How to Troubleshoot Android Not Receiving Texts

Various factors can cause an Android phone to stop receiving texts. These could range from a recent switch from iPhone to Android, enabling Rich Communication Services (RCS) chats, to issues related to mobile network settings, among many others.

The causes of missing texts on Android can be significantly diverse. For this reason, this guide will take you through multiple methods to help identify and solve the issue swiftly.

1. Restart Phone

The initial approach you should consider is restarting your phone. Quite often, a device reboot can rectify various anomalies and one-off glitches happening on your phone.

This is because rebooting renews all of the services in your phone, thereby ensuring it functions correctly. If rebooting your phone doesn’t fix the issue, or you’ve already attempted it, proceed to the next method. If you haven’t, perform a restart and then verify if the problem continues.

2. Disable iMessage

The problem can arise due to iMessage, most especially if you’ve recently transitioned from iPhone to Android. This happens when text messages are redirected to your iMessage service, hindering your Android device from receiving them.

Google recommends deactivating iMessage when switching from iPhone to Android.

1. Firstly, launch the Settings app on your iPhone. 
2. Next, click on the Messages option.

   

3. Then, use the iMessage option to turn it off.

   

If you no longer have the iPhone or you’ve already removed the SIM card, it will be necessary to unregister iMessage against your number via the Apple website.

1. Open the official website for deregistering iMessage via this link.

   

2. Enter your phone number in the respective field. 
3. Next, complete the security check by inputting the code. 
4. Aterwards, click on the Send Code option and submit the 6-digit confirmation code.

3. Check Airplane Mode

An active airplane mode can be another reason for this issue. When airplane mode is enabled, all network services are deactivated as the device is prevented from emitting radio signals.

You won’t be able to receive texts on your device if airplane mode is on.

1. Swipe down on your phone from the top to open the action center.
2. Ensure that the Airplane Mode is off.

   

3. If the option is not visible in the action center, check in the Settings app.
4. Find the Airplane mode within your Mobile Network settings. The exact location can vary depending on your device model. 

4. Clear Messages Cache

The cache of your messaging app could prevent incoming new texts if it’s damaged. In such cases, you’ll need to delete it.

Clearing cache is completely safe and won’t result in the loss of your data or texts.

1. Launch the Settings app on your device.
2. Go to the Apps section.

   

3. From the list of Apps, select your Messages app.

   

4. Click on the Storage option.

   

5. Tap on the Clear Cache option to remove the cache.

   

6. Finally, verify if the problem is resolved. 

5. Disable Rich Communication Services

Rich Communication Services or RCS is a new technology that adds additional features to your messaging app, enhancing the overall user experience. These features include read receipts, multimedia transmission, and more.

Nonetheless, RCS could compromise the SMS functionality on some devices, preventing them from receiving texts. To resolve this issue, deactivate RCS.

1. Open your phone’s Messages app.
2. Click on the profile icon and choose the Messages Settings option.

   

3. Select the RCS chats option.

   

4. Use the Turn on RCS chats toggle switch to turn it off.

   

5. Afterwards, close the app and see if the problem persists. 

6. Update Messaging App

The version of your messaging app could also lead to the issue. If you haven’t updated the messages app on your device for some time, you might stop receiving new texts.

This issue can also be down to a bug with a specific app version, which might have been patched in a subsequent update that you haven’t installed.

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your phone.
2. Use the search function to find your Messages app.
3. Pick your Messages app from the search results.
4. Click on Update to install any available updates.

   

5. Wait for the process to complete and then check whether the issue is resolved. 

7. Update System Software

One of the potential reasons for not receiving texts could be the system software installed on your phone. The problem could arise due to an out-of-date system software version or a bug in the version itself.

You will need to download and install any system software updates for your phone to address this issue.

1. Launch the Settings app on your device.
2. In the Settings app, head over to the Software update option.

   

3. Allow your phone to search for any available updates, then click on the Download and Install option.
4. After the update, see if the text receiving issue persists. 

8. Reset Mobile Network Settings

An error in your Android’s mobile network settings could also keep you from receiving any texts. In this case, you’ll need to reset your mobile network settings to resolve the issue.

This will restore the network settings to the factory defaults, eliminating any inconsistencies that might be causing the problem.

1. Open the Settings app on your phone.
2. Find the Reset option in the Settings menu. The easiest way to find this is to use the search bar.

   

3. In the Reset menu, select the Reset network settings option.

   

4. Confirm the actionand wait for it to complete.
5. Try sending a text to yourself to verify whether the problem is resolved. 

9. Contact Network Carrier

Finally, if none of the above methods rectify the problem, the issue may likely be with your network carrier. In such instances, contacting your network carrier and informing them about the problem is the best course of action.

Your network carrier should be able to identify the issue on their end, and fix any problems with your text forwarding. Once they have rectified the problem, restart your phone. After that, you should be able to receive texts without any issues.