10 Easy Fixes for When iMessage Doesn’t Say Delivered

iMessage is a key feature for iPhone users, offering a unique way to stay in touch with loved ones. Despite its popularity, it’s not perfect and sometimes runs into small glitches. Recently, many users have noticed an issue where iMessages don’t show as “delivered.” 

This problem indicates that the message hasn’t reached the intended person. If you’re worried by this and unsure what to do, don’t worry.

In this guide, we’ll explain the meaning of “delivered” on iMessage, explore why messages might not be marked as delivered, show you how to fix it, and help you figure out if someone has blocked you or is using the Do Not Disturb mode.

What does “Delivered” mean on iMessage?

First, let’s understand the difference between “Delivered” and “Read” on iMessage. “Delivered” tells you the message has reached the other person’s phone. On the other hand, “Read” means the person has opened the message. 

Opening a message doesn’t guarantee they’ve actually read the words inside. They might have seen the notification, checked the message, and then got sidetracked. Not everyone chooses to show when they’ve read a message, but you can decide if you want others to see when you’ve read theirs.

READ MORE: How to Enable iMessage on Any iPhone in 4 Easy Steps [2024] ➜

Why iMessage doesn’t say delivered?

There are several reasons why your iMessage might not say “delivered.” Here’s a list of common issues:

• You or the person you’re messaging might not have a good internet connection since iMessage needs the internet to work.
• The person you’re texting could have put their phone in Airplane mode, turned it off, activated Do Not Disturb mode or lost their internet connection, which stops iMessages from coming through.
• You might have used the wrong login details for iMessage.
• You could have saved the wrong phone number for the person you’re trying to message.
• The person you’re messaging might have switched from an iPhone to an Android phone, which doesn’t use iMessage.
• They could have changed their Apple ID or phone number.
• They might have turned off iMessage on their phone.
• The person might have blocked you on iMessage.

READ MORE: How to Play iMessage Games on iPhone [Step-by-Step Pics] ➜

How to fix iMessage doesn’t say delivered?

Now that we’ve looked at why iMessages might not show as “delivered,” let’s focus on how to solve this problem. We have a few tried-and-tested methods to help fix this issue. So, let’s explore these solutions without waiting any longer:

1. Check the Internet/connectivity of your iPhone

Sometimes, you might be in an area where you don’t have a strong internet connection or service. Or you might accidentally turn on Airplane mode on your iPhone without noticing, which can stop it from connecting to your mobile network. Here’s a quick way to check and fix this:

1. Swipe down from the top of your home screen to access the Control Center. Look for the airplane icon and tap it to turn off Airplane mode if it’s on.
   

   

2. Wait for the network signal icon to turn gray, showing you’re connected again.
   

   

READ MORE: What is Jitter? Decoding The Key to Faster Internet Speeds ➜

2. Apple messages out of date/bugged out

If your internet’s working fine, the next thing to check is the iMessage app itself. It might need an update, especially if you don’t have automatic updates turned on or there was an internet problem.

If everything is already updated, try restarting iMessage by turning it off and then back on. Here’s what to do:

1. Open “Settings” and go to “Messages.”
   

   

2. Find the iMessage switch and tap it to turn iMessage off.
   

   

3. Tap the switch again to turn iMessage back on.
   

   

READ MORE: How to Fix iPhone Not Sending or Receiving Pictures in iMessage ➜

3. Send as SMS instead of iMessage

Sometimes, iMessages aren’t delivered because the person you’re trying to message doesn’t have an iPhone; they might have an Android phone instead. When this happens, you can choose to send your message as a regular text message. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Go to your iPhone’s Settings and find “Messages” to open its options.
   

   

2. Turn off “iMessage” by tapping the switch next to it. 
   

   

Now, your iPhone will send messages as SMS (text messages) instead of using iMessage.

READ MORE: Message Failed to Send on iPhone? Try These 12 Fixes! ➜

4. Check contact list

Sending a message to the wrong number can cause iMessage not to work correctly, especially if the person you’re trying to reach doesn’t use an iPhone. It’s a good idea to check your contact list to ensure you’re messaging the right number. Here’s how:

1. Tap the phone icon on your home screen to open it.
   

   

2. Navigate to the “Contacts” section.
   

   

3. Find and tap on the name of the person you want to message.
   

   

4. Check their phone number to make sure it’s correct. If you’ve saved the wrong number, update it with the right one and try sending your iMessage again.
   

   

READ MORE: Apple’s NameDrop Lets You Share Contact Details in One Click ➜

5. Force restart your device

Restarting your phone can solve many problems, including issues with iMessage. When you force restart your device, it turns off and back on, stopping any problems running in the background. 

To perform a force restart on various iPhone models, follow these instructions tailored to each model range:

↪ For iPhone 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, X, and iPhone 8 Series:

• Quickly press and release the “Volume Up” button, then swiftly do the same with the “Volume Down” button.
• Press and continuously hold the “Side Sleep/Wake” button until the Apple logo is displayed, then release.

↪ For iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus:

• Simultaneously press and hold the “Volume Down” and the “Sleep/Wake” buttons.
• Maintain holding both until the Apple logo appears, then let go.

↪ For iPhone 6, iPhone SE, and Earlier Models:

• Concurrently press and hold the “Sleep/Wake” button and the “Home” button.
• Continue holding both buttons until you see the Apple logo, then release.

READ MORE: iPhone Force Restart Not Working? Try These 9 Easy Fixes ➜

6. Install pending iOS updates

Sometimes, if your iOS is not up-to-date, your messages might not be sent. To make sure this isn’t causing the problem, you should update your iOS, which will also update your iMessage app. Here’s what to do:

1. Open the Settings on your iPhone and go to “General.”
   

   

2. Next, select “Software Update.”
   

   

3. Here, you’ll see if your device can be updated to the latest version of iOS. If there’s an update waiting, you’ll find a “Download and Install” option. Tap it and let your device complete the update.
   

   

READ MORE: How to Fix “iOS update requested” Error on iPhone [2024] ➜

7. Sign out of Apple ID and sign back in

Signing out of your Apple ID and then signing back in can often fix problems related to your Apple account, including issues with iMessage. Here’s a simple way to do this:

1. Open the Settings app and tap on “Messages.”
   

   

2. Select “Send & Receive” to get to the message options.
   

   

3. Tap on your Apple ID, then choose “Sign Out” in the window that pops up.
   

   

Afterward, log back into your Apple ID using the same account details.

READ MORE: [FIX] ‘Sign Out is Not Available Due to Restrictions’ in Apple ID ➜

8. Reset network settings

If you’re still having trouble, try resetting the network settings on your iPhone. These settings are all about how your phone connects to cellular and Wi-Fi networks. Resetting them can sometimes fix issues like iMessage not saying “delivered.” Here’s how to do it:

1. Open your iPhone’s “Settings” app and head over to the “General” section.
   

   

2. Look for “Transfer or Reset iPhone” and tap on it.
   

   
3. Then, tap on “Reset.”
   

   

4. Choose “Reset Network Settings” from the menu. This action will restore all your network settings to their original state.
   

   

5. You must type in your passcode to confirm you want to do this.
   

   

READ MORE: How to Reset an iPhone without Password?

9. Reset all settings

If you’re still having issues, another option is to reset all the settings on your iPhone. This will change all settings back to their original state but won’t delete your personal data. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to your iPhone’s Settings, then find and tap on “General.”
   

   

2. Look for the option “Transfer or Reset iPhone” and tap on it.
   

   

3. Choose “Reset.”
   

   

4. From the options, select “Reset All Settings.” This will reset everything to default settings.
   

   

5. You’ll be asked to enter your passcode as confirmation.
   

   

After confirming, wait for your iPhone to finish resetting all the settings.

READ MORE: Forgot iPhone Passcode? Here Is How To Reset ➜

10. Contact Apple Support

If you’ve tried everything mentioned and still can’t fix the issue with the “Delivered” status on iMessage, it’s time to ask for help from Apple Support. They can offer tailored advice and solve the problem considering your particular device and its settings.

READ MORE: How to Contact Snapchat Support in 2024 [4 Different Ways] ➜

What other things you can try?

If your iMessages aren’t getting delivered, one possibility is that the person has blocked you. But figuring out if you’ve been blocked isn’t straightforward. Unless they tell you directly, there’s no surefire way to know. However, you can try a few things to get a better idea.

↪ Do Not Disturb mode

It’s easier to check if someone has set their phone to Do Not Disturb (DND). When you send an iMessage to someone with DND or any other Focus mode, you usually still see a delivery notification. If you don’t get this notification, it might mean you’ve been blocked. Remember, this trick only works if the person you’re messaging also uses an iPhone.

↪ Making a phone call

One of the simplest, though potentially awkward, methods to see if you’ve been blocked is calling them. If your call goes straight to voicemail or rings once before going to voicemail, this could be a sign you’re blocked.

↪ Try using a different number or device

Another way to check is by using a different phone number or device to call or message them. If you still can’t get through, the issue might be on their end, like a technical problem, rather than them blocking you.

These methods can give you a better idea of whether you’re dealing with a Do Not Disturb setting or if you’ve been blocked, but remember, they aren’t 100% foolproof.

READ MORE: How to Get iMessage on Your PC ➜

Final thoughts

If you’re facing the issue where iMessage doesn’t say delivered, don’t worry, as there are several steps you can take to fix this. Whether it’s checking your internet connection, updating your iOS, or ensuring you haven’t been blocked, each method offers a solution to get your iMessages flowing again. 

Check settings like Do Not Disturb and verify the recipient’s phone number. If all else fails, resetting your network settings or even contacting Apple Support can help. This guide aims to provide you with straightforward, easy-to-follow advice to tackle the problem head-on.