IMessage Needs To Be Enabled To Send This Message

March 8, 2023

Sending iMessages or texts is as simple as typing up a message and pressing the send button these days. On the other end, the recipient is able to respond immediately. Unlike email, where you have to check your inbox on a regular basis.

The prompt message “iMessage needs to be enabled in order to send this message” has been reported by Apple customers when they try to send a message. When attempting to send a message, this prompt message may suddenly appear.

If you’re an iPhone user, you’re probably accustomed to the convenience and functionality of iMessage. But what do you do when you encounter the perplexing error that says “iMessage needs to be enabled to send this message”?

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the causes of this error, steps to reset iMessage settings, the implications of disabling iMessage, and the process for clearing iMessage cache.

Table of Contents

Causes of “iMessage Needs To Be Enabled To Send This Message” Error

Understanding the root cause of the error is the first step towards resolving it. Here are some common causes:

Incorrect Settings

iMessage Deactivation: iMessage may be turned off in your iPhone’s settings.

Network Issues

Connectivity Problems: A weak or unstable internet connection can disrupt iMessage services.

Account Issues

Apple ID: You might be signed out of your Apple ID or using an incorrect one.

iOS Bugs

Software Glitches: Sometimes, the error can be a result of a software bug in your iOS version.

Solution 1. Check the Apple System Status

If you’re having problems with your iPhone or any of its apps, the first step you should do is to see if the problem is with Apple’s system or if it’s anything you’re doing. Before you start troubleshooting, see if iMessage is available and not experiencing any issues on the Apple System Status page.

Solution 2: Verify Wifi Availability.

Connect to a WiFi network that has a good signal strength and is well-established. Using iMessage with a weak WiFi signal can make it difficult for the recipient to receive the message. Because iMessages require a WiFi or data connection to communicate,

To check the state of your network, simply follow these simple steps:

As afirst step, make sure your router is turned on and functioning properly.
If it’s already on, try turning it off and on again for about five minutes to see if that works.
Step 3: Restart your router after at least five minutes of inactivity has ended.
Connect your iPhone to WiFi once more in Step 4.
The final step is to resend the message and see whether it fixes the problem.

Solution 3: Delete the message or the Discussion From your Phone or Computer.

Try starting a new conversation if you’ve received an iMessage message stating that “iMessage must be enabled to send this message.” Restarting and refreshing chat threads may help.

How to Remove:

First, open the Settings app from the main menu.
Messages is the second option.
Finally, disable iMessage.
Finally, return to your iPhone. When you try to send an iMessage, a message gets stuck.
Make that the problem has been resolved by sending a second message to the same recipient.
Sending a new message to the same recipient may not work, so try deleting the discussion and starting a new one.

Solution 4: Restart or reboot your iPhone.

This is one of the simplest and most effective ways to fix most problems with your iPhone or other Apple devices, and it has been confirmed to work. In order to avoid losing any of your data, you must first save all of your information before rebooting or restarting your iPhone.

Since not all iPhone models have the same positions for the buttons required to restart, the processes for restarting or rebooting vary.

Solution 3: iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus, 8 and 8 Plus: Restarting

Step 1: Hold the Power/Sleep & Wake Button and the Volume Down Button together on your iPhone’s right side (located at the left side of your iPhone)
Release the buttons once you’ve waited for the device to shut itself off.
Step 3: When you see the Apple logo, your iPhone will switch on automatically. In some cases, the process may take some time.
If you need to enter a password, do so here.
It’s time for Step 5: Send another message to see if the issue is fixed.

Solution 4: On iPhone XS, XR, 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max: How to Restart/Reboot

Using the Volume Up Button, located on the left side of your smartphone, press and release it.
Press and hold the Volume Down Button directly below the Volume Up Button for two seconds, and then release it.
Afterwards, press and hold the iPhone’s Power Button on the right side.
Turn off your iPhone by releasing the buttons.
A few seconds later, the phone will restart itself. The Apple logo is shown. Allow time for it to begin regularly.
Step 6: If prompted, enter your passcode.
The final step is to see if the issue is resolved by sending a message again.

Solution 5: Re-Enable iMessage After Disabling it Previously.

Disabling and re-enabling iMessage is the recommended method for refreshing your iMessage account. Some Apple customers have reported that this technique genuinely works to solve the issue.

Make sure you follow these basic instructions:

First, open the Settings app from the main menu.
From the list of options, select Messages from the drop-down menu.
Select iMessage from the App menu.
To turn iMessage off, slide it to the left one last time.
Simply move the iMessage toggle switch right to turn it back on.

Solution 6. Sign Out of Your IMessage Account, Then Sign Back in.

This is a viable option for some people, but it cannot always be relied upon. However, it’s always worth a shot; you never know if it’ll assist fix the prompt message. Make sure you have your iMessage log-in information accessible, as you’ll need it to log back in.

The first step is to open the Settings menu.
From the list of options, select the Messages tab and scroll down.
Send and Receive is the third and last step.
Remove your email and phone number from the ‘You can receive messages and reply from’ list in Step 4.
Next, touch on the Apple ID that you use for iMessage at the top of the screen.
Select “Sign out” to complete the process.
Restarting your iPhone is the final step.
Sign into your account.
You’ll get a pop-up asking you to “use your Apple ID for iMessage?” If you intend to continue using the same Apple ID that you previously logged out of, or if you intend to switch to a different Apple ID, this is the case. Using the same Apple ID is as simple as selecting Sign in from the menu bar.
Enter your username and password correctly.
Check to check if the issue has been resolved by sending another message.

Solution 7. Reset Network Setting

iMessage needs to be enabled to send this message, so try resetting your network settings if none of the other solutions work for you. Even if you use this approach, your WiFi password will remain safe because you will need it to log into your wireless network later.

To make everything default again, follow these steps:

First, open the Settings app on your phone.
Select General
From the list of options, select Reset from the drop-down menu.
Resetting network settings is the final step.
If prompted, enter your passcode to confirm your action.
This is the final step.
Lastly, make sure you’ve entered all of your Wifi and other account information.
Send a message again to verify that the issue has been repaired in step 8.

How To Reset iMessage Settings

Resetting iMessage settings can often resolve the issue. Here are the steps to do it:

Go to Settings: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Access Messages: Scroll down and select the “Messages” option.
Toggle iMessage: Turn off the iMessage toggle and wait for a few seconds. Then turn it back on.
Restart Your Device: As a final step, restart your iPhone to ensure the changes take effect.

What Happens If iMessage is Disabled

Disabling iMessage will shift your messaging service to traditional SMS/MMS. Here are some things to note:

Green Text Bubbles: Your messages will appear in green text bubbles instead of blue.
Limited Features: Features like ‘Read Receipts’ and ‘Tapbacks’ will not be available.
Data Charges: You may incur data charges based on your carrier’s rates for SMS/MMS.

How To Clear iMessage Cache

Clearing the iMessage cache can sometimes resolve persistent issues. Here’s how:

Sign Out of iMessage: Go to Settings > Messages and tap on ‘Send & Receive’. Sign out of your Apple ID.
Restart Your Device: Power off your iPhone and then turn it back on.
Sign Back In: Navigate back to Messages settings and sign back into your Apple ID.
Send a Test Message: Try sending an iMessage to see if the problem is resolved.

Read Also:

Conclusion

The “iMessage needs to be enabled to send this message” error can be frustrating, but it’s usually solvable with some straightforward troubleshooting. Whether it’s resetting your iMessage settings, understanding the consequences of disabling iMessage, or clearing the iMessage cache, these solutions can help you enjoy a seamless messaging experience once again.