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How to Fix Public Mobile Not Receiving Texts?

Finn Wheatley Updated on13 January 2025
public mobile not receiving texts

If you are experiencing the Public Mobile not receiving texts problem, we have the solution.

You will suffer from not receiving texts on Public Mobile for various reasons. One of the top reasons is improper SIM card configuration.

This is a problem with the Public Mobile system that can be resolved by resetting the SIM card. 

To resolve Public Mobile not receiving text messages, go to your settings and change the default messaging app to messages.

The default messaging app for iPhone and Android should be simple to use and with limited features. The app eliminates errors associated with most third-party messaging applications.

Besides switching to the default messaging app, you can update your APN or change your SIM card.

Keep on reading to find out other solutions to this problem.

Causes of Public Mobile Not Receiving Texts

not receiving texts

If your Public Mobile phone is unable to receive text messages, there are a few possible causes.

In the steps below we will be diagonalizing these causes and resolving them one after another.

The common causes of not receiving text messages are:

  • Internal system configuration –This problem can only be resolved by Public Mobile.
  • Phone APN configuration – Can be resolved by updating APN Settings.
  • Messaging application bugs and settings – Can be resolved by clearing messaging app data or changing messaging app.
  • A temporary glitch in your phone networks – can be resolved by refreshing your device.
  • Outdated phone software that needs an update.

Each of these causes can be solved without much hustle. As a matter of fact, for most of these causes, you do not even need to call Public Mobile.

Solutions to Public Mobile Messaging Issues

Now that we know the problem, let us venture into troubleshooting and solving the issues.

For solving the not receiving texts Public Mobile problem, you can take any of the following actions one at a time.

Solution #1 Refresh Your Phone Networks

The first step should be performing a basic phone refresh.

This simply means, ensuring that your phone is working, your SIM card is well inserted, and that you are connected to Public Mobile coverage.

restart your phone to refresh

How to refresh your phone

  1. First, confirm with other Public Mobile users that there is coverage
  2. Press the Power Button and select Power Off.
  3. Eject the SIM card from your phone and wait about 1 minute
  4. Insert the SIM card back and start your phone  
  5. When the phone turns on, try sending yourself a message from another person’s phone.
Note: These are the first basic steps you should take before advancing to technical areas. 

You should be absolutely certain that your phone or SIM card has a problem before troubleshooting.

Solution #2 Update APN Settings

If the above options do not work, you can be certain that your SIM card or phone has a problem. The first culprit in this case should be your APN settings.

check apn settings

If you are having a problem with receiving messages, chances are that you do not have updated APN settings.

Update your APN settings by following the instructions below.

Update iPhone APN Settings

  1. Go to your Settings from the main menu
  2. Select Mobile Data
  3. Tap on Mobile Data Networks
  4. Tap to input your APN Settings

Update iPhone APN settings to match the ones in the fields below.

  • APN:sp.mb.com
  • Username: (Leave blank)
  • Password: (Leave blank)

Update Android APN Settings

  • Go to Settings
  • Select  Connections 
  • Tap on Mobile Data Networks
  • Select Access Point Names
  • Tap on Add APN

Fill all the fields with the following information

  • Name: Public Mobile
  • APN: sp.mb.com
  • MMSC proxy: 74.49.0.18
  • MMSC: http://aliasredirect.net/proxy/mb/mmsc
  • MMS port: 80
  • MCC: 302
  • MNC: 220

Solution #3 Update Phone Software

update your mobile

You may be surprised to realize that, the problem you are experiencing has to do with your device software.

If your device is outdated, you will most likely lack access to key features. One of the features that can be affected is the ability to send or receive text messages. 

One of the features that can be affected is the ability to send or receive text messages.

On the upside, updating your device’s software is something easy. Below are the steps to take to get your device updated.

Update your Android device:

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Scroll to near the Bottom and select  System
  3. Tap on System Update
  4. Check to see your Update Status
  5. If your device is not updated, follow the instructions on the screen to update.

Update your iPhone:

  1. Go to your Settings
  2. Select  General
  3. Tap on Software Update
  4. Tap on Turn On Download iOS Updates
  5. Tap on Turn on Install iOS Updates
  6. Exit Settings and let your device download and update settings automatically.
Note: For this process to be completed, you must be connected to a Wifi or allow updates via cellular data. 

It can take up to 24 hours for your device to finish downloading updates.

Solution #4 Switch to Your Phone’s Basic Messaging App

use default message app

The other solution that you must try out is adjusting to a basic messaging application.

Most people who complain about messaging problems tend to use complex messaging applications.

Ideally, the basic messaging application that comes with your phone can carry out all important messaging tasks.

We tend to look at third-party messaging applications for their beauty. Unfortunately, such applications can affect your messaging configuration.

Switch back to the Messages app to solve the issues. You can do this by making Messages your default messaging app.

Switch to the Default Messaging App on Android

  1. Go to your Settings
  2. Tap on Apps
  3. Tap on Choose Default apps
  4. Tap on the SMS App
  5. Select Messages if it is your phone’s factory-made messaging application.
Note: The primary factory-made messaging applications used on android may vary. 

Chose the one designed for your phone and set it as the default messaging application.

Switch to the Default Messaging App on iPhone

iphone app

For iPhones, the primary messaging application is also called Messages. All iPhones have this simple and effective application.

However, most people tend to use iMessenger. From past experiences, iMessenger may mess you up unless you know how to handle it.

To change the default messaging app on iPhone

  1. Tap on Settings
  2. Select Apps
  3. Select Choose Default Apps
  4. Tap on Choose SMS app
  5. Tap on Messages
Note: Once you choose messages as your default messaging app, you will no longer be able to enjoy iMessenger features.

Solution # 5 Start Your Phone in Safe Mode

If all the above options fail to bear fruit, your next option would be to start your phone in Safe Mode.

phone on safe mode

This is an option that helps diagnose your phone for setting issues. It also blocks any apps that might be hindering the normal functioning of your phone.

If your phone works well in safe mode, you can be sure that your problems are related to settings and configurations.

How to start the phone in safe mode

  1. Press and hold the Power Button on both android and Apple devices.
  2. Power options will show up.
  3. Press and hold the Restart option until it turns into a green button with a prompt to restart in Safe Mode.
  4. Tap on Safe Mode once to restart your device in Safe Mode

Give your device a few minutes as it rebits into Safe Mode. Once your device starts, it should have a Safe Mode icon on the bottom left corner of your screen.

Solution #6 Contact Public Mobile Moderators

If all the above options fail, contact Public Mobile moderators.

This is a solution that tries to get rid of any internal errors. Just contact Public Mobile and ask them to reset your SMS features.

Click on this link to start chatting with the Public Mobile representative. You will first have to navigate through the AI assistant to open a ticket.

Once you reach the Public Mobile agent, your issues should be resolved in hours.

Solution #7 Replace Your SIM Card

sim card change

If you try all the above options without success, the only way out is to change your SIM card.

What you can do, is get a brand new SIM card and transfer your number to the new SIM card.

This does not end your contract with Public Mobile. If you are not sure about doing this, visit any Public Mobile store and get an agent to do it for you.

Summary

The reasons behind Public Mobiles not receiving texts as shown above can be solved by taking some simple steps.

If you are experiencing this problem, do not hesitate to take action. Simply use your preferred method to see if the issue will get resolved. 

Read Next: Public Mobile Not Receiving Calls? – Complete Fix Guide

finn wheatley xtrium
Finn Wheatley

Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London.  He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.

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