I have the iOS 18 update on my iPhone 14 Pro Max and my daughter’s iPad… we can’t send texts to a non-Apple user. They come up with an error or show up as if I sent it and then the users never receive anything! I’ve checked with different people and different phones… my settings are all on to send mms etc. what’s the issue here?
iPhone 14 Pro Max, iOS 18
Your iPhone needs cellular data to be turned on to send MMS (picture) messages to non-iPhones; it can’t use Wi-Fi. You also need MMS turned on in Settings/Messages. Your daughter’s iPad can’t send MMS at all, unless the iPad is logged in to the same Apple ID as an iPhone, and Message Forwarding to her iPad is enabled in Settings on the iPhone.
Your iPhone needs cellular data to be turned on to send MMS (picture) messages to non-iPhones; it can’t use Wi-Fi. You also need MMS turned on in Settings/Messages. Your daughter’s iPad can’t send MMS at all, unless the iPad is logged in to the same Apple ID as an iPhone, and Message Forwarding to her iPad is enabled in Settings on the iPhone.
I had trouble sending SMS texts because the Messages app (green icon with white speech balloon) would not let me use anything other than iMessage. A lot of my contacts don't use iMessage, or else I don't know who has Apple gear.
I went to Settings > Messages and switched off iMessage.
I don't use MMS because I don't want a data plan, Talk & Text only. Suits me fine.
Hmm... maybe I should see what RCS is all about. What is the difference between iMessage, RCS, and SMS/MMS? - Apple Support (CA)
[later] Oh. I would need iOS 18.
Even later ...
It turns out that my service provider says my Talk & Text plan does include what appears to be MMS.
Text Included Total used
-----------------------------------------------
Picture/video Messages Unlimited 0 messages
- Anytime Sent
Bundles Messages Unlimited 6 messages
- Anytime Sent
International Messaging Unlimited 0 messages
- Anytime Sent
It looks like I have some more research to do, because my son (Android user) did not receive an image with my test MMS, even though he's on the same exact plan.
I'll cease hijacking this thread, at any rate.
ios 18 on iPhone 14 Pro Max and Apple iPads can’t send messages to non-iphone users