When an iMessage fails to send, it tries again automatically as SMS. problem is that it doesn’t switch back. I’m connected to wifi. I can iMessage my wife over iMessage via my applewatch but my phone insists on failing to send SMS instead of switching back to iMessage.
iPhone 11
Have you tried going to Settings>Messages>Send as SMS and turning it off? I'm not sure I'd suggest leaving it off forever but that's where I'd start. You should still be able to manually send any iMessage as SMS if it fails.
Once you've done that, just for kicks, go to Settings>General>Transfer or Reset iPhone>Reset>Reset Network Settings. You'll lose saved WiFi passwords but that's all. Then, see what happens.
Sometimes, deleting the problematic conversation helps.
Have you tried going to Settings>Messages>Send as SMS and turning it off? I'm not sure I'd suggest leaving it off forever but that's where I'd start. You should still be able to manually send any iMessage as SMS if it fails.
Once you've done that, just for kicks, go to Settings>General>Transfer or Reset iPhone>Reset>Reset Network Settings. You'll lose saved WiFi passwords but that's all. Then, see what happens.
Sometimes, deleting the problematic conversation helps.
Sadly, that's not true.
For years now, when delivery of an iMessage fails and the phone sends it as SMS instead, from that point on it will continue to send that person's messages as SMS messages for some indeterminate period of time to come rather than retry as an iMessage each time.
It's actually quite frustrating to try to force Messages to start using iMessage again, I've made it happen before but never reproducibly; often you have to send an iMessage using another device and only then will the iPhone start sending that contact messages as iMessages again.
It's why I've had that option shut off for years now, as most often the failure is due to something transient like the area having full cell coverage but Internet data performance from that cell site is poor (I have several of those near me - full bars for 5G and phone calls/SMS work, but Internet traffic just doesn't) and I got sick of playing the games I needed to in order to get my blue bubbles back.
Honestly, sending it as SMS instead is almost never what I want to happen anyway.
The switch from iMessage to SMS happens with every iMessage that you send. The switchover is not permanent. It depends on the internet connectivity.
Maybe the iPhone to which you are trying to send an iMessage has deactivated iMessage for their SIM. This is another reason when the imessage switches to SMS
Connecting to Wi-Fi is the initial step, followed by establishing an internet connection.
However, it's important to note that connecting to Wi-Fi does not automatically guarantee an internet connection. In the event that you are unable to connect to Wi-Fi, the issue may stem from settings on your iPhone or the router/modem.
On the other hand, if you are unable to establish an internet connection despite being connected to Wi-Fi, the problem is likely related to the settings on your router/modem. In such cases, it is advisable to promptly contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) for assistance.
Check your WiFi Router / Modem for --> Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points ...
For your Internet connection.
However --> Connect iPhone to the Internet - Apple Support
I saw the same issue that every other similar post had. People don’t understand the problem.
I can send iMessages to that person via my same Apple ID on my Apple Watch. I CANNOT switch back to iMessage from SMS on my phone. They are still accepting iMessages. I had low service, so my phone switch to SMS automatically. Then my service dropped completely and it failed as SMS. So I connected to wifi. But my phone insisted on still trying to send SMS which won’t go over wifi. Using my watch, connected to wifi via my phone I was able to send iMessage from my watch. How in the world do you force your phone back into imessaging from SMS
Same. I’ve tried everything but can’t fix it. Any solutions?
Change SMS to iMessage
