SMS oddness

peasblossom · Dec 14, 2025, 09:32:19

There's one number (of a relative) I text regularly who doesn't always get them. It is just this one number. If I phone, their mobile always goes straight to voicemail. Anyone else had this and what sorted it out? I have googled and forcing your messaging app to stop briefly was one option. I have lots of texts on mine which I do not wish to lose (but my phone has enough memory to cope.) They do not have a smartphone, btw.

Simon · Dec 14, 2025, 11:08:55

If they have a really basic non-smart phone, it's possible that they've run out of storage, which means text messages may not be received. I had this with an elderly relative of mine. They needed to delete texts they no longer needed to keep, including Sent messages, in order to receive new ones.

peasblossom · Dec 14, 2025, 11:24:41

The phone they have is odd in that it seems to have barely any storage at all, but I think only the received texts are being deleted. I'd best ask.

Simon · Dec 14, 2025, 12:03:05

Some older basic phones will only store a limited number of text messages.

peasblossom · Dec 14, 2025, 20:09:48

Here's the thing though. Newish phone, rubbish storage. Same with the one before that.

robinc · Dec 15, 2025, 07:07:42

Digging through what's left of my memory, I recall that back in the day texts could be stored on the sim card or on the phone. Oddly I think the sim card had more storage - and texts went with the card - which is nice.

peasblossom · Dec 16, 2025, 21:46:58

Sudden flash of modest inspiration. Downloaded another messaging app (Pulse), have all conversations on the one. Force stop for the main Google one, which feels safer when there's a kind of backup. Let's see if it helps at all. If it doesn't then who knows? Will report back.

zappaDPJ · Dec 16, 2025, 22:24:37

Just for information and future convenience, pretty much everyone I know, family, friends and tradesman all use WhatsApp these days.

Simon · Dec 16, 2025, 22:28:08

Quote from: peasblossom on Dec 16, 2025, 21:46:58Sudden flash of modest inspiration. Downloaded another messaging app (Pulse), have all conversations on the one. Force stop for the main Google one, which feels safer when there's a kind of backup. Let's see if it helps at all. If it doesn't then who knows? Will report back.

I thought it wasn't a smartphone?

Hope it's sorted anyway.

peasblossom · Dec 16, 2025, 22:37:40

My phone is a smartphone though. I was assuming that IF the problem is with mine, this might help.

Also, I would never, ever, ever use WhatsApp. Ever. Maybe that means I'm with the dinosaurs (well, kind of) but never mind.

Simon · Dec 16, 2025, 22:53:53

I think we're getting a bit confused. I thought it was your family member who wasn't receiving your texts, and it's them who hasn't got a smartphone. Changing your messaging app on your phone won't make their phone received your messages.

Sorry if I've got the wrong end of the stick.

peasblossom · Dec 16, 2025, 23:05:28

It's true, it might be clutching at straws [seems like it] Simon, but I thought I'd try it. They had asked at an 02 shop about it and it was suggested there might be an issue with my phone. But you hadn't got the wrong end of the stick.

nowster · Dec 17, 2025, 17:59:38

Can be a problem if the Google app wants to use RCS messaging and the recipient only can receive SMS. (I have RCS turned off everywhere.)

peasblossom · Dec 17, 2025, 23:38:30

Certainly can, but I have it turned off too. I may have used it once, months ago, but not since.
Anyone else suspect it might the SIM card?