Level 1

13 points

phone still sends SMS message even though it is turned OFF in settings.

It appears that my phone still sends SMS messages (green messages) on occasion even though I have turned this setting OFF. What's up with that?

iPhone 5, iOS 6.1.3

Posted on May 2, 2013 11:05 AM

Top-ranking reply

Kilgore-Trout

Level 8

38,173 points

Posted on May 2, 2013 11:23 AM

What exactly did you turn off? If you mean Settings App > Message > Send as SMS, that doesn't turn SMS messaging off, it just mean an iMessage recipient will not get a message initated as an iMessage as SMS (and likley will still get it as SMS if the iMessage ID is their phone number). SMS messaging is still available assuming you have the service with your carrier.

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29 replies

SamCeeMe

Level 1

8 points

Sep 25, 2013 4:29 PM in response to SamCeeMe

For the next few days I will more closely monitor the send button. If I lose a signal after hitting the blue send button again I'll see how quickly it turns to green and how long till it turns back to blue. I'm hoping paying close attention to this will help me avoid overcharges. I'll report back if it continues to switch colors on me post sending.

amy_lou

Level 4

1,576 points

May 2, 2013 11:33 AM in response to patarakc

If it's green, you will be charged. If your imessages are being sent as SMS, it can be for any number of reasons, including that the person you're messaging has imessage turned off.

patarakc Author

Level 1

13 points

May 2, 2013 11:35 AM in response to amy_lou

Therefore turning off the setting is completely useless and does nothing for me?

May 2, 2013 11:37 AM in response to patarakc

Not if you text an non iphone user.

patarakc Author

Level 1

13 points

May 2, 2013 11:39 AM in response to razmee209

We both have iPhones, we both have iMessaged previously.

May 2, 2013 11:40 AM in response to patarakc

I understand that. You said you have sms turned off, so if you try to text a non iphone user, you shouldn't be able to.

As explained by amy - when imessage is unavailble it will send it as an SMS.

patarakc Author

Level 1

13 points

May 2, 2013 11:41 AM in response to amy_lou

iMessage is not turned off on their phone. We both appear to be able to iMessage a mutual third party without issue. It appears to be specifically between our phones.

patarakc Author

Level 1

13 points

May 2, 2013 11:45 AM in response to razmee209

that seems to mean that the "Send as SMS - OFF" feature is completely useless then...

May 2, 2013 11:45 AM in response to patarakc

That's how imessage works.

As a test can you try and send a text to a NON IPHONE USER? And see what happens.

patarakc Author

Level 1

13 points

May 2, 2013 11:50 AM in response to amy_lou

Yes, I've had this phone number since 2000...

amy_lou

Level 4

1,576 points

May 2, 2013 11:54 AM in response to patarakc

Have you ever switched phone carriers?

patarakc Author

Level 1

13 points

May 2, 2013 11:55 AM in response to amy_lou

No, always AT&T.

patarakc Author

Level 1

13 points

May 2, 2013 12:01 PM in response to amy_lou

So, if I dig in and look at "Start new conversations from:"

if I switch this from my phone number to an email address what will occur?

amy_lou

Level 4

1,576 points

May 2, 2013 12:03 PM in response to patarakc

well it's not possible to send SMS from an email address, so that could be a workaround

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phone still sends SMS message even though it is turned OFF in settings.