#images Not Showing in iMessage? 9 Fixes for iPhone

After updating to iOS 27, I can’t find #images in iMessage anymore. Sometimes the #images button is missing, and sometimes it says #images could not load results. GIFs are not showing in Messages, even though my network seems fine. How can I fix this?

If #images is not showing in iMessage, missing from the Messages app, or GIFs are not loading on your iPhone, you are not alone. Many users run into this issue after an iOS update, region change, Messages app glitch, or network problem.

#images is Apple’s built-in GIF search feature in the Messages app. It lets you find trending GIFs, add them to your iMessage conversations, and save GIFs you receive from others. However, #images only works in Messages and is not available in all countries or regions. That is why you may see problems like #images not working on iPhone, #images missing from iMessage, GIFs not showing in iMessage, or #images could not load results.

Also Read: Fix iPhone Messages Keep Indexing and Attachments Not Showing up >

Why Is #images Not Showing in iMessage?

When #images is not showing in iMessage, the problem is usually related to one of these causes:

• #images is not available in your country or region. Apple only supports #images in selected regions.
• The #images app is hidden from the iMessage app drawer. It may still be available but not added to your visible Messages apps.
• The Messages app is temporarily stuck. After an iOS update, Messages may fail to load #images properly.
• Your network is unstable. #images needs an internet connection to search and load GIF results.
• Language & Region settings are incorrect. If your iPhone is set to an unsupported region, #images may disappear.
• iOS has a temporary system glitch. This is more likely if #images stopped working right after updating to iOS 27.

If your #images button is missing, GIFs are not showing in iMessage, or #images could not load results, try the fixes below one by one.

Quick Check: Which #images Problem Do You Have?

How to Fix #images Not Showing in iMessage on iPhone

Fix 1: Check Whether #images Is Available in Your Region

The first thing to check is whether #images is supported in your country or region. According to Apple, #images is available in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, India, Singapore, Philippines, and Japan.

If you are outside these supported regions, #images may not appear in the Messages app. In that case, your iPhone may not be broken. The feature is simply unavailable in your current region.

If your region is supported but #images is still missing from iMessage, continue with the next fixes.

Fix 2: Re-add #images to the iMessage App Drawer

If #images is missing from iMessage, it may be hidden from the iMessage app drawer. You can check and re-add it manually.

• Open the Messages app on your iPhone.
• Open an existing conversation or start a new message.
• Tap the + button or the app drawer icon beside the text field.
• Look for #images in the app list.
• If you can find it, add it back to your favorite iMessage apps.

After re-adding it, search for a GIF again to see whether #images can load results normally.

Fix 3: Restart the Messages App

If your Messages or iMessage is not working properly, #images may also stop loading. Force quitting and reopening the Messages app can refresh the app and fix temporary glitches.

• On iPhone with Face ID: swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle.
• On iPhone with a Home button: double press the Home button.
• Find Messages and swipe it up to close it.
• Open Messages again and check whether #images works.

If #images still says “could not load results,” restart your iPhone as well and test again.

Fix 4: Check Wi-Fi and Cellular Data

#images needs an internet connection to search and load GIFs. If the network is weak or restricted, you may see #images no results, GIFs not loading, or #images could not load results.

Try these checks:

• Switch from Wi-Fi to cellular data, or from cellular data to Wi-Fi.
• Turn Airplane Mode on for 10 seconds, then turn it off.
• Restart your router if Wi-Fi is unstable.
• Go to Settings > Cellular and make sure Messages can use cellular data.
• If you use VPN, turn it off temporarily and test #images again.

After reconnecting to the internet, open Messages and search for a simple GIF keyword such as “happy” or “birthday.”

Fix 5: Check Language & Region Settings

If #images is not showing in iMessage even though you are in a supported country, your iPhone Language & Region settings may be incorrect.

Go to Settings > General > Language & Region. Make sure your region is set to a country where #images is available. For example, if you are in the United States, set Region to United States.

After changing the region, restart Messages or restart your iPhone, then check whether #images appears again.

Fix 6: Update to the Latest iOS 27 Version

If #images stopped working after an iOS update, the issue may be caused by a temporary iOS bug. Apple often releases follow-up updates to fix bugs after a major iOS version.

Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install the latest available iOS 27 version. After updating, restart your iPhone and check whether #images GIFs can load in Messages.

This is especially useful when you have other Messages issues at the same time, such as iMessage not sending, attachments not showing, or Messages search not working.

Fix 7: Use GIPHY If GIFs Are Not Working in iMessage

If #images is still not loading results, you can use GIPHY as a temporary alternative. GIPHY allows you to search for GIFs and send them in Messages, which can help when Apple’s #images feature is unavailable or unstable.

You can download GIPHY from the App Store, add it to your iMessage app drawer, and use it to search for the same type of GIF content. This does not fix the Apple #images app itself, but it gives you a practical workaround when GIFs are not working in iMessage.

How to find and send GIFs with #images:

• Open Messages and choose a conversation.
• Tap the + button or app drawer icon.
• Tap #images.
• Tap Find images and enter a keyword to search for a GIF.
• Tap the GIF you want to add, then tap the Send button.

Fix 8: Reset All Settings

If #images is still not working on iPhone, you can try resetting all settings. This will not delete your photos, messages, apps, or personal files. However, it will reset system settings such as Wi-Fi, network, privacy, keyboard, and notification preferences.

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings. After the reset, reconnect to Wi-Fi, open Messages, and check whether #images can load results.

Further Reading: How to Fix iPhone Not Sending Pictures >

Fix 9: Repair iOS System Issues with AnyFix

If #images is not showing in iMessage after updating to iOS 27, and your iPhone also has other problems such as Messages crashing, iPhone stuck on Apple logo, black screen, boot loop, update failure, or app freezing, the problem may be related to a deeper iOS system glitch.

In this case, you can try AnyFix – iOS System Recovery. It is designed to help fix 150+ iOS/iPadOS/tvOS system issues, including common iOS update problems, screen stuck issues, recovery mode problems, and other software errors.

You can get the latest version of AnyFix and use System Repair to fix possible iOS system issues.

Step 1: Launch AnyFix on your computer and connect your iPhone. Choose System Repair from the main interface.

Step 2: Select the related iPhone problem category and follow the on-screen instructions to repair your iOS system.

Note: If only #images is missing from iMessage, try the basic settings and region fixes first. AnyFix is more suitable when the issue appears after an iOS update and comes with other iOS system problems.

Last Resort: Factory Reset Your iPhone

Factory reset should be your last option because it will erase all content and settings on your iPhone. If none of the above methods work and #images is still not working on iPhone, you can consider factory resetting the device after backing up important data.

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings, then follow the on-screen instructions to erase your iPhone.

FAQ About #images Not Working in iMessage

1. Why is #images not showing in iMessage?

#images may not show in iMessage if the feature is not available in your region, the #images app is hidden from the iMessage app drawer, your Language & Region settings are incorrect, or the Messages app has a temporary glitch.

2. Why is #images missing from iMessage?

If #images is missing from iMessage, open a conversation, tap the + button or app drawer icon, and check whether #images is available in the app list. If it is available, add it back to your iMessage apps.

3. Why does #images say could not load results?

#images could not load results usually means your network connection is unstable, the Messages app is stuck, VPN is interfering with the connection, or Apple’s #images service is temporarily unavailable.

4. Why are GIFs not working in iMessage?

GIFs may not work in iMessage because of poor Wi-Fi or cellular data, outdated iOS, incorrect region settings, Messages app bugs, or a temporary issue with #images.

5. Is #images available in all countries?

No. #images is only available in selected countries and regions, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, India, Singapore, Philippines, and Japan.

6. Can I use another GIF app if #images is not working?

Yes. You can use GIPHY or another GIF app as an alternative when #images is missing, not loading, or not showing results in iMessage.

The Bottom Line

If #images is not showing in iMessage, start by checking whether #images is available in your region, then re-add #images to the iMessage app drawer, restart Messages, check your network, update iOS 27, and reset settings if needed. These methods can fix most problems, including #images missing from iMessage, GIFs not showing in iMessage, and #images could not load results.

If the issue started after an iOS update and your iPhone also has system problems like app crashing, boot loop, black screen, or update failure, you can try AnyFix – iOS System Recovery to repair possible iOS system glitches.