Messages App Not Opening SMS on Android

The Messages app is one of the most frequently used apps on an Android phone. Whether you want to read a verification code, reply to a friend, or check an important text from your mobile carrier, you expect your messages to open immediately. However, sometimes the Messages app may refuse to open an SMS, become unresponsive, freeze on a blank screen, or close whenever you tap a conversation.

This problem can happen for several reasons. A temporary app glitch, corrupted cache, outdated software, insufficient storage, incorrect app permissions, or an issue with the default SMS app can prevent messages from opening properly. 

In this guide, you will learn several practical ways to fix the Messages app not opening SMS on Android. 

Messages App Not Opening SMS on Android [How to Fix]

If the Messages app opens but does not display SMS conversations, start with simple solutions such as restarting the phone, force-stopping the app, and clearing its cache. If that does not work, check storage, permissions, updates, and the default SMS application. More advanced steps, such as clearing app data or resetting network settings, should be tried only after the simpler solutions fail.

The exact names of settings can vary slightly between Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, Motorola, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and other Android phones. 

However, the general process is very similar.

Step 1: Restart Your Android Phone

The first thing you should try is restarting your Android phone. This may sound simple, but a restart can clear temporary system problems that prevent the Messages app from loading conversations correctly.

Press and hold the Power button until the power menu appears. On some newer phones, you may need to press the Power and Volume Up buttons together. When you see the power menu, tap Restart.

Wait for the phone to completely shut down and start again. Once you reach the home screen, open the Messages app and try opening an SMS conversation.

If the problem was caused by a temporary software glitch, your messages should open normally after the restart.

Step 2: Force Stop the Messages App

If restarting does not help, the Messages app itself may have become stuck in the background. You can completely close it using the Force Stop option.

Open Settings on your Android phone and select Apps or Apps & notifications. Find and select your Messages app. Depending on your phone, it may appear as Google Messages, Samsung Messages, or another SMS application.

Tap Force stop and confirm the action if Android asks you to do so.

Wait a few seconds, then open the Messages app again. Try selecting one of your SMS conversations.

Force stopping the app does not normally delete your text messages. It simply closes the app and stops its current processes so that Android can start it again from a clean state.

Step 3: Clear the Messages App Cache

A damaged or outdated cache can sometimes cause the Messages app to freeze when you try to open an SMS.

To clear the cache, go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Storage. You may see options such as Clear cache and Clear data.

Tap Clear cache first.

Do not tap Clear data at this stage. Clearing the cache removes temporary files, while clearing app data can reset the application and may affect locally stored app information.

After clearing the cache, return to your home screen and open Messages. Try opening the same conversation that previously failed.

If the problem was related to temporary cached files, the SMS should now open normally.

Step 4: Check Your Phone’s Available Storage

Your Messages app may not work correctly when your phone is almost full. Android needs some free storage space to create temporary files and perform normal operations.

Open Settings and look for Storage. On some phones, you can find it under Battery and device care or a similar section.

Check how much free space remains. If your phone is nearly full, consider removing unnecessary videos, downloaded files, duplicate photos, or unused applications.

After freeing some storage, restart your phone and open the Messages app again.

You do not need to delete your SMS conversations simply because storage is low. Start by removing other unnecessary files and applications.

Step 5: Update the Messages App

An outdated Messages app can contain bugs that affect how SMS conversations load or open. Installing the latest available update can resolve these problems.

Open the Google Play Store and search for your Messages app. If an Update button appears, tap it and allow the installation to finish.

If you use Google Messages, make sure you update Google Messages. If your phone manufacturer provides a separate messaging application, check for updates for that application as well.

After updating the app, restart your phone and test your SMS conversations again.

Keeping the Messages app updated is also useful because updates can include bug fixes, security improvements, and compatibility changes.

Step 6: Update Android

If the Messages app is already updated but SMS conversations still will not open, check whether your phone has a pending Android system update.

Open Settings and search for Software update, System update, or System software update. Open the appropriate option and check for available updates.

If an update is available, connect your phone to a reliable Wi-Fi network and make sure the battery has sufficient charge. Follow the instructions shown on the screen to complete the update.

Once the phone restarts, open Messages and test the affected SMS conversation.

A system update can sometimes resolve compatibility problems between Android and installed applications.

Step 7: Check Messages App Permissions

The Messages app requires appropriate permissions to work properly. If important permissions have been disabled, the application may behave unexpectedly.

Go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Permissions. Review the permissions available for the app.

The exact permissions shown will depend on your Android version and phone manufacturer. If Android indicates that an important permission has been denied, follow the on-screen instructions to allow it.

Do not randomly enable every permission available. Only allow permissions that the messaging application legitimately needs for its features.

After reviewing the permissions, close Settings and open Messages again.

Step 8: Make Sure the Correct SMS App Is Default

Android allows multiple messaging applications to be installed. If another app has been selected as the default SMS app, your preferred Messages application may not behave as expected.

Open Settings and search for Default apps. Then select SMS app or Default SMS app.

Check which application is currently selected. If you normally use Google Messages, Samsung Messages, or another specific messaging application, select that app as your default.

After changing the default SMS application, open it and check whether your conversations are accessible.

Avoid repeatedly switching between different SMS applications because this can make troubleshooting more confusing.

Step 9: Force a Network Connection Refresh

If the Messages app opens but a particular SMS conversation appears stuck while loading, refreshing your phone’s network connection may help, especially if the message includes multimedia content.

Turn on Airplane mode from Quick Settings and leave it enabled for around 30 seconds. Then turn Airplane mode off.

Wait for your mobile network to reconnect. You can also temporarily switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data to see whether the problem changes.

This step is particularly useful if the affected conversation contains an MMS message, picture, video, or group message that requires network connectivity.

Step 10: Clear Messages App Data as a Last Resort

If none of the previous methods work, you can consider clearing the Messages app’s data. However, treat this as an advanced troubleshooting step because the effect can vary depending on your phone and messaging application.

Go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Storage and look for Clear data or Clear storage.

Before using this option, make sure your important messages are backed up or synchronized where applicable. The behavior of stored SMS and app settings can differ between Android devices and messaging applications.

If you are unsure about what clearing data will remove on your specific phone, do not proceed immediately. Instead, check your phone manufacturer’s support instructions or use another troubleshooting method first.

Once you understand the consequences and have protected important information, you can clear the app data and then reopen Messages.

Step 11: Reset Network Settings

If SMS, MMS, or other messaging features continue to malfunction, resetting network settings can help resolve incorrect network configurations.

Open Settings and search for Reset network settings. On many phones, this option is located under System > Reset options or General management > Reset.

Read the warning carefully before confirming. A network reset can remove saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth connections, and certain mobile network settings.

After the reset finishes, reconnect to your Wi-Fi network and test the Messages app again.

Step 12: Check for a Problem With One Specific Conversation

Sometimes the Messages app works normally except for one particular SMS thread. This can indicate that the problem is related to that conversation rather than the entire application.

Try opening several other conversations. If other SMS messages open correctly, the problem may be limited to the affected thread.

If the conversation contains a large number of messages or multimedia attachments, give the app some time to load. You can also ask the sender to send a new message and check whether the new SMS opens normally.

If only one conversation consistently causes the application to freeze, avoid immediately deleting it if the messages are important. Consider backing up your messages first.

FAQs

Why is my Messages app not opening SMS?

A temporary app glitch, corrupted cache, insufficient storage, outdated software, incorrect permissions, or an incorrect default SMS app can cause the problem. Restarting the phone and clearing the Messages cache are good first steps.

Will clearing the Messages cache delete my text messages?

Normally, clearing the cache does not delete your SMS conversations. It removes temporary files used by the application. However, avoid using the Clear data option unless you understand what it does on your specific device.

Why does Messages open but freeze when I tap an SMS?

This can happen because of corrupted temporary data, a problematic conversation, insufficient system resources, or an issue with an attachment inside the conversation. Try force-stopping Messages and clearing its cache first.

Should I uninstall the Messages app?

You generally do not need to uninstall the Messages app as your first troubleshooting step. Start with restarting the phone, clearing the cache, updating the application, and checking storage.

Why are only MMS messages not opening?

MMS messages can depend on mobile network settings and data connectivity. Check your mobile data connection and temporarily refresh the network using Airplane mode. If normal SMS messages work but MMS messages do not, the issue may be related to MMS configuration.

What should I do if nothing fixes the Messages app?

If every method fails, check for Android system updates, review your default SMS application, and consider contacting your phone manufacturer’s support. If the problem started after a recent app or system update, checking for a newer update may also help.

Summary

When the Messages app is not opening SMS on Android, there is usually no need to panic or immediately reset the phone. Start with simple solutions such as restarting the device, force-stopping Messages, and clearing its cache. Then check available storage, update the Messages app and Android, review permissions, and make sure the correct SMS application is selected as default.

If the issue continues, refresh the network connection and investigate whether the problem affects every conversation or only one specific SMS thread. More advanced options, including clearing app data or resetting network settings, should be used carefully.

By following these steps in order, you can troubleshoot most common Messages app problems while minimizing the risk of losing important text conversations.