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does imessage use data plan?

If I use iMessage though a 3G connection am I consuming data from my data plan?

iPhone 4

Posted on Oct 13, 2011 10:01 AM

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Posted on Oct 14, 2011 3:54 PM

Yes. The intent was to save users money by turning their text messages (which can run $.20 each incoming and outgoing message) into data usage (which is part of your data plan). Peraonlly I hope this changes. I have unlimited texting, but not unlimited data. I would like to see it changed so that I can assign my contacts to either receive text or iMessage formats at my discretion.

82 replies

May 11, 2012 2:16 PM in response to DarrylW64

I know this is a late entry, but wanted to let you know this feature is useful. I bought my girlfriend in the Philippines a 4S. She has unlimited data on Globe Telecom as so do I on AT&T. Before I would have to pay international text charges. Now our texts to each other are free.


It also comes in handy when I am on my unlocked iPhone I use while in the Philippines. Most of my friends and family have iOS 5 devices, so this as well as Facetime helps with communication back home.


So there you go I have good use for it as an international traveller.

Sep 20, 2012 9:29 AM in response to LuluP6894

iMessage does use data, that's why it was created. Some people do not have unlimited texting, and being able to send a message to another iOS 4+ user over the web is the premise behind iMessage. Text messages do take very little data to transmit, and if you have a WiFi connection, then it is free (it will NOT use your cell phone's data plan).


People who do not have an iOS 4+ device get your messages from iMessage via SMS.


When I am at work, I use my company's WiFi connection to send/receive messages, check email, etc. to preserve my data plan. When I am at home, I use my home WiFi connection to do the same. If I am in an area where WiFi is available, I connect to it to save data usage on my plan. If all else fails, then I use my 3G connection.


Hope this helps clarify things for everyone.

Sep 25, 2012 9:02 AM in response to djstevehavoc

I wasn't using iMessage and somehow it got turned on when I upgraded to IO6. I texted my hubby (who had iMessage turned off) and he didn't get anything untl I turned iMessage off again. (we were both in the car - just sending him a reminder for later - we are not that geeky)


My question is, how does your phone determine that the person you ar iMessaging has the correct device to receive an iMessage? Just keep trying until it is received?

Sep 29, 2012 3:30 PM in response to Brent M.

Brent M. wrote:


There's an app for that. (: Some 3rd party apps for iMessage are compatible with Android and Symbian.

That would be "some 3rd party apps as an alternative to iMessage are also compatible with Android and Symbian"

This allows iOS users to connect with other platforms since other platforms do not have iMessage.

Jul 24, 2013 12:39 PM in response to Brekay

Brekay wrote:


Hi, what about imessage from my daughter in france to my cell or ipad in usa. is that using alot of her data. She only has 200 texts to use.


If she is connected via wifi, then she will not use any of her cellular data plan. If she is connected via cellular and NOT wifi, then she will use a portion of her data plan but if the message is sent as an iMessage, it would not count against her SMS text message limit.


iMessages - messages sent over Apple's free service between Apple devices with iMessage account enabled, are NOT sent through any cell carriers SMS texting service. They may or may not use cellular data, depending on the connection at the time they are sent.


SMS text messages always go through your cellular carriers network, and thus always count against your limits (if you have limited texting). The iOS messageing app will send as SMS text if that option is enabled, and any one of the recipients is not using an Apple device (or has not registered for an iMessage account even if they have an Apple device). SMS texts, by definition, use no cellular carrier data (they go over the same channels as voice communication).

does imessage use data plan?

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