iMessage Sent as Text Message on iPhone: How to Fix It

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Michael Collins

Have you ever sent an iMessage and noticed it went through as a text message instead? Don’t worry; it’s a common occurrence for iPhone users. This usually happens when there’s a problem with the iMessage service or if the recipient doesn’t have an iPhone. In this article, we’ll go over how to handle iMessage being sent as text messages on your iPhone.

Step by Step Tutorial: Sending iMessage as Text Message on iPhone

Before diving into the steps, it’s important to know that sending iMessages as text messages is a backup option when iMessage isn’t available. Now, let’s get to it.

Step 1: Check Your Internet Connection

Make sure your iPhone is connected to the internet.

Without a stable internet connection, your iMessage won’t send. So before anything else, check if you’re connected to Wi-Fi or if your cellular data is on. If you’re out of service range, your iPhone will automatically send the message as an SMS.

Step 2: Ensure iMessage is Activated

Go to Settings > Messages and toggle on iMessage.

Sometimes, iMessage can be accidentally turned off. If this is the case, your messages will send as text messages by default. Make sure iMessage is switched on in your settings.

Step 3: Check the Recipient’s Device

Verify that the person you’re messaging has an Apple device with iMessage enabled.

If the person you’re sending a message to doesn’t have an iPhone or iMessage isn’t activated on their device, your message will send as an SMS. This is because iMessage is exclusive to Apple products.

Step 4: Resend the Message

If the iMessage fails to send, hold down on the message and select ‘Send as Text Message’.

Sometimes, your iMessage might fail to send even if all the settings are correct. In this case, you can manually send the message as a text message by holding down on the failed message and selecting the ‘Send as Text Message’ option.

After completing these steps, your iMessage should send as a text message. If it still doesn’t work, there might be a larger issue at hand, such as a problem with your carrier or a software glitch.

Tips: Sending iMessage as Text Message on iPhone

  • Always ensure that your device’s software is up to date to avoid messaging bugs.
  • Restarting your iPhone can sometimes fix temporary issues with messaging.
  • If you’re trying to send a message to a group, make sure all members have iMessage activated.
  • Check for any carrier updates that might affect your messaging service.
  • If the problem persists, consider reaching out to Apple Support for assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why aren’t my messages sending as iMessages?

Your messages might not send as iMessages if there’s an issue with your internet connection or if the recipient’s device isn’t an Apple product.

Can I force my iPhone to send an iMessage as a text message?

Yes, if an iMessage fails to send, you can hold down on the message and choose ‘Send as Text Message’ to send it as an SMS instead.

Will the recipient know if I sent an iMessage as a text message?

The recipient might notice the color difference in the message bubble—iMessages are blue, while text messages are green.

What if I don’t want my iMessages to send as text messages?

You can turn off the ‘Send as SMS’ option in Settings > Messages if you don’t want your iMessages to send as text messages when iMessage is unavailable.

Is there a way to troubleshoot iMessage not working?

You can try restarting your iPhone, checking your internet connection, ensuring iMessage is activated, and updating your device’s software.

Summary

  1. Check your internet connection.
  2. Ensure iMessage is activated.
  3. Verify the recipient’s device is compatible with iMessage.
  4. Resend the message as a text message if necessary.

Conclusion

In conclusion, having your iMessage sent as a text message can be a minor inconvenience, but it’s usually an easy fix. Whether it’s checking your internet connection, ensuring iMessage is turned on, or manually sending the message as an SMS, these steps should help you navigate through the issue. It’s always important to keep your iPhone up to date and to reach out to Apple Support if the problem continues. With this guide, you should now have a better understanding of iMessage sent as text message on iPhone and how to deal with it effectively. Happy texting!