Is iMessage free when you travel oversees

Thought I would add to this thread by saying what has been said here several times, which is:

If you go abroad, and you use iMessage (through the Messages app) and you are off roaming (better yet, flight mode) and turn on WiFi from the hotel or coffee shop, etc. so you are NOT on any cellular net. Then through WiFi you can ONLY send messages to other users who have an iCloud account. You CANNOT send an SMS to a Blackberry or Android device. For that you need to turn on Cellular data which will cost you. If you are on only WiFi it will NOT cost you.

So hopefully someone else will understand what im asking.

We all understand what you're asking, and from your responses so far, it's safe to say you haven't understood a single word of the correct answers you've received. One last try, then I'm done:

1. There is no "iMessage app." iMessage is a function of the Messages app, which also does SMS and MMS. iMessage requires 2 iOS devices running iOS 5 or later, with both connected to either cell data (i.e. 3G) or WiFi.

2. Otherwise the message is sent SMS or MMS and charged accordingly. If sending internationally, there often is an extra charge for SMS and MMS.

3. iMessage is "free" everywhere - UK, USA, Tierra del Fuego, or Mars. There is no extra charge for international iMessages. The only caveat is that if the cell data network is used instead of WiFI, some of your data allotment is consumed and you're paying for that.

4. If you still don't get it, this video will put it in perspective.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQGgaI-BcI4

There is no such thing as "Option 2", home or abroad. Either the message is sent via iMessage, or it is SMS. If you try to send an iMessage but won't connect, the phone defaults to SMS and you get charged the same as any SMS message.

"Option 1" is the only type of iMessage, and those are free, except for any standard cell data charges, no matter where you and the other party are.

The Real JimC wrote:

So for anyone else that needs to know the answer. If using iMessage abroad or even at home there is data usage it usage maybe very small and wont be reflected in your bill even if you're a heavy users like myself.

The data usage of any individual iMessage may be small. However, it can add up and will certainly show on your data usage. My carrier shows usage by the kilobyte. Whether it causes you to go over your limit is another question. Given that, while traveling abroad, my carrier charges $25/100 megabytes, I pay attention to every kilobyte. Telling people that it "wont (sic) be reflected in your bill" is bad advice.

The Real JimC wrote:

I get that and totally understand how it works Im not that bloody thick! Basically I was trying to be to simple with my explanation!

People are trying very hard to help you and in return, you are rude to them? This is an all volunteer forum. If you don't show some respect for people's efforts, you'll soon find that no one will be interested in helping you at all.

Best of luck.

It's free as long as you disable cellular data and send only via WiFi (assuming you're not paying for WiFi). If sending via cell data, standard data charges apply - there is no "message fee" like SMS.

Huh? Where did you come up with that based on what I posted? Read again. You only pay for data if using the cell network - same as at home except unless you get data for free, unlike the rest of the world. If you use WiFi, it's totally free.

Agreed, modular47.

Option 2 - "iMessage to SMS" doesn't make sense.

On number input, your iPhone detects whether the recipient is running iOS 5.

Blue - iOS 5 (iMessage)

Green - non-iOS 5 (regular SMS)

Whether you are abroad or at home, sending an iMessage requires 3G or WiFi connecticity. For costs, simply check with your network.

its only now not through you i have discovered it uses a very small amount of data even for heavy user hence why it appeared as "free" as I have never really got any data usage against my account, as im mainly on wifi...hence why i thought it has appeared to be free.

Pandantic or what!

Huh? Do you mean pedantic or semantic?? Seems that English is not your first language, and may be the problem with communicating.