How to fix Galaxy S8 not receiving SMS from specific contacts issue, other texting issues

Hello and welcome to our latest #GalaxyS8 article for this week. This post answers 3 texting-related questions for this device so hopefully a lot of users will find it useful.

If you are looking for solutions to your own #Android issue, you can contact us by using the link provided at the bottom of this page.

When describing your issue, please be as detailed as possible so we can easily pinpoint a relevant solution. If you can, kindly include the exact error messages you are getting to give us an idea where to start. If you have already tried some troubleshooting steps before emailing us, make sure to mention them so we can skip them in our answers.

Below are specific topics we’re bringing for you today:

Problem 1: Galaxy S8 saying SMS will be delivered in 15 minutes when sending

When sending a text message to one individual in particular we randomly get a message saying the text message will be delivered in 15 minutes. Other times it works fine. It is weird because it does not seem to happen with other phone numbers. Can’t figure out a solution nor have I seen this problem described on the internet. Both the receiver and me are on the Verizon network.  — Anthony Marra

Solution: Hi Anthony. If you get the message only when sending SMS to one particular contact, there may be a special SMS-configuration in place for that account that we are not aware of. Obviously, if this is an issue in your own Verizon account or mobile, all SMS that you send will produce the same result. If you really want to get to the bottom of the issue, we suggest that you let the contact know of what’s happening so he or she can figure it out. You’re right, we haven’t heard of this issue even years in supporting all types of smartphone problems, and we can’t find any similar situation in the web either.

It’s not yours to fix but if you want to complicate your life, try to help the said contact find a solution. To start, make sure that you let his or her carrier know about it. Although both of you are using Verizon, his/her account may have some special configuration set up. We don’t work for Verizon so we don’t know if our speculation is even possible but asking their assistance is definitely a must do.

Secondly, you want to troubleshoot the device. He or she may be using a third party app that works differently from the regular messaging apps we know. Try to ask him or her to factory reset the device and see if something changes. This may be a hard sell especially since the issue is minor but again, it’s a must do in identifying whether it’s a software glitch or a third party app. Once the phone has been factory reset, make sure to use only the regular messaging app when texting so you can then replicate the issue.

Problem 2: How to fix if your Galaxy S8 is not receiving SMS from specific contacts

I have a Galaxy S8 (regular) and recently I started having the issue of not being able to receive text messages. It’s not all text messages, it’s just certain ones. It’s really starting to cause me some trouble and I don’t want to factory reset it cause then I lose all my things. Is there any other way to fix this? — Nathalya Molina

Solution: Hi Nathalya. How did you find out that you’re not receiving text messages? Are you having problems with multiple contacts who are using different phones in different carriers? These questions must be answered first before any meaningful troubleshooting can be performed. Unless you determine the answers to them, the best that you can do is to troubleshoot your device. And keep in mind that an issue like this does not necessarily mean the problem is on your side.

Check if messages are being blocked

As far as device troubleshooting is concerned, you are limited to a few. The first one that you should try is to ensure that the messages from contacts you’re having problems with are not being blocked. To unblock an SMS or number, follow these steps:

  1. From any Home screen, tap Messages.
  2. Tap More options (the 3 dots icon).
  3. Tap Settings.
  4. Tap Block messages.
  5. Tap Block numbers.
  6. Tap the minus sign next to the number you want to remove.
  7. When finished, tap the back arrow.

Switch another messaging app

Although the issue is not universal and does not affect some contacts, we suggest that you use this step to determine if the cause of the problem is the current messaging app. If you’re using the Samsung messaging app at this time, we suggest that you try to use a third party one like Facebook Messenger or Google Hangouts. To do that, follow these steps:

  1. Install the desired third party messaging app.
  2. Open Settings
  3. Tap Apps or Applications (this depends on the phone model you have).
  4. Tap Default applications.
  5. Tap Set as default.
  6. Look for your current messaging app and tap it.
  7. Tap Clear Defaults.

Receive SMS while phone is on Safe mode

Poorly coded third party apps can sometimes lead to all sorts of problems, including messing up the messaging function in some phones. To see if a third party app is behind this trouble, we suggest that you see how messaging works when safe mode is enabled. To restart your S8 to safe mode, follow these steps:

  1. Turn the device off.
  2. Press and hold the Power key past the model name screen.
  3. When “SAMSUNG” appears on the screen, release the Power key.
  4. Immediately after releasing the Power key, press and hold the Volume down key.
  5. Continue to hold the Volume down key until the device finishes restarting.
  6. Safe mode will display in the bottom left corner of the screen.
  7. Release the Volume down key when you see Safe Mode.
  8. Uninstall apps that are causing a problem.

Now that the phone is in safe mode, all third party apps and services will be blocked. You can then try to replicate the issue by asking those contacts you’re having problems with to send you SMS. If your phone receives their messages without interruption, you can bet one of your apps is to blame. Uninstall apps until the issue is gone.

Contact your carrier

If the problem remains in safe mode and won’t go away, the most likely cause is not on your side. Nevertheless, we still recommend that you let your carrier know about it.

Also, make sure that you tell those contacts that you’re not receiving their messages.

Problem 3: Galaxy S8 won’t send MMS when sending to private contact

Started with my S6 in January this year (& same with S8) sending photos/bitmojis to a private contact, they do not transmit properly. The green arrow flashes like its sending but continues to flash like the photo hasn’t sent. The person receives the image but if i don’t delete from the messages (green arrow still flashing) it will randomly keep sending to the contact at all hours.

I removed the person from private contact & the person could receive the images immediately, ie. Green arrow stopped flashing. So whatever update happened in Jan this year buggered up the private contact texting. And same occurring with my new S8. Help! — Samantha Bails

Solution: Hi Samantha. What exactly do you mean by “private contact”? We’re not aware of it and we don’t know how you use it in your device. You seemed to have identified the cause of the problem yourself, by changing the contact from a private contact to, well, most probably, non-private one so that should do it. Whatever this thing is in your device, it’s definitely causing trouble so just get rid of it. Keep your life simple.

By the way, don’t blame Samsung update right away. Android is a complicated software environment and there are so many factors that can cause problems. If you are positive that the issue started after you installed an update, try doing the basic stuff like wiping the cache partition, installing app updates, and factory reset. Below are steps on how to wipe the cache partition and factory reset:

How to wipe the cache partition

  1. Turn off the device.
  2. Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
  3. When the Android logo displays, release all keys (‘Installing system update’ will show for about 30 – 60 seconds before showing the Android system recovery menu options).
  4. Press the Volume down key to highlight “wipe cache partition.”
  5. Press the Power key to select.
  6. Press the Volume down key to highlight “yes” and 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.

How to factory reset

  1. Back up data on the internal memory. If you have signed into a Google account on the device, you have activated Anti-theft and will need your Google credentials to finish the Master reset.
  2. Turn off the device.
  3. Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
  4. When the Android logo displays, release all keys (‘Installing system update’ will show for about 30 – 60 seconds before showing the Android system recovery menu options).
  5. Press the Volume down key several times to highlight “wipe data / factory reset.
  6. Press Power button to select.
  7. Press the Volume down key until ‘Yes — delete all user data’ is highlighted.
  8. Press Power button to select and start the master reset.
  9. When the master reset is complete, “Reboot system now” is highlighted.
  10. Press the Power key to restart the device.

 


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2 thoughts on “How to fix Galaxy S8 not receiving SMS from specific contacts issue, other texting issues”

  1. I recently switched from an iPhone 5 to a Samsung s6. When my contacts who are on iPhones try to text me, the text trys to send as an iMessage, and wont go through without manually changing the text. Any way to easily fix this on my side?

  2. I am receiving text messages delayed from multiple contacts. I have checked the delayed setting and it is off. If I re-start my phone, then I will receive them. Any where else I check on this or what may be causing the delay?
    Thank you in advance

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