How do I turn off iMessage, especially before switching from iPhone to Android?

I'm moving to an Android phone and I've heard texts can go missing if I don't turn off iMessage first. How do I turn it off, and what happens if I already switched and my texts are disappearing?

LLeo Kim3d ago580 views

3 answers

Best answer

Turn it off BEFORE you leave iPhone: Settings > Messages > toggle iMessage off. That makes your number send and receive normal SMS again. The vanishing-texts problem happens because Apple still thinks your number is on iMessage, so other iPhone users' messages go into the blue-bubble void instead of a text. Already switched and can't turn it off on the old phone? Go to Apple's deregister page, selfsolve.apple.com/deregister-imessage, enter your number, and Apple texts a code to unlink it. Also remove your number from iMessage/FaceTime in Apple ID settings if you still have any Apple device.

EElla Meyer1d ago

The website-only bit is so true. – Maria Bishop 5h ago

Tried it, instant fix. – Farah Meyer 3h ago

Same problem, this sorted it. – Rhea Cruz 2h ago

The deregister site (selfsolve.apple.com/deregister-imessage) is the fix if you already gave up the iPhone. Enter your number, get the code, and iPhone users' texts start landing on your Android.

RRavi Yadav14h ago

Turn iMessage AND FaceTime off before wiping the old iPhone. FaceTime hangs onto your number the same way and can swallow calls or texts if you leave it linked.

EElsa Pena3d ago

The website-only bit is so true. – Sam Walsh 3d ago

Tried it, instant fix. – Emil Reyes 2d ago

Which version are you on? Mine differs. – Grace Cohen 1d ago

How do I turn off iMessage, especially before switching from iPhone to Android?

3 answers

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