Fix: Unfortunately, IMS Service has stopped on Android

Samsung creates its own UI on top of Android and provides its self-designed basic applications such as Messaging, browser, settings, etc. The IP Multimedia SubSystem is an architectural framework for delivering multimedia services to consumers. Quite recently, numerous reports have emerged from users experiencing the “IMS Service Has Stopped” message on their screens, sometimes randomly and sometimes while trying to call or message someone.

What Causes the “IMS Service Has Stopped” Error Message?

After receiving numerous reports from multiple users, we decided to investigate the matter and devised a set of solutions, which were tested to solve the problem for most users. Additionally, we looked into the reasons that might trigger this issue and have listed them below:

Now that you have a basic understanding of the nature of the issue, we will move on to the solutions. To avoid any conflicts, it is recommended that you follow the steps accurately and in the specific order in which they are provided.

Solution 1: Check for Software Updates

It is possible that the Android software or the manufacturer’s UI on top of the operating system experienced some bugs that were fixed in an update. Therefore, in this step, we will be checking for any software updates to the mobile. For that:

1. Unlock the phone and open the settings.
2. Scroll down to the bottom and tap on “About Phone“.
3. Click on “Software Updates” and select the “Check for Updates” option.
4. If a new software update is available, click on the “Download Now” option that appears after the checking process has finished.
5. After the phone finishes downloading the update, it will prompt you to confirm the installation of the update. Select “Yes“, and the phone will now be restarted.
6. The update will be installed, and the phone will launch back into normal mode. Check to see if the issue still persists.

   

Solution 2: Check for Application Updates

Sometimes, if certain applications are outdated, they can cause conflicts with the operating system and sometimes even with other applications. Therefore, in this step, we will be checking the Google Play Store for new updates to the applications. For that:

1. Unlock the phone and open the Google Play Store application.
2. Click on the menu button on the top left corner and select the “My Apps & Games” option.

   

3. Tap on the “Updates” tab and select the “Refresh” icon.
4. Click on the “Update All” option and wait for the applications to be updated and installed.
5. Check to see if the issue persists.

Solution 3: Change Message Configurations

It is possible that the configuration settings of the network carrier are interfering with certain elements of the messaging app and are preventing it from working properly. Therefore, in this step, we will be disabling the network settings of the carrier inside the messaging application. For that:

For AT&T:

1. Open the default messaging application.
2. Click on the menu button on the top right corner and select “Settings“.

   

3. Now click on “AT&T Messages Backup & Sync” and select the “Disable the Sync” option.
4. Restart the phone and check to see if the issue persists.
   Note: After restarting the phone, make sure that the sync wasn’t re-enabled automatically. If it was, disable it again and skip the restart process.

For Rich Communications:

1. Open the default messaging application and click on the menu button on the top right corner.

   

2. Select “Settings” from the list and click on “Chat settings“.
3. Tap on “Rich Communications Settings” and uncheck “Rich Communications” from the list.
4. Restart the phone and check to see if the issue persists.

Solution 4: Launch in Safe Mode

Safe mode disables pretty much every other application installed on the phone except for the default ones. This can prevent other apps from interfering with the default messaging application and help identify the issue. Therefore, in this step, we will be launching the device in Safe Mode. For that:

1. Press the power button and select the “Switch OFF” option.
2. Once the device is turned off completely, switch it on by holding the power button for 2 seconds.
3. When the Samsung animation logo appears, hold down the “Volume Down” button.

   

4. The word “Safe Mode” will be displayed in the lower left corner of the screen if the process was successful.
5. Check to see if the issue persists. If it is resolved, try to delete one third-party application and then check if the message still shows up.
6. You can continue this process until, by deleting a certain application, the problem is solved.

Solution 5: Delete Cache

Over time, the cache can become corrupted. This corrupted cache can cause issues with certain Android applications, especially the default messaging application. Therefore, in this step, we will be wiping the cache from the partition completely. For that:

1. Hold down the power button and select “Switch OFF“.
2. Hold the “Home” button and “Volume Up” button simultaneously and then press and hold the “Power” button as well.
3. When the Samsung Logo screen appears, release only the “Power” key.
4. When the Android logo screen shows, release all the keys. The screen might show “Installing System Update” for a couple of minutes before showing the Android Recovery Options.
5. Press the “Volume down” key until the “Wipe Cache Partition” is highlighted.

   

6. Press the “Power” button and wait for the device to clear the cache partition.
7. When the process is completed, navigate down the list using the “Volume Down” button until “Reboot System Now” is highlighted.
8. Press the “Power” key to select the option and restart the device.
9. Once the device is restarted, check to see if the issue persists.
   Note: You must be very careful with this process because even a slight mistake can cause the phone software to become bricked permanently.