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iMessage Does not Switch to SMS and Back

Reason for mentioning this issue is because I don't always have an internet or data connection. Mostly I want to use Messages for regular SMS messages but there are times when I'd like to use Internet or data to send a video or voice message through iMessage.


To avoid having to toggle between iMessage enabled/disabled, I thought I'd leave iMessage enabled with 'Send as SMS' enabled. It states, "Send as SMS message when iMessage is unavailable".


And so it sends as iMessage (blue) when internet or data is on; however, when I turn those off and therefore rendering iMessage unavailable, it does not switch to SMS. It continues to send as iMessage. I can see the status bar for sending the iMessage creeping up but then gets stuck at about 80%. It does not switch or send as SMS afterwards.


When an iPhone friend tries to send me a message, it also does not come through as it initially sends as iMessage on their device which again, gets stuck without switching to SMS as my iMessage is unavailable.


So either I have a different idea of what 'unavailable' means or the iMessage 'Send as SMS' is not functioning properly.


(Updates are current).


I wonder why because I would have expected the Messages app to check for iMessage connectivity to determine whether it needs to switch to SMS or not?


Am I missing something?

iPhone 15

Posted on Jul 8, 2024 8:40 PM

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Jul 9, 2024 11:36 PM in response to BenB

Yea, I figured as much. Logically one would think that the iMessage service would check for iMessage connectivity on both devices (sender and recipient) to make sure the message gets across. Why else have an iMessage service in the first place? It's like sending a letter to a friend with a mailing address whose mail slot has been removed.


So, iThought it 'should' work something like this:


  • Messages app > iMessage with 'Send as SMS when iMessage is unavailable' enabled.
  • Enabled iMessage service checks for internet (wifi/data) connectivity on device > Yes or No.
  • If Yes > Check for connectivity on recipient's device. If connected; send as iMessage. If not; send as SMS.
  • If No > Device can't even send anything iMessage, let alone deliver so ... > send as SMS.


Forget the whole 'trying to send as iMessage first'. Just check or ping the other device to see if iMessage is available on the other device as well. I understand the idea behind encrypted iMessages vs open SMS and therefore forcing iMessages over SMS, but when the option to do otherwise is enabled ...


Famous last words, "The solution is so simple!".

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Jul 9, 2024 5:28 AM in response to iAye

I and other Apple device users I know are all having issues. I can message some folks on my iPhone but on my Mac it won't work. Some on my Mac, on my iPhone it won't work. There's something seriously glitched in Apple's Messages service. Driving us all bananas.

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iMessage Does not Switch to SMS and Back

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