iPhone texts abroad need data roaming; unwanted data used

iMessages (blue) are sent over data. As are MMS and RCS messages. Older basic phones just didn't have these options.

In Settings>Apps>Messages, disable iMessage. Also, disable FaceTime (you need to do both). In Settings>Apps>Messages, turn off RCS and MMS. Once you turn off all of that, you will only be able to send SMS messages, which do not use data.

Guillaume-CdB wrote:

RCS = Rich Communication Service? Never heard of.

That's as may be. But whether or not you've ever heard of it, it uses data so, if you have it on, turn it off. Same with MMS.

Still, if that ones has to do in order to send a simple Text message with iPhone, and without have to risk other data being dent or received when roaming is on (an Cellular data is on), that is pretty "deep" into the settings for an average user. I would hope that Apple simplify this ...

For most smartphone users, there hasn't been such a thing as a "simple text message" for years. At least not by default. It used to be that iPhones used iMessage and Android phones used RCS, though both could use SMS (what you're calling a simple text message) if the other options didn't work. Now, iPhones can do both. But here's the monkey wrench. If you've been using iMessage to send messages to other people using iMessage, getting the phone to send SMS messages to those users can require a bit of adjusting of settings.

You can let Apple know your thoughts here:

Product Feedback - Apple

Guillaume-CdB wrote:

With a 'dumb' mobile phone, you can make and receive calls, as well as send and receive text messages, in a foreign country. As far as I know, a "dumb" mobile phone does not have a "roaming" setting.However, with an iPhone, I have noticed that to send a text message in a foreign country, the CELLULAR DATA setting must be turned on, as well as the CELLULAR DATA OPTIONS – ROAMING setting. This is puzzling because, once you arrive in a foreign country, the iPhone will try to connect to a mobile phone provider and you will be able to make phone calls, but apparently not send or receive text messages unless "roaming" is enabled. A text message is considered 'data'.The trouble with enabling roaming is that other data, such as checking emails, will also use data, which I would prefer to avoid. I just want to make and receive calls and send and receive text messages via my mobile phone line, not my data line.I used to have a flip phone that allowed me to make and receive calls and send and receive text messages without using data, which can be expensive abroad.Last year, a friend who was picking me up from Philadelphia Airport used FaceTime. I reluctantly accepted but I know the costs would run up. And they did (and eventually) my provider blocked sending and receiving date automatically.

This is something you need to bring up to your phone carrier.

Guillaume-CdB wrote:

RCS = Rich Communication Service? Never heard of.

Your being unaware of RCS does not mean that it doesn’t exist. It is the next generation of MMS (messaging with pictures and other attachments), and all newer smartphones switched to it a couple of years ago as a more robust replacement for MMS.

Guillaume-CdB wrote:

I am in the US right now and I can confirm: DATA CONNECTION and DATA CONNECTION ROAMING do not to be switched on in order to send a text message.

I'm glad it's working exactly the way I told you it would work.

Have a nice trip.

Guillaume-CdB wrote:

Thank for this brief reply but it does not resolve the problem.

I did bring this up with my phone carrier but no solution there either and therefore it is maybe an iPhone problem?

Why, because the setting "Roaming" can only be activated when ALSO the setting "CELLULAR DATA" is on.

Am I overlooking something in the settings.

I had a look at the settings of my old Microsoft Lumia 950XL and there are 2 settings "Cellular data" and "Data roaming options" that can be set individually.

However, with either a "dumb" phone or "smart" one, once a cell phone leaves the country of the phone carrier, both phones automatically go into "roaming" because the phone automatically searches for an available phone carrier in the country (in my case the US, I am from Europe).

With both my old Samsung flip phone and with my Microsoft Lumia 950XL did I ever had a problem with connecting when arriving in the US: I could always make phone calls and receive them, and also send and receive text messages.

With my iPhone I always have to switch "cellular data" on also "roaming" if I want to send a text message (or receive one).

Not an Apple issue, those are all your cellular data feature, escalate the issue with them.

Ask to speak to a tech not a salesperson.