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How can you switch between text message and iMessage on a specific contact?

I was trying to iMessage a contact and the message would Not send to a contact. Then a bubble popped up from above the message area saying, "Switch for iMessage to SMS" so I clicked SMS so it could send and now I do not know how to change back to iMessage on this contact. All other iMessage contacts work fine! I've looked in all my messaging setting to try and fix it but nothing seems to work

iPhone 4, iOS 5

Posted on Oct 15, 2011 7:18 AM

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72 replies

Oct 5, 2017 8:00 PM in response to Thezachtaylor

So I started a message thing, orwhatever you call it, with my dad and we both had an Apple devices, but it was classified as a Text Message, but all my other friends I had messages with was all iMessage. So I was trying to figure out how to change it back to iMessage. And then I figured it out! (This might not be your problem, but it was for me.)


So, basically I went to Settings and scrolled down to Messages and I turned on iMessages. That's all! (I had to do this for my dad's phone, cause for some reason iMessages was turned off.) I hope this helps! 🙂

Oct 15, 2011 7:22 AM in response to Thezachtaylor

It appears the process is completely automatic and dependant on whether both sender and receiver have iMessage enabled. I had some trouble last night when my phone would not send an iMessage and asked if I wanted to send a text message instead. I did. About 20 minutes later it automatically switched back to iMessage. I am not sure if it was a server problem or if the person on the other side temporarily disabled the service. Hopefully your problem resolved itself.

Oct 17, 2011 5:44 AM in response to diesel vdub

I do not think the designation in contacts has any effect. My daughter has just purchased her first iPhone. Her number is designated mobile in my contact list, but I can reach her by iMessage. I do remember the first time I texted her, my phone had to check the server to she if she was "listed". I suspect that once you are listed as iMessage capable, Apple assumes you always will be.

Oct 17, 2011 5:55 AM in response to Thezachtaylor

In Settings - Messages there is a toggle to turn on SMS. iMessage only works between iOS 5 users, essentially only between those with iPhones. It automatically detects whetther the person you're texting has an iPhone on iOS 5, if not then it automatically sends the message through the SMS system of your cell phone carrier.The reason you got that message to "Switch for iMessage to SMS" was probably because you have that SMS toggle switch off in settings. Once you make sure both iMessage and the SMS switch are on it will automatically do this and you should not see that message again.

Oct 18, 2011 2:33 AM in response to diesel vdub

Diesel vdub, your comment on me was making no sense as well because this communities platform is to exchange user experience but not to make any judgement which turned out without any ground.

I continue to iMessage to Android users who have activated iOS5 before, but the blue balloon will turn into sms in green after 20 seconds automatically. So, Apple is going to penalize every users who switch out of iPhone for 20 seconds delay on text.

Oct 19, 2011 7:54 PM in response to Wil from HK

Wil from HK - I can confirm the issue you are having and it is with the Galaxy S2.


The person I was texting upgraded to IOS 5 on his 3GS but something went wrong and the phone fried. He was looking for a reason to go back to TMobile and his parents plan anyways.


So two days later he has a Galaxy S2 on TMobile. When he texts me - it receives but with delay and when I send the phone assumes it is still iMessage and attempts to send through that network. After 30 seconds to a minute the message finally goes through with a status message 'Sent as Text Message'.


I can find no option to change the iMessage setting on a per contact basis. From what I can remember - he was not able to send me an iMessage prior to his phone dying so I am assuming that somehow the phone number or contact was pre-tagged as being another iPhone user even before the IOS 5 upgrade.

Oct 24, 2011 8:23 AM in response to Thezachtaylor

I haven't found a way to switch on a single contact, but you can switch on a per-conversation basis. Here's how:


1) Send a regular iMessage.

2) After you hit "send", touch and hold on the message balloon for the outgoing message.

3) When the popup menu comes up, select "Send as text message."


Once you've done that, it seems to remember that setting, at least for the next few messages.

Nov 9, 2011 9:30 PM in response to Thezachtaylor

my contact was registered as imessage user as she was trying out with an iphone.


Now that she has switch her phone to a non iphone, my message continued to be sent as iMessage and indicated as delivered...it did not even give me an option to change to sms after 20secs....


Do let me know if you have found a solution..


it is quite silly that i have to be very conscious to turn the imessage settings on and off each time i message that contact.

Dec 28, 2011 2:03 AM in response to Pappasbike

You said iMessage only works between iOS 5 users, essentially only between those with iPhones. This is not true. My wife has an old telephone, without, of course, IOS5, with no Wifi, far from being a geek, has never see an iPhone, is unable to change her SIM card from a telephone to another, But is considered as an iMessage receiver for an unknown reason! When I send an iMessage to her, this message is considered as delivered, which is not the case. My iPhone does not resend automatically the message as a text message.

My conclusion : as a contact, without IOS5, may be considered as an iMessage receiver while he is not, I cannot be confident in iMessage which considers iMessages as delivered while they are not. I have definitely switched iMessage off.

How can you switch between text message and iMessage on a specific contact?

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