Unfortunately, IMS Service Has Stopped Error on Android Fix

Are you getting the Unfortunately, IMS Service Has Stopped error on your Android device when you try to call or text someone? If yes, and if it makes you feel better, you are not alone in this journey. Recently many Android users, especially Samsung users, have reported that they have been getting the ‘Unfortunately, IMS Service Has Stopped’ error frequently. So what is IMS? IMS stands for IP Multimedia Subsystem and it is basically the framework that is responsible for the delivery of multimedia services on your Android device.

Once this issue pops up for the first time, you will get tired of it seeing it every 30 seconds or so, till it is fixed. So, why do you get this error and what are the ways how you can fix it? You can get this error if your device software is outdated or if the applications installed on your device are outdated. You can also get this error if the application data and cache are corrupted for your messaging application. And the ways for fixing this error, that’s what we are here for, with this article today! Read on, to learn how you can quickly and efficiently resolve the issue of Unfortunately, IMS Service Has Stopped in a matter of seconds.

Note: Before trying out the solutions listed here one by one, we would highly recommend that you restart your Android device once, as a simple restart can often resolve many complex issues.

Solution 1: Boot your Android Device in Safe Mode

When you boot your Android device in safe mode, only the very basic applications and services run. Everything else gets disabled. So, if you have any issues with Android, always booting it in safe mode is a good idea to isolate the issue. If the issue doesn’t show up during safe mode, then that means the issue is caused because of an application that you installed recently. In that case, try removing the recently installed applications one by one.

Let’s see how you can boot your Android in Safe mode.

Step 1: Press down the power button to view the power options menu. Long press on the Power off option next.

 

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Step 2: You will now be able to view the Safe mode option. Click on it. Wait for your device to restart and enter safe mode.



 

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Once the device boots back to life, check if you are getting the Unfortunately, IMS Service Has Stopped error anymore. If you’re not getting it, it means that your issue is caused because of a recent application that you installed. In that case, try uninstalling the recently installed applications one by one and check if that resolves your issue.

Solution 2: Download and Install Pending Software Updates

Another reason why you could be getting the Unfortunately, IMS Service Has Stopped error is because your device is missing some important software updates. Let’s update your Android to the latest version available, by following the steps below.

Step 1: Launch the Settings application.

 

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Step 2: Click on the Software update option.

 

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Step 3: On the Software update screen, click on the Download and install option.

 

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Step 4: As next, click on the Download button at the bottom of the screen. Once the updates are downloaded, you will be prompted to restart your device to install the downloaded updates. Go ahead with the restart and check if your issue is resolved or not, once the device boots back.

Note: If there are no pending updates to be downloaded and installed, then the Download button will not be available for you.

 

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Solution 3: Clear off App Data and Cache of Message Application

The native Message application in your Android device is linked with the Unfortunately, IMS Service Has Stopped error. So, clearing off the application data and cache of the Message application can sometimes readily fix the issue.

Step 1: Once again, launch the Settings application.

 

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Step 2: From the Settings options, click on the Apps option.

 

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Step 3: From the list of applications available, click on the Messages app.

 

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Step 4: As next, click on the Storage option.

 

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Step 5: Finally, at the bottom of the screen, hit the Clear data and Clear cache buttons to clear off the Messages application data and cache. That’s it. Check if your issue is resolved or not.

 

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Solution 4: Update all the Installed Applications

Sometimes the issue can be caused because some of the applications installed on your Android device are outdated. So, if you update all the applications installed, through Play Store, then that might resolve your issue.

Step 1: Launch the Play Store application from the applications drawer.

 

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Step 2: On the Play Store application home screen, at the top right corner of the screen, click on your Profile icon.

 

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Step 3: Click on the Manage apps & device option next.

 

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Step 4: On the Manage apps & device screen, make sure you are at the Overview tab first. Then under the section Updates available, click on the See details link.

 

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Step 5: You will now be taken to the Pending downloads screen. Here, you can update all the applications all at once using the Update all button or you can update each application by clicking on the Update button associated with it.

 

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When you are all done, check if you are still getting the Unfortunately, IMS Service Has Stopped error.

Solution 5: Factory Reset your Android Device

If none of the above methods worked for you, you can now try factory resetting your Android device as a last resort. But remember, your phone will be wiped completely clean and it will be just like on its first day, without any data on it. So, always take a backup of your data before you proceed with the factory reset operation.

Step 1: From the applications drawer, click on the Settings icon.



 

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Step 2: Click on the General management option from the Settings screen.

 

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Step 3: As next, on the General Management screen, click on the Reset option.

 

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Step 4: Finally, click the Factory data reset operation. Confirm the operation when the confirmation window pops up.

Once the device boots back to life after the reset, which will take some time, check if the Unfortunately, IMS Service Has Stopped issue is resolved or not.

 

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We are all ears to hear all about which method did the trick for you!

Also, do come back for more and more amazing technical tips, tricks, how-tos, hacks, and solutions.