If you were unable to access text messages, receive messages on your iPhone, or forward messages on other Apple devices, then you are in the right place. Often, you might find that the text message forwarding feature is not working, and to access the text messages across any iOS device, you need to enable 2 features: iCloud sync for messages and Text message forwarding on Settings.
However, if you are unable to enable these features, then let’s go through a step-by-step method and restore the proper functioning of the device.
8 Steps to Fix Text Message Forwarding Not Showing Up on iOS
Here are the steps that you must try to fix the Text Message Forwarding not showing up on iOS.
1. Reset Send and Receive in iPhone Settings
To start Text Message forwarding, you need to have an email address which should be associated with iMessage. So, go to your iPhone, tap on Settings, and click on Messages. Next, click on the Send and Receive option and choose a specific email address from the list that appears.
If you have an active email address, you will find a checkmark next to it and it also indicates that you would be receiving the verification code. Thus, after a successful verification process, you will be able to send and receive text messages on iOS devices.
2. Check if you are using the same Apple ID on the other devices
If you are using the same Apple ID across all the devices, then it will help you to receive text messages when you forward them from one Apple device to another. To check the Apple ID for iPhone, you have to go to Settings, tap on the option that shows your information, and scroll down to note down the Apple ID.
Next, on your Mac device, you have to click on the Apple icon, usually at the top, and then select System Settings and tap on your name. This will show you the Apple ID on your device and now compare whether both Apple IDs are identical.
3. Turn on iCloud sync for messages
You can sync your messages across Apple devices with the same Apple ID if you turn on the iCloud sync for messages feature. If this option is turned off, then you might be unable to find the text message forwarding option.
So, go to Settings on your iPhone, tap on the first option that shows your ID and profile information, tap on it, navigate to iCloud, and select the “Apps using iCloud” menu. You will find the option “Show All”, which you have to select and tap on the Messages option. Turn on the toggle button beside the Sync This iPhone label.
4. Turn off and turn on iMessage
Often, refreshing can fix minor technical glitches, so if there is a bug due to the iMessages, then try to turn off the iMessage feature and start the service again. This will give you a fresh start, so if you are unable to find the Text Message Forwarding feature, then get to Settings, tap on the Message icon, and turn off the toggle button beside the iMessage. Wait for a few seconds and then turn it back again. Now, check whether you are able to forward the text messages across the iOS devices.
5. Check the network plan
If you do not have an active internet connection on your iPhone, then you won’t be able to use the services that are dependent on it. Also, a slow network can result in failure in sending text messages, so check whether you have stable connectivity. Get to Settings and select Wi-Fi to verify whether the Wi-Fi connection has full strength or you are getting a notification – “Not connected to the Internet” or “ Weak security”.
To get a strong signal you must switch to 4G or 5G while operating on mobile data. Get to Settings and select Cellular. Now, verify whether the cellular data is on and check whether the network is connected to 4G or 5G. Also, check if it has a good signal strength.
If you are still unable to connect to a 4G or 5G network, then tap on the Cellular Data option and choose “Voice and data”. Now, as a default network, you have to select either 4G or 5G.
6. Restart the phone
Restarting the phone will provide you with a fresh session and it will also fix the buck that is leading to the text message forwarding service not being available. To get rid of the issue, you need to press and hold on the volume and side button to shut down the device. When the Power Slider option arises, drag it to turn off the device. Finally, hold the power button to turn on the device.
7. Reset Network Settings
Network configuration can cause Text Message Forwarding not to show up on the iPhone. Here’s how you can reset network settings on your iPhone. Go to the Settings app and select General. Next, tap on ‘Transfer or reset iPhone’ and select Reset. Finally, tap on ‘Reset Network Settings’.
8. Update iPhone
If you are unable to access the Text Message Forwarding service, then an update can fix the error and for that, you have to go to Settings and open General. Next, select the Software Update option and verify whether you have the latest version running. If not, tap on the “Download and Install” option to get the latest update.
9. Reset iPhone
If there is a configuration issue, that is stopping you from sending Text messages across the iOS devices, then you must reset the iPhone and try again. This process will turn all the settings to their defaults, including location, home screen layout, and privacy settings.
So, open Settings and tap on General. Next, select Transfer or Reset iPhone’ and tap on Reset. Next, tap on “Reset All Settings and wait for the process to complete. Now, you will be able to access all the services in its default settings.
Can you access iMessage on an Android device?
No, iMessage is only meant for Android devices.
Where can you find the Text message forwarding option on iPhone?
you need to go to Settings, tap on Messages, and select Text Message Forwarding.
Can you send a message to a Windows device from iMessage?
Yes, you can send messages to Windows devices from the iPhone through iMessage.
