- Open Settings > Messages > Send & Receive > select the relevant number.
- Go to Settings > Messages > turn off the iMessage toggle > wait a while and turn it back on.
- Open Settings > profile name > enter password > Turn Off > Sign Out > sign back in again and check.
Why Are You Seeing an Exclamation Mark in the Messages App?
There can be several reasons you’re seeing an exclamation mark on iMessage or general text messages on your iPhone. Let us look at a few of them:
- Apple’s server faces an outage, causing outgoing iMessage to fail. In this case, wait a while before trying again.
- You are connected to a weak internet connection.
- You’re in an area with recurring cellular issues.
- The number selected for sending or receiving iMessage is incorrect.
- iMessage is currently disabled for your device.
- A software bug is causing your outgoing messages to fail.
- The other user is not connected to the internet or is experiencing cellular failure.
Basic Fixes:
- Try sending the message again: If your message didn’t go through the first time, it might appear with a red exclamation point in the Messages app. In this case, try sending the picture or text message again to see if it fixes the issue.
- Restart your device: Restarting your device usually removes any temporary bugs causing the Messages app not to work as expected. This is done by forcing all device functions and features to close and restart.
- Check with the other user: If the person you’re sending the message to doesn’t have an active mobile plan or is facing internet issues, it might cause the message to show as failed on your end. To check, contact the other user and ensure all is well on their end.
- Check for software updates: If the issue of a red exclamation point in the Messages app is due to a software bug, an update must be available to fix it. So, open Settings and check if your device is currently due a software update .
Fix 1: Check Send & Receive Settings
iMessage will not be able to receive or send any messages unless the correct number is selected. So, if you have recently switched numbers or added another number to your account, it is worth checking the Messages app settings to see if the correct number is selected. Here’s how to do it.
Step 1: Open Settings and tap on Messages . Tap on Send & Receive and select the relevant number .
Fix 2: Turn iMessage off and On
By turning the iMessage toggle off and on, you’re syncing and downloading your chats all over again. This helps fix any connection-related error that might have occurred when you initially tried to send the message. Here’s how to do it.
Step 1: Open Settings and tap on Messages . Turn off the toggle for iMessage . Wait a while and turn the toggle back on.
Fix 3: Sign Out and Sign in to iMessage
If you face any issues with a related service, like iMessage, you can sign out and sign back into the Apple ID currently running on your iPhone. This will fix any authentication errors that might have caused your messages to show an exclamation mark instead of being sent across. Here’s how.
Step 1: Open Settings and tap on your profile name . Tap on Sign Out .
Step 2: Enter the iCloud password and tap on Turn Off . Select the relevant options and tap on Sign Out .
Wait for the process to finish. Once the sign-in screen appears, enter your Apple ID details to log back in. Then, try sending a message in the Messages app to check.
