5 Solutions to iPhone/iPad iMessage Not Saying Delivered

When iMessage says not delivered in red on iPhone/iPad, do you know the reason and how to fix? This passage will give you all things about the issue and offers another useful tool to backup iMessage.

Kathy by Kathy Updated November 11, 2024
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Why doesn’t my iMessage say delivered?

The iMessage not showing as delivered on my iPhone 13. What should I do if they're sent but not marked as delivered? This issue only occurs with certain individuals, and I'm not blocked.

- Question from Apple Community

Why iMessage says not delivered in red on iPhone/iPad?

When iMessage displays the "Not Delivered" status, it indicates that the message hasn't been successfully sent to the recipient's device due to various possible reasons.

imessage

• No Internet Connection: iMessage requires an active Wi-Fi or cellular data connection to function.
• Recipient's Device Status: The recipient's device could be in Airplane mode, powered off, or set to "Do Not Disturb." Then iMessage can’t be received.
• Incorrect Sign-In Credentials: If you've entered incorrect iMessage sign-in credentials on your device, the issue can also occur.
• Incorrect Phone Number: Using the wrong number will result in message delivery issues.

Something you need to know before attempting to solve the problem:

1. The differences between Message and iMessage

iMessages are denoted by a blue color, whereas standard text messages appear in green within the Messages app. Additionally, sending an iMessage requires an active internet connection.

message

2. Confirm the recipient is using iPhone/iPad

It's essential to note that iMessage can exclusively be delivered between two Apple devices. So it's crucial to verify whether the recipient is also using an iPhone/iPad. If not, the message will not be delivered.

If the recipient is using a non-iOS device, you can enable the Send as SMS option: Go to Settings app on your iPhone/iPad > Choose Message > Turn on Send as SMS option. Then resend the message as a text message.

How to fix iMessage not saying delivered on iPhone/iPad

When addressing the iMessage sending issue, it's important to verify whether your phone number has been blocked by the recipient. If it has, solving the issue on your end might not have any effect.

Solution 1. Check Internet connection on your device

Generally speaking, if you change text message to iMessage but still cannot send your message, a network connection is essential for the iMessage-sending process. Therefore, you should start by checking the Wi-Fi or cellular data connection on your iPhone/iPad. If you are using cellular data, ensure that you have an adequate data balance with your carrier.

Solution 2. Restart the device

At times, a minor bug or issue on your device can be solved by force restarting iPhone/iPad. The operation may differ depending on the specific model you possess.

For iPhone 8 Plus/8/X or later: Press and release the Volume Up button > Press and release the Volume Down button > Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.

restart-iphone

For iPhone 7 Plus or 7: Press and hold the Sleep/Wake and Volume Down buttons simultaneously until the Apple logo is displayed on your screen.

For iPhone 6 or earlier: Press and hold the Home button and Sleep/Wake button at the same time until the Apple logo is displayed on your screen.

For iPad with Face ID: Quickly press and then release the Volume Up button > Quickly press and release the Volume Down button > Hold down the Power button until the Apple logo becomes visible.

For iPad with the Home button: Simultaneously press and hold the Power and Home buttons > Release both buttons when the Apple logo shows on your iPad screen.

Solution 3. Toggle off & on iMessage

If you suspect that there might be a temporary issue or bug with iMessage, you can try to turn off iMessage and turn on it again: Launch Settings app > Messages > Toggle off iMessage > Turn it back on again. Then you could be able to send an iMessage now.

turn-off-imessage

Solution 4. Sign out of Apple ID and sign back In

When iMessage is not delivered all the time, you can try to sign out of your Apple ID and then sign back in: Go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive > Locate your Apple ID and tap on it > Choose Sign Out from the pop-up window. After a while, sign back into your Apple ID using the same account.

settings

Solution 5. Update the iOS system on iPhone/iPad

Trying to update your iPhone/iPad to the latest iOS can be another approach to fix the iMessage not saying delivered issue: Open Settings on iPhone/iPad > Choose General > Software Update Download & Install. If there is any available software update, tap Download and Install to update your device.

install

Bonus: Better to backup iMessage after solving the issue

Now hope you can fix the issue using these 5 ways above. After solving the problem, it’s advised to back up your iMessage app to avoid losing any data. Then FoneTool comes in handy for this task.

As an all-in-one iPhone/iPad data management app, FoneTool offers users rich features. You can easily transfer, backup or delete everything on iPhone/iPad in a few clicks.

More than that, with the easy-to-use interface and super-fast transfer speed, FoneTool can help you save a lot of time. And it only depends on a USB connection in all processes which can guarantee your data security, so you can use this tool without any concern.

You can free download this tool on your Windows PC and see how to use it to fully back up your iPhone/iPad including iMessage data.

Download Freeware Win 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP
Secure Download

Step 1. Connect your iPhone/iPad to the computer with a USB cable> If asks, tap Trust on your device.

Step 2. Click Phone Backup > Choose Full Backup icon and click Get Started

full-backup

Note: FoneTool also provides users with selective backup function and you can selectively back up text messages, photos, music, videos and contacts on your iPhone/iPad.

Step 3. You can check Enable Backup Encryption to encrypt your private data such as Fitness records, Health and Keychain > Then click Start Backup to start.

backup

After the backup, you can choose Backup History to restore your iPhone/iPad backup.

restore

Conclusion

When iMessage not saying delivered on your device, hope you can get the most suitable way in this post to fix the issue. If you want to explore more functions on FoneTool, you can also transfer WhatsApp business from iPhone to iPhone easily.

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