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IMS Registration Status Not Registered? (EASY Fix!)

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Writer, Android

Chizara is a technical writer who loves learning new things and sharing her knowledge with people in simple, clear terms. As part of her coursework, she is learning about Extended Reality and the Metaverse. She currently serves as a writer at Gotechtor covering all things Android.

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Are you unable to make calls or send text messages because your IMS Registration status is “Not Registered“?

You’re not alone. This common issue affects many Android users across various carrier networks, which can be frustrating.

In this article, you will learn what the IMS Registration status is and how to check your IMS registration status. We will also walk you through how to fix the IMS registration problem.

First, let us discuss what the IMS registration status is.

What Is the IMS Registration Status?

IMS stands for IP Multimedia Subsystem. IP means Internet Protocol. The IMS service comes pre-installed on your Android device and helps it connect to and communicate with your service provider.

IMS registration not registered
IMS Registration Status: Not Registered. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor

It allows phone calls, text messages, and multimedia messages to be carried through the correct IP network system. It automatically connects its service to your service provider.

The IMS registration status indicates whether your Voice Over LTE (VoLTE) service is active or not. When the status is “not registered,” you will be unable to make or receive calls or even send text messages.

How to Check Your IMS Registration Status

Checking your IMS registration status is really easy. Follow these steps to do so:

  • Open the Settings app.
  • Go to About Phone.
  • Click on the All Specs tab.
  • Tap multiple times on Internal Storage until it opens the Settings or Testing page.
  • Choose the SIM you want to check. It will be named Phone Information 1 or 2.
  • When the Phone Info page opens, click on More options. It should be a three-dot menu at the bottom of the screen.
  • Select the IMS Status tab.

You can now view your IMS registration status.

Why Is Your IMS Registration Status “Not Registered”?

IMS Registration may indicate “Not Registered” for a variety of reasons, such as a damaged or missing SIM card, corrupt radio firmware, or outdated OS. However, the primary is often a non-provisioned SIM card.

On some occasions, the following can also cause the IMS Registration status “Not Registered”:

How Do I Fix IMS Registration Not Registered?

If your phone says IMS registration is “not registered, open the phone app and dial ##72786#. Select Yes on the SCRTN menu. It’ll perform an SCRTN reset. This resets your network and sends your device’s new information to the carrier network.

1. Toggle Airplane Mode On and Off

It is always a good idea to toggle Airplane Mode (or Flight Mode) on and off when facing network-related issues. It helps to reset your phone’s connection.

To reset Airplane Mode, swipe down from the top of your screen to show the menu. Click on the airplane icon to turn it off/on. Turn it on, wait for about a minute, and then turn it off.

Airplane mode button
Toggle Airplane (Flight) Mode On and Off. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor

Check to see if your IMS registration status is now registered. If it isn’t, please try the fixes below.

2. Restart Your Android Device

Sometimes, this error might come from a system glitch. Restarting your phone will clear the RAM and all processes running on the phone. This gives your device a fresh start and can help to clear bugs.

To restart your Android Device, please follow these steps:

  • Long-press the ON/OFF button on the side of your device until you get a prompt like the one below.
Restart your device to clear RAM
Restart Your Device. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor

Note: The interface you get may differ from the image above if you have a different Android brand. The buttons will still be the same.

3. Reinsert Your SIM Card

Taking out your SIM card and placing it in the tray properly can help change your IMS registration status to “registered.”

If your SIM card isn’t sitting properly in the tray, it will not work effectively, and sometimes, it will not even show on your device.

To remove and insert your SIM card, you must remove the SIM tray with the SIM ejector tool (a pin-like object). Push the pin gently into the hole beside the SIM tray to release.

Take out your SIM card and check for damages to the card. If there are none, put the SIM card and tray back in properly.

Now, restart your phone and check the IMS registration status.

4. Update Your Operating System

Having an out-of-date Android version poses problems for your phone and its apps. Updating your OS regularly allows your Android device to work optimally. Updating your software is completely free.

To update your Operating System, follow these steps:

  • Go to Settings and select Software Update.
Software Update tab in settings of Samsung
Click on Software Update. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • If there is an update available, click on Download and Install.
Click on Download and Install
Download Software Updates. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • Click on Download to start the software update.
download Android system updates button
Click Download. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor

Wait for the OS to install. After updating and installing, IMS should now be registered.

5. Activate the Radio and Turn On IMS over SMS

To register your IMS, you will need to enter the device information mode, activate the radio, and turn on IMS over SMS.

Follow the steps below to do so:

  • Open the Phone app and go to the dial pad.
  • Type *#*#4636#*#*
  • Go into Service Mode.
  • Select Device Information.
  • Click on Run Ping Test.
  • When the test finishes, click on the Turn Radio Off button.
  • Now, click on Turn SMS over IMS.
  • Restart your device.

6. Manually Select Your Mobile Carrier

Your Android device is programmed to select a network operator for you by default automatically. Changing your network operator manually can help you register your IMS.

To change your network operator, follow these steps:

  • Open the Settings app.
  • Click on the SIM cards and Mobile Networks tab.
select SIM card from SIM card and mobile networks on Android
SIM Cards and Mobile Networks. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • If your phone is a dual SIM device, select the SIM you use to connect to the internet.
Select the SIM card you want to use
Choose A SIM Card. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • Click on Mobile Networks.
mobile network in sim card settings
Mobile Networks. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • Turn off the Automatically Select Network button and confirm the action in the dialogue boxes.
disable automatically select network
Turn Off Automatically Select Network. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • Select the Network of your choice.
Select the network of your choice
Select a Network. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor

Your phone will now connect with the carrier. Check to see if IMS is still not registered on your phone.

7. Change Your Preferred Network Type

Sometimes, your phone’s network settings might be incompatible with the SIM you are using. If your network type is set to 4G or 5G, you will need to change your preferred network type to 3G or 2G so that it can register your IMS.

Follow these steps to change your preferred network mode:

  • Open Settings.
  • Click on SIM cards and Mobile Networks.
SIM cards and mobile networks
SIM Cards and Mobile Networks. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • If your phone is a dual SIM device, select the SIM you use to connect to the internet.
Select the SIM card you want to use
Choose A SIM Card. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • Click on Preferred Network Type.
Preferred network type mobile network settings
Preferred Network Type. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • Change it to 3G.
Prefer 3G for network type selection
Prefer 3G for network type. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor

Now, check your IMS registration status. If it still says “Not Registered,” change the network type to 2G.

8. Reset Your APN Settings

APN stands for Access Point Names. Simply put, they connect your device to your mobile network and the internet. Sometimes, these APN settings might not be set up correctly. You have to reset them to their default settings.

To reset your APN settings, follow these steps:

  • Open Settings.
  • Click on SIM cards and Mobile Networks.
  • If your phone is a dual SIM device, select the SIM you use to connect to the internet.
Select the SIM card you want to use
Choose a SIM Card. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • Click on Access Point Names.
Access point names SIM card settings
Access Point Names. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • Click on the Reset button to return the APN settings to default.
Reset APN Settings
Reset APN Settings. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • Restart your phone and check your IMS registration status.

9. Reset Network Settings

If the network connectivity is corrupt, it might cause the IMS registration status to read “not registered.” You will have to reset your network to fix it. This is usually a last resort when dealing with network-related issues.

Resetting your network does not clear your data. It only resets your wifi, Bluetooth, and internet settings to their default mode.

Follow these steps to reset your network settings:

  • Go to Settings and click on General Management.
General Management in Android settings
General Management in Android Settings. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • Click on the Reset panel.
Reset panel in general management settings
Reset Panel in General Management. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • Select Reset Network Settings.
Reset network settings
Reset Network Settings. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor
  • Click on the Reset Settings button to completely reset your device’s network settings.
Reset settings button to reset network settings
Reset settings button to reset network settings. Screenshot: Chizara Ibeakanma/Gotechtor

This will register your IMS as it will reset all the settings. Restart your phone and check.

10. Try Another SIM Card

If all fails, you can use another SIM Card to test if the issue comes from your Android device or your SIM card.

Insert another SIM card into your tray and try to use your phone. If your IMS registration status says registered, your SIM card is the problem and will need to be replaced.

11. Contact Your Mobile Network Provider

If you still cannot fix the IMS registration issue, contact your mobile network provider. They will be able to give you advice on what to do to register your IMS if the issue is from their end.

Final Thoughts on Fixing “IMS Registration Not Registered”

The IMS registration not registered problem occurs when your Android device cannot register on the network. A damaged SIM card or corrupt firmware usually causes it.

Hopefully, one of our fixes will be able to register your IMS.

  • Toggle Airplane Mode On and Off.
  • Restart your device.
  • Reinsert your SIM card
  • Update your operating system.
  • Activate the radio and turn on IMS over SMS.
  • Manually select your mobile carrier.
  • Change your preferred network type.
  • Reset your phone’s APN settings.
  • Reset your phone’s network settings.
  • Try another SIM card.
  • Contact your mobile network provider.

If you have any other ideas or suggestions, don’t hesitate to suggest them in the comment section below.

Writer, Android

Chizara is a technical writer who loves learning new things and sharing her knowledge with people in simple, clear terms. As part of her coursework, she is learning about Extended Reality and the Metaverse. She currently serves as a writer at Gotechtor covering all things Android.

Chizara Ibeakanma

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