How To Fix a Device When You Can’t Send a Text Message to One Person on Android

Some Android users have recently discovered they cannot text a particular person.

The problem seems to be affecting devices running Android 8.0 Oreo and above. While the exact cause of the issue is unknown, a few possible workarounds could help you get your messaging back on track.

Whether you’re trying to text your best friend or significant other, keep reading to find out how to fix the problem.

Can’t Send Text Messages to One Person on Android

One common problem Android users may occasionally face is an inability to text a specific person on their contact list. You may be able to send and receive texts from others without any issues, but for some reason, any messages you send to this person won’t go through.

This can be hugely frustrating, especially if you want to pass along some urgent information to your contact.

A few reliable troubleshooting steps can get your messages delivered without problems.

Check the Basics

There are a few possible explanations if you’re having trouble sending a text message to a single person on Android. First, it’s possible that the person you’re trying to reach has their phone turned off or set to ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode.

If this is the case, you’ll likely see a Delivery Failed notification when you try to send the message. If you suspect this may be the case, you could try texting or calling the person on a different SIM card to see if they can answer.

In addition, there’s a chance the person’s phone number is entered incorrectly in your contacts list. If you think this might be the case, double-check the number and try sending the message again.

It’s also possible that there is a problem with your phone. Sometimes, restarting your phone can fix minor glitches like this.

Finally, check to see if your service provider is experiencing network issues that could be preventing messages from being sent. If the above possibilities fail to resolve your texting issue, you may want to move on to more complex troubleshooting methods, as detailed below.

Check Blocked Numbers

If you can’t text one person on your Android device, their number may have been blocked. To check if this is the case, follow the steps below.

1. Open the “Phone” app.
   
2. Tap on the “vertical ellipsis” (three vertical dots) in the top-right corner.
   
3. Tap on “Settings.”
   
4. Select “Call Blocking” or “Blocked numbers,” depending on what option is available to you.
   
5. You will see a list of all the currently blocked numbers on your phone. To unblock one, tap on the “minus” or “X” icon, depending on your phone.
   

Clear Your Messaging App Cache

If you cannot send text messages to one person on your Android device and they are not blocked from messages or calls, try clearing your messaging app’s cache. This will delete the app’s temp data and hopefully fix the issue.

To clear the cache on Android, follow these steps.

1. Go to “Settings” and select “Apps” or “Apps & notifications,” depending on your phone.
   
2. Tap “See all xxx apps” if shown, then scroll down and select “Messages.”
   
3. Tap “Storage” or “Storage & cache,” depending on your phone.
   
4. Select “Clear Cache.”
   

There’s no need to worry about losing essential text messages if you clean the cache for your messaging app on Android; it is simply a temporary storage area for frequently accessed data. Clearing it will not delete any of your messages or other important data.

Reset SMS Settings to Default

You may encounter issues sending text messages because the default SMS settings changed when you swapped SIM cards. This can pose a challenge because different service providers have unique preferences that allow them to send messages effectively. One solution is to try changing the SMS settings back to their default.

For newer phones that use RCS instead of SMS/MMS, or if you upgraded to “Messages by Google” and disabled the old SMS/MMS “Messages” app, skip to the next section, “Reset RCS Settings to Default.”

Here’s how to reset the Messages app (SMS/MMS) to default settings.

1. Open the “Messages” app on your phone.
   
2. Tap the “vertical ellipsis” (three vertical dots) in the top-right corner.
   
3. Select “Settings.”
   
4. Reset all the available settings to default and restart your phone and try sending your contact a text message.

Reset RCS Settings to Default

Newer phones use the “Messages by Google” app, which uses Rich Communication Services (RCS) that also integrates the older SMS/MMS messaging system when set to fallback mode. There are no “reset to default” options in RCS settings, but ensure that “Automatically resend as text (SMS/MMS)” is enabled as a fallback mode when RCS is not available.

Check the SMSC

The SMSC (Short Message Service Center) number is a code to route text messages. Every carrier has a unique SMSC number on the phone’s SIM card. When you send a text message, your phone sends it to the SMSC, which then routes it to the correct destination.

The SMSC is an essential part of the text messaging system, and without it, texts would not be able to be sent or received. While the SMSC number is usually automatically configured on your phone, you may need to manually enter it if you are having trouble sending or receiving texts.

If you need to know your SMSC number, the best thing to do is contact your carrier. They will be able to give you the most up-to-date information. Some online resources can provide you with a list of global SMSC numbers for the most popular carriers, but remember that these lists may not be accurate, and most websites have malware or trojans. It’s always best to check with your carrier directly.

How to Check the SMSC on the Android Messages App (SMS/MMS)

Follow the steps below to check your SMSC on the Android SMS/MMS “Messages” app. For Google’s RCS “Messages” app (Messages by Google in the Play Store), skip to the next section.

1. Open the “Messages” app and tap the “horizontal ellipsis” (three horizontal dots) in the top right-hand corner.
   
2. From the drop-down menu, select “Settings.”
   
3. Then scroll down to “More Settings.”
   
4. Tap on “SMS Center number,” and you can view your SMSC number.
   
5. If you need to change your SMSC number, tap on the “pen” icon next to it and enter the new number.
   
6. Once you have entered the new number, tap the “OK” button to save your changes.
   

How to Check the SMSC on the Android Messages by Google App (RCS)

If your phone uses “Messages by Google” (the RCS messaging app) rather than “Messages” (the original SMS/MMS app), obtaining your SMSC number is a different process.

1. Launch “Messages” on Android. It has the same name as the original SMS/MMS app but appears as ‘Messages by Google” in the Play Store and uses RCS.
   
2. Tap the “profile” icon in the top right corner.
   
3. Select “Messages settings” towards the bottom.
   
4. Scroll and choose “Advanced” at the bottom.
   
5. Scroll to the bottom to view your SMSC number.
   

Inspect Your SIM Card

If you are having trouble with your cell phone service, one of the first things you should check is the SIM card. If the SIM card is damaged or not inserted correctly, it can cause problems with messaging and calling.

To check the SIM card, remove it from the phone and inspect it for any signs of damage. If the card is damaged, you must contact your network provider to replace it.

Send Your Texts Without Problems

There are a few potential solutions if you’re having trouble sending text messages to one person on your Android phone. We’ve outlined some of the most common fixes for this issue, so be sure to try them out if you’re struggling to send messages to a particular contact.

Have you ever been in a situation where you couldn’t send text messages to a specific contact on your Android device? Let us know how you resolved it in the comments section below.