Moved to Android - People still sending SMS as iMessage

Hey Keith,

I completely agree with you, it's an absolute joke. They're our phone numbers and their service should not try to replace the functions delegated to a phone number. If Apple wants to run an IM service, users should be identified by something that doesn't effectively hijack the functionality of every other service on a phone.

That being said, I've included my post earlier in this thread below that helped me sort this issue out. After contacting support, it might take some time for the changes to fully propogate. Changes were immediate for some of my contacts, but not for others.. It's sort of hit or miss, but eventually everything worked out. 😠

It's worth noting that your son might have to message friends to remove him from any group messages they might have had him in, because for whatever reason even after having your number removed, existing group messages will not function properly. I believe it to be due to the way Apple stores the address in the group message (e.g. your Apple e-mail address rather than your phone number)

https://www.apple.com/contact/

Alright, I contacted Apple support and the guy seemed to know what I was talking about. After confirming the number was in fact mine he was able to remove the number from the iMessage system in a few minutes. Although the changes took a few hours to propogate through the system, everything seems to be going good now and I'm receiving messages from Apple devices once again.

Why I had to go through this trouble for messages sent to my phone number (not e-mail as some have suggested..) in the first place is still beyond me. Apple needs to sort this out as it is entirely an oversight on their end; transitioning between phones should not require reclaiming your own phone number.

If you hit road blocks (I did) telling you you don't qualify for free support, try all the options and you'll eventually hit one that will allow you to talk to a human being.

Best of luck,

Taylor

I spent a day trying to figure this out. Ripping my hair out while looking at various forum posts. Finally found a page with clear instructions:

http://switchiphone.com

I don't either. It works for some folks and not for others. 😢

One of the reason that users may have suggested using the email is because the iMessaging works off your email and not necessarily a phone number. Also, for those that might have this issue you can try to turn off iMessage on other apple devices. Some people sync their devices to be able to receive text on their apple tablets. To prevent these issue go ahead and try to turn YOUR settings for iMesagging off. Let me know if this works. Also, regarding the phone number issue im quite certain that the number becomes linked once your phones apple id is set on that phone using that specific number. Its one of the reasons why you are able to recieve text messages from your phone on your apple tablet. For them to not access your number you may lose that fancy service the majority of apple fans enjoy. :-) Hope this was helpful.

Best Regards,

Rex

"TheMadComputerScientist"

Well this should be a reply to all but the fix is very easy.

Now this sounds like a premium text but it's not. Just text stop to 48369. It will deactivate the I message. I work at a wireless company and it works every time.

Good luck

I have had the identical problem as stated by the original poster, and have taken all of the recommeded steps to fix this to no avail.

My mobile numbers have been deregistered from Apple for days, and all iOS devices continue to see my mobile numbers as iOS devices and attempt to imessage them.

YES THANK YOU!!

I've been dealing with this for weeks now and it has been SO frustrating. My iPhone bricked on me, so I couldn't go in and change the iMessage settings before I got my new droid phone and switched carriers. I unregistered the device from Apple, but it didn't do anything.

I've been tearing at my hair over this, but texting STOP to 48369 seems like it's finally done the trick! I could hug you SO HARD RIGHT NOW.

did you send the stop text from your new android? Because I do not have the old iphone anymore

See this support document from Apple. http://support.apple.com/kb/TS5185

I sent it from my droid, BUT it turns out it didn't actually work. Finally I gave up and made an appointment at the genius bar. They got my phone on, charged it and turned off imessage. Not helpful for people who already got rid of their iPhone, but its the only thing that worked for me. Stupid Apple. Hmph.

I've tried everything but only the factory reset worked. You can do that over Wifi, you don't need the simcard.

This is a two part fix.

Part 1 is getting your iMessage registration revoked if you do not have access to your prior iPhone. See http://support.apple.com/kb/TS5185

Part 2 requiries the cooperation of the sending iPhones.

On the sending iPhone do the following:

1. Select SETTINGS

2. Select MESSAGES

3. Enable SEND_AS_SMS

i swaitched and am having the same exact issue, i have asked every to delete me and readd me as their contact and same deal... i logged into the supoprt site unregistered all my devcies.... same deal.... c'mon apple, fix this!

I searched and tried every suggestion I could find on resolving this issue and never got it resolved. Funny thing is I ended up going back to the iPhone 4s so this problem no longer concerns me. I know this doesn't help you with your issue and I feel your pain. If you happen to get this resolved please do follow up with a post because I know a few other folks that went back to Android and are still having issues.

Good luck!

BTW - My humble opinion is that Apple is not motivitated to resolve this issue. Why should they :-(

Texting "STOP" to 48369 seems to be the easiest fix. Keep in mind it'll probably take some time for changes to propogate.

@andyappel - Yes, it's quite obvious Apple is ignoring the issue. It's not unlike them to do something like that. Their refusal to act is essentially an unethical attempt to drag people back to their devices