After updating to iOS 26, some people may find that iMessage no longer activates with their phone number. Apple has released a new support document detailing how to fix this problem (via MacRumors).
This usually happens if your device has both an active SIM and an inactive SIM using the same number. When that’s the case, you might notice that messages fail to send with a “Not Delivered” alert, texts only go out as green SMS or RCS bubbles, or your phone starts using your email address instead of your number. Sometimes, the same number even shows up twice under Messages > Send & Receive in Settings.
Apple says the solution is to remove the inactive SIM and then turn iMessage back on.
To start, open the Settings app and go to the Cellular section. Look closely at the SIMs listed there. If you see two entries with the same number, figure out which one is no longer in use. If that SIM is a physical card, take it out of your iPhone. If it’s an eSIM, tap the option to delete it from the device.
Once the inactive SIM is gone, return to Settings and open the Messages menu. Go into Send & Receive and check the options available. You should now be able to tap your phone number to reactivate iMessage.
After this step, iMessage should begin working normally again, sending and receiving blue bubble messages with your number instead of defaulting to email or SMS.
Are you having any issues with iMessage and iOS 26?
Want to see more of our stories on Google?
P.S. Want to keep this site truly independent? Support us by buying us a beer, treating us to a coffee, or shopping through Amazon here. Links in this post are affiliate links, so we earn a tiny commission at no charge to you. Thanks for supporting independent Canadian media!
LOL, remove the eSIM… right 🙂
Never had this happen.