When Apple unveiled iOS 26 last month, millions of iPhone users worldwide rushed to download the update, eager to try the latest features and security improvements. But alongside new additions came a frustrating setback: a bug that left some users unable to properly use iMessage with their phone numbers. After a wave of online complaints and growing confusion, Apple has officially acknowledged the issue and issued step-by-step guidance on how to resolve it.
This development highlights the delicate balance Apple must strike between rapidly evolving its flagship mobile operating system and ensuring reliability across its massive global user base. Below, we break down what the bug entails, who is affected, Apple’s recommended fix, and what it all means for iPhone owners moving forward.
The Bug That Sparked Confusion
According to Apple’s newly published support document, the problem primarily affects users who updated to iOS 26 and have more than one SIM card or eSIM tied to their device. Specifically, if a user has an inactive SIM or eSIM with the same phone number as their active SIM, iMessage activation may fail.
That failure triggers a ripple of communication problems:
- Undelivered iMessages: Attempts to send a message result in the dreaded “Not Delivered” error.
- Green Bubbles Instead of Blue: Messages default to SMS or RCS, losing the blue iMessage bubble that many Apple users associate with secure, seamless communication.
- Email Address Default: Some users reported that instead of using their phone number, iMessage automatically defaulted to their Apple ID email.
- Duplicate Phone Numbers in Settings: The same phone number appeared twice under Settings > Apps > Messages > Send & Receive, adding to the confusion.
For many, these symptoms were more than minor annoyances. iMessage is central to Apple’s ecosystem, offering encrypted messaging, media sharing, and continuity across devices. Losing it meant disruptions to group chats, inability to use certain features, and even missed messages.
How Apple Explains the Cause
Apple clarified that the underlying issue stems from having both an active and inactive SIM tied to the same phone number. This is more common than it may sound.
With the rise of eSIM technology, many iPhone owners now carry multiple SIM profiles—physical and digital—on one device. If an older SIM or an unused eSIM profile wasn’t removed before upgrading, iOS 26 may struggle to determine which version of the number should be linked to iMessage. The result: failed activation and messaging hiccups.
Apple’s Official Fix
In its support document, Apple laid out a straightforward, if somewhat tedious, solution. Here’s what the company advises:
- Open the Settings App and go to Cellular.
- Check for Duplicate Numbers: If two SIMs appear with the same number, locate the inactive one.
- If it’s a physical SIM, remove it from the tray.
- If it’s an eSIM, select Delete eSIM to remove it.
- After removal, return to Settings > Apps > Messages > Send & Receive.
- Tap the displayed phone number to reactivate iMessage.
Apple says this should restore iMessage functionality to normal. Users are advised to restart their devices if the activation doesn’t occur immediately.
Community Reactions
The bug sparked widespread discussions across online forums, social media, and Apple support communities. On Reddit threads dedicated to iOS updates, some users shared frustration over failed attempts to fix the problem before Apple issued official instructions.
One iPhone owner wrote, “I thought my number had been blacklisted because iMessage just wouldn’t activate. I tried resets, reinstalling my eSIM, even calling my carrier. Turns out it was just a duplicate profile messing things up.”
Others noted that the issue highlighted the complexities of modern SIM management. “Apple wants everyone to switch to eSIM, but then you get situations like this where the system can’t figure out which SIM to use,” one commenter remarked.
Since Apple’s guidance went live, early reports suggest the fix is effective for most affected users. However, some have said it took multiple attempts or a full device reboot before iMessage finally reactivated.
Why This Matters
For Apple, even seemingly small bugs carry outsized weight. iMessage isn’t just another app—it’s a cornerstone of the iPhone experience, especially in markets like North America where the “blue bubble” has become a cultural identifier.
Any disruption risks denting consumer confidence, especially at a time when Apple faces growing competition from cross-platform messaging services like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram.
The iOS 26 iMessage bug also underscores the transition challenges that come with Apple’s embrace of eSIM-only iPhones. With models like the iPhone 15 and 16 series already ditching physical SIM trays in some regions, managing multiple profiles is becoming standard. Ensuring that system updates don’t interfere with basic connectivity will be critical to Apple’s success in this area.
Expert Commentary
Tech analysts say the problem is not catastrophic, but it is a reminder of the complexity of managing billions of devices worldwide.
“Apple’s ecosystem is usually praised for its seamless integration, but when you scale up to hundreds of millions of iPhones with different carrier configurations, edge cases like this pop up,” said Sarah Mendez, a mobile industry researcher at TechInsights. “The good news is that Apple responded quickly with clear guidance.”
Mendez also noted that as carriers and device makers push for eSIM adoption, similar issues may arise: “It’s a learning curve for users and for Apple. We’ll likely see smoother handling of these scenarios in future iOS versions.”
What iPhone Users Should Do
If you upgraded to iOS 26 and have noticed any of the warning signs—green bubbles, undelivered messages, or duplicate numbers in settings—it’s worth checking for inactive SIMs tied to your number. Removing them should solve the issue in minutes.
For those who rely heavily on iMessage for work or personal communication, the fix is essential. Apple also encourages users to ensure their device is running the latest patch of iOS 26, as smaller updates often include behind-the-scenes bug fixes beyond what’s publicly documented.
Looking Ahead
While Apple’s immediate guidance appears to resolve the problem, some observers expect a more permanent solution in a future software update, possibly iOS 26.1 or 26.2. Automating the detection and removal of inactive duplicate SIMs could prevent the issue altogether.
Until then, affected users must rely on the manual fix.
Closing Thoughts
The iOS 26 rollout has been largely successful, bringing new features and security updates to millions of iPhones. Yet the iMessage bug serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of modern connectivity and the growing reliance on digital SIM technology.
For Apple, quickly publishing a support document was a smart move—acknowledging the issue, guiding users to a fix, and preventing speculation from spiraling out of control. For users, it’s a reminder that even the sleekest software updates can come with unexpected hurdles.
As Apple continues to refine iOS 26, all eyes will be on whether future patches eliminate this bug entirely. In the meantime, iPhone owners dealing with failed iMessage activations finally have a clear path to restore the blue bubbles they’ve come to expect.
Tags:
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