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Apple Explains How to Fix iMessage Not Delivered Alert in iOS 26

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Apple today updated its iMessage troubleshooting support document to add a scenario that can occur in iOS 26. If you don't activate iMessage or an eSIM when setting up a new iPhone with ‌iOS 26‌, it can prevent iMessage from working.

iOS 26 Messages Feature 2 1
Apple says that iMessage does not activate automatically when setting up an eSIM in the Settings app after the initial iPhone setup period, so it needs to be done manually.

After activating an eSIM, users can open up the Settings app, tap on Apps, choose Messages, and then turn iMessage off and back on to get the feature to work as intended.

When iMessage is not properly activated after setting up an eSIM, users can receive a Not Delivered alert, have their messages sent as SMS/RCS messages in green bubbles, or see their iMessages delivered from an email address instead of a phone number.

Top Rated Comments

turbineseaplane Avatar
turbineseaplane
22 weeks ago

After activating an eSIM, users can open up the Settings app, tap on Apps, choose Messages, and then turn iMessage off and back on to get the feature to work as intended.
The old "unplug it and then plug it back in" routine 'eh?

Says a lot about Apple software quality these days.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
D
DBZmusicboy01
22 weeks ago
They really need to fix the pile of Ultra Garbage that is iOS 26
The absolutely worst iOS of all time for MANY Reasons. It’s an abomination.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lizzard899 Avatar
Lizzard899
22 weeks ago
Sounds like apple is just making excuses. They should just fix it on their own with a ios update and say its a bug. This sounds like too much to do those steps and them deflecting from them admitting its a ios bug ESIM should already be activated too when u backup from a prevous backup. Also if you go to settings apps then messages you should see if the check mark isnt by your phone under send and receive and its checked under your email then just click your phone number instead of clicking on or off just make sure send and recieve is checked off under your number
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
itsmemuffins Avatar
itsmemuffins
22 weeks ago
What about the bug that started a few iOS’s ago where you don’t get a notification sound on your iPhone or Apple Watch when you get an iMessage?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iMac The Knife Avatar
iMac The Knife
22 weeks ago

iMessage was working more reliably when it first came out on iOS 5 in 2011. In fact, while iOS has never been perfect, it was much more reliable and much less buggy back then. I wonder why that was? Oh right, it's because Scott Forstall was in charge of iOS at that time. And then that useless bean counting MBA degree holder Tim Cook fired Forstall in 2012. Cook kicked Forstall out and invited the bugs in.
This is what I've been saying for years now. iOS is still a great OS, but it has been going downhill for a while now. I don't know what the exact root cause is, but they need to fix it asap.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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DEMinSoCAL
22 weeks ago

I get sounds and notifications when i get an iMessage on my iPhone.
A bug doesn't always affect everyone. iOS 26 has/had a WiFi bug that didn't affect me on my new iPhone 17 PM, but did affect enough people they put out a patch.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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