Fix #images Not Working on iPhone in 2024 - For iOS 17/16/15

#images Says “Could Not Load Results.”

I’m on an iPhone XR, running 16. This has been an issue for over a month: when trying to send an image in Messages, everything I search for comes up with "could not load results." whatever phrase I search for. Help me.

- Question from Apple Community

#images Not Working on iPhone

Recently, my #images app within iMessage isn’t working. It says: Could not share image. The internet connection appears to be offline. Any suggestions on how to fix it?

- Question from Reddit

Have you encountered the same problem? Want to search for GIFs to send but #images not working. It returns you empty results or it says you cannot share images. How frustrating!

#images is one built-in app in iMessage that provides a library of searchable GIFs. You can use a specific keyword to search the image you want and share it with your friends. Besides, it also allows you to save any GIFs that you received in a conversation.

Those GIFs are fun and can express ourselves effectively. However, the #images suddenly refuses to work. But don’t be too worried, there are some methods that can help you fix this #images not working on iMessage issue.

Why Is My iMessage #images Not Working in iMessage

Before we get to the solutions, let us first look at the possible causes of this problem. Knowing the cause of the problem will make it easier to solve the problem. In addition, you will also know how to prevent such #images not working problems from happening again.

> #images is not available in your country

It is only available in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, India, Singapore, Philippines, and Japan.

> Outdated iOS version

If your iPhone is running an outdated version of iOS, #images may not work properly.

> Poor network connection

#images requires network connection. If it’s slow, you will meet the iMessage #images no results issue.

> A glitch in Messages app

Software glitches in Messages app or your iPhone will also lead to #images not loading on iPhone problem.

How to Fix #images Not Working on iPhone

Those methods can help you fix all kinds of issues related to #images, including #images no results, could not share images, GIFs not loading, etc. Try them in turn to troubleshoot the problem.

► Works for all iPhone models including:
iPhone 6s/6s Plus, iPhone 7/7 Plus, iPhone 8/8 Plus, iPhone X/XR/XS (Max), iPhone 11/11 Pro (Max), iPhone SE 2020, iPhone 12/12 Pro (Max)/12 mini, iPhone 13/13 Pro (Max)/13 mini, iPhone 14 (Plus)/iPhone 14 Pro (Max), iPhone 15 (Plus)/iPhone 15 Pro (Max)

Tip 1. Restart Messages

When you encounter any problems with Messages, this is the first thing you can try.

For iPhone X and later:

• On the Home screen, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle of the screen.

• Swipe right or left to find Messages.

• Swipe up on Messages preview to close it.

iPhone SE, iPhone 8 and earlier, and iPod touch:

• Double-click the Home button.

• Swipe right or left to find Messages.

• Swipe up on Messages preview to close it.

Relaunch Messages to see if the problem is solved. If not, move to the next method.

Tip 2. Hard Reset iPhone

Force restart can help clear out all background apps and refresh iPhone’s memory, which can fix minor glitches that cause the #images could not load results on iPhone issue.

● Force restart iPhone 8 and later with Face ID :

Quickly press and release the Volume Up button > Quickly press and release the Volume Down button > Press and hold the Side/Power button until you see the Apple logo.

● Force restart iPhone 7/7 Plus:

Press and hold the Top button and Volume Down button together > Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears.

● Force restart iPhone 6s, SE and earlier with Home button:

Hold down the Home button and the Top (or Side) button at the same time > Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears.

Tip 3. Update to the Latest Version of iOS

Software updates will bring new features and help fix some bugs. Upgrading your iPhone to the latest version may help solve #images not working problem. Go to Settings > Tap General > Tap Software Update to have a check. If there’s a new version, just tap Download and Install and follow the on-screen prompts to install it.

Tip 4. Re-add #images

1. Open Messages app > Go to any conversion > Tap the (Apps) icon > Swipe left and tap the more (...) option > Tap Edit.

2. Tap the red minus icon next to #images > Tap Remove from Favorites.

3. #images will go to More Apps section > Turn it off > Restart Messages app > Re-add #images.

Tip 5. Check Network Settings

If there’s a connection problem, it will say that the Internet connection appears to be offline and you cannot share images. You may turn off/on Airplane mode to refresh the Internet connection. Besides, you can try to reset network settings to get rid of any Internet connection errors.

Go to Settings > Tap General > Tap Reset (Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset in iOS 15) > Tap Reset Network Settings > Enter your passcode to confirm > Wait for the restart > Enter the Wi-Fi passcode to rejoin the Wi-Fi to see if it resolves the issue.

Tip 6. Change the Region

As we mentioned before, #images is a country-specific feature. You will meet the #images not working on iMessage issue if the region setting is not correct. If you are in the supported country, you can:

1. Go to Settings > Tap General > Tap Language & Region > Tap Regin > Choose a different region where #images is available.

2. Exit Settings > Restart your iPhone.

3. Go to Settings to select your original region.

Tip 7. Reset All Settings

#images not working on iMessage issue may happen due to wrong settings. In this case, you can try to reset all settings to troubleshoot the problem. After the reset, all settings will return to default but no data will be erased.

Go to Settings > Tap General > Tap Reset (Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset in iOS 15) > Tap Reset All Settings > Enter your passcode > Tap Reset All Settings again to confirm.

Tip 8. Use GIPHY

If the above methods cannot help you fix #images not working problem, then you may try another app. #images is the built-in GIF app for iMessage but it’s not the only app for this purpose. You can choose to download another GIF app from App Store to save yourself all the trouble.

GIPHY is such an app. You can use GIPHY in iMessage the same way you used #images: search needed GIFs and send them to others. Go to any conversion in Messages app > Tap the App Store icon > Search for GIPHY and install it.

Bonus Tip: An Easy Way to Backup Messages and More

The messages cover various conversions with others and some of them are quite important to you. You can turn on Messages in iCloud to backup your messages. However, iCloud only offers 5 GB of free storage space, which will be used up soon.

If you want an easy way to backup messages on iPhone, you can rely on FoneTool. It’s one professional iOS data backup tool specially designed for Windows computer.

● You can only backup the important messages instead of all of them, which can help you save the space of your computer.
● You are allowed to restore selected messages to iPhone or any other iPhone or iPad and it will not erase any existing messages.

Besides data backup, it also offers useful tools to help you transfer data, convert HEIC pictures, delete duplicate photos, erase iPhone. Go for it now to discover more!

Conclusion

That’s all about how to fix #images not working on iPhone. You can try to restart Messages app, hard reset iPhone, re-add #images, reset all settings, etc. to troubleshoot the problem. If nothing is working for you, you may use other GIF apps like GIPHY.