Why do I get Text Messages from myself on Android?

This can be frustrating as it may eventually shrink your phone’s internal memory. Apart from that, isn’t it just annoying to receive a notification that you’ve received the same text message you just sent to someone?

Here we look at possible causes and how to permanently fix such issues both on your Android and iOS devices.

Why do I get Text Messages from myself on Android and iPhones?

If you use an Android smartphone, this happens when there is difficulty establishing a good connection between your phone and your network carrier. In a bid to deliver the message, several attempts are made, and in the process, you receive that same message you just sent to another person.

While some experience it whenever they try replying to a text message or an MMS, others experience it when sending any random message. We agree that this isn’t right. Let’s explore some trusted solutions.

Why can’t I text myself on Android?

I have found a workaround for this issue. For most of us having this issue, I have noticed it’s on T-Mobile, and after months of contacting tech support, they don’t seem to have any fixes for this issue. I noticed that the Samsung and iPhones we use will allow the sending of MMS to myself, so I just attached one of those moving emojis, and the message with text went through.

Secondly, I also noticed that changing to an eSim fixes this issue for many people, so if you’re not able to text yourself on Android or iPhone, just switch to an esim, and things should get fixed naturally.

Why Do I Receive Duplicate Text Messages on Android – Android Fixes

Fix 1- Restart Messaging from Settings

1. Go to the Settings menu
2. Scroll down the menu till you see Apps and notifications
3. In the Apps menu, search for Messages under the menu
4. You should tap the ‘Force Stop’ option which should fix any unwanted behavior from messaging
5. If you notice the problem persists, follow the same steps, and tap the ‘Disable’ option instead of the ‘Force Stop’.  After disabling it, re–enable it to see if it goes back to normal.

Fix 2 – Add Your Phone Number to the Text App – Motorola Moto X4

When creating a group text (e.g. to 2 other people), when either responded it created a new thread on my phone with those 2 people + myself (now a group of 3).  Every time I respond to the group I immediately received a copy of my own text. 

Go to Text App Main screen >> click on the Menu (3 dots on the right of the upper search bar) >> select “Settings” >> from the drop-down menu, scroll to the bottom of the menu and select “Advanced” >> at bottom of Advanced menu was “Phone number – Unknown” >> I tapped on this and a window popped up to enter a phone number >> After entering my own number and tapping “OK” I backed out of Advanced & Settings, then texted to a new group >> It sent as it should to both recipients and both responses came back to original thread that I sent from.  It no longer created a new thread with my number included!

Submitted by a reader.

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Fix 3- Cold Reboot

If it just started and you’ve never experienced it before on your Android phone, simply follow the steps below:

1. Hold the power button down for 20 seconds. This is called a cold reboot.
2. Once the Phone turns on again, go to Messages.
3. Try to compose a message or reply to a message.
4. Your phone should be back to normal.

Many have found this method very helpful, and it can fix most temporary glitches on your Android Phone, including duplicate messages. For many of our readers who have reported receiving their own text messages on Android, this option has fixed the problem for them.

Fix 4: Restore App/ Factory Settings

For more persistent cases on Android devices, a total factory reset will fix the problem once and for all.

1. Go to the Settings menu
2. Scroll down the menu till you see System.
3. In the System menu, locate the Reset Options and tap on it
4. In the Reset Options menu, select app preferences. This option is recommended as it will restore apps to their default settings, including app notifications
5. If you can’t find the app preference in your phone’s system settings, you should see the restore all system settings, or restore to factory settings. This option will take your phone back to default.

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While steps 3 and 4 are sure to fix any bugs (if the problem is caused by a bug), be advised that it will result in loss of data. It is advisable to backup all your files and important document before proceeding with a system reset. But it is sure to stop you from receiving your own text messages on Android devices.

For iPhone Users

Since iPhones have an entirely different platform, the steps above may not work for them. Follow the steps below if you’ve ever been frustrated or currently battling receiving your own text messages on your iPhone.

Fix 1: Send & Receive Settings

1. On your homepage, find and click the Settings app
2. In the settings menu, scroll down to find the messages icon
3. Under the messages icon, scroll until you see the Send & Receive setting
4. Since this area contains a list of numbers and addresses, click to un-tick any number and addresses that are not yours. This may be the reason why you keep receiving your own text messages on your iPhone.

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Fix 2: Disable Repeat Alerts

Unknown to you, this may be the reason why you keep receiving your own text messages even though it is meant only to affect received messages.

1. On your home screen, find and click on Settings
2. Scroll to the Notifications and click on it
3. In the next menu, find Messages and click on it
4. Make sure the Repeat Alert is set to Never

Fix 3: Check to see if you have double-receiving accounts

Go to Settings >> Message, and see if you have selected your phone number and Apple ID for receiving messages under “you can be reached by iMessage at”. Select only one of them and see if that works.

Why am I getting text messages from my own number?

This is caused by difficulty in establishing a good connection between your phone and your network carrier. In a bid to deliver the message, several attempts are made, and in the process, you receive that same message you just sent to another person.

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