SMS charge

dortibi wrote:

I keep getting charges for SMS out of the country (have free domestic SMS but not international).

I understand this is phone number (4***59****00) belonging to Apple for iMessage and FaceTime.

It occurred to me before when I was abroad and switched SIMs and numbers multiple times, but for months I am with the same SIM and number and didn't travel and it happened again.

Is there any way to block Apple from sending SMSs without my approval? It is very unexpected that the iPhone decides to send international SMSs without my approval that increases my monthly charges.

[Edited by Moderator]

Yes, but you must give up using iMessages and FaceTime. And you gave approval when you activated those services; there was a warning that if you didn’t have international SMS you might be charged if your mobile network provider was not an Apple partner. All US cellular providers waive charges for the SMS fee to that specific UK number, but apparently your mobile network provider is not an Apple partner. That means they can charge for the international SMS messages that are used to activate and maintain your FaceTime and iMessage. Unless you want to pay for daily international text messages to Apple’s server in the UK you should log out of FaceTime and iMessage. Note that turning them off is not sufficient; you must actually log out.

For Messages:

• Open Settings
• Tap Apps (only on iOS 18)
• Tap Messages
• If iMessage is off, turn it on
• Tap Send & Receive
• Scroll down until you see AppleID: and your Apple ID
• Tap your Apple ID
• Tap Sign Out
• Tap Messages at the top left to go back to the main Messages page
• Tap Settings at the top left to go back to Settings (or APPs in iOS 18)

For FaceTime:

• Tap FaceTime
• If FaceTime is off, turn it on
• Scroll down until you see AppleID: and your Apple ID
• Tap on your Apple ID
• Tap Sign Out
• Restart your phone→Restart your iPhone - Apple Support

Your phone will send 2 more messages telling Apple's servers that you are no longer logged in to iMessage and FaceTime, but you should not receive any additional after that.

Apple doesn't send SMS. You carrier sends SMS. Contact your carrier if you are being charged for messages.

Your carrier doesn’t support basic Apple features, which is why you’re getting charged.