iOS 26.0.1 iMessage Not Working? 10 Quick Fixes

After updating to iOS 26.0.1, some iPhone users have experienced issues with iMessage. You might see an alert saying “Error occurred during activation” and be told to wait 24 hours. During this time, no messages can be sent or received, which can be very frustrating.

Are you experiencing the same problem after the iOS 26.0.1 update? This issue has also affected users on previous iOS versions. Anyway, you’ve come to the right place now. Here, you will find the possible reasons and quick fixes to get your iMessage working again.

Why Are My iMessage Not Working After the iOS 26.0.1 Update?

Despite not sending or receiving messages, some users also reported that they got a spam message like “How are you today?” text. As the “iMessage not working” issue has surged with the release of iOS 26.0.1, we try to figure out the possible reasons here.

• The activation is not completed due to the iOS 26.0.1 update.
• iMessage is disabled in Settings.
• Your Apple ID was interrupted during the iOS 26.0.1 update.
• Your network settings were corrupted or out of date.
• The carrier settings are out of date due to the update to iOS 26.0.1.
• Your iPhone is blocked from communicating with Apple’s server.
• The background tasks of iOS 26.0.1 might lead to conflicts.
• Incorrect time settings can block activation.
• Your iPhone suffers from iOS system errors and issues.

How to Fix iMessage Not Working on iOS 26.0.1

In this section, we’ll show you 10 workarounds to fix the iMessage not working issue on iOS 26.0.1.

Wait for 24 Hours

If you’re facing an activation error, like “Error occurred during activation”, wait 24 hours as Apple suggests. The activation might be delayed due to the changes in Apple’s servers. By waiting for several hours, the iOS system can fully integrate the iOS 26.0.1 update.

While waiting for the activation to complete, ensure that you’re connected to a stable network. This ensures that the iMessage services are properly configured

Ensure iMessage is Enabled

Next, check if iMessage is enabled. This is like a fundamental requirement for activating an application. You cannot send or receive any messages if your iMessage is turned off in Settings. By enabling iMessage, you allow your iPhone to connect to Apple’s servers.

It’s quite easy to activate iMessage in Settings.

1. Open Settings and navigate to "Apps > Messages."
2. Toggle on the iMessage option.
3. You can also check which apps have access to iMessage.

Check Date & Time Settings

Apple servers rely on proper timestamps for authenticating and processing messages. If the date and time are not accurate, you will have synchronization issues. This may lead to message delivery failure and activation failure. To synchronize a proper date and time, you can enable the "Set Automatically" option under Settings.

1. Open "Settings", "General", and "Date & Time."
2. Toggle on the “Set Automatically” option.

If you travel frequently, you might need to adjust and set the time zone manually.

Sign Out and Sign In Apple ID

It is time to renew the authentication and connection of your device with Apple servers. Sometimes, you might disconnect this link during the update. But don’t worry. Signing out and signing in again to iMessage can reestablish the links. Then your device can communicate with Apple’s servers to send and receive messages..

1. Open Settings on your iPhone and tap on your profile name at the top.
2. Scroll down to tap on the “Sign Out” button. Then you might be required to enter the password or use your Face ID or Touch ID.
3. After signing out of your Apple ID, restart your iPhone. This will clear temporary glitches.
4. Launch Settings and tap on your profile again.
5. Enter your Apple ID account and password. Then your device will sync with Apple’s servers and enable iMessage and other services.

Check Internet Connection

iMessage is an internet-based messaging service. Thus, you should keep a stable internet connection if you want to send and receive messages. If your iPhone doesn’t connect to Wi-Fi or mobile data, or if the network is poor and weak, you can’t use iMessage.

To check the internet connection, you can open a Safari webpage. If it isn’t fast or stable, you can switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data. Besides, you can restart your router and reconnect to the Wi-Fi.

Reset Network Settings

If there is any problem with your network, reset the network connections. By resetting the WiFi network, passwords, VPN, and cellular settings, you can clear corrupted and outdated network configurations. Then, your device will reestablish a connection, allowing iMessage to connect to Apple’s servers again. It’s noted that this won’t let you lose data.

1. Launch Settings and navigate to "General" and "Transfer or Reset iPhone."
2. Tap "Reset > Reset Network Settings".
3. Enter your screen passcode to confirm your action.

Re-Register iMessage

On the other hand, you can refresh the connection between your device and Apple’s servers by registering for iMessage. During the process of activation, there might be glitches or interrupted processes. Via signing out and signing in again, your iPhone can re-establish the links, allowing iMessage to send and receive messages again.

1. Open Settings and go to "Apps > Messages."
2. Toggle off iMessage and restart your iPhone.
3. Toggle on iMessage again.

Check Phone Number in Send & Receive

Ensure you’re using your phone number to send and receive messages. In some cases, the phone number might not be registered, or there are issues with the activation status. By verifying or registering your phone number, you can communicate with Apple’s servers again. You can try this method, especially when you’ve changed your phone number.

1. Open "Settings > Apps > Messages."
2. Tap "Send & Receive."
3. Check if your phone number appears under the phrase “You can receive iMessages to and reply from.”
4. If not, use your Apple ID instead.

Fix iOS System Issues

If the problem still exists, your iPhone may suffer from iOS system errors. To repair the iOS system issues, try BuhoRepair. With the help of this professional iOS system repair tool, you can fix various app-related issues. Whether you fail to send and receive messages or you can’t activate iMessage, you can find a solution here. On the other hand, if you’re always bothered by iOS 26.0.1fi, you can use BuhoRepair to downgrade it to a previous iOS version.

Here's how to repair your iPhone using BuhoRepair:

1. Free install BuhoRepair on your computer.
2. Connect your iPhone to your computer.
3. Open BuhoRepair and click on the System Repair option.

   

4. Choose "Repair Mode" and click the "Repair Now" button to continue.

   

5. Follow the onscreen instructions to fix your iPhone.

Check Apple’s iMessage System Status

Lastly, you can see the real-time status of Apple’s messaging service by checking Apple’s iMessage System Status. For example, if there is a common issue with iMessage, you can see it there. This helps you to determine whether the problem is on Apple’s end rather than with your device or network connection. If it results from Apple’s end, you can wait for Apple to resolve the problem.

1. Navigate to Apple’s System Status page.
2. Check if there is any issue with messaging.

Conclusion

No matter whether you’re facing an iMessage activation delay or iMessage delivery issues, you can try a method here. As the main cause behind the “iMessage not working” issue is the communication between your device and Apple’s servers, many fixes work around the communication. Although this issue occurs frequently after a major iOS update, you can get iMessage back to work in minutes.