Can't iMessage overseas friend?

Question

Level 1

5 points

Can't iMessage overseas friend?

I'm from the UK and my friend is from the US.

We're trying to use iMessage over email (we don't have each others phone numbers), but when she send a message to me it fails, and when I send one to her she never receives it.

I don't know what the problem is, I'm sure it ought to work?

I've googled a lot and can't seem to find an answer so I'm asking the question directly.

I am on the latest iOS 7.0.2. and she is on iOS6 but says she doesn't have any trouble messaging other people?

(I've tried emailing her from my phone and that does work)

Posted on Jul 9, 2014 1:28 PM

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Answer 1

Mac.Dee

Level 2

335 points

Jul 9, 2014 1:32 PM in response to Amieemica

Turn off iMessage and Facetime. Turn on airplane mode for a few seconds. Or restart your phone. Turn airplane mode off. Sign back into iMessage and Facetime and try again.

When you send iMessage to her, does it show delivered?

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Answer 2

Amieemica Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 9, 2014 1:35 PM in response to Mac.Dee

Thanks, we will try this!

I'm not what is classed as "showing delivered" (I have only had the phone about two weeks), but no error message comes up, and it plays the "whoosh" sound after the bar has finished going across. Very scientific answer, I know, but I hope it was enough information. Let me know if not!

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Answer 3

Mac.Dee

Level 2

335 points

Jul 9, 2014 1:40 PM in response to Amieemica

This is just an example.

You will hear a woosh sound then you can check the message like the above to show delivered or not delivered to indicate if the message was successful. Some might not even show delivered or not delivered response then something is wrong with it.

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Answer 4

Amieemica Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 9, 2014 1:43 PM in response to Mac.Dee

Oh thank you! My message didn't say "delivered" underneath, no.

Both of us tried what you suggested and now her messages are 'sending' (i.e. not showing 'not delivered' message), but mine ARE saying 'not delivered'. Also now all of our messages are green instead of blue. Do you have any other suggestions?

Thank you so much for your help so far~

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Answer 5

Amieemica Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 9, 2014 1:46 PM in response to Mac.Dee

Sorry for the second message here, I hope it's not too bothersome.

But interestingly enough my friend tried to send me an iMessage just now, and instead I received an email from ###########@mms.att.net (the #### being her phone number) instead of an iMessage. That is also not her email address.

Is this weird?

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Answer 6

Mac.Dee

Level 2

335 points

Jul 9, 2014 1:46 PM in response to Amieemica

Make sure you and her are both connected to a source of data such as cellular data 3G/4G/LTE or WIFI for iMessage to work to send or receive.

The green bubble instead of blue meaning that iMessage had failed to send that message and now sent as regular text/sms instead.

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Answer 7

Amieemica Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 9, 2014 1:50 PM in response to Mac.Dee

I don't know what happened but all of a sudden it is working! Perhaps the advice you gave just took a while to... set itself up or something?

Thank you so much!

I'm sorry I accidentally clicked "this solved my question" on the wrong answer and couldn't find how to change it....

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Answer 8

Mac.Dee

Level 2

335 points

Jul 9, 2014 1:57 PM in response to Amieemica

Glad it starts to work. Sometimes there might be a jam and all you need is to log out and sign back in. iMessage and Facetime intertwine together if one doesn't work the other one is also affected so sign out on both and back in on both.

It alright as long as it solved your problem 🙂

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