Solving the ‘iMessage is Signed Out’ Dilemma on Your iPhone
The iMessage is signed out error message occurs when the service cannot log in to the iMessage servers on your iPhone. This is often related to the Apple ID associated with the iMessage service on your phone. iMessage, Apple’s native messaging service, has become an integral part of our daily communication. It offers a seamless way to send texts, photos, and videos, but when it hits a snag, it can be frustrating.
When this occurs, you will not be able to use the iMessage service to send or receive messages on your iPhone. To fix this, you will need to ensure the iMessage service is connected to the proper Apple ID in your settings. We will be demonstrating a number of easy methods below that you can use to get around the issue in question.
1. Check iMessage Server Status
First off, let’s play detective. Sometimes, it’s not you; it’s Apple. Before diving into other solutions, check if Apple’s iMessage servers are having a day off. If the problem is occurring due to a server issue on Apple’s end, there is nothing that you can do except wait for them to resolve the issue.
This will help in verifying the problem is on your particular device, and not a widespread problem at the time. You can check Apple’s system via the official System Status web page provided by Apple.
If the iMessage status is normal, indicated by a green color, move to the methods below.
2. Check Network Connection
An issue with your network connection can also result in the “iMessage is signed out” error message. This is because iMessage relies on your network connection to operate which is why a malfunctioning network connection can render issues with the service.
When this happens, you will need to resolve your network connectivity issues to get rid of the problem. You can do this by ensuring your WiFi credentials are correct and the phone is connected to a network. Alternatively, you can also switch to your cellular data to see if the problem goes away.
In case your network connection is working fine, move to the following methods below.
3. Restart iMessage
In some cases, the problem can occur when the iMessage service is running into an issue on your device. This can sometimes happen when you temporarily remove the SIM card from your device. In such a scenario, you will need to restart the iMessage service to resolve the issue.
You can control iMessage on your device via the Settings app. Follow the instructions below to restart iMessage:
- First, open the Settings app on your phone.
- After that, navigate to Messages.
Navigating to Messages - Then, tap the iMessage slider to turn it off.
Toggling iMessage - Once done, wait a couple of seconds and turn iMessage back on.
- After that, restart your iPhone.
- When your phone boots up, see if the problem persists.
4. Check iMessage Region
iMessage is supported globally so you need to select your region when using iMessage on your computer. In some instances, the problem can occur due to an anomaly with the iMessage region on your device.
When this happens, you will need to reset the iMessage region to resolve the problem. To do this, follow the instructions below:
- First, open the Settings app.
- Then, navigate to the Messages option.
Navigating to Messages - In the Messages menu, tap the Send & Receive option.
Navigating to Send and Receive - After that, tap on your Apple ID provided at the bottom.
Tapping on Apple ID - Tap on the Region option to change your location.
Changing iMessage Region - Make sure you select your current location from the Region menu.
- Once you do that, tap the Save option at the top right corner.
- Finally, restart iMessage by toggling the slider and see if the problem still occurs.
5. Check Date and Time
Another cause for the iMessage error message can be the date and time settings on your iPhone. This happens when your device date and time are set incorrectly.
In such a scenario, the iMessage servers refute your connection due to mismatching date and time settings.
As such, you will need to ensure your date and time settings are correct. To do this, follow the instructions below:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Then, tap on the General option.
Navigating to General Settings - In the General menu, tap on the Date & Time option.
Navigating to Date and Time - After that, tap the Time Zone option and select your region.
- Then, tap the Set Automatically slider to turn it on.
Setting Date and Time Automatically - Once you do that, see if the error message still persists.
6. Check iMessage Apple ID
The Apple ID on your device is important as it grants you access to all of the Apple services. This is required to use the iMessage service as well. As such, you will need to ensure that you are using the correct Apple ID for iMessage.
In case you are using an incorrect Apple ID, the iMessage service will not be able to log you in which results in the error message. To check your Apple ID with iMessage, follow the instructions below:
- Open the Settings app and navigate to Messages.
Navigating to Messages - Then, tap on the Send & Receive option.
Navigating to Send and Receive - After that, if you do not see your Apple ID, tap the Use your Apple ID for iMessage option.
- Then, press Sign in and provide your account credentials.
- In case you already have an Apple ID added to iMessage, ensure it is the correct one.
- If there is an issue with the Apple ID, tap on it and press the Sign Out option.
Tapping on Apple ID - After that, restart your device and then tap on the Use your Apple ID for iMessage option to sign in with your Apple account.
- See if that resolves the issue.
7. Check for System Updates
If the iOS version on your iPhone is obsolete, it can cause issues with the iMessage services on your phone. This can be caused by compatibility issues or even bugs that have been fixed in subsequent patches.
That is why you will need to ensure that your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS available for your device. To update your iPhone, follow the instructions below:
- First, open the Settings app.
- Then, navigate to General.
Navigating to General Settings - In the General menu, tap on the Software Update option.
Navigating to Software Update - After that, tap on the Download and Install option.
- Wait for the latest iOS version to install on your device.
- See if the problem occurs again.
8. Reset Network Settings
Finally, if none of the above methods resolve the iMessage is signed out error message, you will need to reset the network settings on your iPhone. This is because an inconsistency with the network configuration on your device can cause the iMessage service to malfunction which prevents it from signing in.
Before proceeding, it is important to note that you will lose your saved WiFi networks, VPNs, and any Bluetooth devices along with other network settings. This will restore the network configuration to the factory defaults. Follow the instructions below to do this:
- First, open the Settings app and go to General.
Navigating to General Settings - Then, tap on the Transfer or Reset iPhone option.
- After that, tap on the Reset option.
Opening Reset Menu - From the menu that appears, select the Reset Network Settings option.
Reset Network Settings - Then, tap the Reset Network Settings option again.
- Finally, provide your device password to proceed.
- Once the network settings have been reset, sign in to iMessage and see if the problem is still there.
You should be able to overcome the error message in question with these methods. In case you are still encountering the “iMessage is signed out” error message, we recommend giving it some time for the changes to be synced. Alternatively, you can reach out to the Apple Support team to ask for further assistance with the issue.