How to fix Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus error “Unfortunately, IMS Service has stopped”

• Learn how to troubleshoot the error message “Unfortunately, IMS Service has stopped” with the #Samsung #Galaxy S6 Edge Plus (#S6EdgePlus).
• Understand the difference between the first error and “Unfortunately, com.sec.imsservice has stopped” and learn how to troubleshoot your device if it happens to you.

There are two variations to this error message. The first is “Unfortunately, IMS Service has stopped” while the other is “Unfortunately, com.sec.imsservice has stopped.” The former tells about the IMS Service (it’s more of an app running in the background that’s responsible in making sure instant messaging works) while the latter speaks of a specific service com.sec.imsservice.

An app may use or call upon multiple services while being used. If it freezes or crashes, several services will be affected, which may also affect other apps, whereas if only a service crashes, the app that’s currently being used by the user will be the only one that’s affected, although some apps that run in the background and currently using the same service may also crash or lag.

In this post, I will tackle this very specific issue that seems to be haunting some of our readers. I will talk about these two error messages, which apparently are connected, and provide you with steps on how to deal with them or troubleshoot  your device in case one of them shows up.

But before we go any further, if you have other concerns with your Galaxy S6 Edge Plus, make sure you visit our troubleshooting page as we’ve already addressed many problems that were reported by our readers. Chances are we already provided a solution for it or there’s already an effective troubleshooting guide for it. Just try to find issues that are related to yours and use the solutions we suggested.

If you need further assistance, feel free to contact us by completing our Android issues questionnaire. Make sure you give us as much information as possible so that we can give you accurate solutions.

Fix “Unfortunately, IMS Service has stopped” error on Galaxy S6 Edge+

To give you a clear view on how this error occurs, here’s one of the problems sent by our readers that best describes this issue.

Problem: Hi! I bought the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus few months ago and installed apps that I’ve been using since I started using Android phones. It has been a great few months and then one problem, very annoying problem, started. I don’t have a clue as to what this problem is all about but I’m getting the error message “Unfortunately, IMS Service has stopped.” I never have done anything that I think would ruin or mess up my phone so I’m surprised to be getting this error. Can you please help me with it? Thanks. — Jerry

Troubleshooting: As I mentioned earlier, this error message speaks of the IMS Service and while it is specifically mentioned and that standard troubleshooting procedures would tell us to go after the app in question, it is wise to try to isolate the problem first considering IMS Service may also be used by other third-party apps especially ones that offer instant messaging features. That being said, try to follow the steps I’ve outlined below. See if they can help you fix it…

Step 1: Reboot your phone into safe mode

With this, we’ll be able to know if your third-party apps play a role in the crashing of the IMS Service. All downloaded apps and services will cease to run when the phone is in safe mode and if the error still shows up, then we can say that it could be one of the pre-installed apps that’s causing the problem or it’s a firmware issue itself.

However, if the error is fixed, then you should look for the app that might be the culprit. Begin your search with apps that have something to do with messaging. For instance, if you recently downloaded and installed a third-party messaging app, try disabling it, reboot your phone to see if that fixes the problem. Do the same for other suspected apps.

By the way, here’s how you boot your Galaxy S6 Edge Plus in safe mode:

1. Press and hold the Volume Down and Power keys for 20 to 30 seconds.
2. Once you see the Samsung logo, release the Power key immediately but continue pressing the Volume Down key.
3. Your phone should continue booting up and you will be prompted to unlock your phone as usual.
4. You will know if the phone successfully booted in safe mode if the text “Safe mode” is displayed at the lower-left corner of the screen.

Step 2: Clear the cache and data of the IMS Service

Assuming the issue wasn’t fixed when you booted up your device in safe mode, it’s time to go after the app or the service itself. At this point,  you need to clear the cache and data of IMS Service.

1. From any Home screen, tap Apps.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Scroll to ‘APPLICATIONS,’ then tap Application manager.
4. Swipe right to the ALL screen.
5. Scroll to and tap IMS Service.
6. Tap Clear cache.
7. Tap Clear data, then OK.

If the error occurs when you open a specific app, then try to clear the cache and data of that app as well but make sure you backed up the data you have with that app as it will be deleted.

Step 3: Perform the master reset

After booting in safe mode and clearing the cache and data of the IMS Service and the issue still persists, you have no other option but to reset your device. This way, all third-party apps, data, settings, etc. will be cleared out. This procedure will also bring your device back to its factory defaults however,  you need to backup your files, data, pictures, etc. as they will be deleted.

1. Turn off your Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge.
2. Press and hold the Volume Up, Home and Power keys together.
3. When the device powers on and displays ‘Power on logo’, release all keys and the Android icon will appear on the screen.
4. Wait until the Android Recovery Screen appears after about 30 seconds.
5. Using the Volume Down key, highlight the option, ‘wipe data/factory reset’ and press the Power key to select it.
6. Press the Vol Down button again until the option ‘Yes — delete all user data’ is highlighted and then press the Power key to select it.
7. After the reset is complete, highlight ‘Reboot system now’ and hit the Power key to restart the phone.

The error message “Unfortunately, IMS Service has stopped” is a minor problem and it can be fixed by a reset. We just have to exhaust all possible solution to this problem before doing the reset in a bid to save you from the hassles of backing up your data and possibly losing your important files and data not to mention the hassle of building your phone up again.

Fix the error “Unfortunately, com.sec.imsservice has stopped”

We also did receive a few complaints from our readers who suffered this problem. Read the short message below to learn how this issue occurs:

Problem: My Galaxy S6 Edge+ seemed to have become slow with errors popping up here and there. I’ve resolved almost all of the problems except one; “Unfortunately, com.sec.imsservice has stopped.” This error shows up every time I open Contacts. It shows when I open the Contacts app from the app drawer; it shows when I try to find a contact to send a message to. I don’t know what’s happening with my phone so please help me.

Troubleshooting: In the problem cited above, the error shows up whenever Contacts app is opened so it’s possible that the problem is with the app and not just the service com.sec.imsservice. The thing is this problem often occurs whenever the firmware is updated but the owner didn’t mention if his phone was recently updated or not. In this case, it is still wise to boot the device in safe mode to isolate the problem just like we did in the first issue.

After the safe mode, you should try clearing the cache and data of the Contacts app or any other apps that you’re using whenever this error occurs. If the issue still happens after that, then there’s one thing you should try especially if you recently updated your phone–wipe the cache partition.

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press and hold the following three buttons at the same time: Volume Up key, Home key, and Power key.
3. When the phone vibrates, release the Power key but continue to press and hold the Volume Up key and the Home key.
4. When the Android System Recovery screen appears, release the Volume Up and Home keys.
5. Press the Volume Down key to highlight ‘wipe cache partition.’
6. Press the Power key to select.
7. When the wipe cache partition is complete, ‘Reboot system now’ is highlighted.
8. Press the Power key to restart the device.

After wiping the cache partition and the problem still persists, you are required to do the master reset just like we did above.

I hope that this troubleshooting guide can help you.

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