How to Fix ‘iMessage needs to be enabled to send this message’ Error

iOS users have been facing a multitude of problems since the launch of iOS 12 last week. One of the most frequent iOS 12 issues users are facing is “iMessage fails to send”. This is a message that pops up when you try to send a message to a supported iOS 12 device. This error can happen when iMessage fails to connect to the device, doesn’t receive a response from the device, or the device is not supported.

A common issue many iOS users experience when trying to send messages is that they are unable to send a text message, even though they want to. There are a handful of reasons this could occur, but the most common reason is that the iMessage app is not enabled on their iPhone. If you’re experiencing this issue, there are a few different solutions that can help you fix it.

Earlier this week I enabled iMessage on my iPhone 5s, and then got a message that iMessage needs to be enabled. I used the normal sequence of steps to ensure that iMessage was enabled, then re-enabled it again. The error in question still appeared in my iPhone settings.  I Googled on it, and found many other people who had the same issue (as well as many people who said that there was no such message).  I also found some people who had to reset their phone to solve the problem.  I re-enabled iMessage and the problem disappeared.

iMessage, an incredible feature-cum-functionality on Apple devices, enables connectivity between friends and relatives. iMessage is a feature on iOS devices that allows you to send free text messages to other iOS users. Occasionally, however, iMessage experiences a problem. 

How to Fix the Error ‘To send this message, iMessage must be enabled’

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We’ve gotten a lot of questions about iMessage: It claims that when a user is about to send a message, a pop-up opens with the error message “iMessage must be enabled to send this message.” It’s possible that a recent upgrade to your iOS device is the cause of this.

Don’t be concerned! In this article, we’ve shown you some of the tried and true techniques for promptly resolving this mistake. So, without further ado, let’s get right down to business.

Here are a few helpful hints that will be discussed further in the article:

  • Airplane mode can be enabled and disabled.
  • Disable the messaging app.
  • Check the status of the iMessage server.
  • iMessage may be disabled and enabled from the Settings menu.
  • Delete any messages or discussions that have become stuck.
  • Sign out of your Apple ID and then sign back in.
  • When contacting assistance, use SMS instead of iMessage.

Restart your mobile device

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It may appear to be a simple solution, but believe us when we say that it is the most successful and universal method. This simple fix may be useful in resolving the error “iPhone cannot send a message because iMessage must be activated.” Use the appropriate buttons to restart your phone, then turn it back on after a minute or so.

Force the Message App to Close

Enter the app switcher on your iPhone to force the Message app to close. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (iPhone without Home Button). If you have an iPhone with a Home button, press it twice fast. All open apps are now visible on the screen. Drag the chat app all the way up to close it. Relaunch the Message app after 30 seconds or so to see if the problem has been resolved.

Ensure that iMessage is turned on.

Check whether iMessage is enabled or not by following the instructions outlined below.

  • Go to your phone’s settings.
  • Scroll down to Message and tap it.
  • Check to see if the iMessage toggle is on or off.
  • If iMessage is green, there should be an additional notice such as “iMessage is awaiting activation.”

Check the status of the iMessage server.

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There will come a moment when your device is in great working order, but there is a problem on Apple’s end. To check the status of the iMessage Server, go to their System Status Page. If you see a green dot next to iMessage, that means everything is fine. A yellow or red dot, on the other hand, indicates that the problem is with the system, and Apple is working on it.

Reset Network Configuration

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Before you reset Network Settings, keep in mind that it will not harm or remove your personal data, but it will restore all Network-related settings to their default state. To reset your phone’s network settings, follow the instructions below:

  • Open the iPhone’s Settings app.
  • Select General.
  • Reset may be found at the bottom of the page.
  • Continue by tapping Reset Network Settings.

We hope you won’t have to deal with the error after resetting your network settings. If the issue persists, you must execute a “Reset All Settings” procedure. Except for the passwords you’ve provided for Wi-Fi, mobile hotspot, and Bluetooth, no data will be lost throughout the process.

Sign out of your Apple ID and then sign back in.

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To do so, follow the easy steps outlined below:

  • Go to the iPhone’s Settings menu.
  • Select your name from the drop-down menu at the top.
  • At the bottom of the page, tap Sign-out.
  • Restart your mobile device.
  • Return to the Settings menu and select Sign-in.
  • Sign in with your credentials and try sending an iMessage again to see whether it succeeded.

Airplane mode can be enabled or disabled.

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You must first try this simple way to solve the problem before moving on to a more complicated one. This may be the quickest solution to such issues. To turn on or off Airplane mode on your phone, follow the instructions outlined below.

  • To access the control center, swipe down from the top left corner of the screen.
  • Users with an iPhone with a Home button can open the control center by swiping up from the bottom.
  • Now, tap the Airplane option, wait 30 seconds, and then turn it off.

iMessage may be disabled and enabled from the Settings menu.

Even if you have iMessage turned on, the system will not accept it. In this case, you can try disabling iMessage in Settings and then enabling it again. Follow the steps outlined below to do so:

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Remove any messages or conversations that have become stuck.

In order to send text messages successfully, it is necessary to erase trapped texts. To do so, follow the steps outlined below:

  • Launch the Messages App.
  • Go to the Discussions section.
  • Long-press and erase the unsuccessful message.
  • Send a new message if necessary.
  • Check to see whether the problem has been resolved. If this is the case, erase the entire chat and resend the message.
  • You can repeat the process for specific Contacts in the same way. Check to see if you can send messages to certain contacts.

When contacting Support, use SMS instead of iMessage.

If nothing else seems to be working, this could be your last resort. You’ll need to get in touch with Apple Support. If the communication is critical, you can send it as an SMS instead of an iMessage.

Conclusion

We hope that this post has assisted you in determining the best solution to the error “iMessage must be enabled to send this message.” Please contact us if you have any questions about Android, iOS, Mac, or their accessories. Please describe your problem in the comments box below so that we can help you find the best solution. 

Having this error is annoying and a waste of time. It is also a good indication that you are deleting your messages from your friend’s phones, or that you are sending messages to the wrong people. And worse, this error is only visible on Messages, not on iMessage. This means that if your friend has turned off iMessage, you won’t be able to fix it. What should you do? Enter your friend’s phone number and this error will be fixed.. Read more about imessage needs to be enabled to send this message on mac and let us know what you think.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I fix iMessage needs to be enabled to send this message?

You need to turn on iMessage in the settings of your device.

Why am I getting iMessage needs to be enabled to send this message?

This is because your device does not have iMessage enabled. You can enable this by going to the Messages app on your iPhone or iPad and enabling it.

How do I fix iMessage settings?

You can fix your iMessage settings by going to Settings > Messages and turning off iMessage.

This article broadly covered the following related topics:

  • imessage needs to be enabled to send this message
  • imessage needs to be enabled to send photo
  • imessage needs to be enabled to send this message but it is enabled
  • imessage is enabled but not working
  • how to fix imessage needs to be enabled to send this message
Greg Baskerville
Greg Baskerville
Gaming Blogger & Musician. Playing games since the Amiga days in the 1980's, and a handy guitarist.

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