to its dependence on an internet connection, it’s common for an iMessage to fail and be sent as a text message when connectivity issues crop up.

If you’ve been worried that you were blocked because your iMessage was sent as a text message, we hope our explanation has helped reassure you that it’s a very unlikely case.

Therefore, don’t panic or jump to conclusions quickly. Reach out using other methods if you need to contact your recipient urgently.

If iMessage isn’t working, you’ll see text messages appearing in green bubbles instead of blue ones on your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max. Worse than that, you might not be able to send or receive messages at all.

Whatever the cause, you can figure out how to fix iMessage problems on your device by following the troubleshooting steps below.

1. Test iMessage by Sending Texts to Multiple People

Before you assume the worst, it can’t hurt to examine the problem. Are you sure iMessage isn’t working with everyone, or is it just not working when you message one contact? Try sending iMessages to a few different people who you know use iMessage to find out if it works for any of them.

If you’re having trouble with iMessage when sending messages to a single contact, the problem is probably on their end. On the other hand, if iMessage isn’t working with any of your contacts, and you know they’re using iMessage, the problem is probably with your device.

You may not have multiple contacts you can check with if most of your friends use Android. In this case, if you have multiple devices using iMessage, try sending messages with each of them.

If iMessage is working on your iPhone but your messages aren’t delivering, this is another subject entirely.

If you’re not getting someone’s messages, you can check if they’re in your Blocked Contacts.

1. Go to the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Privacy & Security, then tap Blocked Contacts.
3. Select a Blocked Contact, scroll down, then tap Unblock Contact.

2. Make Sure iMessage Is Enabled Correctly

Even if you’ve used iMessage before, you may not have it enabled for a specific number or device. This is easy to check.

1. Open Settings, tap Apps, then tap Messages.
2. Make sure the iMessage slider is enabled here.

   

3. Then tap on Send & Receive.
4. Here you’ll see all the phone numbers and email addresses you can associate with iMessage. Make sure all the numbers and email addresses you want to use are enabled.

If you’re having issues on multiple devices, repeat these steps on any device that iMessage isn’t working for.

3. Try Different Send and Receive Options

If iMessage still isn’t working on your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max, try using different options in the Send & Receive settings. On an iPhone, go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Send & Receive.

From this screen, you should see all the phone numbers and email addresses linked to your Apple Account. Try enabling or disabling different options to see if any combinations make iMessage start working again. It could help to disable everything except your mobile number to start with, then try testing iMessage again.

In general, it’s also best to choose to Start New Conversations From your mobile number.

4. Reset iMessage and Reboot Your Device

A reboot can help fix a lot of faults, but there’s another step you’ll want to take to resolve iMessage issues. You’ll want to turn off iMessage, reboot, then turn it back on. Simultaneously press and hold the side button and either volume button until the sliders appear, then drag the Power Off slider. Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.

1. Launch Settings, tap Apps, then tap Messages.
2. The iMessage toggle is located near the top of the screen. Turn it off.
3. Now restart your iPhone 18 Pro Max, then turn iMessage back on using the same method.

To be extra thorough, you may want to do this for every device you use with iMessage.

5. Sign In to iMessage Again

This is another method that is so simple it can’t hurt to try: log out of iMessage, then log back in. See iPhone 18 Pro Max Says iMessage Is Signed Out.

1. Open the Settings app, tap Apps, then tap Messages.
2. Tap Send & Receive.
3. From this menu, tap on your Apple Account at the bottom of the screen.
4. In the dialog that pops up, tap Sign Out.
5. After you sign out, tap on Use your Apple Account for iMessage.
6. In the dialog that pops up, it will show your Apple Account and ask if you want to log in with that. Tap Sign In to log in with that ID.

6. Test Your Internet Connection

Unlike regular texts, iMessages send over the internet. So you need to have a working Wi-Fi connection or good cell reception with available cellular data to use iMessages. Open a web browser and try loading a new webpage to test your internet connection.

If you can’t get online, that will explain why iMessage isn’t working on your iPhone 18 Pro Max. Try connecting to a different Wi-Fi network or check how much data you’ve got left.

Strangely, you can’t always activate iMessage over Wi-Fi. So if you’re trying to use iMessage for the first time but can’t get it working at all, try disabling Wi-Fi from the Control Center and activate iMessage on your iPhone over cellular data instead.

7. Reset the Network Settings

This is an iPhone-only option, and worth trying if iMessage still isn’t working after trying the above steps. Resetting your iPhone network settings is a fix for several issues, and can often fix iMessage-related problems.

To do so:

1. Launch Settings, then scroll down and select General.
2. Here, scroll again and select Transfer or Reset iPhone at the bottom of the screen.
3. Tap on Reset > Reset Network Settings.
4. If prompted, enter your passcode, then confirm by tapping Reset Network Settings.

Don’t worry too much about losing any data; all apps and files on your iPhone will remain untouched. However, your phone will forget saved Wi-Fi networks, so you’ll need to enter their passwords again.

Other Possible iMessage Fixes Worth Trying

There are a few other possible fixes you can try when iMessage isn’t working. If you’re not receiving iMessages on a certain device, one simple tip is to try sending a message from that device. Then get someone to send an iMessage to you again to see if you can receive it now.

You should also visit Apple’s System Status website to make sure iMessage isn’t down for everyone. Check there’s a green circle next to iMessage. If there’s anything else, it means Apple is experiencing technical issues and you’ll need to wait for Apple’s technicians to fix it.

Another possible fix is to check if an iOS update is available. This is especially true if you’ve recently upgraded to a new software. Apple releases updates to improve your device and fix bugs, but these updates can sometimes introduce new problems. If this is the case, Apple may have already issued a new update to fix it.

Finally, if nothing else works, you can try contacting Apple Support.

Having Trouble With Regular Text Messages Too?

Hopefully, one of the above fixes got iMessages working again on your iPhone 18 Pro Max. If you’re experiencing the problem with multiple devices, you’ll need to repeat the step that worked on every device. If that doesn’t help, hopefully another one of the steps will.

iMessages aren’t the only messages you can send from an Apple device, though. If you still can’t send a message to someone, it could be that there’s a problem sending regular text messages (SMS or MMS) from your device instead.

Summary

• The “iMessage is Signed Out” alert is a sign of misconfigured iMessage settings.
• Most people get this error because they accidentally disabled the service, signed out of their Apple Account, or haven’t linked their phone number yet.
• Server-side issues and software bugs can also sometimes cause this pop-up.

Do you get the “iMessage is Signed Out” pop-up whenever you open a thread in your iPhone’s Messages app? If so, you won’t be able to send or receive blue text bubbles unless you fix it. We’ll walk you through some troubleshooting steps.

Make Sure iMessage Is Enabled

Often, the reason you get the “iMessage is Signed Out” error is pretty simple: you may have accidentally disabled iMessage on your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max. To check this, go to Settings > Apps > Messages on your iPhone and make sure iMessage is toggled on.

If it’s already enabled: toggle it off, wait a few seconds, and toggle it back on again to force your iPhone to reactivate the service and sign back into iMessage.

You can also access this menu by simply tapping the Settings option in the “iMessage is Signed Out” alert.

Check Your iMessage Addresses

The next step is to review your iMessage addresses and make sure that either your phone number or Apple Account email address is selected, which is needed for iMessage to work properly. You can run into this issue if you swap SIMs often or sign out of your Apple Account on your iPhone.

Note: iPhone 18 Pro Max models purchased in the United States can only be activated with an eSIM.

Head to Settings > Apps > Messages and look for the Send & Receive option below the iMessage toggle. If you see “No Addresses” next to it, that’s exactly why you’re getting the “iMessage is Signed Out” error on your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Tap Send & Receive and select Use your Apple Account for iMessage. When you get a pop-up, tap Sign In to log in with the Apple Account linked to your iPhone. However, if you want to use another account, select Use Other Apple Account instead.

If your phone number appears in this menu, make sure that’s selected too. You need SMS messaging to activate your phone number with iMessage and FaceTime. By default, iMessage will start new conversations using your phone number, but you can change this to your Apple Account email address from the same menu.

Make sure that your time zone is set correctly. In the Settings app, tap General. Then tap Date & Time.

Check Apple’s Server Status for iMessage

If you’re still getting the “iMessage is Signed Out” pop-up when you open a thread in Messages, it’s possible that Apple’s iMessage servers are temporarily down. You can quickly check this by heading to Apple’s System Status page.

If you notice a yellow indicator (instead of green) next to iMessage on this page, it means Apple’s servers are down. You’ll have to patiently wait until Apple fixes it to send and receive iMessage texts again.

General Fixes: Restart, Update, and More

The above troubleshooting steps should help you get rid of the “iMessage is Signed Out” alert on your iPhone 18 Pro Max in most cases. However, you can try some generic fixes for iMessage if you’re still having problems.

Try restarting your iPhone, as it can help resolve minor software glitches like this. Simultaneously press and hold the side button and either volume button until the sliders appear, then drag the Power Off slider. Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. Consider updating your iPhone if a new iOS version is available, as firmware bugs can also cause the “iMessage is Signed Out” error.

Remember that iMessage requires an internet connection to work. If you’re having trouble connecting to a Wi-Fi or cellular network to use iMessage, consider resetting your iPhone’s network settings.

If none of the fixes we suggested worked, it’s time to contact Apple Support for expert assistance. It’s easy to get tech support for your iPhone with the Apple Support app, but you can also visit Apple’s Contact Support page if you want to talk to an agent quickly.

From my experience, the “iMessage is Signed Out” pop-up appeared the moment I signed out of my Apple Account and unchecked my phone number for the service. As mentioned earlier, this error can also occur if you swapped the SIM card or switched to a new eSIM. However, if iMessage is affected due to other factors like connectivity, server issues, and software bugs, the general fixes above can prove to be valuable.

Even if you’re not a fan of your smartphone, you probably use its most basic function of texting for communication. It can be frustrating when your text messages suddenly stop sending. This could be due to various reasons, like the wrong number or a poor network signal, to name a few.

Regardless, it’s usually a quick fix to get your iPhone 18 Pro Max sending SMS or MMS messages again, so don’t start panicking just yet. Have a look at these potential fixes.

1. Check Your Network Signal

SMS and MMS messages send in green iPhone text bubbles, while iMessages send in blue iPhone text bubbles. To send a message as iMessage, RCS, or MMS, you need a cellular data or Wi-Fi connection. To send an SMS message, you need cellular network connection. Be sure you are sending the right type of message.

Sometimes bad weather, internet hackers, or a rural location can affect your service connection. One simple way to check if your cell signal is bad is by looking at the number of network bars in the top-right of your iPhone’s status bar, next to the battery icon. Less filled bars mean poor connection. If you see “No Service,” that means you don’t have a signal.

Try moving to an area with better reception if it’s weak or nonexistent. If you’re in an area that usually has a good signal, contact your mobile network operator.

2. Make Sure SMS and MMS Are On

When you message another contact with an Apple device, your iPhone sends it via iMessage by default.

Because iMessage texts sometimes fail to send, your iPhone might instead try sending SMS (Short Message Service) messages, even to other iPhone users. However, you need to switch this feature on in Settings for it to work.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap Apps, then tap Messages.
3. Toggle on the Retry as Text Message slider.

Your iPhone can also send MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) messages. These are text messages that include some kind of media, such as images or video clips. You may need to enable these messages in Settings before you’re able to send them.

Here’s how you can activate MMS messages:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap Apps, then tap Messages.
3. Hit the MMS Messaging toggle to set it to the green “on” position.

Do note that your personal cell plan may not cover MMS messaging. In this case, any text message sent with multimedia will fail to send. MMS is limited, too. We recommend using one of the best instant messaging apps if you’d like to share media files without a fuss when iMessage fails.

3. Are You in Airplane Mode?

Airplane Mode prevents your iPhone from sending and receiving cellular signals. Unless you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network, you won’t be able to send or receive text messages via iMessage when you enable Airplane mode.

And even then, you can’t send or receive SMS messages since they rely on cellular signals. Because of this, you should make sure that you’ve turned off Airplane Mode before trying to send text messages.

You can do this by opening your iPhone’s Control Center and tapping the Airplane toggle in the top left. This symbol is grayed out whenever Airplane Mode is off. As a bonus, sometimes toggling Airplane Mode on and off can clear up temporary signal hiccups, too.

4. Did You Text the Right Number?

Sending text messages to inactive or unused numbers is a recipe for failure and frustration. When sending an SMS message, make sure you enter the correct number.

This should be no problem when you message a contact stored on your iPhone, but it can require care when entering a new number. So take your time when entering numbers.

If you continue to have trouble, contact your intended recipient by other means to confirm the number.

This last point is important. Sometimes, your contacts may change their numbers, or their mobile operator may disconnect them. The issue may be with someone else’s phone and not yours.

5. Refresh and Delete Your Messages

If your iPhone 18 Pro Max can’t send text messages, try closing the Messages app and opening it again. This isn’t the most scientific method, but some users report that it’s effective.

You can also try deleting any Message conversations that contain failed texts.

Once again, it’s not obvious why this can be effective. Sometimes applications get lost or stuck trying to perform a certain action—like sending a text. Often, refreshing the app can clear out the action, allowing the app to once again function properly.

You can also delete conversations in Messages by doing the following:

1. Launch Messages.

   

2. Swipe left on the conversation you’d like to delete.
3. Tap the Delete icon, and tap Delete from the pop-up to confirm.
4. Finally, press the Compose icon in the bottom-right corner of the Messages screen to give it another try.

This method is extremely useful if a message continually tries to send but is unable to do so.

6. Is Your Mobile Plan Active?

You should next check whether you currently have an active mobile service plan. If you don’t have one, you won’t be able to send texts.

While the vast majority of phone plans offer standard unlimited texting, you might have exceeded your monthly limit of text messages if you have a limited plan.

In either case, you should contact your network provider to ensure there are no issues with your account services.

7. Restart Your iPhone 18 Pro Max

If you’ve tried all of the above, you can restart your iPhone next. Restarts clear temporary memory, so they can be a good way of removing any issues affecting how your iPhone works.

You can restart by holding the Side button and one of the Volume buttons. You then swipe the Power Off slider to the right.

Alternatively, you can fully shut down your phone and manually restart it using the following instructions:

1. Launch Settings > General > Shut Down.
2. Swipe the slider to the right.
3. Wait one minute to allow a full shutdown of the phone.
4. Hold Side button to turn on your iPhone.

When the phone turns back on, you should be able to enter Messages and easily resend the problematic text.

8. Update iOS

You should always keep your iPhone updated with the latest version of iOS. New updates for iOS can iron out software issues and bugs. So if your iPhone 18 Pro Max still can’t send text messages, it’s a good idea to update.

You need an internet connection to update your device. It also helps to keep your device connected to a power source. You should then do the following:

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to General.
3. Tap Software Update.
4. You’ll see an Update Now button if a pending update is available. Select it to download the latest version and install it on your iPhone.

If your iPhone says, “iOS is up to date,” you have the latest version installed and don’t need to do anything else.

9. Reset Your Network Settings

You shouldn’t take resetting your iPhone’s network settings too lightly. Network settings save data such as Wi-Fi networks and passwords, so it isn’t ideal to erase them.

That said, it’s worth doing if you’ve tried everything above and your iPhone still won’t send text messages.

Here’s how to clear your iPhone’s network settings:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Open General.
3. Scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
4. Press Reset Network Settings.
5. Enter your passcode.
6. Tap Reset Network Settings to confirm.

10. Still Not Working? Get Professional Help

If your iPhone 18 Pro Max still won’t send SMS messages after all this, your last option is to contact your mobile operator. Try calling the customer service line. If they can’t help you, it’s likely a hardware issue, and you should contact Apple or an authorized service provider for expert assistance.

Depending on your location, you can book an Apple Store appointment at a Genius Bar. You may have to eventually replace the iPhone, but that should be the last case scenario.

Fix Your iPhone Messaging Issues

Unfortunately, it can take a little bit of time to figure out exactly what the source of your texting issues may be. However, if you’re patient and willing to try a couple of different techniques, you should have no problem getting your iPhone working again.

If you’ve tried everything we listed above but still can’t send text messages on your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max, it might be time to get another device.

Despite them being more reliable than SMS, iMessages sometimes won’t deliver. It’s an annoying problem, but one which does have some solutions.

So why is an iMessage not being delivered? Your blue messages, i.e. the ones sent from one iPhone to another, should say Delivered when they arrive on a recipient’s device, but that’s not always the case. This can affect multiple contacts or one person specifically. It’s more infuriating when the message says Delivered, but the recipient didn’t actually receive it.

So why are your messages not being delivered to one person? Or to numerous people? Here are a few tricks to try when your iMessage is not being delivered properly on your iPhone 18 Pro Max.

What Does “Delivered” Mean on iMessage?

We need to first differentiate between Delivered and Read. Delivered means the other person received the message on their device. Read means the recipient has tapped on it. Of course, this doesn’t mean they’ve actually read it—it only means the message has been opened. Don’t panic if you don’t hear back immediately; they might have selected it but subsequently got distracted.

Not everyone has this feature activated either. You can toggle read receipts for yourself by going to Settings > Apps > Messages > Send Read Receipts, where you can turn this function on or off. In fact, this subsection of Settings is essential if you have issues with iMessage.

Why Does iMessage Say “Delivered” When It’s Not?

Sometimes, a message will say it’s Delivered, but the recipient will insist they never got it. Don’t automatically think they’re lying: there are many reasons this might happen. It could be a quirk of iMessage, but it could also be that the message was delivered to another device.

If your contact has an iPhone and Mac signed in with the same Apple Account, your message could’ve appeared on one of these other devices, not their smartphone. In theory, this shouldn’t cause a problem—your message should show across all devices. However, iMessage is far from perfect.

Common Reasons iMessage Won’t Deliver

So, what does it mean when an iMessage doesn’t say Delivered?

The recipient might have simply turned their phone off. Your message will arrive when they turn on their device again. Be patient. Not everyone keeps their phone turned on all the time, especially during the nighttime.

Even if you think the person is unlikely to turn off their phone, they might have activated Airplane Mode. This cuts off all connections, so they won’t receive iMessages, SMS, or calls.

If you normally receive read receipts from your contact, or it shows Delivered, but you don’t have a reply, there’s another possibility. Their device might be set to Do Not Disturb, which silences alerts. If it’s an emergency, call them instead. At first, you won’t get a response. But call again within three minutes and, if your contact hasn’t changed the default settings, your repeated call will bypass Do Not Disturb mode.

iMessages Won’t Deliver: Troubleshooting

It’s tough to narrow down why iMessages won’t deliver without some trial and error. One of the following solutions should work. You may have to try them all to get to the bottom of the problem.

Do You Both Have Internet Access?

The obvious reason your message won’t deliver is because the recipient has no service. iMessage relies on an internet connection, so if no Wi-Fi or cellular data is available, it won’t appear until their phone is connected. This is a particular concern in rural or underground areas without free online access, or if the recipient is on vacation.

If your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max says Not Delivered, you’re probably the one without an internet connection. Check this by going to Settings > Wi-Fi, where you can see any networks you’ve joined. You can turn Wi-Fi off and on again (then rejoin networks) to clear potential issues.

Review the options at Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data) if you’re relying on roaming. If you do have service, you’ll simply have to wait until the recipient connects too.

Do You Have iMessage Turned On?

This could be a quick fix to your problem that’s easy to overlook. Navigate to Settings > Apps > Messages. iMessage should already be turned on; if not, alter this now. Even if iMessage is already on, it’s worth toggling off then back on again. Wait a few moments while it reactivates.

Send as SMS Instead of iMessage

If the person you’re contacting doesn’t have an Apple product, iMessage won’t work. You need to rely on SMS to send to Android devices, for example. In these instances, your messages will say Sent as Text Message, not Delivered, and appear in green bubbles.

But texts aren’t just useful when sending between different operating systems. You can revert iMessages to SMS if your internet connection is weak. Go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Retry as Text Message to enable this.

iPhones default to iMessage when chatting between Apple devices. Messages will only send as traditional texts if there’s no internet. When cellular data is off for an app, iPhone uses only Wi-Fi for that service. However, iMessage may fail to send if you’ve exceeded your cellular data limit.

You can resend a message via SMS if it reads Not Delivered by tapping on the exclamation point next to the message. Alternatively, switch to another popular messaging app. Major options like WhatsApp and Telegram work on all platforms and offer secure (and sometimes encrypted) messaging. Of course, the recipient has to have the same app installed…

Try a Force Restart

A forced restart reboots your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max, stopping any problematic processes running in the background. Crucially, it doesn’t delete any data. Press and quickly release the volume up button. Press and quickly release the volume down button. Press and hold the side button. When the Apple logo appears, release the side button.

The screen will turn black until the Apple logo appears. You can let go of the buttons at this point and your iPhone will power on as usual.

Is iOS Up to Date?

Apple regularly releases patches to minor issues through iOS updates. This could include problems with iMessage. Check whether you’re running the latest version of iOS by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

This will automatically check if your software is updated and, if not, suggest an installation. You won’t lose any photos or messages, although some apps may ask you to log in again after updating.

Apple Account: Sign Out and Back In

This is one of the most common fixes for iMessage troubles: you just need to sign out of your Apple Account and back in again. Go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Send & Receive and tap your ID. You should then Sign Out, after which all your details, except the phone number, will disappear. Select Use your Apple Account for iMessage and sign back in. This may take a few moments.

You can send an iMessage via both phone numbers and email addresses. If there’s only one person you’re having trouble sending to, check which email address you have listed for them. Do you have any details listed for their contact? Perhaps their Apple Account uses a different address? Ask them in person or via another messaging service if possible.

To add an email address, go to Contacts, select a name, and choose Edit.

Should You Delete Previous Messages?

Have you ever tried sending an email that was too large? It stays in your outbox, attempting to send again and again. Eventually, you have to give up and delete it. That’s what you should try here too. This primarily applies when iMessages won’t deliver to only one or two contacts.

You can delete a whole conversation and start again by swiping left on it and choosing Delete. That’s the nuclear option, and one you likely won’t want to take. But you shouldn’t need to. Be careful because this will make you lose your whole chat history with that person. It’s a last resort only.

Go to the conversation with the person you’re struggling to keep in touch with. Hold your most recent message (Copy it into Notes or Pages if you don’t want to completely lose your text, or screenshot if you want to remember dates, etc.). Go on More and select all the messages you’ve sent since the problem occurred—anything since they stopped responding—then hit the Delete button at the bottom.

There could be just one message causing the issue, so this clears the backlog and lets you try again.

Swap Your SIM Card

SIM cards are fickle; it’s possible yours has decided it doesn’t like a particular number. Head to the store of your service provider if you’ve exhausted everything else.

You’ll likely have to assure the staff that you’ve performed the above troubleshooting steps. Talk to them about swapping to a new SIM card. If you’re on a contract, they should do this for free. You’ll still use the same device, and shouldn’t lose any data.

They’ll activate a new SIM and you’ll have to wait until your old one has no service before swapping to the new card. Transferring between SIMs can take up to 24 hours. From personal experience, it rarely takes longer than an hour before carrier settings are restored.

Note: iPhone 18 Pro Max models purchased in the United States can only be activated with an eSIM.

Reset All Settings

This should really be your last resort because you’ll need to sign into accounts and set up network settings like Wi-Fi and VPNs again. Most importantly, this does not delete your data.

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings—careful you don’t select anything else, as there’s also the option to erase everything. You may need to sign back into your Apple Account afterwards. This should patch any Settings-related glitches, so it’s worth remembering in case you have further issues with your iPhone 18 Pro Max.

iMessage Won’t Deliver: Is My Phone Number Blocked?

Don’t immediately think that someone’s blocked you. In most situations, your number won’t be blocked. However, it’s a possibility. If you have been blocked, iMessage could still say Delivered. Nonetheless, it won’t actually appear on the recipient’s device.

This thought will trouble you, but if you can contact that person elsewhere (on Facebook, X, or Snapchat, for example), then they’re unlikely to have blocked your phone number.

Why Is My iMessage Still Not Delivering?

If you’ve tried everything above and iMessage still won’t deliver, there are further possibilities to entertain. The first is that there’s nothing wrong with your iPhone 18 Pro Max; the problem is with the recipient’s device. This is likely if messages to your other contacts are delivered correctly, although that’s not always the case.

You should advise your contacts to take the same steps you already have by sending them this guide. Another possibility is that they’ve switched numbers and haven’t alerted you yet.