Fix iMessage Needs To Be Enabled To Send This Message

iPhone has messaging features with which you can send iMessages or normal text messages. iMessage is one of the interesting messaging features existing at this time. Most iPhone users use this feature to communicate with anyone. However, the iMessage needs to be enabled to send this message error has been haunting some iPhone users for some time. Read this article till the end to learn the ways to fix this cannot send message iMessage needs to be enabled error completely.

Fix iMessage Needs To Be Enabled To Send This Message

How to Fix iMessage Needs To Be Enabled To Send This Message

The reasons why this error might be occurring on your iPhone are:

  • Unstable internet connection
  • Issues with the Messages app
  • Problematic network settings
  • Disabled iMessage feature

Let us now get into the methods to resolve the cannot send message iMessage needs to be enabled error.

Method 1: Basic Troubleshooting Steps

It is recommended that you first follow the basic steps to troubleshoot the problem you are facing on your device. Below are some of the steps you can follow.

1. Restart iPhone

It is one of the preliminary steps to fix the iMessage needs to be enabled to send this message error. By restarting the iPhone, you will fix any minor glitches that may be causing the said issue.

1. Press the power button on your iPhone for a few seconds.

2. Swipe the slide to power off option from the screen.

slide to power off iPhone Restart

After your iPhone restarts, check if you have fixed the iMessage needs to be enabled error message.

2. Check iMessage System Status

If the iMessages server is down, you cannot send the iMessages until it is working fine again. Check the iMessages status on the Apple System Status page. The green dot represents that the specific service is working fine without any problem.

Apple System Status page. Fix iMessage Needs To Be Enabled To Send This Message

3. Ensure Stable Internet Connection

You have to be connected to a stable and working Wi-Fi connection. If you are using mobile data, make sure the internet pack is active. Turn off and on the Wi-Fi/Data to fix the issue.

Turn off and on the WiFi iPhone

Method 2: Force Quit Messages App

Force quitting an app on iPhone means closing the actively running app from the background. You can force quit apps in two ways for two different types of iPhone devices.

  • On iPhones with Home button: Press the Home button twice and swipe up the apps from the active apps.
  • On iPhone with no Home button: Swipe up from the left corner of the screen. Tap the minus (-) icon from the top of the app to force quit it. You can also swipe up the apps to force quit it.

press iphone home button

Also Read: Fix App Store Missing on iPhone

Method 3: Enable or Disable iMessage

You can enable the iMessages on your phone if it is off. Also, you can disable it and enable it back again to see if it can fix the cannot send message iMessage needs to be enabled error. Follow the upcoming steps to enable/disable the iMessage on your iPhone.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Fix iMessage Needs To Be Enabled To Send This Message

2. Scroll down and tap on Messages from the list, as shown below.

Scroll down and tap on Messages from the list

3. Turn on the toggle for iMessage from the top, as shown.

Turn on the toggle for iMessage from the top

4. If the toggle was already on, turn it off and on again.

5. Finally, restart your iPhone to see if the said issue is fixed or not.

Method 4: Delete Failed Sent Messages

Sometimes, the cannot send message iMessage needs to be enabled error may happen for only one particular chat in the Messages app. If it is the case, follow the steps below to fix this.

1. Disable the iMessage option from the Settings app as shown in Method 3 above.

2. Now, open the desired iMessage chat.

Open the iMessage chat. Fix iMessage Needs To Be Enabled To Send This Message

3. Tap and hold the failed sent iMessage and tap on More.

Tap and hold the failed sent iMessage and tap on More

4. Then, tap the Delete icon from the bottom left corner.

Tap the Delete icon. Fix iMessage Needs To Be Enabled To Send This Message

5. Next, tap on the Delete Message option to confirm the deletion.

Tap on the Delete Message option to confirm the deletion

6. Now, send another text in the same chat to check if you are getting the same error or not.

Also Read: How to Disable Pop-ups on Safari on iPhone

Method 5: Use SMS/MMS

You can also use MMS or text option to send messages on the iMessages app.

1. Reach the Messages menu in the Settings app as mentioned in Method 3.

2. Turn on the toggle for iMessage and MMS Messaging, as shown below.

Turn on the toggle for iMessage and MMS Messaging

3. Go back and tap on Cellular or Wi-Fi from the Settings main menu. Turn off the toggle for Cellular Data or Wi-Fi (whichever you were using for an internet connection).

Turn off and on the WiFi iPhone. Fix iMessage Needs To Be Enabled To Send This Message

4. Open the Messages app and send a message to any contact. The message will not be sent yet as the internet connection is off.

5. Tap and hold the failed sent message and tap on the Send as Text Message option. The message will turn green.
tap on the Send as Text Message option

6. Now, open the Settings app and turn off the iMessage toggle.

open the Settings app and turn off the iMessage toggle. Fix iMessage Needs To Be Enabled To Send This Message

7. Then, turn on the toggle Wi-Fi or Cellular Data from Settings. It will send the queued messages a text instead of iMessages.

Method 6: Reset Network Settings

This method has worked for some of the iPhone users as they were able to fix the iMessage needs to be enabled to send this message error instantly.

Note: This method will not delete any of your iPhone data. It will only delete saved Wi-Fi networks and associated passwords.

1. Turn off the toggles for iMessage and MMS Messaging, as shown below.

Turn off the toggles for iMessage and MMS Messaging

2. Go back to the main Settings menu and tap on the General option.

tap on the General option. Fix iMessage Needs To Be Enabled To Send This Message

3. Scroll down the menu and tap the Reset option.

4. Now, tap on Reset Network Settings and enter the Apple ID password, if asked.

tap on Reset Network Settings

5. After this, the Messages menu in the Settings app and turn on the toggles for iMessage and MMS Messaging.

Also Read: Fix Verification Failed Error Connecting to Apple ID Server

Method 7: Reset iPhone to Factory Settings

Lastly, if none of the methods worked for you to fix the issue, reset your iPhone with the help of the following steps.

1. Open the Messages app and tap on the General option.

2. Tap on Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

Tap on Erase All Content and Settings. Fix iMessage Needs To Be Enabled To Send This Message

3. Type your Apple ID password to confirm the resetting process.

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So now you have understood the detailed methods to resolve iMessage needs to be enabled to send this message error. You can let us know any queries about this article or suggestions about any other topic you want us to make an article on. Drop them in the comments section below for us to know.

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