Android not sending or receiving texts? 9 fixes to try

2 min read · 9 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Short answer

Check that the phone has signal and that aeroplane mode is off. Then open Settings, Apps, Default apps and make sure your messaging app is set as the SMS app. Update the Messages app, check your credit, and restart the phone.

Text messages travel over the mobile network, not over the internet. Chat messages (RCS) in Google Messages use the internet. If neither arrives, start with the network and work down the list.

Menu names below are from Google Pixel phones on a recent Android version. Samsung, Xiaomi and other brands rename some of them. The pictures are simplified diagrams of the screen, not screenshots.

Step by step

  1. Check the signal

    Look at the bars at the top of the screen. With no bars, texts cannot be sent or received. Move to a place with better reception.

  2. Turn aeroplane mode off

    Swipe down from the top of the screen. If the aeroplane symbol is lit, tap it to switch it off.

  3. Check the SIM

    Make sure the SIM card sits properly in its tray. If the phone shows no network name at all, see the link at the end.

  4. Default appsBrowser appPhone appSMS appDigital assistant app

    Set Messages as the default SMS app

    Open Settings, tap Apps, then Default apps, then SMS app, and choose Google Messages or the app you use. Only the default app can send and receive texts.

  5. Update the Messages app

    Open the Play Store, search for Google Messages and tap Update if it is offered.

  6. Check your plan or credit

    On a prepaid plan, make sure there is enough credit. A plan can also exclude picture messages (MMS) or messages abroad.

  7. Ask the network about SMS, MMS and RCS

    If the app says that RCS chats are not supported by your carrier, the network does not offer chat messages. Normal texts still work.

  8. Moved from an iPhone? Switch off iMessage

    If your number was used with an iPhone, messages from iPhone users may still go to iMessage and never arrive. Switch off iMessage on the old iPhone, or deregister your number on Apple's Deregister iMessage web page.

  9. Restart the phone

    Switch the phone off completely and on again. This makes it register with the network again.

Good to know

One person's messages are missing? Check that the number is not blocked. Blocking is explained in how to block a phone number on Android.

If the phone shows no network: Android phone says no service or SIM not detected: 8 fixes.

A full phone can also stop new messages from being saved: how to free up storage on an Android phone.

In short: Signal, aeroplane mode, SIM, default SMS app, update, credit, network support, iMessage off, restart.

Sources
  • Google Messages Help: Fix problems sending, receiving or connecting to Messages

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