10/2024 iPhone 14 Pro Max Can’t send MMS/RCS text messages to non-Apple users suddenly

Unable to send non-Apple users mms/rcs messages but can receive them (same Verizon network) .

I have the iPhone 14 Pro Max with the current iOS 18 update. My phone stopped sending mms/rcs messages entirely, to any non-Apple user. I went on apple’s forums and troubleshooted with them and Verizon’s troubleshooting….

It’s clearly a carrier (Verizon) issue but what / why, I’m not sure. I do not have a physical SIM card so I don’t know what else I can do.

Accepted answers

SynthpopAddict

With an iPhone, check your carrier settings to see if they need to be updated. Text below copied from a Google search. (Android users: you can't do this, sorry.)

To update carrier settings on an iPhone, you can do the following:

1) Ensure your device is connected to Wi-Fi or a cellular network
2) Go to Settings
3) Select General
4) Select About
5) If an update is available, you'll be prompted to install it
6) Select Update and follow the on-screen instructions

Otherwise, the only other things I can think of are to try a network reset on your phone, or to get someone from Verizon Tech Support to run whatever texting diagnostic tools they have to figure out where the problem is coming from.

All comments

Verizon_Support

Oh, no! We are stunned to see you are encountering MMS/RCS text message issues with non-Apple users. Our goal is to help you in the best way possible. Let's gather more info.

When did the issue start? What recent changes have you made? Who else is experiencing this problem? Aside from the MMS/RCS issues, any other dilemmas?

~Gilbert

MrsP10

Hi Gilbert,

Thanks so much for your response!

The issue started this week. I had made no changes to my phone and I am apparently the only one experiencing this problem. I verified with other iPhone users on the Verizon network that it’s isolated to my phone because they can still message non-iPhone users after the recent iOS 18 update.

My phone has also been experiencing extremely slow delays/lag time in 5G service but that’s been for months now. Sometimes I need to just fully restart my phone because it’ll lock up and my screen will stop responding to touch. The screen nor the phone has cracks or external damage other than some small scuffs or a minor scratch. I pay for the monthly Verizon device protection plan so I wasn’t sure if this is a hardware issue in combination with a software one but … it’s been so frustrating.

V/R,
Christy

Verizon_Support

Thanks for getting back to us with those details! To make sure we're on the same page, have you upgraded to iOS 18? Can you let us know what happens when trying to send a text? What app are you using to send messages?

-Lauren

lexylove22

I am having the same issue. I’ve had ios18 for a week though and it was fine.

Ridiculous I can’t send or receive messages from non apple users.

Verizon_Support

@lexylove22
wrote: I am having the same issue. I’ve had ios18 for a week though and it was fine. Ridiculous I can’t send or receive messages from non apple users.

We understand how important it is for your device to function as expected and not being able to send a text to certain device types would be frustrutating. We are here to help. Can you let us know what happens when trying to send a text to non Apple devices? Are you currently using the messaging application that is pre-downloaded on your iPhone or a different messaging application?

-Andi

Asher3

I've experienced not only the same issue with Apple users for the last week, but now am experiencing it intermittently with other Android users. I spent an hour troubleshooting. No settings have changed on my end. It has been broken for about a week or two with Apple users and since last night with other Android users. This is for certain a Verizon issue, as T-Mobile SIM cards work fine.

Verizon_Support

Asher3, we don't want you to have any problems sending messages to non-apple users and we're here to help. First, we recommend troubleshooting just to rule out a device issue. Please try finding your phone here: https://www.verizon.com/support/devices/ after that click "troubleshoot" and select the issue that best matches what's going on. We look forward to hearing back from you.

~Jesse

tah4934

Verizon support, I am sorry but these responses are weak and not helpful. Surly smart network engineers at Verizon can be used to help resolve this problem or give a workaround. You will lose customers because of this problem for sure. You will even lose potential new customers because of the lack of response and resolution. BTW. I am having this problem too. My messages are not being delivered to android users on group text with at least one android user. This is not acceptable.

MrsP10

Glad to see it’s not just me. I had others come back and tell me a couple weeks later, that they were also experiencing the same issues (but when I first asked, they said no).

Yes sadly, I can’t disagree with you. It’s 12/2024 and I’m still experiencing the same issues. In order for me to text my husband, I have to send a text message to his iPad email address and his android cell phone number and he’ll get an email from me and then a regular text. It’s awful but it’s been my workaround. I’ve been looking into AT&T and Xfinity. Too much troubleshooting and not enough time to continue the charades I have had to go through for no one to be able to figure out what they did. The assumption is that when RCS capabilities were added, the Verizon network did not do their due diligence in testing the features before the updates were released and vice versa. Everything was fine until that happened.

Tp5588

I am having this problem too

Tp5588

My messages were RCS to non- iphone users for a few days. Now I can only send sms.

Verizon_Support

Hi Tp5588! I wanted to check in with you to make sure your messages are going through to non-iPhone users. We want to make sure you are able to communicate with others, no matter Android or iPhone. To enable RCS on an iPhone, you can:
-Update your iPhone to iOS 18
-Open Settings
-Tap Apps
-Tap Messages
-Tap RCS Messaging under Text Messaging
-Tap the toggle next to RCS Messaging to turn it on

-Deb

Tp5588

I’ve done this. It still does not allow me to send rcs messages to non-iPhones—-only sms

Tp5588

I have updated to 18.2. I receive rcs messages but can only respond with sms. It worked fine a few weeks ago.

SynthpopAddict

With an iPhone, check your carrier settings to see if they need to be updated. Text below copied from a Google search. (Android users: you can't do this, sorry.)

To update carrier settings on an iPhone, you can do the following:

Verizon_Support

I am sorry to hear that it is still not working for you. Can you tell me what happens when you try to send a message to a non-iPhone? -Dee

Verizon_Support

Thank you for that information. When you go to Settings > Messages > RCE Messaging, which ones are turned on? -Dee