iMessage while without data

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5976024?answerId=25106112022#25106112022&ac_cid=op123456#25106112

I have the same/similar issue. Short answer, anyone talking iPHone to iPhone with iMessage that is not connected to internet, you;re hooped. I had this problem after what I think was an iOs update to 6 months ago. After a lengthy discussion with senior advisor, I have had to de-register my phonenumber from my apple id, through both iMessage and FAce time on the phone AND my MacBook. The issue is server related, in that as long as another device is logged into that apple id with your phone number, it is going to receive the replies via iMessage- not SMS- even if you're not signed into iMessage on your phone.

In Canada, wireless carriers are taking advantage of this, or simply Apple has done this in concert with them, or it is just a coincidental loop hole, which means in order for me to use iMessage (or simply receive SMS from iPhone users) I need a data plan. I don't like being strongarmed by technology into spending on something I don't want/need. I can SMS anyone else without an iPhone, it only happens with apple devices.

So, my feedback at apple.com/feedback is as such

"iMessage requires internet. SMS does not. iMessage/FaceTime auto logs phone numbers to the iMessage/Facetime server (it's the same server as I've come to learn), this means that when iMessage/Face Time is turned on anyone sending a message through the server to me will only be sent as an iMessage- not when I'm not connected to internet, meaning I will not receive the message as an SMS by default, when I have another device using iMessage (such as MacBook) logged in.

This feature is a problem for me, bottom line, in that iMessage strong arms the consumer (me) into having to buy a data plan that they either do not want, or do not need."

Short answer, anyone talking iPHone to iPhone with iMessage that is not connected to internet, you;re hooped.

Correct.

iMessages (in the Messages app) requires a data connection, either wi-fi or cell.

Sending regular SMS/MMS (not iMessages) requires a text plan (or you can per per message, depending on your carrier).

In Canada, wireless carriers are taking advantage of this, or simply Apple has done this in concert with them, or it is just a coincidental loop hole, which means in order for me to use iMessage (or simply receive SMS from iPhone users) I need a data plan.

Only partially, sort of correct.

In order to use iMessages (in the Messages app), you need data connection, either wif-fi or cell.

For SMS (in the Messages app), you do not need (and cannot use) a data connection, to either receive or send.

Yes Chris, you caught my error. What I ought to have typed is "internet connection" vice "data plan". Either way, iMessage server needs to be fixed so that those of without data plans can still have seamless comms using SMS/iMessage

Why should Apple fix it to work without a data plan? First, most carriers require a data plan. Second, there is not much point to having an iPhone without a data plan - that's what the iPod Touch is for. And, of course, the simple fix is to just turn off iMessage.

Yes there is. I've proven having an iPhone without a data plan works fine. It did for me for two and half years, recording my life, my families, and using any apps that were of service to me. The point is, that there are plenty of people in this same situation that the "solution" is for them to continually part with more of their earned money to fix it by purchasinga data plan.

Some of you one here really sound like you're the freakin' borg around here. "resisitance is futile"

MikiP wrote:

Yes Chris, you caught my error. What I ought to have typed is "internet connection" vice "data plan". Either way, iMessage server needs to be fixed so that those of without data plans can still have seamless comms using SMS/iMessage

Nothing needs to be "fixed".

If you do not have a data plan, you cannot use iMessage over cell.

In order to use iMessage you need a cell data plan or a wifi connection.

SMS has nothing to do with Apple or iMessage servers.

iMessages have nothing to do with carrier text plan.

If you do not have a data plan, you cannot use iMessage over cell. You must use SMS.

If you have wifi you can use iMessage over wifi. You cannot use SMS over wifi.

I just came back from a trip in Canada (live in the Netherlands). No roaming plan, but occasionally have wifi (hotel, restaurants etc).

On arrival I send my wife (on iphone and iMessage enabled) a text. No roaming, so gets send as text and is received. However, when she replies I do not receive them as text. As soon as I have an active internet connection (wifi), the messages start coming in as iMessage.

So do I need to turn of iMessage everytime I travel abroad, and turn it on again when I return home? My carrier charges me everytime I activate iMessage (no shocking price, but anyway anoying). Also becomming a pain as I travel a lot for business and need this manual action, which I forget regularly...

Any input welcome

Danny

Come here searching for some sort of fix or workaround. don't have a data plan and it is really annoying not receiving messages from people with iPhones until you are within wifi range... Having to go on other peoples phones and change a setting isn't very friendly. Send as SMS when iMessage is unavailable should be on by default IMO but it most definitely is not.

Nearly every plan here (where I am in Canada) has unlimited SMS. There should at least be some feedback "This user did not receiver your message because they are not reachable through iMessage". It doesn't currently do this. It sends succesfully but you don't actually receive it until you connect to some sort of data network.

This problem has been affecting me recently, I can't simply turn off iMessage because I have 3 other devices which I use with it. Here's a description I sent to Apple of the problem:

When you register >=1 devices with iMessage (w/ phone number) others who also have iMessage enabled will send iMessages to your device rather than SMS. This is obviously by design. This causes a problem that will affect users without them even knowing so.

To explain the problem I'm going to use the fictional users "Andy" and "Beccy" as example. Assume both users use iMessage:

- Andy is on a data-plan with a limit

- Andy hits his data limit

- Beccy sends a message to Andy

- Beccy receives a "delivered". Giving her assurance that Andy will receive the message

In this situation, unless Andy connects to a WiFi network, Andy is unable to receive the message. Andy would have no idea that Beccy even tried to contact him. Beccy would have no indication he was unable to receive the message

I'd have liked to go into more depth but there was a character limit...

I experience the same thing because I have Macbook Pro, IPAD, and 3 iPhones in the family with the same iCloud account. The 2 iPhones do not have the data plan. I solved the issue with following steps:

When sending email from iPhone with data plan (phone 1) to iPhone with no data plan (phone 2). Phone 1 indicated that the message is delivered but phone 2 did not get it. It turned out the message went to my other devices: macbook and iPad which always have WIFI at home. So I do the following steps:

(*) Disable Message in macbook pro. http://www.iphonetopics.com/disable-imessage-on-macbook-pro/

(*) Disable message in the iPads

I hope this helps. Alternatively, if you are an advanced user, you can disable the related phone number with no data plan from any apple devices with internet connection. I believe once the message reach to one of your apple device, then it is assumed that the message is delivered.

Go to settings>messages and turn on send as SMS and it will send a normal text when iMessage is unavailable

Interesting. In the US all carriers require you to have a data plan to use an iPhone on their network.

In the US, resistance certainly is futile, as no carrier will let you use a phone without a data plan.

If Send as SMS was ON by default there would be a lot of really angry users who don't have generous text plans when they got their next bill. Defaulting to OFF is protecting them.