It seems that some users are experiencing this problem. The problem is that the Messages app stops working properly for some users after updating their iPhone or iPad devices to the latest iOS software version or after restarting their devices. More specifically, here are the some symptoms that users are having:
- The Messages app is only showing a blank, white screen, meaning all messages (text – SMS- and iMessages) seem to have disappeared and gone; however still red number badge indicates that there are some new messages.
- Unable to send and receive new messages
- The send (green or blue) arrow button is not working
- Text message notifications and previews on the lock screen seem to be working
See also: Cannot Send or Receve Messages on Your Mac?
Text messages disappeared from iPhone or iPad?
Use these steps if the Messages app stops responding, or you encounter a problem while trying to access your messages. After each step, please check to see if your is resolved.
- Restart your device. You may do so by going to Settings > General > Shut Down (iOS 11 or later)
- Force restart your device. Read this article to learn how you can do this.
- Turn on Airplay mode and wait a few seconds and turn it back off.
- Go to Settings > Messages > Keep Messages and select 30 days (note that this option will delete your old messages, you may skip this if you do not want to that) and tap Delete.
- Go to Settings > Messages and turn off iMessage and then MMS Messaging and wait a few seconds and turn them back on.
- Update your device to the latest version of iOS. You can do that wirelessly by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
- The last option is that you do a Factory Reset on the iPhone and restore from a recent backup file, if you still have this problem. Here is how:
- Before you do anything, make sure that you have a backup file. You can check this by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Storage > Manage Storage > Back ups, where you can see all of your backups.
- If you want, especially if you do not have any back up, you can back up your device. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and then tap Back Up Now (note that you can turn on iCloud Backup to automatically back up your device).
- Now you have a backup file, simply go to Settings > General > Reset, then tap “Erase all content and settings.” Simply follow the instructions. Make sure that you select Restore from iCloud Backup.
See also: Messages not in the right order?
I powered on my phone and went to my messages and blink; they were gone. I tried resetting my phone, and that didn’t work. I sent a message to one of my contacts and the message thread came back… Apple needs to fix this stat
I am also experiencing the same problems!
I’m 66 years old and I am trying to understand how Technology can help me but I’m just asking for a little help with my phone from you Guys.
Thank you 🙏
I have an iphone 8 on iOS 13.3.1. Two days ago I lost all messages older than a day just on ONE contact. All the others I have checked have all their messages (I have keep forever selected). I’ve got gigs and gigs of free storage on my phone. Unfortunately, I was not backing up messages on iCloud (I am now). Anyone know what’s going on?
Have you figure out what happened yet? The same thing just happened to me randomly and I’m not happy… it was the wrong person to get deleted.
I kept text messages back and forth from contractors showing what I paid them (cash) and had them text me back to verify it. Now only about 1/4 of my text messages are there. Only ones maybe a month old. What the hell happened?
OMG I lost random meaningful texts yesterday as well. My family…What happened??
I have IPhone 11…lost all text messages from my 3 most important contacts!!! Just disappeared and can’t be restored. I’m beyond upset!!!!!!
Did they ever come back? i am having the same issue. i back up to icloud as well.are they just gone?
Wow, This is BAD. I had many texts saved for legal purposes…. all gone. I also lost photos I wanted. I have iPhone 11 Max Plus which was not inexpensive. Never had this problem with older versions. Really sucks. Class action suit possible here maybe.
I agree. I had money sent in my text message for me to deposit to Applepay. Didnt get to do it, now I dont know where that money is.