Text Messages Still Going to Old Phone? – (Quick Fix)

Are having trouble with text messages still going to old phone? You can be missing out on important texts if this continues.

If you’ve recently upgraded to a new phone, this is a common issue that many users experience. Fortunately, there are solutions to this problem that can help you avoid any further mishaps.

Keep reading to find out.

If you still receive text messages on your old phone, disable iMessage or a similar service to allow all messages to come to your new device. Also, make sure Forwarding options are turned off on your new phone.   

There are many other ways to stop text messages from going to your old phone.

First, let us discuss the possible reasons your old device is still getting them. 

Reasons Why Is My Old Phone Still Getting Messages

Switching from an Android device to iPhone or vice versa can cause messages to be received on the older phone.

It can be due to a number of things. See if any of these checks the box. 

• Messaging service is still active
• SIM card still active on the old phone
• Message app sync settings
• Apple ID or Google account settings
• Incorrect phone network settings

These are the reasons you are able to send out text messages with your new device but receive the replies on your old phone. Let’s see how we can fix it. 

Ways to Fix Text Messages Still Going to Old Phone

Is your old phone still receiving texts and this wasn’t an issue in the past? When you move from one smartphone to another, your messages should transfer automatically.

However, the Internet has made this more complicated. 

So, how can you prevent your text messages from going to your old smartphone? Follow the fixes below. 

1. Disable iMessage or a Similar Service

If you have your old phone on hand, you can fix this easily. All you have to do is disable the iMessage app.

Without the app, your old phone won’t be able to connect and retrieve your messages.

It’s also the same with Android devices, as messages are now routed through an app.

They will continue to get them even if you have transferred everything to your new phone.

Here’s how to disable your phone’s messaging apps:

iPhone:

1. Go to your phone’s Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap on Messages.
3. Find the iMessage toggle switch.
4. Tap on it to turn it off.

Android:

1. Open the Settings app on your phone.
2. Tap on the Apps menu.
3. Find Google Messages from the list.
4. Select Disable or Turn Off.

Note: After disabling these apps, your phone will revert to the regular SMS service your device doesn't have access to.    

2. Turn Off Your Phone’s Message App Chat Feature

The chat feature sends read receipts, shows typing indicators, and automatically resends as text if your message is not sent.

When enabled, it can interfere with your messages. If your old device is an Android phone, you need to disable the Message app’s chat feature to fix the problem. 

Here’s how to do it:

iPhone:

1. Open your phone’s Settings.
2. Select the Messages menu.
3. Find the Send as SMS option and tap on it.
4. Open iMessage, and go to Settings.
5. Scroll down to Chat Settings and disable it.

Android:

1. Go to the Messages app on your phone.
2. Tap on the dot menu on the top right.
3. Select Settings or Chat Features.
4. Toggle the switch on RCS to off. 

3. Disable Forwarding Settings on Your New Phone

We’re all familiar with call forwarding, which is usually a feature of your phone and carrier.

However, messaging apps like iMessage and Messages by Google, also come with forwarding services.

Activating message forwarding allows you to send messages from one device to another.

It even has a feature that automatically sends messages to all devices with your Apple or Google account. 

Here’s how to deactivate message forwarding on your phone:

iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app on your phone.
2. Scroll down and find the Messages option.
3. Tap on it, then go to Text Message Forwarding.
4. Tap on the button to disable it.

Android:

1. Open the Message app on your Android device.
2. Tap on the three-dot menu on the top right.
3. Select Settings.
4. Choose Multi-device Settings.
5. Turn off any forwarding options that are enabled.

Tip: Make sure you do these steps on iMessage and Message apps on both your old and new phones.

4. Switch Off Syncing on Your New Phone

Apart from message forwarding, these modern messaging apps offer you another feature: syncing.

This is certainly a handy feature if you want to receive messages on your devices.

This ensures that all your conversations are recent and up to date no matter what device you’re using it.

If your message syncing is activated on your old phone, it can continue to receive messages.

To stop this from happening, you want to check the sync settings on your phone.

Here’s how to disable your message sync settings:

iPhone:

1. Go to your iPhone’s Settings.
2. Scroll down to Messages.
3. Tap on Send and Receive.
4. Under the You can be reached by iMessage at section, uncheck numbers and emails.
5. Tap on the Back button to save the changes.

Android:

1. Open the Messages app on your Android phone.
2. Tap the three-dot menu.
3. Select Settings.
4. Tap on your Google profile.
5. Set Sync Messages to disable.

Note: After turning these settings off, you can try sending a message and checking if you continue getting it on your old phone.

5. Reset Network Settings on Both Phones

If you have an old phone, you have set it up in a way where you have tons of custom network configurations installed.

Setting these up allows your phone to perform more efficiently by using your preferences on how to connect to the network.

It can cause your current messages to be sent to your old phone rather than your new one.

Resetting your phone’s network settings will remove all of these and get your device performing normally.

Here’s how to reset your device’s network settings:

iPhone:

1. Open your iPhone’s Settings app.
2. Go to General.
3. Navigate to Transfer or Reset iPhone and tap on it.
4. Choose Reset.
5. Tap on Reset Network Settings.

Android:

1. Go to your phone’s Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap on System.
3. Select Reset Options.
4. Tap on Reset WiFi, Mobile, and Bluetooth.
5. Tap on the Reset Settings button.

6. Remove Your Old Phone from Your Apple or Google Account

Since all modern phones require you to sign into your account, these can impact your text message delivery on all your devices.

If these are not properly set up on your new device, you can have a hard time when it comes to receiving your messages correctly.

You want to disconnect your old phone from your account to ensure that your messages get to your new phone rather than your old one. 

Here’s how to remove your account on your old phone:

iPhone:

1. Go to the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Select the Apple ID banner at the top of the screen.
3. Scroll down and tap on the Sign Out option.
4. Enter your password to sign out successfully.
5. Confirm by tapping on Sign Out again.

Android:

1. Open the Settings app on your Android device.
2. Scroll down and tap on the Accounts option.
3. Look for your Google account from the list.
4. Tap on the three-dot menu on the top right.
5. Select Remove Account or Sign Out.

Note: After signing out of your account, your phone should be disconnected from the servers and stop receiving texts.

Following these steps should help you resolve your problems with your text messages.

You will now stop getting them on your old phone, allowing you to give them to someone to use and make sure no one else sees your messages.

Bottom Line

Now that you know how to fix your text messages still going to your old phone, you don’t have to worry about others reading them.

If you continue to receive them after performing these steps, contact your carrier to check the SMS settings for your account.

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