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3 Fixes for iPhone Check In Feature Not Working or Unavailable

Quick Tips
  • Open Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > enable Location Services toggle > System Services > Significant Locations > turn toggle on.
  • Go to Settings > Messages > scroll to Check In section > Data > select Full.
  • Open Messages Settings > turn off the iMessage toggle > wait a while and turn toggle on again.

Basic Fixes:

  • Ensure both devices are running iOS 17: Because the Check In feature is exclusive to iOS 17, to use it, both you and your contact must have iOS 17 installed on your devices. Check and ensure both devices are updated.
  • Check the Messages app server status: As the Check In feature can be accessed only through iMessage, the iMessage app must be working properly. To check, go to Apple’s System Status page and see if any issues are visible.
  • Restart the Messages app: If the issue of Check In not working is due to a temporary app glitch, force close and restart the Messages app. This will close all app functions and start them again, fixing any such issues. 

Fix 1: Enable Location Services and Significant Locations

The Check In feature on your iPhone uses your location data to notify your friends and family about the progress of your journey to the designated location. So, if Check In is suddenly unavailable or not working properly, check and see if all the necessary location-sharing permissions have been granted. Here’s how.

Step 1: Open Settings and tap on Privacy & Security. Tap on Location Services.

Open Location Settings

Step 2: Ensure the Location Services toggle is turned on. Tap on System Services.

Check Location Services

Step 3: Tap on Significant Locations and enable the Significant Locations toggle.

Enable Significant Locations

This will ensure your device has access to all the latest location data, including locations that might be significant.

Fix 2: Change Check in Data Settings

When using Check In, you can choose how much data you would like to share. But if you select the Limited option, it might limit the amount of information that can be shared, especially if you’re in a location with connectivity issues. This can also make the feature unavailable. Here’s how to check.

Note: This setting will only be available if you’ve previously used the Check In feature on your iPhone.

Step 1: Open Settings and tap on Messages. Go to the Check In section and tap on Data. Select Full.

Also Read: Check these 12 phone tips before going on vacation this summer

Fix 3: Disable and Enable iMessage

Apple gives you the option to disable iMessage from the settings menu. This will help you turn off the iMessage features within the Messages app. Then, turn it back on again. Do this if you still see the “Check In is not available to send to this recipient” when accessing the feature. Here’s how.

Step 1: Open Settings and tap on Messages. Turn off the toggle for iMessage.

Disable iMessage

Wait a few minutes and turn the iMessage toggle back on. Then, try using Check In again in the Messages app to see if this fixes the issue.

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Last updated on 31 July, 2024

1 Comment

  1. I went thru your article after getting the ‘recipient not available’ message when sending this to someone. We went through the steps you outlined on both phones. She could then send me a check-in but I still was getting the same error message when I attempted to send the check-in. Then figuring maybe it was caught up with the last error I sent an unrelated imessage. Then the check-in worked!

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