How To Fix iOS 16.5 Message/iMessage Not Working On iPhone 13/12/11/X/8

Author Spencer Mcfadden By Spencer Mcfadden, on May 20, 2023, in iPhone Problems | SOLVED

Summary: Have iOS 16.5 iMessage Not Working Problems like iMessage not being delivered, Effects/Emoji Not Working, App Crashing While Trying to Type a Message, iOS 16.5 messages on iCloud greyed out? Here're quick fixes. Get Omni Toolbox Free >

As an alternative to the SMS and MMS messaging for most iPhone and iPad users, iMessage allows to send texts, documents, photos, videos, contact information, and group messages over the Internet. With the release of iOS 16.5 last week, there's a rising trend of iOS 16.5 iMessage not working on iPhone or iPad problems (How To Retrieve Deleted Text Messages On iPhone). For instance, iMessage not Being Delivered, Effects/Emoji Not Working, App Crashing While Trying to Type a Message, iOS 15.6.1 messages on iCloud greyed out, etc.

How To Fix iOS 16.5 iMessage Not Working Issue on iPhone 11/Xr/X/8/7
How To Fix iOS 16.5 AirPods Not Working Issues

UPDATE 1 - What's New In iOS 16.5 (May 20, 2023): Apple today released an unanticipated iOS 16.5 including the new Apple News, the addition of a new Pride Celebration wallpaper, and a full of bug fixes.

What's New in iOS 16.5:
  • iOS 16.5 adds A new Pride Celebration wallpaper for the Lock Screen to honor the LGBTQ+ community and culture.
  • iOS 16.5 has Sports tab in Apple News gives easy access to stories, scores, standings, and more, for the teams and leagues you follow.
  • iOS 16.5 adds My Sports score and schedule cards in Apple News take you directly to game pages where you can find additional details about specific games.
iOS 16.5 Bug Fixes:
  • iOS 16.5 Fixes an issue where Spotlight may become unresponsive.
  • iOS 16.5 Addresses an issue where Podcasts in CarPlay may not load content.
  • iOS 16.5 Fixes an issue where Screen Time settings may reset or not sync across all devices.

DIAGNOSIS: If your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch (iPod touch series from 1-7) or Mac gets affected with these iOS 16.5 iMessage Not Working problem, you are not along! Here have some easy-to-follow tips to troubleshoot these types of iPhone iPod iMessage Not Working problem. As iOS 16.5 iMessage problems maybe get caught up due to variety of reasons, consider Turning Off/On iMessage, Fatch iMessage settings, Wifi / Cellular data signal strength, Apple System Status to find a clue.

Pro Tips: Keep it in mind that during large scale iOS software launches or occasionally when there is an iCloud outage occurring, iMessage may stop working for a short period of time. Check iMessage connection status here: Apple System Status . Alert: Found your iPhone is getting sluggish after updating to iOS 16.5? Don't be panic. Follow this tutorial to learn Why Is My iPhone So Slow and How To Fix.

Common iPhone iMessage Not Working Scenarios After iOS 16.5 Update:

    Solved - Why is my iMessage not working on my iPhone 11 Pro running the latest iOS 16.5.
    Solved - iOS 16.5 iMessage not working and keeps waiting for activation, unable to log in.
    Solved - Use your Apple ID for iMessage not working for one person.
How To Fix iOS 16.5 iMessage Not Working Issue on iPhone 11/Xr/X/8/7
How To Fix iOS 16.5 Not Getting Text Notifications Issues

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Most Common iOS 16.5 Problems and Best Fixes 2020


iOS 16.5 iMessage Issue 1: Can't Send/Receive iMessages iPhone

The iPhone, iPad or iPod touch iMessages not working issue in iOS 16.5 may have many situations involved. Common scenarios like you can't send or receive iMessages on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, or you get an error when trying to activate iMessage, etc. Therefore, we have collected a bunch of tips on how to fix iOS 16.5 iPhone iPod iMessage not working problems (How To Retrieve Deleted Text Messages On iPhone).

Have a try to see if they'll work for you. For the general iOS 16.5 iMessages not working issue, like you see an alert when you send an iMessage, or if you cannot send to receive them at all, try these basic steps first (How To Recover Deleted WhatsApp Messages On iPhone).

Fix iOS 16.5 Can't Send/Receive iMessages iPhone
Fix Can't Send/Receive iMessages iPhone

Basic Tips on Fixing iOS 16.5 iMessage Not Working Problems (Solutions):

  • Fix 1 - Restart your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
  • Fix 2 - Check your Wifi network connection and Cellular data strength.
  • Fix 3 - If you're trying to send group MMS messages on an iPhone, go to Settings > Messages and turn on MMS Messaging. If there is no option to turn on MMS Messaging or Group Messaging on your iPhone, then your carrier might not support this feature.
  • Fix 4 - Make sure that you entered the correct phone number or email address for the contact.
  • Fix 5 - If you see a green message bubble, and the iPhone or iPod won't send your message via iMessage, then it means you can use SMS as iMessages alternative.

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iOS 16.5 iMessage Issue 2: iMessage Not Delivered To Other Device

Why is iMessage not delivering to the recipient? As another common iOS 15.6.1 issues, the iMessage Not Delivered problem may get you quite annoyed. Often, it fails to show the Not Delivered message either. This can affect multiple contacts or one specific person (How To Transfer Data To New iPhone). If you see an Exclamation mark icon says Not Delivered, apart from trying basic troubleshooting tips above, also try these tips:

Fix iOS 16.5 iMessage Not Delivered Issue
Fix iOS 16.5 iMessage Not Delivered Issue

Basic Tips on Fixing iOS 16.5 iMessage Not Delivered Problems (Solutions):

  • Fix 1 - Check your network connection first.
  • Fix 2 - Tap the Exclamation mark icon, then tap Try Again.
  • Fix 3 - If you still can't send the message, tap the Exclamation mark icon, then tap Send as Text Message. Messaging rates may apply (How To Fix iTunes Error 50). Contact your carrier for more information.
  • Fix 4 - Turn on Airplane Mode and turn off (Works for many users).

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iOS 16.5 iMessage Issue 3: iMessage Effects Not Working

Sending Messages with effects is one of the most popular feature in iMessages (How To Transfer Messages To New iPhone). However, the random iMessage Effects Not Working issue is also one of the most common iOS 16.5 iMessage problems we have met often (How To Fix iPhone X Error 4013). As the full iMessage effects work only when both sending and receiving device are running iOS 16.5 / 13 / 12, so confirm this before giving a try with tips below.

Fix iOS 16.5 iMessage Effects Not Working
Fix iOS 16.5 iMessage Effects Not Working Issue

Basic Tips on Fixing iOS 16.5 iMessage Effects Not Working Problem (Solutions):

  • Fix 1 Turn off Reduce Motion - Go to Settings app > General > Accessibility > Reduce Motion > Disable Reduce Motion.
  • Fix 2 Check Recipients Capability - Check if the recipients use an iPhone, iPad or Mac too. Otherwise, the iMessage effects won't take in place.
  • Fix 3 Check Auto-play Message Effects - Settings app > General > Accessibility > Reduce Motion > Turn on Auto-play Message Effects.
  • Fix 4 Sign out and Sign in to iMessage - Go to Settings app > Messages > Send & Receive > Tap your Apple ID > Sign Out > Then Sign in.

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iOS 16.5 iMessage Issue 4: iMessages Text Messages Are Lost

Apparently this is not a typical iOS 16.5 iMessage Not Working issue we mainly discussed in this iPhone manual article, but our users did get grounded by this issue. If you accidentally lost or mistakenly deleted your iMessages, follow this tutorial to retrieve your deleted iMessages in time.

Fix iOS 16.5 iMessages Text Messages Are Lost
Fix iOS 16.5 iMessages Text Messages Are Lost Issue

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iOS 16.5 iMessage Issue 5: SMS Service Access Denied by Unknown

If you're receiving an error message says Service Denied, from sender Unknown, try turn off / on Flight Mode to have a try (How To Download PDF On iPhone 11). If the problem persists, this iOS 16.5 problem is likely your mobile phone carrier and not your Apple iDevice/iPhone. Try give a check with your mobile carrier to find a solution (Check How To Fix iMessage and FaceTime Waiting for Activation Error in iOS 16.5).

Fix iOS 16.5 SMS Service Access Denied by Unknown
Fix iOS 16.5 SMS Service Access Denied by Unknown

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The Bottom Line

Have you solve your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch iMessage not working problem in iOS 16.5 with our suggestions above? If yes, feel free to share this iOS 16.5 Problem tip to your friends. If not, drop a line to us and we will do the best to help you (How To Make An Animated Gif Picture On iPhone 11).


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