8 ways to fix your Android if it isn't receiving texts from iPhone users
JUMP TO Section Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.- Turn off iMessage if the number was once used on an iPhone
- Deregister iMessage if you don't own your iPhone anymore
- You've blocked the iPhone number
- Toggle Airplane mode
- Make sure you have cellular connectivity
- Restart your phone
- Clear the Messages app cache
- Update the Android OS
Redeem now - If your Android device is using a phone number that was once in an iPhone, you need to deregister it from iMessage.
- You should also check your cellular reception and make sure you're not blocking the iPhone's phone number in the Phone app.
- Here are eights ways to fix your Android if it isn't receiving texts from iPhone users.
Android devices and iPhones don't have a lot in common, but at they're core, they're both phones and need to work alongside each other for voice calls and text messages.
Some Android users occasionally find that they can't receive text messages from their iPhone contacts, though. If this happens to you, it can be frustrating — but thankfully, there are a handful of common troubleshooting steps that get texts from iPhone messages in your Messages app quickly and easily.
Turn off iMessage if the number was once used on an iPhone
If you get text messages from other Android devices but not from iPhones, the most likely culprit is that your phone number is registered as an iPhone in Apple's database. If so, incoming iPhone messages are sent as iMessages, which your Android phone can't process — so you get nothing. This can happen if you moved your SIM card from an iPhone to an Android device, for example. If you still have the old iPhone that the SIM card came from, the fix is straightforward.
1. Remove the SIM card from your Android phone and reinsert it in the iPhone.
2. On the iPhone, start the Settings app and tap Messages.
3. Turn off iMessage by swiping the button to the left.
4. Tap the Back button to the return to the main Settings page.
5. Tap FaceTime.
6. Turn off FaceTime by swiping the button to the left.
Deregister iMessage if you don't own your iPhone anymore
The previous step only works if you still have your old iPhone. If you no longer own it, or the number was associated with someone else's iPhone, you can do this same thing online. Go to Apple's Deregister iMessage webpage. In the No longer have your iPhone? section, enter your phone number and wait for a confirmation code on your Android. When it comes, enter that code in the Confirmation Code field, then click Submit.
You've blocked the iPhone number
It's possible that the problem is relatively mundane — you might have blocked the iPhone and that's why you're not seeing text messages from that number. While the exact steps might vary depending on what model Android you have, here is a general overview of what to do:
1. Start the Phone app.
2. Tap the three-dot menu at the top right.
3. In the dropdown menu, tap Settings.
4. Tap Blocked numbers.
5. If your number is in the list, tap the X to the right of the number.
Toggle Airplane mode
Not getting a text you're expecting? Perhaps you're not getting any messages because there's a glitch with your cellular radio or the wireless software. Turning your phone's cellular radio off and back on again may resolve the issue. Swipe down from the top of the screen to see your shortcuts, then tap Airplane mode to turn it on. Wait a few seconds, then tap it again to re-enable your wireless networks.
Make sure you have cellular connectivity
Text messages rely on your phone's cellular service, not Wi-Fi. So in order to get text messages, you need a solid cellular signal. Be sure to check your wireless signal strength in the status bar at the top of the screen, and move outdoors if needed. Toggling Airplane mode can also help reestablish a solid cellular signal.
Restart your phone
If all else has failed so far, rebooting your phone might get your texting working again. Android devices vary, but you can turn off many phones by pressing and holding the power button on the side of the phone for several seconds or by swiping the shortcuts menu down from the top of the screen and finding the power icon.
Clear the Messages app cache
If nothing else has worked thus far, you could be experiencing a problem with the Messages app — in particular, the data cache could be corrupted, which can interfere with its ability to receive and display text messages. The steps to clear the cache might vary slightly depending upon which version of Android you have, but here's what you should do:
1. Start the Settings app.
2. Tap Apps.
3. Go to the list of apps (tap See all apps if necessary) and tap Messages.
4. Tap Storage & cache.
5. Tap Clear cache.
Update the Android OS
It's also possible that there's a more pervasive problem with your phone, such as a software bug or incompatibility that's preventing your Messages app from working properly. Check to make sure your operating system is up to date and then install any available updates, if needed.
Dave Johnson Freelance Writer Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider. Read more Read lessncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o8HSoqWeq6Oeu7S1w56pZ5ufonyowcidnKxnpJqwqXvAp5urp5mZeq%2B702apnpuVnsOqusZmq56wpKh6p77OpmSiqJiku6Y%3D