Published : August 29, 2023Text messaging has become integral to communication. In fact, the number of monthly texts sent increased by more than 7,700% over the last decade.
However, despite its convenience, there are instances when messages are not successfully delivered. This article explores the various reasons behind the non-delivery of text messages, shedding light on 15 common factors contributing to this issue.
By understanding these reasons, users can gain insights into the complexities of text message delivery and take proactive measures to enhance the reliability of their communication.
"For improved customer engagement, it’s crucial to send messages that get delivered at the right time. So, if you’re not able to connect with your prospects via messages, it’s time to look into the matter. Identify the main reasons and resolve them to get the best out of your SMS campaign."
15 Reasons Why Your Text Messages Are Not Delivered
Text messages can face obstacles, leading to undelivered texts. Factors include blocked numbers, spam detection, incorrect recipients, or signal problems causing delivery issues.
Outlined below are key explanations for messages that fail to reach their intended destinations –
1. Blocked Number
When a recipient blocks your number, they essentially set up a virtual barrier that prevents any communication from reaching their device. This action is often taken to avoid interactions with specific contacts, possibly due to personal conflicts or unwanted advances.
Messages sent to a blocked number are intercepted by the recipient’s device, which acknowledges the sender but intentionally disregards the message content. The message isn’t delivered to the inbox or notifications, ensuring that the blocked contact’s attempts at communication go unnoticed by the recipient.
- Blocking a number is often a deliberate action by the recipient.
- It prevents calls, messages, and FaceTime interactions from the blocked contact.
- Some messaging apps show “Delivered” for blocked messages, leading to potential confusion.
- Messages from blocked numbers may still appear in a separate blocked messages folder.
- To unblock a number, recipients must navigate to settings within their messaging app.
2. Do Not Disturb (DND) Mode
Do Not Disturb mode is a feature designed to grant the recipient control over when they receive notifications receiving messages. When enabled, the recipient’s device suppresses incoming alerts, including SMS notifications.
While the message is technically delivered to the device, it doesn’t trigger any notifications or audible signals. The recipient must actively check their messages to become aware of the delivered content. DND mode is often used during meetings, sleep hours, or moments when distractions are unwelcome.
- DND mode allows recipients to customize quiet hours for uninterrupted time.
- Scheduled DND settings can automatically activate during specific times.
- Urgent messages can bypass DND if the sender marks them as “urgent” or uses specific keywords.
- While messages are technically received during DND, they won’t generate notifications.
- Recipients in DND mode need to actively check their messages to see delivered content.
3. Flagged as Spam
In an effort to combat unsolicited and potentially harmful content, messaging platforms and cellular carriers employ sophisticated algorithms to detect spam messages. These algorithms analyze message content, sender behavior, and other factors to determine whether a message is likely spam.
If a message is flagged as spam, it might be diverted to a separate spam folder or not delivered at all. This protective measure shields users from phishing attempts, scams, and malicious links commonly associated with spam messages.
- Spam filters analyze sender behavior, content, and patterns to identify potential threats.
- Messages with suspicious links, unfamiliar senders, or frequent repetitions might trigger spam detection.
- Platforms often allow users to mark false positives or report actual spam.
- Legitimate messages might be wrongly flagged due to certain keywords or formatting.
- To avoid being flagged, avoid excessive use of links or overly promotional language.
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4. Illegal Content
Messages containing content that is deemed illegal, offensive, or dangerous are subject to strict filtering mechanisms. These mechanisms are in place to prevent the distribution of harmful material. When such content is detected, the message is blocked from reaching the recipient’s device. This measure ensures that users are not exposed to inappropriate or harmful material, safeguarding their digital environment.
5. Wrong Number
Sending a message to the wrong number, either due to a typo or misunderstanding, leads to non-delivery. The recipient’s device doesn’t recognize the incoming message as intended for them, as the number doesn’t match any valid contact. Consequently, the message remains undelivered, and the intended recipient remains unaware of the communication attempt. Double-checking the recipient’s number before sending a message is crucial to ensure successful delivery.
6. Message Filtering by User Settings
Many smartphones offer advanced filtering options, allowing users to categorize messages from known and unknown contacts. If a sender’s number isn’t saved in the recipient’s contacts or is categorized as “unknown,” the message might be sent to a separate folder. This folder may not generate notifications, leading to messages appearing undelivered to the sender. Encouraging recipients to adjust their filtering settings for improved visibility can help mitigate this issue.
- Recipients often have settings to sort messages from known and unknown contacts into different folders.
- Messages from unknown numbers might be directed to a “spam” or “other” folder, which doesn’t trigger notifications.
- Encouraging senders to provide context in the message can prompt recipients to check these folders.
7. Network Congestion
Text messages rely on the cellular network’s infrastructure to travel from the sender’s device to the recipient’s. During times of high usage, such as peak hours or crowded events, network congestion can occur. This congestion might lead to delays or temporary non-delivery of text messages. The messages are queued in the network’s backlog until there is available bandwidth to process and deliver them. Users might notice that messages eventually arrive, but the delay can vary based on the network’s load.
8. Software Compatibility
Messaging platforms and devices frequently receive software updates to introduce new features, security enhancements, and bug fixes. If a sender’s device or messaging app runs outdated software, it might face compatibility issues with the recipient’s up-to-date systems. This mismatch can cause messages to be formatted incorrectly or rejected by the recipient’s device, resulting in non-delivery.
9. Message Length and Encoding
Text messages have a character limit, typically around 160 characters. If a sender attempts to send SMS messages that are longer, it may be broken into multiple segments, known as concatenated messages. Some older or less common devices might struggle to reassemble and display concatenated messages accurately, leading to message content being truncated or improperly displayed.
10. Temporary Service Outages
Cellular networks and messaging platforms are complex systems that occasionally experience temporary outages due to maintenance, technical glitches, or unforeseen issues. During these outages, messages may not be able to reach their intended recipients. These instances are usually short-lived, and messages will be delivered once the service is restored.
11. Message Expiry
Messages are not designed to be stored indefinitely on carrier servers. If a message remains undelivered for an extended period due to factors like a recipient’s device being offline or network issues, there’s a possibility that the message’s validity period may expire. Once a message has passed its expiration time, carriers might remove it from their servers, resulting in permanent non-delivery.
12. Message Center Number (MCN) Misconfiguration
The Message Center Number (MCN) is a vital component in routing text messages to the intended recipient. If the MCN settings on either the sender’s or recipient’s device are misconfigured or tampered with, messages might be directed to the wrong routing path, leading to non-delivery. Verifying the accuracy of MCN settings ensures messages are properly routed within the carrier’s network.
- MCN is a numeric code provided by the carrier responsible for routing SMS messages.
- Tampering with MCN settings can lead to messages being routed incorrectly within the carrier’s network.
- Verify MCN settings with carrier support or through device settings to ensure accurate routing.
13. Battery Saver Mode
Modern smartphones often include battery-saving features that optimize energy consumption. When a device enters battery saver mode due to low battery levels, certain functions like background data synchronization and push notifications are temporarily disabled. Messages sent during this mode might not be delivered promptly, as the device conserves power by limiting network activities. Ensuring recipients’ devices are sufficiently charged or disabling battery-saver mode can aid in message delivery.
14. App Permissions and Settings
Messaging apps often require specific permissions to access contacts, send and receive SMS messages, and operate effectively. If a sender or recipient has inadvertently denied necessary permissions, the messaging app might encounter restrictions that hinder its functionality. This could lead to messages not being sent or received as expected. Reviewing and adjusting app permissions can help resolve these issues.
- Apps require permission to access device features, contacts, and messaging functionalities.
- Denied permissions might lead to partial or failed message delivery.
- Reviewing and adjusting app permissions in device settings can resolve messaging issues.
15. Data Roaming and Network Compatibility
When a recipient’s device is in a foreign country or a region with different cellular network standards, data roaming might be necessary to maintain connectivity. However, some carriers restrict or charge extra for data roaming. If a recipient’s device lacks an active data connection due to roaming limitations, messages may not be delivered until the device connects to a compatible network. Educating users about data roaming and suggesting alternative communication methods can mitigate this issue.
Don’t Miss To Read: Text Messages are the best way of serving customers
Conclusion
In conclusion, various factors can contribute to the non-delivery of your text messages. These range from recipients blocking your number to technical glitches, often leaving you with limited control as the sender.
While you can take steps to address certain issues on your end, successful message delivery may still hinge on resolving the recipient’s phone or carrier-related problems. Occasionally, certain scenarios, particularly in business contexts, might result in messages never reaching their intended recipients. This could be due to spam detection mechanisms or limitations within your messaging system, especially when dealing with bulk SMS.
Fortunately, you can navigate these challenges by partnering with reliable mobile phone number providers. For instance, CallHippo offers a solution by offering authentic virtual phone numbers across 100+ countries. Whether it’s mobile, toll-free, or vanity numbers, these can enhance your ability to send mass SMS campaigns effectively.
There’s no need to delay. Request a free demo from CallHippo today and send messages to the right audience at the right time.
FAQs
1) Why are my iPhone texts not delivered?
If your iPhone texts are not being delivered, several factors might be at play:
- Poor network connectivity
- The recipient’s phone is off or in airplane mode
- Blocked number
- Network issues
2) Why is my message sent but not delivered?
When your message is sent but not delivered, it indicates that the message has left your device but hasn’t yet reached the recipient’s device. Possible reasons include:
- The recipient’s phone is off or out of coverage
- Message in queue
- Do Not Disturb (DND) mode
3) Why was my message not delivered?
Message non-delivery can occur due to various reasons, such as incorrect numbers, network problems, blocked numbers, and content flagged as spam.
4) Are you blocked if it doesn’t say delivered?
Not necessarily. If a message isn’t marked as “delivered,” it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re blocked. It could be due to network issues, the recipient’s phone off or in airplane mode, or a pending message.
Updated : December 26, 2023
Supriya Bajaj is a senior content developer with immense experience in the VoIP telephony domain. With a deep knowledge of VoIP systems and emerging technologies in the field, she provides insightful and targeted content. Known for simplifying complex topics and her thought-leadership articles, Supriya delivers actionable content for both technical and non-technical audiences.
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