Nothing is more annoying than your iPhone messages shows unread messages but there are none. This common issue, often called ghost messages, can clutter your notification center and make you think you've missed something important. Many users in the Apple Community have reported this problem, but luckily, it's usually easy to fix. In this guide, we'll walk you through eleven proven ways to clear ghost messages and get iMessage working normally again.

• Part 1. Why Is My iPhone Showing Unread Messages?
• Part 2. How to Find Unread Text Messages on iPhone
• Part 3. How to Clear Ghost Text Messages on iPhone
  • Method 1. Force Reboot iPhone
  • Method 2. Try Siri or AI Assistance
  • Method 3. Restart the Message App
  • Method 4. Recover and Delete Messages
  • Method 5. Re-enable the Notifications
  • Method 6. Toggle Off and On iMessage
  • Method 7. Update to Latest iOS Version
  • Method 8. Reset All Settings on iPhone
  • Method 9. Reset iPhone to Factory Settings
  • Method 10. Contact Apple Support for Help
• Part 4. How to Get Rid of Unread Messages on iPhone
• Part 5. Conclusion

---

Part 1. Why Is My iPhone Showing Unread Messages?

Normally, when you receive a message and haven't read it, a red dot appears on the Messages app, reminding you of unread messages. However, if you open the app and find no new messages, you might be dealing with a ghost message issue. Deleting a message without reading it is the main cause. Besides this, several other factors can also cause the problem. But no matter the reason, we've got effective solutions for you.

• Poor or unstable internet connection delaying message updates.
• Server delays causing message status to not refresh properly.
• Full device storage preventing message sync and updates.
• iOS bugs or system glitches triggering false unread badges.

---

Part 2. How to Find Unread Text Messages on iPhone

If you've been using multiple devices or accounts to access your messages, you might overlook some messages. Additionally, messages from unknown senders or older conversations can sometimes go unnoticed. Here's how to find unread messages on iPhone quickly.

Step 1. Unlock your iPhone and press the Settings icon.

Step 2. Continue to tap Apps, then touch the Messages section.

Step 3. Scroll down to find and enable Filter Unknown Senders.

Step 4. Head to the iMessage app on your iPhone.

Step 5. Press on Filter on the top left edge of the app.

Step 6. Then touch the Unread Messages section to check all unread messages.

---

Part 3. How to Clear Ghost Text Messages on iPhone

If you still can't find unread messages after trying the previous steps, but the notification remains, it may be due to an iOS system or server issue on your iPhone. To help, we've gathered ten proven methods to clear the ghost messages on your iPhone screen.

Method 1. Force Reboot iPhone

A common solution for iPhone ghost message issues is performing a force reboot. This resets temporary system processes and clears out minor glitches that might be causing unread message notifications to linger. It essentially refreshes the device's memory and can help resolve issues related to the notification system.

Method 2. Try Siri or AI Assistance

To use Siri or AI to read all unread or ghost text messages on your iPhone, activate Siri by saying "Hey Siri" or holding the Side button, then say, "Read my unread messages." Siri, powered by Apple's AI, will read any unread texts, including those causing ghost notifications. You can also reply to or delete messages through Siri or AI-based apps that manage messages.

Method 3. Restart the Message App

Sometimes, the simplest solution is the most effective. Restarting the Message app can refresh the system and clear out minor bugs that could be causing the unread message alert. Closing the app and reopening it can often help the iPhone properly sync the messages and reset any lingering notification issues.

Step 1. Enter the background running platform on your iPhone.

Step 2. Select the message interface and swipe up to force quit this app.

Step 3. Back to the home screen to see if the unread notification disappeared.

Method 4. Recover and Delete Messages

Another way to fix the number of unread messages not showing on iPhone is by recovering and checking all the deleted unread messages. Be sure to enable the Filter Unknown Senders feature first, as shown in the previous part. Once it's on, ghost messages should no longer appear on your iPhone.

Step 1. Head to the Messages app on your screen.

Step 2. Tap Filters in the top-left edge, then pick Recently Deleted.

Step 3. Go back to select the edit icon to read all messages.

Method 5. Re-enable the Notifications

Disabling and then re-enabling message notifications can help reset the notification system on your iPhone. Sometimes, the notification settings might become misconfigured, causing persistent unread message alerts. Turning the notifications off and on can refresh the system and clear out any erroneous notifications without affecting your message history.

Step 1. Go to Settings. Then tap on Notifications to find and select the message app.

Step 2. On the top of the screen, toggle off and on the Allow Notifications switch.

Method 6. Toggle Off and On iMessage

If the issue is specifically tied to iMessage, toggling it off and then back on can be a helpful troubleshooting step. This refreshes the connection between your device and the iMessage server, and it can resolve syncing issues that might be causing ghost message alerts. Here's how to establish the iMessage connection again on your iPhone.

Step 1. Run Settings. Enter Apps and choose the iMessage app.

Step 2. Under the iMessage screen, disable and enable the iMessage button.

Method 7. Update to Latest iOS Version

Ghost messages are a known bug on iOS 17. Keeping your device updated to the latest software versions, like iOS 18 or iOS 26, helps ensure that ghost text message issues are patched. Software updates frequently address known issues that can affect iMessage and notification functions.

Step 1. Fire up Settings. Then switch to General and Software Update.

Step 2. Tap Update now to install a new iOS version if available.

Step 3. Next, enter your screen passcode to install the latest iOS version.

Method 8. Reset All Settings on iPhone

If the ghost message problem persists, you can consider resetting all settings on your iPhone. This method will return the settings to their default state, clearing out any misconfigurations or issues that could be causing the unread message problem. While this will erase all your settings on the iPhone, it can help restore the message app's functionality.

Step 1. Enter Settings > General, and then hit Transfer and Reset iPhone.

Step 2. Continue to choose the Reset section and select Reset All Settings.

Method 9. Reset iPhone to Factory Settings

A factory reset is the most comprehensive solution for persistent issues, including ghost messages. This process wipes all data from your iPhone and restores it to its original factory state. While it's an extreme measure, it guarantees the removal of any software problems or bugs that could be causing the issue, ensuring a fresh start.

Step 1. Switch to Settings and tap General. Press Reset All Content and Settings.

Step 2. Then you should touch Continue and tap Erase iPhone to confirm.

Method 10. Contact Apple Support for Help

Except for those above methods, the last resort is to contact Apple Support. Apple technicians can diagnose more complex problems that may be causing unread message errors. They have specialized tools and knowledge to address issues that go beyond basic troubleshooting and provide solutions.

---

Part 4. How to Get Rid of Unread Messages on iPhone

If the iPhone unread messages won't go away even after troubleshooting, one of the most effective solutions is to repair any underlying iOS system bugs. These issues can arise from various sources, such as software conflicts, corruption, or even the presence of outdated files. Over time, such glitches can cause features like notifications and messaging to malfunction, leading to ghost messages that don't disappear.

Repairing these system-level problems can help restore your iPhone's overall stability and ensure that all functions, including the messaging app, work as intended. MagFone iOS System Recovery offers a reliable, data-safe solution to tackle these problems, allowing you to fix ghost messages without data loss on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. This tool helps to refresh your system and return your device to optimal functioning. Here's how to.

Step 1Install MagFone and Link Your iPhone

The first thing you should do is install MagFone iOS System Recovery on your computer. Once installed, open this program and take a USB cable to link your iPhone to that computer. Next, click the iOS System Repair part.

Step 2Pick Standard Repair to Save Your Data

On the second page, pick the Standard Repair section. Ensure that your iPhone is properly detected by the software. Before fixing the ghost message issue on your device, follow the instructions to get into recovery mode.

Step 3Get the Correct iPhone Firmware Package

After your device is detected entering the recovery mode, the software will display your iPhone's details. Double-check the device information and select the appropriate iOS version. Then, click the Download button to obtain the firmware package.

Step 4Begin Fixing the iPhone Ghost Messages

After all that, click on the Start Standard Repair key to begin the process. The software will fix any system-level bugs causing the ghost messages. Once the repair is complete, the notifications in the messaging app should return to normal.

---

Part 5. Conclusion

iPhone ghost messages can occur due to a range of issues, from minor software glitches to more complex system-level problems. To address the issue, users can try basic troubleshooting steps, or they may need to resort to more advanced solutions. If these methods don't resolve the problem, tools like MagFone iOS System Recovery can offer a quick and effective fix to eliminate ghost message notifications.