An interesting point worth noting about Samsung phones is that they don’t only run on Android. Samsung phones have their own UI which sits atop the Android OS to run the default apps like Messaging, Browser, Settings, Clock, Calculator, etc. This uses the IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) which is basically a core network technology that powers VoIP, Push-To-Talk, Push-To-View, and other multimedia services. There can be multiple reasons for IMS service to stop working and the good news is that there are multiple fixes as well. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the causes of ‘IMS services has stopped’ error.
What causes the ‘IMS Service Has Stopped’ error?
The ‘IMS service has stopped’ error is quite common among Samsung users. But what exactly is the reason behind this error? Let’s find out.
Outdated app
The most common reason for the IMS service error is the use of an outdated app. So if you’ve been using an outdated application, consider updating it to the latest version.
Outdated Android version
Another possibility is that the Android version or manufacturer UI is experiencing a bug which is only fixed in the update. So if you’re using an outdated OS or system UI, you might get this error.
Corrupted cache
Cache temporarily stores all the application data for quick data loading. Over time, the cache gets corrupted, which further causes issues with default Android apps like Messaging. And this can lead to the IMS service error.
Messaging configuration
Yet another reason for IMS service error could be the configuration files, embedded by the network providers over messaging applications. These configuration settings might interfere with the default messaging application, which further causes the ‘IMS service has stopped’ error.
Third-party messaging apps
If you’re using a third-party messaging application like Google Messages, it may cause a malfunction of the default messaging app by running over it. When you use a third-party app, you’re basically disabling the default app and devoiding it of permissions to function properly, which results in IMS service error. Now that we know the common causes of the ‘IMS service has stopped error,’ let’s dive right into the solutions to fix it.
Ways to fix the ‘IMS Service Has Stopped’ error
Method 1: Check for app updates
More often than not, the IMS service error occurs due to an outdated messaging app. To fix the error, follow these steps:
Step 1:
On your Android phone, open the Google Play Store
Step 2:
Tap your Google account profile picture on the top right corner
Step 3:
Select Manage apps and device
Step 4:
Now, tap Updates available
Step 5:
In the list of available updates, look for the default messaging application and tap Update if it is available Check if the issue persists after updating the app.
Method 2: Check for software updates
A bug in the Android OS or manufacturer’s UI could potentially cause the IMS error. In such cases, updating the Android version on your phone is the way to go. Here’s how to do it.
Step 1:
Open Settings on your Android phone
Step 2:
Scroll down to the bottom and tap About phone
Step 3:
Tap Software updates and then hit Check for updates
Step 4:
If the update is available, select Download now
Step 5:
Once the update is completed, confirm the installation by tapping ‘Yes’ Wait for the installation to complete and check if the error is resolved.
Method 3: Delete cache
Corrupted cache oftentimes causes issues with the default Android apps, especially the messaging app. But there’s a way to delete the cache on your Android phone. Follow the below steps with caution as a minor error from your side could brick your phone. Note: Bricking a device means the device is as useful as a brick, it won’t turn on and if it does, it won’t function properly.
Step 1:
Long press the power button and Switch off your Android
Step 2:
Now, hold the Home button and Volume UP button simultaneously, followed by pressing and holding the Power key
Step 3:
Release the Power key when the manufacturer logo appears
Step 4:
Release all the keys when the Android logo appears on the screen The screen will show ‘Installing system update’ for a while until you see the Android recovery options.
Step 5:
Using the volume down key, navigate to the ‘Wipe cache partition’ option in the recovery options
Step 6:
Once Wipe cache partition is highlighted, press the Power key to confirm and wait until the device clears the cache partition
Step 7:
In the next window, navigate down to the Reboot system now option using volume down key
Step 8:
Confirm reboot using the power key When the phone switches on, launch the default messaging app and check if the IMS error is resolved.
Method 4: Change message configuration
Your network provider’s configuration settings might be interfering with the default messaging app, thus preventing it from working as intended. Disabling the network settings might just do the trick for you. Follow the below steps to change messaging configuration for different carriers.
Step 1:
Open the default messaging application on your Android phone
Step 2:
Tap the menu icon on the top right corner
Step 3:
Select Backup & sync
Step 4:
Now, tap ‘Disable the sync’ option
Step 5:
Restart the device and launch the app again If the issue persists, check if the ‘Sync automatically’ got enabled. If yes, skip restart and launch the app after disabling sync. Chances are the IMS error will be resolved.
Method 5: Try safe mode
Safe mode is yet another simple but effective solution to fix the ‘IMS service has stopped’ error. Why does this method work? Well, Safe mode disables all the third-party Android apps and only allows the default apps to run. It prevents other apps from interfering with the default messaging app and fixes the IMS error issue. Here’s how to launch safe mode.
Step 1:
Long press the Power key and switch off the phone
Step 2:
Now, switch on the phone and wait until the manufacturer logo appears
Step 3:
Press and hold the Volume down button when the manufacturer logo shows up
Step 4:
Look for Safe mode on the bottom left corner of the screen after launching the safe mode and relaunch the app This should solve your problem. If the above solutions don’t work for you, try this last resort.
Method 6: Try a different messaging app
If all the above methods fail to resolve the IMS service error on your Android phone, you might want to consider a third-party application to get rid of IMS service error once and for all. Google Messages is one of the most notable third-party messaging apps for Android phones. It uses the Rich Communication Services (RCS) technology in place of the conventional SMS messaging.
Summing up!
The goods news is that the ‘IMS service has stopped’ error has workarounds. There could be multiple reasons for the error, like interference of the system UI with the Android version, corrupted cache, outdated app and software, and message configuration settings. Luckily, there’s a fix for each. Updating the messaging app and Android version, launching safe mode, changing message configuration settings, and deleting cache are some of the quick fixes you can try. These should solve the IMS error issue, but if not, give a third-party messaging application a shot. I hope I brought some value to your Android usage. Were you able to successfully resolve the ‘IMS service has stopped’ error on your Android device? Let me know in the comments section below. Until next time, take care and stay safe! Cheers! Featured image: Photo by Roman Pohorecki from Pexels
