5 Fixes for Message Sending Disabled in Android

Quick Tips

• You can change the default SMS app from in-app settings, default app settings, or by clearing the defaults for text messaging on your Android phone.
• Clear Messages app cache by going to App Info > Storage and cache or Storage > Clear cache.
• You can reset app preferences by going to Settings > Apps > three dots at the top-right corner > Reset app preferences.

Basic Fixes

• Restart your phone: You should restart your Android phone. Sometimes, a simple solution like that solves big issues.
• Remove SIM card: Eject the SIM and clean it with a cloth. Then, insert it again.
• Disable Airplane Mode: You may have accidentally enabled the airplane mode, which prevents you from sending or receiving messages.
• Update the Messages app: A few bugs in the app’s current version might be causing this issue.

Fix 1: Enable or Disable RCS Chats

RCS, or Rich Communication Services, adds various messaging features and uses the Internet to send messages to your contacts. You can try re-enabling the feature to see if that fixes the issue.

Step 1: Open the Message app, tap the profile icon at the top-right corner, and select Messages Settings.

Step 2: Select RCS Chats and disable the feature.

Fix 2: Change Default SMS App

Method 1: From App Settings

Open the SMS app that shows the message sending disabled error. It’s mostly the pre-installed app. Tap on the three-dot icon at the top and go to Settings.

Tap on SMS Disabled or Make Default, depending on the option available on your phone. Then, choose your SMS app.

Method 2: From Default App Settings

Step 1: Open Settings on your phone and go to Apps & notifications or Apps.

Step 2: Tap on Choose default apps and select SMS app.

Step 3: Change the messages app and send it your message.

Method 3: Clear Defaults

Step 1: Open Settings on your phone and tap on Apps or Apps & notifications.

Step 2: Tap on your messaging app name and select Set as default.

Step 3: Tap the Clear button next to Clear defaults.

If Truecaller has taken over as your default SMS app, here’s how to remove Truecaller from default.

Fix 3: Clear Cache and Data

Even the Messages app is prone to outdated app cache with time. So, try clearing the app cache. This will not remove your existing messages.

Step 1: Long-press the Messages app and select App Info.

Step 2: Tap on Storage and select Clear cache.

Fix 4: Reset App Preferences

If nothing has worked, reset the in-app preferences on your Android phone.

Step 1: Open Settings and go to Apps.

Step 2: Tap the three dots at the top-right corner and select Reset app preferences.

Fix 5: Reset Network Settings

Your Android phone could have network issues, preventing you from sending messages. Resetting the mobile network settings will remove your existing network preferences.

Step 1: Open Settings and go to General Management or System.

Step 2: Tap on Reset and select Reset mobile network settings.