Is there a way to set the mobile number as the default for contacts when using iMessage?

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Is there a way to set the mobile number as the default for contacts when using iMessage?

We have 45 iPhone users and they recently noticed that when composing iMessages it may not be defaulting to their contacts mobile number. It could be their work or home phone lines which can't receive text messages. Is there a setting somewhere that will force iMessages to use the contacts mobile number when sending texts instead of one of the other phone numbers which are unable to receive text messages?

Most users are on 16.3, but others are still in iOS 15.. versions.

Thanks,

Todd

Posted on Jan 31, 2023 8:27 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 31, 2023 9:11 AM in response to toadally69

Simply say, Hey Siri, send a message to XYZ, it will send it to the phone to which it was sent last.

The pic below is self-explanatory

If you are composing it for the first time you will have to anyway select the phone number from the list.

Please see the pic below which is again self-explanatory

You can automate this use Shortcuts app. Wait for my next post here after I prepare the shortcut

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Answer 2

toadally69 Author

Level 1

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Jan 31, 2023 10:02 AM in response to SravanKrA

Sorry for the confusion.

I manage about 45 iPhone users and for the last couple of weeks I have got complaints from them that when they are sending a text to one of their contacts it may not use the mobile number associated with that contact. It uses one of the other numbers the contacts are associated with like awork or home landline. When trying to recreate the issue on my phone, if I start typing a contact it may or may not choose the mobile number 1st. If it is not the mobile number, I will hit the circle with > symbol and choose the correct number for the message. It appears that it uses whatever the last number was chosen, so if it was the landline previously it uses that number the next time you compose a message. If I type a contact that I may not have texted before it may or may not choose the mobile number. Users were wondering if they can set the iPhone to always just choose the mobile number when texting without having to manually choose it.

This contact used the mobile number without having to choose it, but it was also the last number I used to text this person. If I chose the work number, the next time I start a message it uses the work number and I have to pick the mobile to get make it work. It will then use the mobile number the next time I message him. Is this the normal behavior for messages? Are the other users just imagining that it worked differently before?

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Answer 3

toadally69 Author

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4 points

Jan 31, 2023 9:14 AM in response to SravanKrA

So, there is no way to set your iPhone to automatically default to the mobile number when texting someone who you have deleted the text thread with or new text thread whether using Siri or not? We have had a lot of users complain about this recently, that they used to text contact without issues, but now it seems that it is defaulting to number other than mobile. Did something change recently?

Thanks,

Todd

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Answer 4

Jan 31, 2023 9:25 AM in response to toadally69

Frankly, I am unable to understand how you are sending messages. "The Process"

Are you composing a new message every time?

Are you replying to a message thread?

Are you referring to group messages?

Whenever you send a message you need to select a phone number before you can send and this is purely manual. So the question of default does not arise.

What you mean by "default to the mobile number" is not at all clear to me.

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Answer 5

Jan 31, 2023 9:20 AM in response to toadally69

Please see the pic below for the Shortcuts created by me for send messages

This may help you --> Shortcuts User Guide - Apple Support (IN)

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Answer 6

toadally69 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 31, 2023 9:15 AM in response to SravanKrA

I will keep eye out for the shortcut.

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Is there a way to set the mobile number as the default for contacts when using iMessage?

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