If you recently updated your iPhone 18 Pro to the latest iOS 27 version and suddenly noticed that iMessage has stopped working, you’re not alone. Many iPhone 18 Pro users have reported that after the update, iMessages either won’t send, fail to deliver, or default to SMS or RCS. Some even said they aren’t receiving certain texts at all — while their Apple Watch or Mac still gets the messages.
This problem seems to affect both the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, and started right after installing the latest version of iOS 27.
Reported issues include:
- Messages defaulting to green SMS or RCS bubbles instead of blue iMessages.
- Group chats failing when all members use iMessage.
- Not receiving texts on the iPhone, while they still appear on Apple Watch, iPad, or Mac.
- “iMessage is Signed Out” or activation errors when trying to turn iMessage back on.
- Multimedia messages (photos, videos, voice notes) hanging and failing to send.
iPhone 18 Pro iMessage problems fixes:
- Update: Update to the latest version of iOS 27 (when or if available). The best way to make sure your iPhone receives all the features, security updates, and bug fixes in the latest software releases is to turn on automatic updates.
- Check Send & Receive: Go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Send & Receive. Make sure your phone number is checked and not just your email address. Several users said their iPhone defaulted to an iCloud email after the update, which caused iMessage to fail.
- Toggle iMessage Off and On: Go to Settings > Apps > Messages and turn iMessage off. Restart your iPhone. Turn iMessage back on. It might take up to 24 hours for your carrier to verify your phone number with Apple.
- Reset Network Settings: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. All network settings are removed. Wi-Fi is turned off and then back on, disconnecting you from any network you’re on.
- Force restart the iPhone 18 Pro: Some users fixed the issue by turning both RCS and iMessage off, then forcing a restart: press and quickly release the volume up button, press and quickly release the volume down button, then press and hold the side button. When the Apple logo appears, release the side button. Once the iPhone restarted, they turned iMessage and RCS back on, and messages started working again. To turn iMessage off and on, go to Settings > Apps > Messages. For RCS, go to Settings > Apps > Messages > RCS Messaging.
- Check Date & Time: Go to Settings > General > Date & Time. Make sure Set Time Automatically is enabled. To activate iMessage, your time zone also needs to be set correctly.
- Sign Out of Apple account and Back In: First make sure that you have an up-to-date iCloud backup. Open the Settings app, then tap your name. Scroll down to the bottom and tap Sign Out. Choose Sign Out But Don’t Erase (not Erase this iPhone), enter your passcode or Apple Account password, then tap Confirm and Sign Out. Restart your iPhone and sign back in.
Some users reported that after updating to the latest iOS 27, their phone numbers were flagged as spam. If your account is blocked, you might see “iMessage or FaceTime Activation Failed. This account is blocked due to reported spam.” If none of the fixes above work, contact Apple Support and specifically ask if your number was blocked or flagged as spam. Several users reported that once Apple “unblocked” their number, iMessage started working on their iPhone 18 Pro immediately.
