iPhone 18 pro won’t send group text messages

There are three types of group messages that you might see: group iMessage, group MMS, and group SMS. The Messages app automatically chooses the type of group message to send based on settings, network connection, and carrier plan. For example:

1. You need an SMS plan (Domestic) enabled by your carrier for the SIM/eSIM that you use on your device to send Group SMS. Apple Inc. does not provide SMS services.
2. If you and your recipients are using Apple devices and iMessage is turned on, then the group message is sent as an iMessage. If you can't turn on or sign in to iMessage or FaceTime - Apple ... If you can't turn on or sign in to iMessage or FaceTime - Apple ...
3. If you send a group message to people who are on Android, then the message is sent as an MMS or SMS message. Check if you have an SMS plan enabled by your carrier for the SIM/eSIM that you use on your device. Apple Inc does not provide SMS services. You need to contact your Carrier to enable SMS and/or MMS.

I also had the same issue after switching from android to apple. Turns out, you need to delete your group messages and then also delete them from the "recently deleted" folder. Then try to start the group yourself and it should work now.

i also recently switched from Android to iOS 18 Pro. I’ve been able to receive but not send to one of my group texts. I just deleted the messages then deleted from the “recently deleted” and was able to send to the group

My story:

• Recently switched from Android to new-to-me iPhone 14 (spouse's old phone, upgraded with brand new battery)
• Running latest iOS 27.2
• Can't send group message to either RCS or iMessage groups, but I receive messages OK
• Hours on the phone with VZW, tried all the usual stuff including a full reset/restore

One interesting observation is a group can be temporarily fixed if I receive a message on the group. Suddenly I can send messages to the group! But if I wait a few days, the group reverts back to the broken state (I can't send) until I receive another message from the group.

Just today I discovered this thread, and deleting both a group AND its deleted messages folder does seem to work, so that's good. I tested this using a small group whose history I don't mind losing.

However, I am holding out for a better solution because I do not want to delete important groups. I have several groups with years of history (I used "Move to iOS" and it transferred all the message history just fine). I am unwilling to delete these groups just to work around what's clearly a software bug.

I was having same issue. Recently changed from Android to IPhone and unable to send or reply to certain group messages, but able to send and reply to other group messages. On phone with Verizon for total of 4 hours with multiple resets, etc. They did need to do their various resets as Part 1 of the solution, however did not work until I not only deleted the current group text message but ALSO deleted the group message from Recently Deleted Folder which was Part 2 of the solution. Verizon rep advised he had no information in his instruction manual regarding a Recently Deleted Folder and was not aware of its existence. Problem appears to be resolved and I can get off the phone with Verizon Technical Support! Hooray!

Also just an FYI, after doing the multiple resets I was unable to log into Verizon website. Verizon rep told me that the resets were basically like starting up a new phone and the confirmation code needed to log into Verizon needed to be send to another phone on my account (wife) for 30 days as a fraud protection. Advised they were unable to change this. After I (angrily) advised that can't be accurate, rep discovered he could unregister me from Verizon and then immediately after I could again register on the Verizon website. None of the reps I spoke with informed me of this while doing the multiple phone resets in attempt to resolve the issue...

Apple told me it was a known bug and some friends who switched from Android have the same problem. He will lose any messages he’s already received. I can’t find it but there’s a YouTube video explaining this exact issue.

Yeah. I also moved from an Android and am having the same problem. I've been on the phone with Apple support and AT&T for over 3 hours this morning. They can't seem to figure it out, but the message boards seem to know about this problem. I've been through every step they recommended, but no luck. One new development - seems if someone starts the group text, I can respond. I can't start a group text successfully. However, I can't replicate this consistently.

The issue is occuring for me as well and it does not matter if the message is to iPhones, MMS, or RCS, my phone is unable to send messages to 2 or more recipients. I can receive group messages, but I can't respond to more than one person.

Brand new iPhone 18. Newly created group messaging with ALL iPhone users. I can respond once. Then, all other replies fail to send.

Yes, I have EVERYTHING set up correctly.

This is a bug, not user error.

It is only group messaging that is affected.

Same thing is happening to me! It’s been about 3 weeks now with hourly calls to Verizon, to Apple, to Google. And no one knows what to do! It’s so frustrating. We’ve tried all the resets. Done new SIM cards, deleted RCs on google phone etc.

What kind of group texts? iMessage to other iPhone users, or MMS messages, or RCS messages, or WhatsApp, or Signal, or Telegram?

Boo the recently deleted folder trick didn’t work for me :(. I’m losing my mind !!!

This worked. Thank you so much! Also had same issue after switching from Galaxy.

see my mother started the new chat but the next day i again wasn't able to message the group again

I ended up switching phone numbers and the issue was still happening! I really thought it was just my phone number stuck in Android/Apple limbo but I guess not. I went back to android....