Deregister iMessage Online: What Works & What Doesn’t
You cannot deregister iMessage online through a website, but you can deregister your phone number from iMessage by turning off iMessage on your iPhone or using Apple’s official self-solve webpage. This article explains the only working methods, why online deregistration is a common myth, and how to avoid problems when switching from iPhone to Android.
Why People Search for Online Deregistration
When you switch from an iPhone to an Android phone, your phone number may still be linked to iMessage. That means texts from iPhone users keep going to Apple’s servers as blue bubbles instead of arriving on your new device as regular SMS. The typical advice is to turn off iMessage before you switch, but many people forget or have already sold their iPhone. Searching for “deregister iMessage online” usually happens because someone no longer has access to the iPhone, or they want a quick fix without touching the device.
Apple’s Official Deregistration Webpage
Apple provides a self-solve webpage specifically for this situation, but it is not a full deregistration tool. It is a form that removes your phone number from iMessage after you confirm you no longer have access to your iPhone. You go to selfsolve.apple.com/deregister-imessage, enter your phone number, enter the code sent to you by SMS, and submit. Apple then processes the request, usually within a few hours, and your number is released from iMessage.
Important: This webpage only works if you can receive an SMS text to that phone number. If you have already given up the number and cannot receive texts, this method will fail. Also, the webpage does not deregister your Apple ID, only the phone number tied to iMessage.
How to Deregister Directly on Your iPhone
If you still have the iPhone, the cleanest method is to turn off iMessage in Settings. Here are the exact steps:
- Open Settings on the iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap Messages.
- Toggle off iMessage (the switch turns from green to gray).
- If you are switching to Android, also go to Settings > Messages > Send as SMS and make sure it is on, so texts fall back to SMS.
- Optionally, go to Settings > FaceTime and turn it off too, since FaceTime uses the same Apple ID.
This immediately stops your phone number from being used for iMessage on that device. If you have multiple Apple devices, you may also need to go to Settings > Messages on each one and turn off iMessage, or sign out of iMessage on all devices via your Apple ID settings.
What Happens When You Deregister?
Once deregistered, your phone number is no longer associated with iMessage. iPhone users who text you will see their messages send as green SMS bubbles instead of blue iMessage bubbles. You will receive those texts on your new device as long as it has a cellular plan. Your iMessage conversation history on Apple devices may still exist, but new messages will not be delivered to iMessage. If you later get a new iPhone, you can re-enable iMessage by going to Settings > Messages and toggling it on, then signing in with your Apple ID.
Common Problems and Misconceptions
Many people believe there is a universal online deregistration service that can remove a number from iMessage without any verification. That is not true. Apple does not offer a public API or a simple website where you type a number and it is instantly removed. The only online method is the self-solve form, and it requires SMS verification. Another misconception is that deregistering iMessage also deregisters FaceTime. It does not. You need to turn off FaceTime separately if you no longer want calls to route to Apple devices.
A frequent problem is that the self-solve form does not work immediately. Apple says it can take up to a few hours, but some users report waiting a day. If you are still not receiving texts after 24 hours, contact your carrier to ensure your number is properly ported, and ask them to check if any Apple services are still routing your messages.
What to Do If You Can’t Receive the SMS Code
If you have already lost access to the phone number, the self-solve form is useless. In that case, your only options are:
- Contact your wireless carrier and ask them to release the number from any Apple services. They may be able to submit a request to Apple on your behalf.
- If you still have the Apple ID password, you can sign in to appleid.apple.com and remove the phone number from your account, though this does not directly deregister iMessage.
- If you have a new phone with the same number, you can try to re-register and then deregister again, but that requires an iPhone.
In practice, the most reliable fix is to contact Apple Support directly and explain that you no longer have the iPhone. They can often manually remove the number after verifying your identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deregister iMessage without an iPhone?
Yes, but only if you can receive an SMS code. Apple’s self-solve webpage lets you enter your phone number, receive a code by text, and submit the deregistration request. You do not need an iPhone, but you do need access to the phone number.
How long does it take for iMessage to deregister online?
Apple’s self-solve page says it may take a few hours. In many cases, it happens within 30 minutes, but it can take up to 24 hours. If it takes longer, contact Apple Support.
Will deregistering iMessage delete my messages?
No. Deregistering only stops new messages from being sent to iMessage. Your existing message history on Apple devices remains until you delete it manually. On your new phone, you will only see new SMS messages after deregistration.
Does deregistering iMessage affect FaceTime?
No. FaceTime is a separate service. If you want to stop FaceTime calls, you must turn it off in Settings on each Apple device or remove your phone number from your Apple ID.
Can I deregister iMessage for someone else?
No. Apple’s self-solve form requires SMS verification to the number, so you cannot deregister a number you do not control. If you are trying to deregister a number that is no longer yours, you must contact Apple Support and prove ownership.
What if I deregister and then get a new iPhone?
You can simply turn iMessage back on in Settings > Messages. Your phone number will be re-registered with Apple, and you will receive blue bubble messages again. Your message history may sync from iCloud if you have iCloud Backup enabled.
Related
Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.