If you're having problems using the Messages app on your Android device, the following troubleshooting solutions should help fix the problem.

Why Is the Letters App Not Working?

You might come across problems texting if the Messages app is outdated or has bugs. Problems with your data program or cyberspace connectedness can also interfere with MMS and RCS messaging. Make certain y'all have an active data programme or data connectedness.

Outdated operating systems, low device retentiveness and storage, cellular service outage, and problems with Google Play services can crusade problems with the Messages app.

Note: The steps in this tutorial may vary based on your device'south model and operating system version.

1. Strength Shut and Reopen Messages

Manually forcefulness-quit the Letters app to end it if it's unresponsive or some features aren't working. Your phone volition launch Messages on a fresh start when yous reopen the app.

  1. Tap and hold the Messages app icon and tap the info (i) icon to open up the Messages app menu.

Alternatively, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > App info (or Encounter All Apps) and select Messages.

  1. Tap Force Cease and select OK on the confirmation prompt.
  1. Select Open up and try sending a text to confirm if the Messages app is functional.

ii. Shut Unneeded Applications

Applications will run slowly if your device is low on retentiveness. If Android Letters keeps crashing or won't open, close all apps y'all aren't using. That'll help free up valuable system retention for Messages to run smoothly.

Swipe upwards from the bottom of your screen and swipe up on the app you desire to close. To close all apps simultaneously, swipe from left to right through the app previews, and tap Clear All to close all apps.

Reopen Messages and bank check if you can text properly. Suppose the problem continues, clear Messages' temporary files and app data and attempt again.

3. Set Messages as Default Texting App

If there'south more than one SMS app on your phone, make certain Letters is your default texting application.

Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Advanced > Default apps > SMS app and select Messages.

4. Clear the Messages App Cache

Afterwards strength-closing, delete the app's enshroud information and attempt again if Messages yet isn't working.

Open the Messages app card (Settings > Apps & notifications > App info > Letters), select Storage & cache, and tap Clear Cache.

Open up Messages and check if it works correctly. Otherwise, articulate the app'due south information.

Select Clear Storage and tap OK on the confirmation prompt.

Deleting Messages' data will mill reset the app's settings—spam protection, smart suggestions, fast reply, etc. but won't delete text messages.

5. Update the Letters App

You might encounter issues sending or receiving texts if the Messages app version on your device is buggy or outdated. Head to the Google Play Store and update Messages to the latest version.

Open Messages page on the Play Store, select Update, and reopen the Letters app once the update completes.

6. Downgrade or Uninstall Letters Updates

If Messages stopped working subsequently updating the app, the version you lot installed is most probable unstable, bug-ridden, or incompatible with your device. Sideload an older/stable version of the Letters app from reliable third-party APK download websites until Google fixes the problems on the new version. You can besides curl back an update directly from the Play Store.

Open Messages page on the Play Store, select Uninstall, tap OK on the prompt, and open Messages when the uninstallation is complete.

7. Update Google Play Services

Google Play services are crucial to the functioning of Google apps and services in Android. Messages and other Google apps may malfunction if Google Play services are outdated. Head to the Google Play services page on your device and install any bachelor update.

  1. Open up the Settings app, select Apps & notifications, and select App info or See All Apps.
  1.  Tap the iii-dot carte du jour icon in the top-correct corner and select Show system.
  1. Select Google Play services.
  1. Expand the Avant-garde drib-downwardly menu, scroll to the "Shop" section, and select App details.
  1. Tap the Update button and open the Messages app once updated.

8. Costless Up Storage

The Android Messages app saves SMS and MMS messages on your device'due south internal storage. Low storage can mess upwards your device'southward messaging functionality. If yous can't send or receive letters, verify that your device has at to the lowest degree x% of your device'due south total storage available.

Launch the Files (or File Managing director) app to check how much free space your device has or from the Android Settings menu.

Open the Settings app and select Storage to see a preview of the gratis internal storage on your device. Select Free Upwards Infinite if your phone is low on storage space.

Y'all'll be prompted to delete duplicate files, erstwhile screenshots, blurry photos, large files, unused apps, and other unneeded storage-consuming files. Follow the recommendations on the page to free upward space on your device.

9. Reboot Your Phone

Press and hold your phone'south power button and select Restart on the power menu.

Once your phone is on, open the Messages app before whatsoever other application—specially if you have a low-memory Android device. That fashion, your device will accept enough retentivity to run the Letters app smoothly.

ten. Reinsert Your SIM Card

Google warns that Android may fail to send or receive letters if your SIM menu is improperly inserted or aligned incorrectly in the SIM port. Shut down your telephone, remove your SIM card, reinsert it to the SIM port, and ability on your telephone.

11. Update or Downgrade Your Telephone

Software bugs at the operating system (Bone) level can also ruin the functionalities of congenital-in and third-party applications in Android. Connect your phone to a Wi-Fi network and follow the steps below.

Open Settings, go to Organisation > Advanced > System update, and tap Check for update to install the latest Android Bone version.

Sometimes, a new update introduces bugs on your device. If the problem with the Messages app started after updating your phone, downgrade your device's OS to the older/stable version.

Contact Your Cellular Carrier

The problem is probably network-related if you still can't transport or receive texts via the Messages app after trying these troubleshooting fixes. Contact your network provider or cellular carrier to study the problem.