iMessage Not Working on iOS 10 for iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, Here’s How to Fix it

iMessage in iOS 10 is now packed with awesome features which allows users to have much better messaging experience. There are hundreds of stickers available, message effects, doodle messages, invisible ink as well as games!  You can draw your messages and create different shapes. iOS 10 also allowed iMessage app to be integrated with third-party apps for more fun and amazing experience. What’s more is that you can play with your friends while having some chit chats!

iMessage is not the simple iMessage that we knew before. It is already much better and more competitive. Aside from texting, sending voice mails and attachments, there are already different activities that you can do from this app. While it becomes more developed, problems like iMessage Not Working also arises.

Some users of iOS 10 have reported some issues regarding their iMessage app after updating to the latest version of iOS. This article will show you different ways to solve iMessage Not working problems as well as other issues. You may have to try more than one solution to determine which one will solve the issue.

#1 Check Your Network Settings

iMessage only works on Wi-Fi and 3G network. It is obvious that it won’t work if there is no active connection or when it is not strong enough. If you want to use iMessage via WiFi, make sure that you are near the source. Check WiFi proxies and make sure that they do not block the connection.

If you want to use iMessage via 3G, make sure that your cellular data is on. If 3G is not working, simply turn it off and on then try to send messages again. Most people experiencing iMessage failure is only due to weak connection. However, if you have strong connection and this is not your problem, check the next solution.

#2 Turn Off iMessage for Few Seconds

Another solution that can fix iMessage not working problems on iOS 10 is by turning it off for few seconds.

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Messages and toggle off iMessage.
3. Wait for few seconds or minutes before you turn it back on. Check if you are connected to Wi-Fi or 3G.

#3 Reboot

Rebooting your device can solve many issues. It can also solve iMessage not working. To reboot your iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 plus:

1. Press and hold down Sleep/Wake button until a slider appears.
2. Swipe the slider to turn your device off.
3. Wait for few seconds before you turn your device back on. To turn it on, simply press and hold Sleep/Wake button until the Apple logo appears.

#4 Turn off and on Airplane Mode

If the issue is network connection, a simple turn off and on of the Airplane Mode can solve the problem. To turn it off, go to Settings app and turn off Airplane Mode. Wait for few seconds before you turn it back on. This solution will refresh 3G or Wi-Fi connection.

#5 Check Send & Receive

There are instances that the problem is where to reach you. You need to check your Send & Receive settings again if the entered number or Apple ID is correct.

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Messages and select Send & Receive.
3. Check the number as well as the Apple ID listed. Arrange it if necessary.

#6 Reset Network Settings

Another solution that can usually solve most problems is resetting network settings. There is no need to worry since all your data will be saved. It will only reset your wireless connections. To reset:

1. Open Settings
2. Tap General and tap
3. Tap Reset Network Settings.

Hopefully this will solve iMessage not working. Just make sure to avoid tapping Erase All Content and Settings or Reset all Settings. However, if it still did not, jump to the next solution.

#7 Disable Wi-Fi Assist

Wi-Fi assist is a feature that switches the connection of your device from Wi-Fi to 3G or vice versa. Some users have reported that turning off this feature solved the iMessage not working issue. To disable Wi-Fi assist:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap Cellular.
3. Turn off WiFi Assist.

#8 Check Date and Time Settings

There can be a problem if your device’s date and time settings have been changed. Make sure that it has been Set Automatically. Open Settings app, tap General and select Date & time. Toggle on Set Automatically.

#9 Reset All Settings

Another solution that you can do to solve iMessage not working issue is to reset all settings. It won’t delete any of your data so there is nothing to fret. To perform reset all settings:

1. Open Settings
2. Tap General and scroll down to Reset.
3. Tap Reset All Settings. Tap again to confirm that you want to reset all settings.

Once you confirm, your device will start to reboot. Do not worry as it would not delete any of your saved data. All your accounts will remain as well as your mails and messages. This solution resets your device’s settings to its factory default. It only removes all your WiFi, Do Not Disturb, Sounds, Bluetooth, Privacy, Brightness and Wallpaper preferences.

#10 Change DNS Settings

You can also try this solution to see if it can solve the issue. To change DNS settings, open Settings app and tap Wi-Fi. Tap the (i) icon next to your wireless connection. In the DNS field, enter 8.8.8.8

iOS 10 iMessage Effects Not Working

If your iMessage is working but the effects do not in iOS 10, you can easily solve this issue by turning off Reduce Motion.

1. Open Settings app and tap General.
2. Select Accessibility and tap Reduce Motion.
3. Toggle to turn it off.

After doing the steps above, the iMessage effects should already work. Currently, you cannot enjoy iMessage effects if the Reduce Motion feature is on. Hopefully there will be new updates that Apple will allow iMessage effects on iOS 10 even when Reduce Motion feature is on. After doing the steps above, the iMessage effects should already work.

Bubble Effects Not working

Another issue that is experienced by some users is the bubble effects not working in iMessage iOS 10. This effect can make bubbles slam, loud, gentle or invisible. It can also turn the whole screen into lasers, fireworks, shooting starts or balloons.

• • Slam can make the whole screen ripple as it stamps the bubbles.
  • Loud creates a huge bubble that shakes first.
  • Gentle creates tiny bubbles that slowly slip into place.
  • Invisible ink covers the bubble so you have to swipe it to see.

  To make bubble effects work, make sure that Reduce Motion is off. Go to Settings, tap General and select Accessibility. Tap Reduce Motion and make sure that it is off.

  To make the bubble effects work on 3D Touch iDevices, you need to press the send button. For non-3D Touch iDevices, it works when pressing the send button longer.

  Screen Effects Not Appearing

  One of the problems in iMessage is the screen effects. Some users have reported that the screen effects are not appearing after installing the latest update. These screen effects are awesome, and can create balloons, confetti, lasers, fireworks and shooting stars.

  • Balloons create multi-colored balloons flying from the bottom of the screen.
  • Confetti makes the screen like someone just received a golden button.
  • Lasers fill the screen with laser plus laser sound.
  • Fireworks create different colors of fireworks.
  • Shooting starts allows you to enjoy shooting stars from your screen.

Just like the bubble effect on iMessage, make sure that Reduce Motion is toggled off. To check, go to Settings app and tap General. Select Accessibility and tap Reduce Motion. Check if it is toggled off.

Note: How Your Press the Send Button is Important

To make the effects appear on your screen, you have to press longer the send button (for non 3D touch iPhones). For 3D touch iDevices, simply press the send button firmly. If a microphone appears next to your text box, simply compose a message and it will change automatically to blue upward arrow. Press it longer until the effects appear.

iMessage Handwriting Feature Not Appearing

If you cannot see the handwriting feature on your keyboard, simply rotate your screen to landscape. You will see an extra button at the bottom that looks like a hand-drawn loop. Simply tap the Handwriting button to write your message.

 

To return to the normal keyboard, simply tap the keyboard button next to the loop.

Predictive Emoji Not Working

To make predictive emoji work, open Settings app and tap General. Tap Keyboards and scroll down until you see Predictive. Turn it off for few seconds and turn it back on.

Reset your iPhone and then check if iMessage is already predicting emojis. That should solve the problem!

Another way is to open Settings app and select General. Scroll down and tap Reset. Tap Reset Keyboard Dictionary. Enter your password if asked and tap to confirm. When Dictionary has already been reset, go back to Settings, tap General and tap Keyboards. Tap Edit and delete emoji keyboard.

Then tap Add New Keyboard and choose Emoji Keyboard. Reset your iPhone again and check if iMessage predictive emoji is already working.

Conclusion:

The Messages app of Apple is now packed with cool features that allow you to enjoy your conversation with your family and friends. With all these new features available, most users now prefer iMessage than other chat apps. We hope that the solutions above solved your iMessage not working problem.

If you still have problems, further questions and suggestions, let us know in the comments section below. We would like to hear from you!