Why does my phone refuse to switch back to Imessage after randomly switching to text message?

Question

Level 1

8 points

Why does my phone refuse to switch back to Imessage after randomly switching to text message?

I've been having problems with my Iphone 4S that I bought this past fall, so it is a relatively new phone, where i will be messaging someone and it randomly switches to text message and wont switch back to Imessage. I have tried turning imessage on and off, i have tried turning data on and off, i have tried turning both off then restarting my phone then turning them both on and none of these solutions is consistant. Every once in a while they will work but most of the time they do not. And yes, i've had the other person im texting do the same and it doesn't work. So what's wrong with my phone? It's really starting to **** me off because this is a new phone and I expected better from something that you have to pay through to nose to have. So explain to me why I can't troubleshoot this consistantly.

iPhone 4S, iOS 6.1.4

Posted on Jul 23, 2013 2:23 PM

Reply

Answer 1

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

230,311 points

Jul 23, 2013 2:28 PM in response to KSMacD

iMessage requires both individuals to be using an iDevice with iOS 5 or above. It also requires an active data connection for both parties, i.e. the sender and the receiver. If the data connection is interrupted on either, then iMessage can fail. See this support document for help in troubleshooting Messages. http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2755

Reply

Answer 2

razmee209

Level 10

191,298 points

Jul 23, 2013 2:30 PM in response to KSMacD

about message http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3529

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

If imessage is unavailable it will send it as a SMS, usually because either you or the recipient have a weak wifi or cellular data signal when sending the imessage.

Reply

Answer 3

Jul 23, 2013 2:31 PM in response to KSMacD

"So explain to me why I can't troubleshoot this consistantly."

Because you aren't using the proper troubleshooting steps, perhaps? Use the article Chris referenced, and when you've checked ALL of that, let us know what happened.

Your device is still sending the messages as MMS, correct? You can still send photos, for example, yes?

Reply

Answer 4

Jul 23, 2013 2:50 PM in response to KSMacD

So here is an example .. my boyfriend has a iphone 4s and so do I and they are both verizon.

When he is on a call it switches to regular sms or if I turn off my 3g data then it switches to sms.

Or if I am out in the country where the internet is poor it switches to sms.

Like everyone else said both people have to good internet connection and imessage on and activated

Reply