I can't send or receive text messages (SMS/MMS)

Try these troubleshooting steps if you:

Can’t send or receive text messages (SMS/MMS).
Have problems with group messages.
Can’t send or receive pictures and videos.

After each step, check to find out if your issue is fixed.

If you just transferred your number to Google Fi, there might be a 48-hour delay before you can send or receive text messages. Before you troubleshoot, learn more about number transfers.

If you use an iPhone, make sure you update your text settings. If you have a newer model and experience this issue, try to activate it with an eSIM.

Group Messages doesn’t work

Important: If messaging iPhone users, they must have “Send as SMS” turned on.

To send group messages as MMS:

On your Android device, open Messages.
Tap Menu Settings Advanced Group messaging.
To choose group MMS as your default, select Send an MMS reply to all recipients (group MMS).

Can’t send or receive pictures & videos

If you’re unable to send or receive pictures or videos, make sure you turn on MMS and chat features.

To turn on Chat features:

On your Android device, open Messages.
Tap Menu Settings Chat Features.
Tap Enable Chat features Disable.

If issues persist, check if you’re signed in to Messages for Web. If so, sign out.

Chat Features is turned on & messages can't send or receive

To reset Chat features:

Turn on Airplane mode.
Clear Storage for Android Messages and Carrier Services.
Turn off Airplane mode.
Restart the phone.
Open Android Messages.
Select Android Messages as default messenger.

Can't receive SMS messages

In the Google Fi and Messages app, check the "Spam & blocked" list.
In the Fi app, check that "Block contacts from strangers" is available and turned on.

Can't send SMS messages

Make sure you're not sending a high volume of messages in a short time or your account could be temporarily suspended for spam.

Messages contain extra characters

The Google Fi app isn’t currently active on your phone. In the Google Fi app, make sure that:

Your service is turned on.
The phone is set as your active talk and text device.

If the issue persists:

Clear the Google Fi app cache.
Restart your device.
Relaunch the Google Fi app.

MMS Messages can't be sent or received

From the Android Messages app, clear the cache and restart the device.

Group messages are sent or received as individual messages

On your Android device, open Android Messages.
At the top right, tap More Settings Advanced.
Tap Group messaging Send an MMS reply to all recipients (group MMS).

If you’re still having trouble, try these troubleshooting steps.

After each step, check to find out if your issue is fixed.

Step 1: Check your default messaging app

On Messages by Google

Check for Messages by Google updates

On non-Google apps

For help, contact your app's provider.

If you use Android and use any app other than Messages by Google to send and receive messages, download the most recent version of Messages. For the best results, make Messages your default messaging app.

For MMS, the file size can't exceed 8 MB. For international messages, the limit is 1 MB.

Step 2: Update your Messages & Google Fi apps

To update your Messages & Google Fi apps:

On your phone, open the Play Store app .
In the top right, tap your account icon Manage apps & device Manage.
Under "Updates available," tap See details and find Google Fi , if available.
- Repeat this step for the Messages app.
On the right, tap Update.

Check for app updates

Step 3: Use a valid phone number with the right format

To check whether there's a problem with the number you want to text:

Send a test message to a group of friends or family and ask them if it went through.
For MMS, make sure the number you text is tied to a device that can receive group or multimedia messages.
If you want to text a short code number, try to text the word "HELP." If you get a message that says "Service access denied," contact a Google Fi agent for more help.

Make sure the number you try to text is correct. If you have issues with texts, use the full 10- or 11-digit number. Try:

(area code) (number)
1 (area code) (number)

Text an international number from the US

Canada and US Virgin Islands: Use 1 (area code) (local number).
To all other countries and regions: Touch and hold 0 until + appears on the display. Use (country code) (area code) (local number). For example, to text a number in the UK, use + 44 (area code) (local number).

Text a US or international number from outside the US

Learn how to turn on international services on an Android device.

Turn on international services through fi.google.com:

Sign in to your Fi account.
Under "Account," tap Manage Plan.
Find International Features.
Turn on Service outside the US and Calls to non-US numbers.

Based on what kind of number you want to text:

To text a number in the same country or region: Use (area code) (local number).
To text another country or region: Touch and hold 0 until + appears on the display. Use (country code) (area code) (local number). For example, to message a number in the UK from Japan, dial + 44 (area code) (local number).
- If this number format doesn’t work, you can also try the exit code of the country or region you're visiting. Use (exit code) (destination country code) (area code) (local number).
To text a number in the US: Use 1 (area code) (local number).

Step 4: Check if your contact uses an iPhone

If your contact uses an iPhone, ask them to make sure the messages are sent as SMS/MMS.

Step 5: If your phone signal has no bars, check your coverage area

Check the coverage map for US locations. If you use your phone outside the US, check the 170+ supported countries and regions where you can use Google Fi.

If we have coverage in your location: Try to go to another spot nearby where you have a signal. If you're inside a building or underground, try to go outside. Buildings can sometimes block signals. If that doesn't work, continue on to the next steps.

If we don't have coverage in your location: Connect to Wi-Fi so you can try to send messages over Wi-Fi. Learn how to connect to Wi-Fi.

Step 6: Turn on data & data roaming

If you're not connected to Wi-Fi, make sure that mobile data is turned on.

Turn on data

Open the Settings app.
Tap Network & internet Mobile network.
Confirm that Mobile data is turned on.

Turn on data roaming

Open the Settings app.
Tap Network & internet Mobile network.
Confirm that Roaming is turned on.

Step 7: Restart your phone

To restart your phone:

Press and hold the Power button until the menu appears.
To turn off your phone, tap Power off.
To turn your phone back on, press and hold the Power button until your phone restarts.

Step 8: Talk to a Google Fi agent

If you try the steps above and still have issues with group and multimedia messages, contact us for more info.

Further Troubleshooting

If you get a notification that Messages may not send or receive messages until more space is available, try these tips to free space.
Be sure that the Android version is updated.
Reset Airplane mode.
Reset device network settings.