If you're having issues with messaging, then let’s check some basics before we deep dive into troubleshooting:
- Turn airplane mode on and then off.
- Restart your device and ensure your phone has at least two signal bars. If not, refer to Signal Issues.
- Ensure that you have an active plan or add-on with enough text allowance. If you don’t have an active plan, you can buy one, here. For add-ons, click here.
Note: When you buy a plan, it runs for one month. Even if you use everything up, it still runs for a full month. If you buy another plan, it will not start immediately. It gets queued and will only start when the current plan runs out.
- Ensure that your device has at least 15% free space.
- For picture issues, open a few web pages to make sure your Internet works. If not, follow Internet Issues.
CAN’T SEND OR RECEIVE SMS MESSAGES:
- Make sure the number was entered correctly, including the country code.
- Check that the number isn't on your device's spam list or block list.
- Update the time and date on your device and enable auto-update.
- Uninstall any downloaded messaging apps.
- Android devices:
- Make sure the SMSC setting is +353894300000. (And it's really important that it starts +353 and not 00353)
- Now where do you check this setting, you might be thinking? It's different for every handset. Normally, it's in the Message menu and you'll be looking for "Message Centre Number". Sometimes this is shortened to "SMSC"! If you're really stuck, just Google it!
- Clear the app cache for Email & Messaging.
- Reset APNs to default.
- Apple devices:
- If the message is blue, see iMessage.
- If you or your contact had an iPhone and switched recently, turn off or unregister for iMessage & FaceTime.
- Check whether picture messaging is turned on in Settings > Messages > turn on MMS Messaging.
- Reset Network Settings in Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
- Update your device software to the latest version.
- Delete all text threads. You can back these up beforehand using apps from the app store.
