Hi Jessica,

This error often shows up when your new iPhone is still in the process of indexing your photos. It should resolve soon–if not, power off your device, wait 20-30 seconds, and power back on. Then see if you can access the photos app through Messages.

Yes i am having this problem. Did you find the solution?

Hi Paul,

It’s a pain but I think the only way to get this to work is by either using the copy function in the share sheet and pasting your selected photos directly into your message.

Or accessing the photos app directly in the messages app–it’s the photos app icon in that app shelf just below where you type in your message.

Tap that icon and then you see all recent photos as well as an option in the left corner to see all photos

I guess this is another way for Apple to get us all using their own apps and services.

If you decide to turn on iMessage, make sure you also toggle on Send as SMS and MMS Messaging

I have this exact problem too!

So does my wife, but not my workmates.

I do not have any profiles, MDM, I have done a reset of network settings, turned it off and on again…nothing.

The only thing that works is if I have iMessage turned on, which I do not want. Cheers.

Since updating to iOS 12.1.4, the message app option has been removed from my share sheet.

it only becomes available when I turn on iMessage, which I do not want to do. (i was stuck waiting at the airport once because my ride never received my iMessage…never had a problem with normal SMS text messages, and my phone plan gives me unlimited text, so I’m unsure as to why I would ever use iMessage).

Anyone else having this problem, or if you can offer any solution, that would be greatly appreciated. Cheers.

Hi Chris,

Sorry that your new iPhone XR is giving you this trouble! How frustrating!

We have an article about this particular issue, Message App Missing in Your iPhone’s Share Sheet After iOS Update?

The main thing to check is if your iPhone has a profile installed on it–like if the iPhone XR is a company phone or you have Apps like MobileIron, AirWatch, and other third-party apps that install profiles on your device. Go to Settings > General > Profiles to check if something is installed there.

In this case, the course of action is to remove the profile and then add it back once things work as you expect.

Another possibility is that you need to reset your APN Settings if you use certain pre-paid plans–go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Option > Cellular Network Options. Then, re-enter your APN settings (if you don’t have these or know them, contact your mobile carrier.)

I go into photos, click a photo, click share, No messages app option.

Even in More it does not exist. iPhone XR. Brand New

Thanks

Not true (completely). It doesn’t work on my iPhone 7 which is up to date with iOS 12. Please edit your article to specifically state this.

The article is very good otherwise. Organized with step by step. Thank you.

Like many others I hate this change which adds extra steps in what should be quick and easy (my dad who’s 78 can’t figure it out despite skiing him dozens of times! Before? No problem).

Automatically storing pics? Just NO. This needs a setting option to disable this. Unless of course (well duh…) this is a way to get people to buy more iCloud storage. Grrrr…

Hi Jennifer,

Sorry to hear that!

Take a look at the tips in this article

Let us know if they help or if they don’t (sad face).

Sam

I’ve looked under “more” which is at the end of the row on the gray bar and “message” is just not an option.

Email is but the message option is completely gone. Do you know how to fix that?

Hi Adrien,

After you tap the Photos App button, tap All Photos (in blue text on the right side)–that opens up the photos app with all your images and albums.

Sam