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One of my mums contacts only sends green bubbles

When my mum sends messages to my sister it only sends via text message (green bubbles) and not blue bubbles despite both my mum and sister having iPhone devices. On my mums phone every contact she messages works normally with green bubbles but not my sister.


I did read online that apparently both people have to have imessage enabled but this makes zero sense because when my mum goes out to the shops, I can message her via wifi to her phone and it comes up blue bubbles. Does anyone know what the issue could be?


She also can't send any photos to my sister, it fails to send.

iPhone XR

Posted on Jun 15, 2023 4:42 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jun 15, 2023 4:43 AM

iMessage (Blue) -

  • iPhone to iPhone: requires internet (Either over WiFi or Cellular Service) as it is sent over internet protocol. Needs Activation on your device.
  • iPhone to Android: Not available



SMS/MMS (Green) -

  • iPhone to Android: does not require any internet it is sent over cellular voice protocol. Needs to be enabled by your Carrier for the SIM used by you.
  • iPhone to iPhone: When iMessage is not activated or the device is not connected to the internet either over cellular or WiFi
  • You need to have an SMS/MMS plan enabled by your carrier for the SIM/eSIM that you use on your device. Apple Inc does not provide SMS/MMS services.



It will turn from Blue to Green if you have enabled "Send as SMS" and whenever your iPhone is not connected to the internet it is sent as SMS (green) to all iPhone users.

Similar questions

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jun 15, 2023 4:43 AM in response to TiaReads9

iMessage (Blue) -

  • iPhone to iPhone: requires internet (Either over WiFi or Cellular Service) as it is sent over internet protocol. Needs Activation on your device.
  • iPhone to Android: Not available



SMS/MMS (Green) -

  • iPhone to Android: does not require any internet it is sent over cellular voice protocol. Needs to be enabled by your Carrier for the SIM used by you.
  • iPhone to iPhone: When iMessage is not activated or the device is not connected to the internet either over cellular or WiFi
  • You need to have an SMS/MMS plan enabled by your carrier for the SIM/eSIM that you use on your device. Apple Inc does not provide SMS/MMS services.



It will turn from Blue to Green if you have enabled "Send as SMS" and whenever your iPhone is not connected to the internet it is sent as SMS (green) to all iPhone users.

One of my mums contacts only sends green bubbles

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