No texting if data is off?

Well, how is this for factual: Based on your comments so far, you are clueless; some of us are trying to assist you, but you insist on responding rudely; you haven't presenting anything to indicate that you have verified the status of your service with Verizon (is the SMS service actually active right now on your account? If you haven't checked with them, then you have no idea. May not be the issue, but you should eliminate it as a possibility).

Good luck.

Yes - it says you cannot send or receive MMS messages without cellular data. Since MMS is intended for content beyond simple text, that is what you would expect. SMS however, doesn't require data outside of the text channel you have with Verizon. Turn off cellular and you should still be able to send and receive text (SMS) messages.

What type of message was your husband sending? Was it in fact an SMS text? Of was it MMS or iMessage? What kind of device was it? Another iPhone? Could be his settings not sending SMS when you expect it. Have you tested the texting with a non iOS device? If so, what were the results?

And whatever impression you have, SMS is working fine on the iPhone 5. Since I have unlimited SMS texting but limited data (also Verizon), that's all I or my wife use. Plus we both text frequently with non iOS and non smart phone users. No problems at all.

Glad I was able to help. Let everyone know that I fixed your problem.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2755

You need data for SMS/MMS.

Imessage can use either data or wifi.

Your complaint should be to Verizon not Apple.

katrina102 wrote:

Yes this works!!! Here's the deal: iphone defaults to imessage when wifi is off and imessage requires data. SO...if you want to conserve your data turn off imessage, you can not use imessage when data is off.

That works.

An issue is if you want to send text message to someone with an iPad/iPod touch or a Mac (using Messages app).

You can only send them a message using iMessage as the cannot get SMS/MMS so you would need to enable iMessage.

Open the settings app > Messages. Make sure Send as SMS is turned on and that your correct phone number is in the Send & Receive field.

If that fails, contact Verizon. It is possible that the phone or the account was not set up properly.

Hi Katrina,

Have you tried sending a SMS text to yourself? I just tested it on my phone - turned off Wifi AND Cellular Data. Then I sent myself a text message - and it was delivered right back to me immediately. I acutally knew from previous experience that - contrary to what Razmee209 said - you in FACT don't need cellular data or wifi to send SMS messages.

That being said, without WiFi the only possible way for your phone to send and receive SMS text messages is via your carrier (with or WITHOUT cellular data enabled). Therefore, if you still can't send / receive SMS, then I would definitely follow James Ward4's advice and contact Verizon.

Good luck.

Maybe this will help.You essentially have three messaging services that are run out the Message app:

SMS (Simple Messaging Service) - strictly TEXT based (and traditionally limited to 160 characters per transmission). This does not usually requre an actual data service to send or receive, just a texting plan wirth your prover (which you have) and will work regarless of whether you are on Cellular data, WiFi or not, as long as you have a cellular phone signal. Whether the recipient is using an iPhone or not is irelevent.

MMS (Multimedia MEssaging Service) - more or less an externsion of SMS, this allows for larger data packets i teh messege, such as graophic or video files. This typically (as in your case with the iPhone on Verizon) requires a data access method via the carrier (cellular data). On the iPhone, it does not operate via WiFi. But again, the recipient just needs MMS active on thier service and phone; doesn't have to be an iPhone.

iMessage - Apple proprietary system that transmits via any data connection (WiFi or Cellular data) to other iOS or OS X devices ONLY, assuming the recipient has an adddress registered via their AppleID.

razmee209 wrote:

http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2755

You need data for SMS/MMS.

No you don't.

You DO need text messages on your cell plan though.