10 Easy Fixes for When iMessage Doesn’t Say Delivered
- "Delivered" on iMessage means the message has reached the recipient's device. Lack of a "delivered" status could be due to poor internet connection, the recipient's phone being off or in Airplane mode, or them having moved to a non-iOS device.
- To fix the issue, check your internet connection, make sure both sender and receiver have the latest version of iOS, try sending as an SMS, ensure the correct contact details are used, and restart your device.
- If the problem persists, update your iOS, sign out and back into your Apple ID, reset network settings, or contact Apple Support for further assistance.
iMessage is a key feature for iPhone users, offering a unique way to stay in touch with loved ones. Despite its popularity, it’s not perfect and sometimes runs into small glitches. Recently, many users have noticed an issue where iMessages don’t show as “delivered.”
This problem indicates that the message hasn’t reached the intended person. If you’re worried by this and unsure what to do, don’t worry.
In this guide, we’ll explain the meaning of “delivered” on iMessage, explore why messages might not be marked as delivered, show you how to fix it, and help you figure out if someone has blocked you or is using the Do Not Disturb mode.
Table of Contents:
- What does “Delivered” mean on iMessage?
- Why iMessage doesn’t say delivered?
- How to fix iMessage doesn’t say delivered?
- 1. Check the Internet/connectivity of your iPhone
- 2. Apple messages out of date/bugged out
- 3. Send as SMS instead of iMessage
- 4. Check contact list
- 5. Force restart your device
- 6. Install pending iOS updates
- 7. Sign out of Apple ID and sign back in
- 8. Reset network settings
- 9. Reset all settings
- 10. Contact Apple Support
- What other things you can try?
- Final thoughts
What does “Delivered” mean on iMessage?
First, let’s understand the difference between “Delivered” and “Read” on iMessage. “Delivered” tells you the message has reached the other person’s phone. On the other hand, “Read” means the person has opened the message.
Opening a message doesn’t guarantee they’ve actually read the words inside. They might have seen the notification, checked the message, and then got sidetracked. Not everyone chooses to show when they’ve read a message, but you can decide if you want others to see when you’ve read theirs.
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Why iMessage doesn’t say delivered?
There are several reasons why your iMessage might not say “delivered.” Here’s a list of common issues:
- You or the person you’re messaging might not have a good internet connection since iMessage needs the internet to work.
- The person you’re texting could have put their phone in Airplane mode, turned it off, activated Do Not Disturb mode or lost their internet connection, which stops iMessages from coming through.
- You might have used the wrong login details for iMessage.
- You could have saved the wrong phone number for the person you’re trying to message.
- The person you’re messaging might have switched from an iPhone to an Android phone, which doesn’t use iMessage.
- They could have changed their Apple ID or phone number.
- They might have turned off iMessage on their phone.
- The person might have blocked you on iMessage.
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How to fix iMessage doesn’t say delivered?
Now that we’ve looked at why iMessages might not show as “delivered,” let’s focus on how to solve this problem. We have a few tried-and-tested methods to help fix this issue. So, let’s explore these solutions without waiting any longer:
1. Check the Internet/connectivity of your iPhone
Sometimes, you might be in an area where you don’t have a strong internet connection or service. Or you might accidentally turn on Airplane mode on your iPhone without noticing, which can stop it from connecting to your mobile network. Here’s a quick way to check and fix this:
- Swipe down from the top of your home screen to access the Control Center. Look for the airplane icon and tap it to turn off Airplane mode if it’s on.
Access control center - Wait for the network signal icon to turn gray, showing you’re connected again.
Wait for the Network signal to change color
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2. Apple messages out of date/bugged out
If your internet’s working fine, the next thing to check is the iMessage app itself. It might need an update, especially if you don’t have automatic updates turned on or there was an internet problem.
If everything is already updated, try restarting iMessage by turning it off and then back on. Here’s what to do:
- Open “Settings” and go to “Messages.”
Tap on Messages - Find the iMessage switch and tap it to turn iMessage off.
Tap to turn it off - Tap the switch again to turn iMessage back on.
Turn it back on
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3. Send as SMS instead of iMessage
Sometimes, iMessages aren’t delivered because the person you’re trying to message doesn’t have an iPhone; they might have an Android phone instead. When this happens, you can choose to send your message as a regular text message. Here’s how to set it up:
- Go to your iPhone’s Settings and find “Messages” to open its options.
Tap on Messages - Turn off “iMessage” by tapping the switch next to it.
Tap to turn it off
Now, your iPhone will send messages as SMS (text messages) instead of using iMessage.
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4. Check contact list
Sending a message to the wrong number can cause iMessage not to work correctly, especially if the person you’re trying to reach doesn’t use an iPhone. It’s a good idea to check your contact list to ensure you’re messaging the right number. Here’s how:
- Tap the phone icon on your home screen to open it.
Open Phone app - Navigate to the “Contacts” section.
Tap on Contacts section - Find and tap on the name of the person you want to message.
Find the contact - Check their phone number to make sure it’s correct. If you’ve saved the wrong number, update it with the right one and try sending your iMessage again.
Confirm you have the right number details
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5. Force restart your device
Restarting your phone can solve many problems, including issues with iMessage. When you force restart your device, it turns off and back on, stopping any problems running in the background.
To perform a force restart on various iPhone models, follow these instructions tailored to each model range:
↪ For iPhone 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, X, and iPhone 8 Series:
- Quickly press and release the “Volume Up” button, then swiftly do the same with the “Volume Down” button.
- Press and continuously hold the “Side Sleep/Wake” button until the Apple logo is displayed, then release.
↪ For iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus:
- Simultaneously press and hold the “Volume Down” and the “Sleep/Wake” buttons.
- Maintain holding both until the Apple logo appears, then let go.
↪ For iPhone 6, iPhone SE, and Earlier Models:
- Concurrently press and hold the “Sleep/Wake” button and the “Home” button.
- Continue holding both buttons until you see the Apple logo, then release.
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6. Install pending iOS updates
Sometimes, if your iOS is not up-to-date, your messages might not be sent. To make sure this isn’t causing the problem, you should update your iOS, which will also update your iMessage app. Here’s what to do:
- Open the Settings on your iPhone and go to “General.”
Tap General - Next, select “Software Update.”
Tap on Software update - Here, you’ll see if your device can be updated to the latest version of iOS. If there’s an update waiting, you’ll find a “Download and Install” option. Tap it and let your device complete the update.
Install the latest iOS update
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7. Sign out of Apple ID and sign back in
Signing out of your Apple ID and then signing back in can often fix problems related to your Apple account, including issues with iMessage. Here’s a simple way to do this:
- Open the Settings app and tap on “Messages.”
Tap on Messages - Select “Send & Receive” to get to the message options.
Select Send & Receive - Tap on your Apple ID, then choose “Sign Out” in the window that pops up.
Tap Sign Out
Afterward, log back into your Apple ID using the same account details.
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8. Reset network settings
If you’re still having trouble, try resetting the network settings on your iPhone. These settings are all about how your phone connects to cellular and Wi-Fi networks. Resetting them can sometimes fix issues like iMessage not saying “delivered.” Here’s how to do it:
- Open your iPhone’s “Settings” app and head over to the “General” section.
Tap General - Look for “Transfer or Reset iPhone” and tap on it.
Tap on Transfer or Reset iPhone - Then, tap on “Reset.”
Tap Reset - Choose “Reset Network Settings” from the menu. This action will restore all your network settings to their original state.
Tap on Reset Network Settings - You must type in your passcode to confirm you want to do this.
Enter the passcode
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9. Reset all settings
If you’re still having issues, another option is to reset all the settings on your iPhone. This will change all settings back to their original state but won’t delete your personal data. Here’s how to do it:
- Go to your iPhone’s Settings, then find and tap on “General.”
Tap General - Look for the option “Transfer or Reset iPhone” and tap on it.
Tap on Transfer or Reset iPhone - Choose “Reset.”
Tap Reset - From the options, select “Reset All Settings.” This will reset everything to default settings.
Tap Reset All Settings - You’ll be asked to enter your passcode as confirmation.
Enter the passcode
After confirming, wait for your iPhone to finish resetting all the settings.
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10. Contact Apple Support
If you’ve tried everything mentioned and still can’t fix the issue with the “Delivered” status on iMessage, it’s time to ask for help from Apple Support. They can offer tailored advice and solve the problem considering your particular device and its settings.
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What other things you can try?
If your iMessages aren’t getting delivered, one possibility is that the person has blocked you. But figuring out if you’ve been blocked isn’t straightforward. Unless they tell you directly, there’s no surefire way to know. However, you can try a few things to get a better idea.
↪ Do Not Disturb mode
It’s easier to check if someone has set their phone to Do Not Disturb (DND). When you send an iMessage to someone with DND or any other Focus mode, you usually still see a delivery notification. If you don’t get this notification, it might mean you’ve been blocked. Remember, this trick only works if the person you’re messaging also uses an iPhone.
↪ Making a phone call
One of the simplest, though potentially awkward, methods to see if you’ve been blocked is calling them. If your call goes straight to voicemail or rings once before going to voicemail, this could be a sign you’re blocked.
↪ Try using a different number or device
Another way to check is by using a different phone number or device to call or message them. If you still can’t get through, the issue might be on their end, like a technical problem, rather than them blocking you.
These methods can give you a better idea of whether you’re dealing with a Do Not Disturb setting or if you’ve been blocked, but remember, they aren’t 100% foolproof.
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Final thoughts
If you’re facing the issue where iMessage doesn’t say delivered, don’t worry, as there are several steps you can take to fix this. Whether it’s checking your internet connection, updating your iOS, or ensuring you haven’t been blocked, each method offers a solution to get your iMessages flowing again.
Check settings like Do Not Disturb and verify the recipient’s phone number. If all else fails, resetting your network settings or even contacting Apple Support can help. This guide aims to provide you with straightforward, easy-to-follow advice to tackle the problem head-on.
FAQs
No, if someone has blocked you, they won’t receive your messages. Your messages will still appear blue on your end, but you won’t see any updates like “Delivered” or “Read” for the messages you send.
Normally, this shouldn’t happen. But if it does, one reason might be that you have saved multiple numbers for the same person, including numbers they don’t use anymore. In such cases, your message might be sent to an old number and mistakenly show as delivered.
No, iMessages will not say “Delivered” if the recipient’s phone is turned off. The message will only show as “Delivered” once the recipient’s device is turned back on and connected to the internet, allowing the message to reach their phone.
Once someone switches from an iPhone to Android, they cannot receive iMessages. You’ll need to send messages to them via SMS (green bubble) instead.