# Your iMessage says Not Delivered. Now what?

> Seven fixes for the moment a blue bubble stalls out and the red exclamation point shows up.
- Title: Your iMessage says Not Delivered. Now what? · Engadget
- Summary: Seven fixes for the moment a blue bubble stalls out and the red exclamation point shows up. Tap the red exclamation point and resend, and if that fails…
- Keywords: imessage, iphone, apple, troubleshooting, messaging, technology, Delivered, Engadget
- Source: Engadget — https://engadget.com/2252858/how-to-fix-imessage-not-delivered-on-iphone
- Author: Filipe Espósito
- Published: 2026-09-13T22:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: imessage, iphone, apple, troubleshooting, messaging, technology
## Three services, one app
Messages juggles iMessage (blue bubbles), plus RCS and SMS (green). Which one your message is riding on often explains why it stalled.

> the iPhone's Messages app is more complex than it seems
## Just tap and try again
Hit the red exclamation point next to the failed message and choose to send it again. A second attempt clears a surprising number of failures.
## No signal, no delivery
iMessage and RCS both need the internet, and SMS needs decent reception. Flip airplane mode on, then off, to force your iPhone back onto the network.
## Send it as a text
Press and hold the failed message, then pick Send as Text Message. Turn on Retry as Text Message in Settings > Apps > Messages to make that automatic.

> Your blue bubble becomes green and is sent over the cell network
## Check iMessage is actually on
Switching iPhones sometimes leaves iMessage unactivated. Toggle it off, wait a minute, turn it back on, and confirm the right number or email under Send & Receive.
## Maybe it isn't you
Apple's servers go down occasionally, so check the System Status page. Also try a different contact: if only one person never gets your texts, their phone may be off or you may be blocked.
## Reboot, then update
Restart the phone first. Then go to Settings > General > Software Update, since outdated iOS handles online services badly.

> older software that isn't maintained is more likely to have trouble with online services
## Key takeaway

Tap the red exclamation point and resend, and if that fails, force the message through as a green-bubble SMS.