Google Messages Not Sending Texts? Fixes for SMS, MMS and RCS (2026)

You tap send, and the message sits there with a failed or pending label, or the app keeps saying it is trying to connect. If you are dealing with Google Messages not sending texts, the cause is usually a small setting, a weak signal, or a carrier detail, not a broken phone. Google’s own help page lists a clear set of checks to start with. This guide walks through those official checks first, then adds a few extra steps that many Android users report as helpful, and explains how to tell whether the problem is with one contact, one type of message, or your whole phone.

Tested on: [add your phone model and Android version here], [date you tested]

Quick Answer

If you see Google Messages not sending your texts, check these things in order:

1. Update Google Messages and restart your phone.
2. Make sure you have signal and Airplane mode is off.
3. Make sure Google Messages is your default texting app.
4. Check that your plan and credit allow messages, and that your carrier supports SMS, MMS or RCS.
5. If only one contact fails, check the number and whether you blocked that person.

If a message fails over RCS but you still need to get it out, send it as a regular text message.

SMS, MMS and RCS: Which One Is Failing?

Google Messages can send three kinds of messages, and each one has different needs.

• SMS is a basic text sent through your carrier’s network. It needs signal and an active plan.
• MMS is a text with a picture, video or group conversation. It also needs your carrier’s service, and it usually works best with mobile data turned on.
• RCS is the modern chat standard with features like typing indicators and larger files. It sends over the internet, so it needs a working data or Wi-Fi connection. You can read more in our guide on RCS vs SMS.

Before you try any fix, notice what exactly fails: a plain text, a picture, a group message, or only chats with one person. That tells you which section below to start with.

[SCREENSHOT: your own Messages conversation showing a failed message, with names hidden]

Official Check 1: Update Google Messages

Google’s help page says to make sure you have the most updated version of Google Messages. An old version can cause sending and connection problems.

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Search for Google Messages.
3. Tap Update if the button appears.
4. Open the app and try sending again.

Official Check 2: Make Sure Your SIM Card Is Inserted Properly

If your phone uses a SIM card, Google says to make sure it is inserted properly. A loose or dirty SIM can cause the phone to lose its network connection, and then texts will not send.

1. Turn the phone off.
2. Remove the SIM card tray carefully.
3. Check that the SIM is clean and sits flat, then put it back.
4. Turn the phone on and wait for the signal bars.

If you use an eSIM, check in your phone’s settings that the line is active.

Official Check 3: Check Signal and Airplane Mode

Google’s page lists “see if you have signal” and “check if you are on airplane mode” as basic checks.

1. Look at the signal bars at the top of the screen.
2. Swipe down from the top and make sure Airplane mode is off.
3. If you have no signal, move to a place with better coverage, or toggle Airplane mode on for ten seconds and off again to reconnect.

Official Check 4: Set Google Messages as Your Default Texting App

Google says to verify that Google Messages is your default texting app. If another app is set as default, messages may not send or arrive the way you expect.

1. Open Settings → Apps → Default apps (the path differs by phone).
2. Tap SMS app or Messages.
3. Choose Messages by Google, if that is the app you want to use.

[SCREENSHOT: the default SMS app selection screen on your phone]

Official Check 5: Confirm Your Carrier Supports SMS, MMS or RCS, and Check Your Plan

Google also points out that your carrier must support SMS, MMS or RCS, and that you should check your plan or credit balance to see whether you have enough to send and receive messages.

• Open your carrier’s app or website, or contact them, to confirm your plan includes texting.
• If you use prepaid credit, check that your balance is not empty.
• If you recently changed plans or SIM cards, ask your carrier whether messaging is active on the new line.

If You Switched From an iPhone

Google specifically says that if you are switching from an iPhone, you should make sure iMessage is deactivated for your number. If iMessage still holds your number, other iPhone users may keep sending messages to Apple’s service, and your Android phone will not receive them.

Follow Apple’s steps to turn off iMessage for your number, and wait a little while for the change to take effect. Our guide on turning off read receipts on Android messages may also help once you finish setting up.

If You Changed Messaging Apps and Stopped Receiving Messages

Google says that if you change messaging apps on your phone and do not receive messages, you may need to turn off RCS chats first.

1. Open Google Messages.
2. Tap your profile picture and open Messages settings.
3. Tap RCS chats and turn Turn on RCS chats off.
4. Wait a short while before testing again.

The exact label of the toggle can differ slightly between app versions.

If Only One Contact Fails

Google lists a separate set of checks for problems sending or receiving messages from specific contacts:

• Delete the contact and add it again.
• Check whether you blocked them.
• Verify that their phone number is correct.
• Check whether you need to include a country code.

For example, an international number needs the plus sign and country code, such as +44 for the United Kingdom. A number saved without it can fail when you are traveling or when the contact is abroad.

Test the same message to another contact. If it sends, the problem is tied to that one number rather than your phone or app.

If Pictures, Videos or Group Messages Fail

Plain texts working while pictures or group messages fail points to MMS. Google has a separate section on fixing MMS problems. As general steps:

1. Make sure mobile data is turned on, because MMS commonly needs it.
2. Check that your carrier supports MMS on your plan.
3. Try sending a smaller image or a single photo instead of several.
4. Make sure everyone in the group has a number that can receive group or multimedia messages.

If the problem continues, ask your carrier to check that MMS is active for your line.

If Your Phone Is Almost Out of Storage

Google notes that if you get a notification that Messages may not send or receive until more space is available, you should free up space. Low storage can stop the app from saving incoming and outgoing messages.

1. Open Settings → Storage and check how much is free.
2. Delete large videos, old downloads or unused apps.
3. Restart the phone and test again.

Extra Fix: Resend as a Text Message (Community Tip)

This tip is not on Google’s official page, but many guides report it as useful. If an RCS chat message will not go through, Google Messages can resend it as a regular text.

1. Open Google Messages and tap your profile picture.
2. Open Messages settings → RCS chats.
3. Look for the option to Automatically resend as text (SMS/MMS) and turn it on if it appears.

If the option is missing, your app version may name it differently or may not offer it. You can also copy your message and send it again when the connection improves.

Extra Fix: Restart the App and the Phone (Community Tip)

1. Long-press the Google Messages icon and tap App info.
2. Tap Force stop, then open the app again.
3. If that does not help, restart your phone.

Avoid choosing Clear data or Clear storage unless you know what you are doing, because it can remove local app data.

Extra Fix: RCS Stuck on “Setting Up” or “Connecting” (Community Tip)

If RCS chats never finish connecting, try these steps one at a time:

1. Make sure you have a working Wi-Fi or mobile data connection.
2. Turn RCS chats off, wait a minute, and turn it on again.
3. Update Google Messages and restart the phone.

Google also has a dedicated help page for when you cannot turn on RCS chats, which you can reach from the Google Messages help center.

[SCREENSHOT: the RCS chats setting screen with the toggle visible]

What Not to Do

• Do not install apps that promise to “boost” texting. They cannot fix carrier or network problems.
• Do not delete all your conversations to fix a sending problem. It will not help and you can lose important messages.
• Do not keep resending the same message dozens of times. It may create duplicates once the connection returns.
• Do not change your default texting app repeatedly. Pick one and test it properly.

Troubleshooting Summary

What fails	Likely cause	Try this
Every message	Signal, SIM, plan, or default app	Official checks 1 to 5
Only one contact	Wrong number, blocked, missing country code	Contact checks
Only pictures and groups	MMS or mobile data	MMS steps
Only RCS chats	Data connection or RCS setup	RCS extra fixes
After switching from iPhone	iMessage still active	Deactivate iMessage
Message says storage is low	Not enough space	Free up space

How to Avoid Google Messages Not Sending in the Future

• Keep Google Messages updated, and enable automatic app updates.
• Keep enough free storage on your phone.
• Check your plan or credit before you travel or change carriers.
• Save international contacts with the country code.
• Keep one default texting app and stay with it.

When to Contact Your Carrier or Google

If you have tried all the steps and Google Messages is still not sending, contact your carrier first, because SMS, MMS and RCS depend on their network. When you call, say which type of message fails, whether it happens with every contact, and whether you changed your SIM, plan or phone recently. If the carrier confirms everything is fine on their side, use the help center inside Google Messages to report the issue to Google.

Conclusion

Google Messages not sending is usually the result of one simple thing: an old app, a weak signal, a wrong default app, or a carrier detail. Start with Google’s own checklist, update the app, confirm signal and plan, and make sure Google Messages is the default texting app. Then narrow down the problem by asking whether it affects every message, one contact, or only pictures and RCS chats. Work through the steps one at a time, and test after each one.

FAQs

Why does Google Messages say “not sent” when I have signal? Signal alone is not enough. Your plan must allow texting, the number must be correct, and Google Messages should be your default texting app. Check those points one by one.

Does Google Messages need internet to send texts? Regular SMS uses your carrier’s network, while RCS chats use a data or Wi-Fi connection. MMS commonly needs mobile data as well.

Why can I send texts to some people but not others? That points to a problem with one contact. Re-add the contact, check the number and country code, and check whether you blocked that person.

Will turning off RCS chats stop messages from sending? No. Messages are sent as regular texts when RCS is off, as long as your carrier supports SMS and MMS. It can also help if you changed messaging apps and stopped receiving messages.

Do I need to uninstall Google Messages? Rarely. Try updating, restarting and checking the settings first, and avoid clearing data unless you understand what it removes.

Should I contact my carrier or Google first? Start with your carrier, because SMS and MMS depend on their network. Contact Google through the Messages help center if the carrier finds nothing wrong.