iPhone Not Receiving Text Messages? Check SMS and iMessage Separately

In Messages, tap the filter button and check Unknown Senders and Spam if available. If the text is in a folder or already in the conversation, check the conversation’s Hide Alerts setting and your Messages notification settings. If only a verification text is missing and ordinary texts arrive, check the number saved with the service and ask its support whether it sent the code to that number.

Open Settings → Cellular and check that the line for the number people are texting is turned on. This is especially useful after moving an eSIM or switching carriers. With dual SIM, check the actual number under the line name. If regular SMS is still missing from several people, ask your carrier to check the line and SMS service. Green bubbles can indicate SMS, MMS, or RCS, so tell the carrier which type fails if you know it.

Open Settings → Apps → Messages → Send & Receive and check that your phone number is selected for receiving iMessages. If friends can reach you at your Apple Account email but not at your number, ask them to start a fresh conversation addressed to the number after you check it. If the number is still waiting for activation, follow Apple’s activation steps. Your carrier may take up to 24 hours to verify the number with Apple.

Open the group and check whether Messages says you left. Ask someone in the group to add you again if the conversation allows it, or start a fresh group with your current number. If individual texts work but a group that uses RCS or MMS fails, ask the carrier whether your plan supports that type of group messaging.