When using iMessage to chat with one other iPhone user, my send bubbles will rapidly alternate blue-green-blue-green and eventually land on one of the two colors with no particular pattern to it. This only happens when I chat with this one particular person. She's using an iPhone SE iOS 17.5.1. I'm using an iPhone 12 pro, same IOS vs. Could one of us be hacked? Thanks!
iPhone 12 Pro
No, it doesn't mean either one of you is hacked. Because it's only happening with one person, the likely answer is that that person has an unstable data connection. In order for a message to be sent as an iMessage (blue) both of you need to have an active data connection, either WiFi or cellular. If one of you doesn't, the message will be sent as an SMS (green). It could be that the recipient is in an area with no WiFi and weak cellular.
No, it doesn't mean either one of you is hacked. Because it's only happening with one person, the likely answer is that that person has an unstable data connection. In order for a message to be sent as an iMessage (blue) both of you need to have an active data connection, either WiFi or cellular. If one of you doesn't, the message will be sent as an SMS (green). It could be that the recipient is in an area with no WiFi and weak cellular.
As long as the messages are going through, I wouldn't spend much time worrying about it. The system is designed to drop down to SMS (which will go through if there is even a weak cellular voice signal) if iMessage fails. Your phones are working as designed.
Your comment about signal strength/quality is interesting, I'll start logging connectivity type and signal strength for both of us when it happens. I'm located in the United States and do message frequently with several people across the US, New Zealand, and Australia, and still, it only happens when chatting with specifically this one person. She does travel frequently so undoubtedly her connection quality and type have been varied. My connectivity is generally WiFi and very good.
Why your messages appear in green bubbles instead of blue bubbles
Why are my iPhone messages green? - Apple Support
Chat bubbles rapidly alternate between green and blue.
