Refresh a contact's iMessage status I've explained one of my contacts how to set his phone number as a recipient for iMessage.

However, his name still appears as Text Message and not iMessage.

How often does iOS check if a number is an iMessage number? Is there a way to force-refresh?

I've restarted my phone - didn't work.
It happens immediately. There is a chance that your friend hasn’t configured iMessage properly.

Tell him to turn off iMessage, and turn it back on.