iPhone Group Messaging Not Working? Solved 2025

Elsa Updated on May 20, 2025 Filed to: iOS Parental

Are your iPhone group messages acting weird? You're not the only one frustrated. For instance, a user on Apple Community stated, "His iPhone cannot receive group messages correctly, and all group messages became separate messages."

Thankfully, in this article, we'll break down why iPhone group messaging isn't working and how to fix it fast.

Why Group Messages Isn't Working on iPhone

Generally, the problem usually breaks down into two broad categories: either you can't send group chat messages at all, or the group texts are received separately.

These troubles are most prevalent in mixed-device groups (iPhones, Androids) and can often be traced to incorrect setup, carrier constraints, or iOS updates. Here are the most likely reasons.

1It's a Mixed Group of Android and iOS

If you're asking "why are my group messages coming in separately on iPhone," this is the main reason.

Group conversations involving iPhone and Android users use SMS or MMS instead of iMessage. That means, in a regular SMS group, iPhone users often receive replies as separate messages instead of seeing them all in a single group chat, like the picture below:

why are my group messages coming in separately iPhone

2Incorrect Messages Settings

Group messages in a non-iMessage group may fail to arrive if MMS is turned off or improperly set up. According to one Verizon user, he solved the issue by configuring MMS messaging settings. Therefore, if MMS is disabled in your iPhone's settings, you might miss group messages altogether.

3Carrier Issues

Your carrier needs to support MMS and group messaging for the feature to function, particularly in multi-device chats. Temporary shutdowns, improper carrier settings, or out-of-date network configurations can also prevent group messages.

4iPhone Messages bugs

At other times, bugs brought in through new iOS updates might disrupt group messaging. Some users have reported that group functionality is lost after updates, necessitating a restart, resetting of settings, or even a complete software patch to fix.

How to Fix iPhone Group Text Not Working

If your iPhone group messaging isn't working properly, especially in mixed-device chats, try the following solutions to restore smooth messaging:

Recreate iMessage Groups without Android Users

In SMS/MMS groups containing Android users, the texts come as individual messages instead of group messages, and members even can't leave the group.

Therefore, the fix is to start a brand new group chat with all iPhone users that enabled iMessage, which allows for proper group messaging features.

  1. Step 1.Open the Messages app and tap the "pencil" icon to start a new message.
  2. Step 2.Add only contacts who use iPhone and iMessage — avoid including any Android users.
  3. create an iMessage group

  4. Step 3.After that, you can send and receive group messages correctly.

Enable RCS Messages on Your iPhone

Well, if you are not willing to recreate a new group, you can try this. Apple launched RCS messaging in iOS 18. This enables better group chats between Android and iPhone users.

Instead of messages from Android users arriving as separate texts on iPhones, all group messages will stay together in one conversation.

To activate RCS to fix iPhone group messaging not working, please follow:

  1. Step 1.Go to "Settings > Apps > Messages" on your iPhone running iOS 18.
  2. Step 2.Locate and toggle on "RCS Messaging."
  3. RCS messaging on iOS 18

  4. Step 3.Restart your iPhone to activate the changes and try group messaging again.
All members in the group chat also need to enable RCS chats whether they are using iPhone or Android.

Turn off MMS Blocking in Carrier

Sometimes, you have enabled MMS Messaging in your message settings, still, iPhone group messages still cannot function. This is because a few carriers have an MMS blocking feature, which can disrupt group messaging, particularly in a group involving Android users.

So, you can turn off MMS blocking to fix iPhone group messaging not working like this Verizon user.

Here, we take Verizon as an example. These instructions can change over time or by providers, so if you're unable to find the setting or still have problems, seek your provider's most up-to-date information.
  1. Step 1.Sign in to your Verizon account on the Verizon website or via the Verizon app.
  2. Step 2.Navigate to "Accounts > My Plans > Blocks."
  3. Step 3.Under "Messaging," find and toggle off the setting labeled "Block Picture and Video Messaging."

Verizon messaging settings

Update Your iOS

Older versions of iOS can lead to bugs, glitches in Messages, and iPhone group messaging problems. Some users say that a simple upgrade to the most current version of iOS can resolve group messaging issues since Apple regularly releases fixes for bugs and messaging performance updates.

  1. Step 1.Just head to "Settings" on your iPhone, then go to "General > Software Update."
  2. Step 2.If an update is available, tap "Update Now."

Contact Apple Support or Carrier

If none of these solutions fix your group messaging issues, you might need to contact Apple Support or your carriers. There might be underlying problems with your device, account, or setup that a professional can diagnose.

Alternative: Start Group Messaging with Your Family on AirDroid!

If you often encounter iPhone group messaging problems, particularly in groups containing Android and iPhone users, using a third-party group chat app such as AirDroid can avoid such headaches.

It provides a Family Chat feature that enables uninterrupted messaging among various devices, irrespective of operating systems. It's a secure method to have your family members connected without any concerns about iMessage or MMS constraints.

AirDroid Family Chat overview

Now, try AirDroid Family Chat for free to keep your group chats smooth and uninterrupted, no matter what devices everyone uses.

Conclusion

If your iPhone group messaging fails, it most likely occurs in a group mixed with Android and iPhone. Fortunately, you can regain seamless communication with the solutions outlined above. If the problem continues, feel free to reach out to Apple Support.

For a more seamless experience with Android and iOS, use AirDroid's Family Chat feature—a hassle-free, cross-platform way to communicate while avoiding messaging problems.

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Elsa
Elsa
Elsa has worked on a number of iOS & Android solutions, she can always find her way around almost any application. She is an accomplished, skilled and versatile writer with more than 7 years of technical article writing experience.
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