Since the release of iOS 26 last month, some iPhone users have been experiencing issues using iMessage with their phone numbers. Apple has published an official support document addressing this widespread issue, identifying the issue and sharing a potential solution. Here are the details.
Apple has identified the source of the problem.
According to Apple’s statement, the issue affects users who have both an active SIM/eSIM and an inactive (inactive) SIM/eSIM with the same phone number on their devices. Apple explains the root cause of the issue as follows:
“When you update to iOS 26, if you have an inactive SIM with the same phone number as your active SIM, you may not be able to activate iMessage with your phone number.”
Affected users may experience the following issues:
- iMessage sending fails with a “Undeliverable” message.
- Messages can only be sent and received in SMS or RCS format, and therefore appear in a green bubble.
- Messages are sent using an email address instead of a phone number. The same phone number appears twice in Settings > Apps > Messages > Send & Receive.
Apple advises that users experiencing this issue should remove the inactive SIM card from their device. Here’s the step-by-step process:
- Open the Settings app and tap Cellular (or Mobile Data).
- If you see two SIMs (or eSIMs) with the same phone number, find the one that is no longer active.
- Remove the inactive SIM:
- If the inactive SIM is a physical SIM, remove the SIM card from your device.
- If the inactive SIM is an eSIM, tap on it and remove it using the “Delete eSIM” option.
- After removing the inactive SIM, return to the Settings app and tap Apps.
- Tap Messages.
- Tap Send & Receive.
- Tap your displayed phone number to reactivate iMessage.
Have you encountered this issue? Share your thoughts in the comments.
