Samsung Galaxy S6 keeps popping “Unfortunately, Messages has stopped” error when text messages are viewed [Troubleshooting Guide]

The error message “Unfortunately, Messages has stopped” is actually talking about the default messaging app in your #Samsung Galaxy S6 (#GalaxyS6) that crashed or stopped working for some reason. It’s been happening ever since the first Galaxy device was released. Many Galaxy S4 & S5 owners complained about it and now Galaxy S6 users are complaining the same thing–texting capability is hampered with this error message.

In this post, I will tackle three issues that is related to texting. The first one is about a Galaxy S6 unit whose default messaging app keeps crashing and leave an error message. The second issue is a similar problem but this time, there’s no error message, the messaging app just closes on its own without leaving any warning. And the third issue is a combination of both, according to our reader, the error may occur sometimes but there are also times when it won’t. Read on to know how to address these issues and learn how to troubleshoot your device.

• Galaxy S6 keeps showing “Unfortunately, Messages has stopped” error
• Messages app on Galaxy S6 keeps closing on its own
• Messaging app crashes, sometimes an error occurs, sometimes it won’t

For those who are looking for a solution to a totally different issue, visit our troubleshooting page for we have already addressed hundreds of problems since we started supporting this device. Find issues that are the same or similar with yours and use the solutions and/or troubleshooting guides we suggested. If they don’t work for you or if you need further assistance, then fill up our Android issues questionnaire and hit submit to contact us.

Galaxy S6 keeps showing “Unfortunately, Messages has stopped” error

Problem: Hi! I hope you guys are doing well. I need your help because my phone is having a difficult time viewing and receiving text messages. Every single time I tried opening the messaging app, I am greeted with this error message “Unfortunately, Messages has stopped” which prompted the app to close when OK or REPORT is hit. I think if I could get rid of this error message, I would be able to use the texting feature of my phone but the question is how would I do that? Can you help me please?

Troubleshooting: Every case is different unless it’s a known bug in the firmware but as of this time, there’s no known texting-related bug in the firmware of Galaxy S6 phones. That leaves us one option–we have to troubleshoot your device to know more about this error and why it occurs. With that being said, here’s what I suggest you do:

Step 1: Isolate the problem to know if third-party apps have something to do with it

Third-party apps may crash from time to time and may affect the operation of default apps. When it happens, either the third-party or pre-installed app may show the error message but this case, it’s the Messages app. Therefore, it’s imperative that we try to know if it’s third-party apps that’s causing the problem or if the issue is with the default app or the firmware itself. You just have to boot your phone up in safe mode and see if the error still shows up. So, this is how you bring your phone up 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.

Try to open the messages app and if the error won’t show up, then it’s your third-party app that’s causing the problem. You have to find that app, try clearing its cache and data and if that won’t work, uninstall it.

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 taps the suspected.
6. Tap Clear cache.
7. Tap Clear data button, then OK.

To uninstall an app, just follow the same procedure and hit Uninstall.

Step 2: Clear the cache and data of the Messages app

This, of course, resets the app and your text messages might be lost. However, it’s a very important step because it directly addresses the error itself. By bringing the app to its default settings, there’s a higher probability that the problem will be fixed especially if it has something to do with misconfiguration.

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 Message.
6. Tap Clear cache.
7. Tap Clear data button, then OK.

If this doesn’t fix the problem, however, then it’s time to go after the firmware.

Step 3: Boot up in Recovery Mode and then wipe the cache partition

This procedure deletes all the system caches and they will be replaced as soon as the phone boots up. There’s a possibility that the problem is due to some corrupt caches so this step is a necessary procedure to rule out such possibility. Here’s how you do it:

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.

If this doesn’t work, then move on to the next step.

Step 4: Reset your phone to bring it back to its original configuration

It might be due to misconfiguration or corrupt system files and data, so at this point, it’s time we reset the phone to bring it back to its factory default settings. However, you may lose your files and data if you don’t make a backup. So, make sure you move your important files, pictures, videos, music tracks, etc. to your computer before doing this procedure:

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.

As far as this error message is concerned, a reset can fix it but it often comes at the end due to the hassle the owner have to undergo. I hope this helps.

Messages app on Galaxy S6 keeps closing on its own

Problem: I have a serious issue with my phone that I need to be addressed as soon as possible. It is a Galaxy S6 phone that’s been with me for a few months now. The problem started about a week ago and it randomly occurs, which means that there are times when the messaging app closes on its own while being used and there are times when it works normally. I just want it to work normally because it already happened that while I was typing a message, the app closed and my message was deleted, tried again and the app closed the second time and the same thing happened. I don’t want to experience this kind of problem again because we don’t when emergency may occur. Please help me fix this problem. Thanks.

Troubleshooting: App crashes are often characterized by two behaviors; either the app just closes without any warning or an error message is displayed on the screen to notify the user. In this case, however, it seems like it’s the former that’s the owner is experiencing and this is what you need to do to try and fix this problem…

1. Reboot in safe mode – this is to know if the app crashes due to third-party apps. While in safe mode, try to compose a message and send it to your own number. If the error shows up, then it might be an issue with the app itself.
2. Clear the cache and data of the Messages app – this will reset the app to default settings and might fix the problem. However, you may lose all your text messages when you do this so back them up first.
3. Delete the system cache – you need to boot up in recovery mode and wipe the cache partition in order to do this. The system caches will be deleted and replaced after you did this so assuming the problem was caused by some corrupt caches, this will fix the problem.
4. Master reset your phone – this is you last resort if the problem remained after doing the previous steps. You need to backup your files and data before the reset as they’ll be deleted and could no longer be restored. You may try the reset through the recovery mode or through the Settings menu.

This is how you reset your phone through the Settings menu…

1. From the Home screen, tap the Apps icon.
2. Find and tap the Settings icon.
3. Under the ‘Personal’ section, find and tap Backup and reset.
4. Tap Factory data reset.
5. Touch Reset device to proceed with the reset.
6. Depending on the security lock you used, enter the PIN or password.
7. Tap Continue.
8. Touch Delete all to confirm your action.

Messaging app crashes, sometimes an error occurs, sometimes it won’t

Problem: Ok guys, I need your suggestions on how to fix the problem with my Galaxy S6. There are times when the messaging app closes without warning, there are also times when the message “Unfortunately, Messages has stopped” shows up but either way, I cannot use the texting feature in my phone and that sucks, really. I need your help on how to address this problem. Thanks a lot!

Troubleshooting: Apparently, your issue is the combination of the first two problems. Again, there’s a possibility that it is caused by one of the apps or it could be a firmware issue, the only difference is that sometimes the error won’t show up and times when the error bugs you. Nevertheless, it’s the same problem and it concerns the messaging app that crashes from time to time.

I suggest you try to reboot your phone in safe mode first to know if it’s a third-party app that’s causing it, then try to disable texting apps. You may also proceed with the clearing of the cache partition like we did in the first two problem or even a master reset if the problem remained after doing the previous procedures. I am certain, however, that this problem can be fixed by any of these procedures so you just have to do them one by one until the problem is fixed.

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