How to send iMessage rather than SMS on iPhone and iPad?

In this article, we will tell and show you how to send iMessage instead of SMS on iPhone and iPad. For which you will not be charged, they are the same as a regular SMS message. Thus giving you free text messages whenever you have access to the internet.

Still don't know the difference between SMS (text messages) and iMessage? Don't worry, we'll tell you the differences between them and the setting that will allow you to send SMS rather than iMessage.

What is iMessage and how is it different from SMS?

iMessage is a new service from Apple that appeared with iOS 5. It is used to send text and multimedia messages to other Apple devices with Internet access. Setting up this service has its own nuances, but iMessage allows you to communicate with other owners of Apple products completely free of charge.

In Messages you can send not only text, but also photos, videos and audio files. There are stickers, emoticons and other animated effects.

How iMessage works

When you create a new message and add its recipient, the iMessage service, if you have access to the Internet, automatically checks whether this number is linked to your Apple ID. If there is such a link, then iMessage is sent and not SMS/MMS.

You can tell which message was sent by its color. So iMessages are highlighted with a blue cloud, and standard SMS messages are highlighted with green. It is worth considering that iMessage always has priority.

iMessage is a service that allows you to send messages to other iOS device owners.

Settings

At the previous stage, we just activated the messaging function, but without proper configuration it will not be possible to fully use its capabilities.

Data to receive and send

The main user identifier in iMessage is an Apple ID account, which, in turn, can be linked not only to an email, but also to a mobile phone number. Both the first and second can be used to send/receive messages.

1. Under the iMessage line, the switch opposite which was activated in step 2 of the previous part of the article, tap the “Send / Receive” item.

   Note: “Send/Receive” item required to go to the setting in question is not the second, but the fourth in the list of available ones.

2. Make sure you're signed in to your Apple ID, and if you're not, sign in by doing the following:
   • Tap on “Your Apple ID for iMessage.” If instead you see “Apple ID: email address” in white rather than blue in the first line, then you are already authorized in the account, but if necessary, you can change it to another one (more on this later).

     Note: In some cases, the option to sign in to your account appears on the Messages , where iMessage is activated.

   • In the pop-up window that appears, click “Sign in” if you want to use the account specified in the notification to communicate, or “Use a different Apple ID” if you need to change it.

     Note: If you are already logged into an account, but want to use a different one for communication, and/or if you need to change the displayed geolocation, tap on “Apple ID: email address” and select the appropriate option in the pop-up window.

   
   Enter your account password (if required) or your email and password, depending on which option was selected in the previous step.

3. After logging into your account, you can choose where reading and sending messages will be available from - your mobile phone number, if it is linked to your Apple ID, is initially marked, or you can additionally mark your email.
4. Below, in the “Start a conversation with” block, select the telephone number or email address, depending on which of these identifiers you want to be displayed to message recipients.
5. After completing the necessary settings, tap “Back” located in the upper left corner of the screen.

Additional settings

There are a number of settings on the iMessage enable page that are worth paying attention to.

The name and photo are visible Go to the section of the same name and tap “Select photo and name” or “Name and photo are visible” (depending on the initial Apple ID settings) and do the following:

1. Indicate the name and photo that you want to display when communicating in the service.
2. Then decide with whom you will share this data - only with contacts or choose yourself each time (upon request). Tap “Done” to confirm.
3. After the first setup, this section will allow you to generally block or allow the display of your photos and name.

Forwarding If you have other devices that support iMessage (iPhone, iPad, Mac, MacBook, iMac), you can enable the ability to send/receive messages on them. The main thing is to log in to the same Apple ID account, after which in this section of the iPhone settings you can enable forwarding for any or all of them.

Sending as SMS Enabling this option allows you to send regular SMS in cases where iMessage cannot work - for example, Wi-Fi and mobile Internet (3G/4G) are not available.

Other settings Most of the options remaining in this section are as simple as possible to understand and do not need explanation, especially since a detailed description is provided under the main ones. Turning on/off occurs by moving the toggle switch to the appropriate position. Still, several points should be removed from attention.

• "Blocked contacts" — allows you to create a “black list” of subscribers from whom you will not receive voice and video calls, messages and e-mails. All that is needed for this is to “Add the user’s number” to the specified list or block it from the address book (for example, after receiving an unwanted call and/or text message).

How to send SMS from iPhone

The user can configure the iMessage application so that regular SMS messages are automatically sent when there is no Internet. To do this, go to the settings, here you need to select the “Send as SMS” section. Next, you need to set the slider to the active position so that in the absence of the Internet, messages are sent as regular text messages.

Sending an SMS message from an iPhone is very easy, you should follow these instructions:

• Open the Messages application;
• Click on the paper icon with a pen to write a new message or select a conversation that is already in the list;
• Press your finger on the text field at the bottom of the page and enter text;
• Click on the arrow to send a message.

If necessary, you can quickly write a response to an SMS message even from a locked screen. This is done like this:

• On the locked screen, click on the notification you want to respond to;
• Enter your message in the text field;
• Click on the arrow to send.

If you are the owner of an iPhone X or newer model, or an iPad with Face ID and you can’t respond to a message from the lock screen, you need to go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and turn on Reply with Message. If you have an iPhone 8 or later, or an iPad, go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode > Lock Screen Access and turn on Reply with Message.

How to cancel the Cloud effect in Messages?

If you change your mind about sending a bubble effect, tap the Cancel button at the bottom of the list of effects (looks like an X).

What bubble effects are there in Messages?

• Clap : Sends a bubble when received and sends ripples across the screen.
• Loud : Sends out a giant cloud that shakes before settling into place.
• Gently : Sends a tiny cloud that glides into place without complaint.
• Invisible Ink : The cloud covers the animated noise and blur until you touch it.

Will the bubble effect I sent from iPhone show up on Mac?

A Mac can only display the Invisible Ink effect if it's running macOS Sierra or High Sierra.

How to send iMessage from iPhone

iMessages can be sent as long as the Internet is available, and they can be sent from an iPad, iPod touch, or Mac computer that does not have cellular service at all. First you need to do some minor settings.

1. Go to settings on your Apple device.

2. Click on the Messages application.

3. Find the iMessages section and activate this feature. If an error occurs, you should check your Internet access and try connecting again. It is worth remembering that some mobile operators specifically block the sending of such messages so as not to lose money on sending SMS.

4. There is always a backup option that allows you to send classic SMS messages if there is no Internet access.

Attentive users may notice that some SMS messages are highlighted in blue, while others are green. This is not at all accidental. The fact is that green indicates regular SMS messages, and blue indicates iMessages.

If a message has not been sent for a long time in the iMessages application, then you should click on the “Undelivered Message” inscription until the “Send as text message (SMS)” option appears. This will help you ignore the Send as SMS setting for the highlighted individual message.

Usage

iMessage, although it is a separate service, still does not have its own application - it is integrated into the standard “Messages”. That is, in order to start using it, you just need to launch it, select the recipient from the contact list or enter his data manually, and then print and send the message.

During normal operation of the function, iMessage is displayed in the message input field, and the send button is blue - the message sent in this way is free and is also highlighted in blue. If instead you see green, read the corresponding paragraph in the next part of the article.

Why SMS can’t be sent from iPhone and what to do

SMS messages may not be sent from the iPhone for a simple reason: there is no money in the account. Indeed, this service is paid for by all operators, so the balance must be positive. The only exceptions are cases when a certain number of SMS messages are already included in the tariff plan.

However, not only a negative balance can cause problems with sending SMS messages. Let's look at a few more reasons for the inability to send a message and methods for eliminating them.

1. Turn Airplane mode on and off, which reboots the iPhone network.
2. Reset network settings “Settings – General reset – Reset network settings”. Then try sending SMS again.
3. Perhaps it's just the SIM card. To check, insert another SIM card and try to send a message.

If all else fails, then you need to pay attention to another important point. To send classic SMS messages, you may need the SMS center number of your mobile operator. In most mobile phones, it is written in the settings as a separate line. But here we are talking about an iPhone, so it’s not so simple.

First you need to check whether this number is registered in the mobile phone settings. To do this, use the buttons to enter the command *#5005*7672# and press the call button. Then there are two possible scenarios for the development of events.

1. The SMS center number is registered, but you need to check its correctness.
2. The message “Successful setup request” appears. Service center address - no address."

It is quite possible that this is the reason why it is impossible to send an SMS message. In this case, you need to enter the correct address. To do this, dial the command *5005*7672*SMS center number#. This number must be entered via +7.

If after entering a command you see an error, then you should not pay attention to it. Most likely, the number has been successfully registered; you can check this by dialing the first combination. But here many people have a question: where to get the right number?

You can call and ask the operator for the required number, this is not secret information. If you wish, you can search for this data on the Internet. Please note that figures for each region may vary.

Tatiana

I follow news on the mobile services market. Always up to date with the latest events

Ask a Question

Question to the expert

How do I find out that a person has an iPhone and can send messages to him through the iMessages service?

When you try to send an SMS message, the system automatically determines whether the number is registered in the application or not. You can send such messages not only to iPhones, but also to tablets and computers from the Apple manufacturer.

Why can't I send free iMessages?

The reasons may be different, but most often it is caused by a lack of Internet connection.

Why are some of my messages highlighted in blue and others in green?

Green indicates regular SMS messages, and blue indicates messages sent through the iMessages service.

Sending an SMS message from an iPhone is as easy as sending an SMS from an Android. But there is still a difference here: iPhone owners can send free messages on the proprietary iMessages network.

4.8/5 — (30 votes)

Author

Tatiana

I follow news on the mobile services market. Always up to date with the latest events

How to replicate Cloud and Screen effects in Messages

You can replay the Cloud and Screen effects on received messages. Just follow these simple steps.

1. Open Messages
2. Open the chat in which you want to see the effects.
3. Find messages with a sticky effect and click the button Repeat to view the effect again.

Watch YouTube videos in messages

iMessage automatically pulls the main image from the website and provides a nice preview for your recipient.

It's good, but it's not that exciting. What's interesting is that this means that if you paste a link to a YouTube video, you and your friend will be able to watch the video directly through the Messages app without having to open the YouTube app or browser.

Send music in messages

You can also send music via messages - although the recipient will need an Apple Music account to listen. Otherwise, they will receive a "Buy the song on iTunes" link or a "Subscribe to Apple Music" link.

1. Click the App Store icon next to the text message field.
2. You will see all recently played tracks.
3. Scroll until you find the one you want to share.

If you tap the title of a track, it will open in the Music app and start playing (if you own the track). If you click on the circle with a triangle inside it, a preview of the melody will be played.

Send GIF in messages

Here's what to do if you want to send a GIF to illustrate something in your messages. Perhaps you want to show someone exactly what you thought of their latest post by using a celebrity's reaction to a similar event.

1. Open the message.
2. Click on the application icon.
3. Swipe to the pictures and videos screen or tap the red magnifying glass icon.
4. Enter the word you want to illustrate in the search field.
5. Choose the GIF that best illustrates what you want to say.

If you're at a loss for inspiration, click "Image Search" and scroll through "Categories." For each category you select, once that word is in the search box, another tap inside the box will bring up more suggestions for related words and phrases.

What do Screen effects do in iMessage?

Below are all the Screen effects and what they do.

• Echo : Clone a message and fill the entire screen with it.
• Spotlight : A spotlight beam illuminates the message.
• Balloons : Sends colorful balls. The balls fly up from the bottom right of the screen.
• Confetti : Multi-colored confetti sprinkles on top.
• Lasers : A wave of lasers runs across the screen with the sound "ans, ans, ans."
• Fireworks : Multi-colored fireworks in the center of the screen.
• Shooting Star : A star , when it reaches the right side it explodes.
• Holiday : a bright splash of sparklers.
• Love : A giant heart appears from a message and flies away.

Will Screen effects show up in Mac Messages?

Not yet. Perhaps in the future there will be.

Set up sending and receiving iMessages

You should pay special attention Sending/Receiving item

In the Your iMessage Address , you must select the email addresses that will be associated with iMessage. In other words, you will be able to send messages to the selected email addresses. In order not to get confused, we recommend choosing one most used E-mail address.

In the Start a new conversation with , you specify the phone number or email address from which all outgoing messages will be sent. Ideally, of course, choose a phone number.

FAQ

Am I blocked if the message is sent as a text message?

Not necessary. As mentioned earlier, an iMessage sent as a text message usually indicates a network problem. If your iMessage doesn't have a "Delivered" message, but the previous conversation did, then this may indicate that you are blocked.

Why does the text on my iPhone say "sent as text message?"

Any message sent to a non-Apple user will be sent as a text message. iMessaging is only available for Apple devices. But if iMessage can't be sent or if the recipient doesn't have iMessage turned on, your iPhone will send it as a text message.

Delete messages

There always comes a time when having a lot of messages in a conversation can overwhelm anyone. This is why it is possible to delete messages or an entire conversation, but you must understand that you will never be able to recover it. To fix it, you just need to follow these steps:

• Enter a conversation and tap and hold the bubble of text you want to delete.
• Click the trash can icon that appears to make the message disappear from the thread and cannot be recovered.

If you want to delete an entire conversation, you can simply do so by following the same steps, but long-pressing on the general conversation and clicking the Delete button that appears.

How to Quickly Show You a "Like" on a Text Message

Tapback in messages is a bit like Facebook's like options. To use this feature, follow these steps:

1. Double tap the message you received.
2. You'll see a heart, thumbs up, thumbs down, "Haha", two exclamation points and a question mark.
3. Click on the answer you like.

This allows you to quickly reply to a message without typing.

Select "Ha Ha" to show your friend that you are amused or appreciative. There's even a question mark if you're confused by their message.