iPhone 18 Pro Not Receiving SMS Messages? Fix

While using your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max, you may notice unexpected SMS text messaging behavior where you can’t receive SMS messages on your iPhone 18 Pro, while you can send SMS messages. There are few things you can try if you can send but cannot receive these types of messages using the Messages app. There may be several likely causes that you can investigate.

It appears that this problem affects SMS messages and iMessages are not affected. iMessages only work between Apple devices. You can however receive SMS messages from any type of cellular phone such as Android phones.

Try the suggestions below in this order until your issue is fixed:

Follow these steps first:

Ensure that you have the most updated version of iOS. You can check for updates by going to Settings > General > Software Update. And if there is an update, you can follow the onscreen instructions to update your device. Updating your iPhone will also update the Messages app if you do not have the latest version installed on your device.
On your iPhone, turn on Airplane Mode (Settings > Airplane Mode), wait at least 15 seconds and then turn it off.
Restart your iPhone. Here is how:

Press and hold either volume button and the side button together until the power off slider appears on your screen.
Drag the slider to the right.
Wait about 30 seconds for your iPhone to completely turn off.
Press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.

Do you see “SOS Only,” “No service” or “Searching” in the status bar of your device? If this is the case, then try:

See if you have signal. SMS messages require that you have a cellular signal.
Make sure that you’re in an area with cellular network coverage. Go to another location and try there to get messages.
Contact your carrier (Verizon, T Mobile, etc) to ensure that there are no issues with your carrier or account. Maybe you do not have enough to send/receive SMS messages.

Make sure Focus is off by going to Control Center.
Check to see if you blocked the contact that is trying to send you the SMS message. You can block and unblock contacts or numbers in Messages. To see your blocked contacts, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Blocked Contacts.
If your iPhone 18 Pro cannot receive the SMS messages containing videos or images, ensure that there’s enough space on your device. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to check your storage.
Ensure that your iPhone number can receive messages. Here is how you can check:

On your iPhone, go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Send & Receive.
Make sure that your phone number is selected.

Ensure that Send as Text Message is turned on on your and the other party’s device (if it is an iPhone). You can check this by going to Settings > Apps > Messages.

Further steps:

If you are still having this SMS problem, then try the tips below:

If your iPhone 18 Pro has a SIM card, ensure that it is properly inserted. Try removing and then reinserting it. Doing so is simple. To pop open the SIM tray, insert a paper clip or a SIM-eject tool into the hole beside the tray. Push in, towards your iPhone, but don’t force it. Then you can remove the SIM card.
Check for carrier settings update. There may be an update. You can check this by going to Settings > General > About. If there is an update, a popup will appear. Follow the instructions to update.
Reset your network settings. Please note that doing so will erase your network-related settings such as your Wi-Fi passwords, VPN settings, etc will be permanently deleted. On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.