Getting charged for text messages on iMessage

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Level 1

5 points

Getting charged for text messages on iMessage

I have a pay-as-you-go ATT Go Phone SIM chip in my iPhone 4S. Previously, I had the phone set to to restricting text messages to Wifi, through the Cellular setting in General, under Settings. As I consequence, unless I want to pay for a text message, I cant send a text through iMessage without being charged unless I am connected to the internet. In addition, I used to not receive text messages from other senders until I was near a wifi connection. Presently, spontaneously it changed and I am now being charged for any message that a Sender texts me if I am not within range of a wifi connection and I am getting hammered on misnutes. What setting needs to be adjusted to fix this?

iPhone 4S

Posted on Aug 8, 2014 12:08 PM

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Answer 1

fishprincess Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 8, 2014 12:27 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

I presently have my settings on do not have Send as SMS activated for messages that you are sending. So, if the send does not have the same settings, they I will be charged for the text? If so, why did this not occur in the several months before (I primarily text with one about three people)?

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Answer 2

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,641 points

Aug 8, 2014 12:14 PM in response to fishprincess

If you are not connected to the Internet and the sender, using another iMessage capable device has their device set to send SMS if iMessage unavailable, it could be opting right away to send the SMS. iMessage needs an active data connection on both the sender and the receiver to work properly. Any interruption in that can cause the behavior you describe, depending on the sender's settings. You cannot send iMessages unless you are connected to the Internet, since iMessage requires a data connection. That is why it is trying to send as an SMS. The only way you can fix this is to ensure your settings do not have Send as SMS activated for messages that you are sending. You have no control over the other senders' settings.

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Answer 3

Chris CA

Level 10

82,739 points

Aug 8, 2014 12:27 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

ChrisJ4203 wrote:

You cannot send iMessages unless you are connected to the Internet, since iMessage requires a data connection. That is why it is trying to send as an SMS. The only way you can fix this is to ensure your settings do not have Send as SMS activated for messages that you are sending.

but iMessage will use a cell data connection. He won't get charged for SMS/messaging but he will get charged for data.

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Answer 4

tmaag

Level 1

126 points

Aug 8, 2014 12:13 PM in response to fishprincess

There is no charge for iMessages

There may be a charge for the data if your using cell data.

The iMessage can use WiFi, that would be through your ISP.

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Answer 5

Chris CA

Level 10

82,739 points

Aug 8, 2014 12:25 PM in response to fishprincess

FYI: The app is Messages.

You use it to send iMessages or SMS/MMS.

Settings > Cellular > Cellular data to Off

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Answer 6

Chris CA

Level 10

82,739 points

Aug 8, 2014 12:30 PM in response to fishprincess

I presently have my settings on do not have Send as SMS activated for messages that you are sending

This will still use a cell data connection if you are not on wifi, even if sending to iMessage users. It won't go as SMS and you will not be charged a messaging charge.

If so, why did this not occur in the several months before (I primarily text with one about three people)?

If these users are not using iOS/iMessage, you can only send them SMS/MMS (regular text message).

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Answer 7

fishprincess Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 8, 2014 5:56 PM in response to Chris CA

thank, you, it is getting clearer, but I think I may be getting some terms confused and therefore incorrectly describing my problem.

With my plan, I have pay-per-call (or text/message [are these terms interchangeable?]) service. I have no data plan and just use whatever WiFi connection is available, if there happens to be one. When I send a message, I do so as an iMessage, so it is free for me to do so to other iMessage users as along as I maintain a WiFi connection. Those messages are blue. I understand how to control being charged for my outgoing messages; what I am having an issue with are the incoming messages from other iPhone users and occasionally getting charged for them.

My settings are Cellular>Cellular Data (off) and Messages.iMessage (on) and Send as SMS (off).

My issues is that other iPhone users are sending me messages (presumably using iMessage) and I previously I was not being charged for them. If I was near a WiFi connection, I received them as an iMessage and was not charged. If I was not near a WiFi connection, they waited to be delivered when I had a connection. Spontaneously, I now receive all messages when they are sent from my iPhone iMessage users, regardless of if I have a WiFi connection and I am being charged for many of them.

Do I have any control over this from my phone?

If not, Is there a setting I can ask my friends to do on their end?

Any idea on what changed?

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Answer 8

Lyssa

Level 8

41,415 points

Aug 9, 2014 5:30 AM in response to fishprincess

When you receive the messages that you believe you are being charged for, are the bubbles green or blue?

If they are green, they are coming in as SMS - there's nothing you can do on the phone to stop those from coming in.

If they are blue, they are coming in as iMessage, and you need to ensure your cellular data settings are off.

~Lyssa

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Answer 9

BazB

Level 1

5 points

Jan 30, 2016 4:11 AM in response to Lyssa

Settings - Mobile Data, scroll down to the bottom and switch off 'WI-FI assist'. This relatively new addition provided by apple automatically switches you over to your phone network when the WI FI signal is weak. Great if on an 'all in' contract but not so good if on pay-as-you go etc!

Hope this helps

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Answer 10

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,641 points

Aug 8, 2014 1:31 PM in response to Chris CA

Agreed that iMessage uses the cell data, except if the sender sends it as an SMS, which they would then be charged as receiving an SMS. If iMessage used data, then yes, they would be charged data.

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Answer 11

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,641 points

Jan 30, 2016 8:00 AM in response to BazB

Since wi-fi assist was not available when this thread was started 2 years ago, I'm guessing that the OP has since resolved their issue.

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