Having your messages show only one tick can be frustrating. You sent the message and it was delivered, but you don’t have the visual confirmation that the recipient has read it. There are a few reasons why this happens.
What Do the Ticks Mean?
On platforms like WhatsApp, the ticks signify the status of your message:
- One gray tick – Message sent
- Two gray ticks – Message delivered to the recipient’s device
- Two blue ticks – The recipient has read your message
So if you only see one gray tick, it means your message successfully left your device, but has not yet reached the recipient’s device. If you see two gray ticks, the message was delivered to their device, but they have not opened and read it.
Why Am I Only Seeing One Tick?
There are several potential reasons you may only be seeing one tick on your sent messages:
1. Recipient Has Read Receipts Turned Off
The most common reason for not getting two blue ticks is that the recipient has disabled read receipts in their app settings. This prevents the sender from seeing when their messages have been read.
Read receipts are turned on by default, but many users disable them for privacy reasons or to avoid feeling obligated to respond immediately. You can check with the recipient to see if they’ve disabled read receipts.
2. Recipient’s Phone Is Offline
For your message to move past one tick to two, the recipient’s phone needs to be connected to the internet. If their phone is in airplane mode, offline, or without a cellular or WiFi signal, your message will remain stuck on one tick.
Once their device reconnects, the message will be delivered and the ticks will update.
3. Messaging App Is Closed
Most messaging apps require the app to be open and running in the background to receive messages. If the recipient has force quit or swiped away the app, new messages won’t come through until they reopen it.
This is especially common if the recipient is using a phone with limited storage or memory. To save resources, inactive apps may be automatically suspended or closed.
4. Temporary Connection Issue
Spotty internet connections can also prevent messages from sending fully. Even though your message left your phone, a weak signal or brief loss of connection can interrupt the delivery process before it reaches the recipient.
Switching between WiFi and cellular data mid-send can also cause issues. Once the device regains a stable connection, delivery should be completed.
5. Recipient’s Phone Is Off
Of course, if the recipient’s phone is fully turned off or powered down, your message won’t be able to reach their device at all. One gray tick means it left your phone, but can’t complete the trip to an inactive device.
6. You’ve Been Blocked
If you suspect you may have been blocked by the recipient, that would explain why your messages remain perpetually stuck on one tick. Blocking prevents all content from coming through, including read receipts.
Try sending a message from another device or have someone else text the recipient to see if your messages are going through. If all else fails, try calling – a blocked call will go straight to voicemail.
How Long Should I Wait Before Following Up?
Don’t panic if your message gets stuck on one tick for a little while. Here are some guidelines on when you may want to follow up:
| Situation | When to Follow Up |
|---|---|
| Recipient typically responds quickly | Within a few hours if no response |
| Recipient has slow or sporadic response times | 1-2 days with no reply |
| Your message requires time-sensitive response (e.g. RSVP, urgent info) | Within 24 hours |
| Message sent during typical sleeping hours | Allow a full day before following up |
Use your best judgment based on your relationship with the recipient and the nature of the message. Following up once is usually okay, but avoid pestering someone who may just be busy or adjusting their notification settings.
How to Troubleshoot One Tick Messages
If your messages continue to get stuck on one tick, here are some troubleshooting steps you can take:
Check Your Internet Connection
Make sure your device has a strong WiFi or cellular data connection when you attempt to resend messages. Switch between WiFi and cellular if needed.
Restart Your Phone
Restart your phone to clear any glitches with mobile networks or the messaging app itself. Close all apps before restarting for best results.
Update Your Messaging App
Your messaging app may have a bug that needs patching. Go to your app store and ensure you have the latest version installed.
Reset Network Settings
Resetting the network settings on your device essentially refreshes your connection. Here’s how to do it on common phones:
iPhone
- Go to Settings > General > Reset
- Tap Reset Network Settings
- Enter your passcode if prompted
- Confirm the reset when prompted
Android
- Go to Settings > System > Reset Options
- Tap Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile & Bluetooth
- Confirm the reset when prompted
Disable Battery Saver Mode
Some battery saver modes selectively turn off apps, WiFi, and mobile data to conserve power. Make sure these are disabled so your messaging app can function normally.
Delete and Reinstall the App
As a last resort, uninstall the messaging app and redownload it from the app store. You may need to log back into the app and resync your data and contacts.
When to Contact Support
If you’ve exhausted all self-troubleshooting options and your messages consistently get stuck on one tick, it may be time to contact support:
- WhatsApp – Contact WhatsApp support through the app or Twitter
- Messenger – Contact Meta Messenger support
- iMessage – Contact Apple Support
- Other apps – Check the app’s help section or website
Support may be able to diagnose issues server-side or provide tailored troubleshooting steps for your situation. Make sure to provide any relevant details like when the issue started, troubleshooting attempts, and screenshots if possible.
Set Expectations with Your Recipient
If your messages continue to malfunction after troubleshooting, let your recipient know there seems to be an issue. Ask them to confirm when they receive your messages, and follow up if you think a message wasn’t delivered.
You can also try alternative communication methods like phone calls, video chat, social media messaging, or email until the problem is resolved.
When to Stop Worrying About Ticks
At the end of the day, you want to communicate and connect with people, not just your messages’ status. If your recipient is responding in a timely manner, the ticks don’t matter as much. Focus on the conversation rather than the visual confirmation.
And remember – a lack of ticks doesn’t necessarily mean the person is ignoring you. They may just have other priorities. Give them the benefit of the doubt rather than assuming the worst.
If your recipient seems engaged through their actual responses, try not to overthink the unread receipts. The ticks are ultimately just a bonus feature, not a measure of someone’s interest or care for you.
Conclusion
Messages getting stuck on one tick can be mildly frustrating, but are rarely cause for major concern. The issue usually resolves on its own or after minimal troubleshooting. If problems persist, enlist help from support, adjust your communication methods, and focus on the conversation rather than the ticks.
With patience and some optimization, you should be able to get your messaging working smoothly again. But try not to obsess over those little gray checkmarks – the recipient’s actual responses are what matters most!