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You are here: Home / iPhone / iPhone 15 not receiving text messages, how to fix

iPhone 15 not receiving text messages, how to fix

Last Updated: November 14, 2023 by Moses Gitari

This article explains why an iPhone 15 isn’t receiving text messages and what you can do to fix the problem.

While using your phone, you may notice unexpected SMS text messaging behavior where you can’t receive SMS messages on your iPhone 15, while you can send SMS messages. There are few things you can try if you can send but cannot these types of messages using the Messages app. There may be several likely causes that you can investigate.

It appears that this problem affects SMS messages and iMessages are not affected. iMessages only work between Apple devices. You can however receive SMS messages from any type of cellular phone such as Android phones. If you are having iMessage problems see this article.

Contents show
1 How to fix iPhone 15 not receiving text messages issue
1.1 1. Check for iOS Update
1.2 2. Toggle Airplane Mode on and back off
1.3 3. Restart your iPhone
1.4 4. Make sure you have cellular signal
1.5 5. Check your Focus settings
1.6 6. Check blocked contacts
1.7 7. Make sure your iPhone has enough storage space
1.8 8. Remove and reinsert the SIM card
1.9 9. Check for carrier settings update
1.10 10. Reset your network settings
1.11 11. Check-in with your carrier
1.12 12. Contact Apple Support
1.13 Editors' Recommendations:

How to fix iPhone 15 not receiving text messages issue

If you aren’t receiving texts on your iPhone 15, try the troubleshooting steps below in the order given until your issue is fixed:

1. Check for iOS Update

First, ensure that your iPhone 15 is running the latest version of iOS. The iPhone not receiving text messages issue could be a common problem affecting a lot of users, due to iOS software bugs. If this is the case, Apple fixes these bugs quickly. You can check for iOS update by going to Settings > General > Software Update. And if there is an update, you can follow the onscreen instructions to update your device. Updating your iPhone will also update the Messages app since it’s a native iOS App.

2. Toggle Airplane Mode on and back off

When I experienced this problem, turning airplane mode on and back off helped me fix the problem so you should also give it a try. Go to Settings and activate Airplane Mode. Wait about 30 seconds and then deactivate the feature.

3. Restart your iPhone

Restarting your phone can fix glitches preventing the text from coming through. Try fulling shutting off your phone, then turn it back on, verify your cellular connection, and wait a few minutes to see if your iPhone 15 start receiving text messages.

To restart your iPhone, press and hold the volume up (or down) button and the side button together until the power off slider appears on your screen. Move the slider from left to right. Wait about 30 seconds for your iPhone to completely turn off. And then press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.

4. Make sure you have cellular signal

Do you see “No service” or “Searching” in the status bar of your device? If this is the case, then try the following:

  • See if you have signal. SMS messages require that you have a cellular signal.
  • Make sure that you’re in an area with cellular network coverage. Go to another location and try there to get messages.
  • Disable, wait 10 seconds, and then enable cellular data by going to Settings > Cellular or Mobile Data.
  • Contact your carrier (Verizon, T Mobile, etc) to ensure that there are no issues with your carrier or account. Maybe you do not have enough to send/receive SMS messages.

5. Check your Focus settings

Go to Settings > Focus.

6. Check blocked contacts

Check to see if you blocked the contact that is trying to send you the SMS message. You can block and unblock contacts or numbers in Messages. To see your blocked contacts, go to Settings > Messages. Tap Blocked Contacts, under the SMS/MMS section.

7. Make sure your iPhone has enough storage space

If you cannot receive the SMS messages containing videos or images, ensure that there’s enough space on your iPhone 15. Go to Settings ‌> General > iPhone Storage to check your storage.

8. Remove and reinsert the SIM card

If your iPhone 15 has a physical SIM, ensure that it is properly inserted. Try removing and then reinserting it. Doing so is simple. Simply locate the SIM tray, next to the tray there is a hole, insert your SIM-eject tool (when you bought your iPhone, the packaging included this tool, if you lost it you can use a paperclip) into the hole. The tray will pop up. Then you can remove the SIM card.

9. Check for carrier settings update

Your iPhone has some stored data that allows it to connect to and use cellular data networks. If this data is outdated or corrupted, updating the carrier settings will fix it. You can check this by going to Settings > General > About. If there is an update, a popup will appear. Follow the instructions to update.

10. Reset your network settings

If an issue with your iPhone 15 prevents it from connecting to cellular networks to receive text messages, resetting your network settings may fix it. Please note that doing so will erase your network-related settings such as your Wi-Fi passwords, VPN settings, etc will be permanently deleted. On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

11. Check-in with your carrier

If your iPhone 15 is still not receiving text messages, contact your carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T Mobile etc). Perhaps they are experiencing a temporary outage that may be affecting your iPhone 15 ability to receive texts. When you call them, if this is the issue, they may provide an estimated time of repair completion.

12. Contact Apple Support

If the steps above have not resolved your iPhone 15 not receiving texts issue, contact Apple support for further help.

Editors' Recommendations:

  1. iPhone 15 Pro Vibration not Working? How to Fix The Problem
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  3. Raise to Wake Not Working on iPhone 15 Pro, How to Fix
  4. How to Fix AirDrop Not Working on iPhone 15 Pro Issue

About Moses Gitari

Moses Gitari is the Editorial Director of iPhoneArena and has been writing about iPhones, iPads, Macs, accessories, and software for over 10 years.

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