How to Deactivate iMessage on iPhone

Turning off iMessage stops your iPhone from sending blue bubble texts through Apple’s servers, so messages go out as standard SMS instead. You might want this when switching to an Android phone, troubleshooting delivery problems, or simply preferring carrier texting. The process takes under a minute and only affects the Messages app settings.

What You’ll Need

Your iPhone with the passcode or Face ID/Touch ID enabled (required to change iMessage settings)
If you plan to switch to a non-Apple phone, also have that device ready to receive a verification text

Step-by-Step

Open Settings. Tap the gray gear icon on your home screen.
Scroll down and tap Messages. It’s usually in the third group of settings, below Phone and FaceTime.
Find the iMessage toggle. It’s the first option at the top of the Messages settings screen, with a green switch next to it.
Tap the toggle to turn it off. The switch will turn from green to gray. A confirmation popup may appear asking if you want to turn off iMessage; tap “Turn Off” to confirm.
Wait a few seconds. Your iPhone will contact Apple’s servers to deregister your number. You’ll see a brief spinner, then the toggle stays gray.
Optional: Also disable FaceTime. If you’re moving to Android, go back to Settings, tap FaceTime, and toggle it off too. This prevents FaceTime calls from ringing on your old iPhone.
Optional: Send a test text. Ask someone to text you, or send a message to a friend. If the bubble is green, iMessage is off.

Common Mistakes

Only toggling off in one place. iMessage is controlled solely in Settings > Messages, but people sometimes look in the Messages app itself. There is no toggle inside the app.
Forgetting to deregister before switching to Android. If you don’t turn off iMessage before moving your SIM to an Android phone, other iPhone users may still send you iMessages that never arrive. You must turn it off while the SIM is still in the iPhone, or use Apple’s self-service deregistration page later.
Turning off the wrong toggle. There’s also “Send as SMS” and “MMS Messaging” nearby. Only the top iMessage switch controls the blue bubble service.
Assuming airplane mode helps. Turning on airplane mode does not disable iMessage; it just stops all connectivity. You still need to toggle iMessage off.

Tips

Keep a record of your Apple ID. iMessage is tied to your Apple ID and phone number. If you ever switch back, you’ll need the same Apple ID to re-enable it.
Use the deregistration website if you’ve already switched. If you no longer have the iPhone, go to selfsolve.apple.com on any browser, enter your phone number, and follow the prompts to remove it from iMessage.
Check with your carrier. Standard SMS rates apply once iMessage is off. If you have a limited text plan, your usage will now count against it.
Re-enabling is just as easy. To turn iMessage back on, go to the same toggle and flip it green. You may need to sign in with your Apple ID again.

Troubleshooting

The toggle won’t stay off. If you flip it off and it immediately flips back on, you may have a pending carrier activation or a software glitch. Restart your iPhone (hold the side button and either volume button, then slide to power off), then try again. If it persists, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings (this won’t delete your data, but it will forget Wi-Fi passwords).

Messages still show as blue after turning off. This can happen if the other person’s phone hasn’t updated its records. Ask them to toggle iMessage off and on, or simply wait a few hours. You can also force a refresh by going to Settings > Messages and toggling iMessage on, then off again.

Your number is still linked to iMessage on another device. If you have an iPad or Mac signed in with the same Apple ID, iMessage may still be active there. On each device, go to Settings (or Messages > Preferences on Mac) and sign out of iMessage or turn off the toggle.

You can’t receive texts from iPhone users after switching to Android. This is the classic “green bubble problem.” If you turned off iMessage before switching, it should resolve within 24 hours. If not, use Apple’s self-service deregistration page or contact Apple Support with your phone number and IMEI.

The Settings app crashes when you tap Messages. Rare, but a sign of corrupted settings. Force-quit Settings (swipe up from the bottom and pause, then swipe the Settings card away), then reopen. If it still crashes, restart your iPhone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my message history if I turn off iMessage? No. Your existing conversations stay in the Messages app. Only the delivery method changes for new messages.

Can I still use FaceTime after turning off iMessage? Yes, FaceTime is a separate service. If you want to disable FaceTime too, you’ll need to toggle it off separately in Settings > FaceTime.

Do I need to turn off iMessage before selling my iPhone? Yes, absolutely. Also sign out of your Apple ID entirely (Settings > your name > Sign Out) to prevent activation lock and protect your data.

What happens to group chats when I turn off iMessage? Group chats will switch to MMS or SMS. Some features like reactions and read receipts may not work the same way, but the conversation continues.

Will turning off iMessage stop spam messages? No. Spam can arrive via SMS just as easily. iMessage doesn’t filter spam; that’s a separate feature under Settings > Messages > Filter Unknown Senders.

Can I turn iMessage off for just one of my two phone numbers? If you use Dual SIM, iMessage applies to both numbers at once. There’s no per-line toggle.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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